Band Members Will Participate in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Ahead of Highly Anticipated Performance at Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest
What: Imagine Dragons bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman will open a KultureCity Sensory Room at Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ. The ribbon cutting ceremony will also feature Uma Srivastava, Executive Director of KultureCity, and Swoop (the Philadelphia Eagles Mascot). McKee and Platzman also currently serve on the board of KultureCity.
Later in the evening, Imagine Dragons will perform at the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest. Celebrating its fourth year, the three-night festival connects the city of Phoenix with the football and music communities as part of the festivities surrounding this year’s Super Bowl. The Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest will run from Thursday February 9th to Saturday, February 11th at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ and will feature performances from Paramore with special guest Bleachers (Thursday 2.9), Dave Matthews Band with a DJ set by DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak) (Friday 2.10), and Imagine Dragons, Kane Brown and Nightly (Saturday 2.11).
Who: Imagine Dragons bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman
Uma Srivastava, Executive Director of KultureCity
Rachel Hargis, Disability Services Manager, Footprint Center
Swoop (the Philadelphia Eagles Mascot)
Max Hershman, self advocate
When: Saturday, February 11, 2023, 6:30 – 7:00 PM (Media arrival 6:00 PM)
Where: Footprint Center, 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Main guest services office
Details: KultureCity has partnered with Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ to make the venue and all of the programs and events that the arena hosts to be sensory inclusive. This initiative promotes an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with sensory needs that visit. The Footprint Center has taken the next steps and created a sensory room for guests to use at all events!
“My mother is a special education teacher, and growing up, I saw the gap in inclusion for those with sensory needs,” said Daniel Platzman of Imagine Dragons. “Through Imagine Dragons, I’m able to advocate for inclusion and ensure venues around the world are moving in the right direction. We’re excited to support such a great cause!”
The KultureCity Sensory Room provides a dedicated space designed by medical professionals for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment. This is imperative to ensuring fans have a great guest experience. The sensory room is outfitted with bean bags for Yogibo, the visual light panels by Nanoleaf, activity panels, Sparkle Interactive Light (by NunoErin – a therapeutically fun furniture embedded with soft glowing lights that respond to motion), bubble walls, and a custom tactile artwork created by an autistic artist. The sensory room is located in Guest Services and will be open for all events taking place at the Footprint Center.
In addition, every year, staff are trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those guests and fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise cancelling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards (produced in conjunction with Boardmaker) and weighted lap pads have been available to all guests at the Footprint Center who may feel overwhelmed by the environment.
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in a venue like Footprint Center.
Prior to attending an event, families and individuals can download the free KultureCity App where one can view what sensory features are available and where they can access them. Also, on the app is the social story which will provide a preview of what to expect while enjoying an event.