As the Mobile City Council prepared to vote on a proposal to have SMG manage the historic Saenger Theatre with HUKA Entertainment handling show bookings, HUKA representative Ryan Chavez outlined the company’s vision for the beloved downtown venue in a September 2013 interview.
A Natural Partnership
HUKA Entertainment, a full-service production company with deep roots in Mobile, had been producing club and theater shows in the Southeast for more than a decade, including a significant history in the Mobile market. The company had also earned a national reputation through its work on major music festivals, including the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores and the BUKU Music + Art Project in New Orleans, and was preparing to launch its first international event in 2014.
The partnership with SMG, a worldwide leader in facility management overseeing more than 230 venues, came together after the two organizations recognized complementary strengths during the initial request-for-proposals process. SMG would handle day-to-day facility operations while HUKA would take responsibility for booking and marketing performances at the theater.
Addressing Community Concerns
Some Mobile residents had expressed concern about SMG’s track record with the Mobile Civic Center, questioning whether the Saenger might face similar challenges. Chavez drew a clear distinction between the two situations, noting that HUKA, not SMG, would bear responsibility for keeping the Saenger’s calendar full. He pointed out that many of the Civic Center’s booking challenges stemmed from the venue itself rather than from management issues.
Diverse Programming and Local Talent
Chavez described a programming philosophy centered on variety, promising something for a wide range of musical tastes. He pointed to HUKA’s track record at the Saenger, which already included performances by artists such as Dr. John, Gov’t Mule, Ani DiFranco, Robert Randolph, Brandi Carlile, and Ryan Adams, and indicated that audiences could expect more acts of similar caliber.
The company’s existing booking relationships across the Southeast, including regular shows in Wilmington, North Carolina, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houston, and other markets, would help route touring artists through Mobile more frequently.
Chavez also emphasized HUKA’s commitment to the local arts community, pledging to feature Mobile-area acts as opening performers when opportunities arose. He noted that the Saenger could play a meaningful role in developing local musical talent.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Beyond simply increasing the number and quality of shows at the theater, Chavez described broader ambitions for the partnership. HUKA and SMG aimed to generate significant economic impact for downtown Mobile while contributing to the city’s cultural vitality and overall quality of life.
For Chavez and the HUKA team, the project carried personal significance. Several of the company’s leaders, including cofounders AJ Niland and Bennett Stelly, got their start in Mobile, and the company had a long history with the Saenger Theatre itself.