Second Mumford Show Added

The first one sold out in minutes. They added a second concert for Friday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Winter Thaw

It was downright Spring-like today. And fittingly, because guess who's returning to Forest Hills for an encore in June??

Yes, things are starting to come alive again here in The Hills...

Stadium Grounds

I thought I'd post some pictures of the Tennis Stadium's grounds for those of you who didn't attend the concert. This is what they had going on outside of the stadium itself, such as food carts, etc. Those of you who have been following the news coverage know that the Stadium is now a work in progress. They plan many improvements, all of which they have not yet detailed.

Lining up for some food. This stand served things like fried chicken.

Was great to see Luke's Lobster's truck. Wish we had it here in FoHi all the time!

Their pizzas were extremely popular, and quite tasty if I do say so myself!

The view of the West Side Tennis Club Clubhouse from inside the Stadium.

My Favorite Concert Pic

There's been a ton of pics of last night's Mumford and Sons concert but I have to say, I think this one, shared by @charrie_t tonight on Twitter, has to be my absolute favorite so far!

Post Show Pics

Some folks have expressed an interest in what FoHi was like post-concert last night. Here's some pics I took as we left the show. From what I saw, Station House and Banter seemed to be particularly popular spots for the concert-goers...

Some More Mumford Pics

I'll be posting 'em throughout the day...

George caught some of the building excitement pre-show around Station Square and concert-goers arriving on the LIRR...

Some pics from Rego Parker (is that how you say it?) Lisa:

Elan sent in this really nice shot when things were just getting going...

And this shot from Manny really makes you feel the magnitude of the crowd. Funny how the photos somehow make the crowd seem even bigger than it really was. It was big, but this makes it look like an endless sea of people!

These great shots are courtesy of @harrydelpain who was in the third row...

Mumford Concert Pics

Just a few pics from the amazing concert tonight. I'll post more tomorrow, probably in the afternoon some time. Was a great night...

And some of the press coverage:

Wall St. Journal: Mumford & Sons perform at Forest Hills reopening

Belfast Telegraph: Mumford a smash hit at tennis venue

NY Times: Concert, Anyone? Music Returns to Queens Tennis Stadium

The Washington Post: Mumford & Sons perform 1st concert held in 20 years at historic Forest Hills stadium in NY

New Stadium Entrance

Thanks to Manny for sending in this cool pic he took tonight of the new Tennis Stadium entrance, all decked out for the concert Wednesday night...

Restaurants Preparing For Extra Visitors

The Mumford & Sons Concert Wednesday will probably bring the most visitors to our neighborhood since the last concert was held at our Stadium some 16 years ago. Yes, local politicians, see all those empty storefronts along Austin Street? You bear some of the responsibility for that for not pushing for our beautiful Stadium to be utilized for all of these 16 wasted years; years when struggling local businesses really could have used the help. Yes, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Seriously ashamed. And the same goes for local residents who wanted all events at the Stadium squelched. What could be better for your quality of life here in Forest Hills than having a vibrant local shopping district with awesome restaurants and upscale stores, instead of sad, empty storefronts?

As proof of what I'm saying, local businesses are already embracing the large volume of visitors expected to stroll down Austin Street this Wednesday evening both before and after the concert.

One of my favorite new restaurants, Banter, will be having live music of its own after the concert ends around 10 p.m., and Jack & Nellie’s plans to open a little earlier that day for the pre-show crowd. And those are just the ones I know about. If you know of others, comment about them below.

The concert's organizers have really been handling this just fantastically by the way. They understand how much money events like these at the Stadium can bring to our local businesses, a shopping area that could most definitely use a good shot in the arm. (Things have improved, but hey, we're still all recovering from the Depression, aren't we?) So in the letter accompanying tickets to Mumford, the organizers add: "We encourage you to visit local restaurants and shops before and after the show, and explore Forest Hills."

This is truly a great week to be a Forest Hills resident. I hope everyone enjoys what will truly be a memorable time for our thriving New York City neighborhood!

More Reader Pics

Some more photos readers sent in...
Stephen sent in this photo of  last week's Jazz Thursday performance, "I attended tonight's Cheryl Pepsii Riley concert on 70th Road. It was a fantastic show with wall to wall attendance! Glad the weather held up."

And speaking of performances, another reader sent in this pic of the Tennis Stadium, all spruced up and just about ready for Mumford this Wednesday eve...

Stadium Preparations Continue

A reader sent in these new photos of the preparations continuing at the Stadium for the Mumford concert in two weeks. He adds:

"Tremendous progress on the Stadium renovation. It appears most of the rusty railings have been sanded and painted blue along with patch up of the cement columns. Also, the new entrance has been paved and a permanent gate."

Stadium Preparations

Noticed this work going on at the Tennis Stadium over the weekend. I figure they are readying a new entrance along Burns St. to minimize the traffic flow near the residential area for the Mumford concert on Aug. 28th. And lo and behold the old Box Office near the former entrance on 69th Ave. is now gone. This is just my speculation, if anyone can confirm, please let us know below...

New entrance on Burns?

Old entrance with Box Office gone.

The old Stadium Box office has been dismantled

Mumford & Sons Concert Poster

... also reveals that opening for them will be The Vaccines and Bear's Den....