The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is a state-of-the-art, internationally recognized performing arts venue consistently ranked amongst the top amphitheaters worldwide. Musical icons including Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, John Legend, Robert Plant, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and hundreds more have taken the stage. Locally, a group of volunteers has been working to bring greater visibility and usage by the community.
The Friends of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre (FOSAA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization created in 2009 that is committed to keeping The Amp a place where residents are welcome – a mission that is now in its 15th year.
“FOSAA has been privileged to not just witness but contribute to the tremendous success of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre,” says Mark Ramirez, president of the FOSAA Board of Directors. “While The Amp is known internationally for being a top-rate music venue, our mission is to ensure that it remains an accessible asset to the community that has built, renovated and supported it. Generations of St. Augustinians have foundational memories that include attending the historic ‘Cross and Sword’ show, tasting fresh produce at the markets, or learning an instrument at our summer camps. FOSAA looks forward to inspiring new generations.”
FOSAA was founded by the late Marc and Carol Gladstone, the late Jack Wentz, Barb Wentz and Dottie Acosta, who later served as president and is a lifetime member. They built the group from the ground up, with a vision to help improve the St. Augustine Amphitheatre as a destination for headline musicians while preserving the space for community enjoyment.
FOSAA awards grants to nonprofit organizations and schools wishing to rent The Amp for their events or to bring children to cultural events there, free of charge. It sponsors two annual summer camps for children: the Music and Art Camp for elementary school and Camp Rock for middle and high school students.
Additionally, the group sponsors, funds and presents events like movie nights, community concerts and high school graduations; distributes complimentary tickets to nonprofits serving local families in crisis; and provides financial grants to music and art teachers in Title 1 schools for supplies and instruments.
FOSAA operates independently from The Amp but enjoys a close, collaborative relationship. The group was pivotal in enhancing The Backyard Stage, providing funding for a new roof and stage improvements.
Grant awards are funded by membership dues from FOSAA members, corporate sponsors and other fundraisers, like guitar raffles. Guitar raffles will be at the following shows: Brothers Osborne (April 25), Bad Religion and Social Distortion (April 26), Megan Moroney (May 17) and JJ Grey (May 25-26). Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25.
