I was so excited to go see one my favorite artists, Lucinda Williams, opening for John Cougar Mellencamp... I thought it would be one of the best concerts of my life.
Wrong.
First, the security people rudely told me my handbag was "large" and that I couldn't bring it in... this was the one high point of the show (excepting Lucinda's performance, of course) as the bag check person was incredibly friendly. I was still hassled by security on the way with my sweater in my arms, having to shake it out to ensure I wasn't sneaking any of that demon alcohol in - and this might be the biggest gripe about the place, that there is NO ALCOHOL at all... the sodas are $5, water (I think, I didn't buy anything while I was there) was $4.50... sure, I expect high prices - I would've ponied up $10 for a beer, as I have at other venues in the past - but for soda?!?! My ticket was for front row center on the balcony (cheapest seats) but because the show hadn't sold enough tickets, everyone from the balcony was asked to move to section 6 - without any further instructions, no seat assignments, nothing. This, obviously, turned into a fiasco of nearly epic proportions, heightened when they started issuing tickets in that section to people who showed up later, who of course wanted their "proper" seats... this all reached a climax about a minute after Lucinda took the stage, and nearly threw me into a fit of rage, but I just tried to shut out the arguing and enjoy the show. Even being moved up, though, I was so far away that the speed of sound couldn't keep up with the show on stage, making me feel like I was watching a screwed up DVD or something. I was so put off by everything about the place I left immediately after her set, even though I kinda wanted to see Mellencamp... After I left, I was still accosted by security while waiting for the bus outside the venue for sitting in the wrong place (no sign or mark said so, though)...
I would NEVER go back.
Pros: Nice bag check person.
Cons: Everything else.
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