Howard Saffan, the owner, developer, and president of the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, will provide an insider’s look at this venue August 3 at The Westport Library in a presentation co-sponsored by the Library and the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston.
Now in the midst of its second season, the Amphitheater is a conversion of the former Harbor Yard Ballpark, previously home to the Bridgeport Bluefish. The Amphitheater showcases many of music's superstars, and Saffan will discuss the development of the amphitheater, the relationship with Bridgeport, and the exciting renaissance of live contemporary music shows and the Sound on Sound Festival. The Amphitheater is the premier music venue in Connecticut, presenting live shows with The Beach Boys, Temptations, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Santana, and many more.
The former president of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Saffan also oversaw management of the New York Islanders hockey club and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and was president of Webster Bank Arena. He owns the popular Sports Center of Connecticut in Shelton.
Saffan will discuss how to convert a traditional stadium in to a world class amphitheater. He has a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.S. in finance from Syracuse University. Saffan resides in Weston with his wife and four children.
