8/28/10 Milwaukee WI, Riverside Theater

[Alinite27]

Well, this was a VERY fun day with my family! Picked Anna and her brother up at 9, and made the 7-hour trek to Milwaukee's Riverside Theater. Along the way, we listened to tons of Al stuff, some Tim and Eric, some Pixar, even my marching band stuff...just had an awesome time, made the drive go by quick!

I didn't even realize we would be doing this, but we passed by the Merrillville exit on the drive up 65 to take the Chicago turnpikes up to Milwaukee. So, we got off the Merrillville exit, and showed them the Star Plaza Theater, since Al has played that venue a lot. We filmed some stuff, and saw the theater, and then headed to the next, when in Merrillville-always stop here, stop...the Albanese Candy Factory. They thought the chocolate water fountain was cool, and we got some different assorted chocolates. Didn't buy any gummy bears, as I usually do there, as I was just more in a chocolate modd this time.

After that, we made our way on up to Milwaukee. Stopped at the hotel for just a little bit, and then made it into Downtown Milwaukee around 6. We saw the Riverside Theater directly after getting off the interstate, and then found the parking building and how to maneuver in it...after deciding there weren't any other spots. The parking building wasn't THAT far away, and Milwaukee was a very pretty city. Anna got to see Steve before the show, and the first thing he said to her was, "You're Jeremy's friend!" Then, we took a few pics of the venue, marquee, busses, etc...and made our way inside.

Met up with Kathy when inside after finding our original seats. Talked to her for awhile, and she took mine and Anna's picture by the stage. Anna then got to talk to Fred for a little bit. We then had a dilemma to decide on. The seats in the first few rows on the very right side weren't filling up, and we had far back seats in the Center Aisle. We eventually decided to give it a shot for the seats on the right, and moved into them. Well...some people came for the front row seats on the right...so we moved in the row directly behind them. This ended up being an awesome seat for the show!

I was kinda worried for a few first songs, that some people might be coming for these seats, too...but luckily, no one did. We had much interaction with Steve all night, since we were right on his side. Could really feel and hear the bass tonight, with being on Steve's side...and I think that always adds more to the show. We also moved over, so that Anna might have a good shot for Wanna B Ur Lovr, since the steps were right there. Anna had tweeted Al earlier in the day where she would be, and he ended up going back to our original seats...but, since we'd moved we weren't there. Al ended up finding Anna and sung to her in Lovr from the steps, as he was heading back on stage. Definitely a fun night, though, with all the Steve interaction...

The alternating songs were Frank's and You Don't Love Me Anymore. Very fun selection tonight! There was TONS of energy out of Al tonight, maybe the off day in between Kansas City and Milwaukee helped. For the introduction of Let Me Be Your Hog, Al mentioned how great it was to be back in Milwaukee...since it had been a few weeks since he played it. He then went on to describe the story behind the song, how one man had the insatiable lust to be another one's hog. There were a couple minor line flubs, but nothing major. It was interesting how much Al's mic kept flying around tonight. It landed hard in Wanna B Ur Lovr, and also in other mic stand segment songs like Craigslist...REALLY fun show tonight, with the 3 of us being together...and just jamming the whole time!

After the show, I ran back to the parking garage to get the stuff I wanted Al to sign and to show to him. I got that, and ended up back at the busses. Anna and Joe had saved a spot in line for us. Wayne soon came out, and we talked to him for awhile...he said that it looked like Al would be doing a meet tonight. Jim came out a little later, and we were able to see him. We then decided that it would most likely be best to be in the back, so that we would have more time in our meetings with Al. That paid off greatly as not only did we get more Al time, but we also got to see Steve and Jon on our way up to Al. I had the whole band sign the Dare To Be Stupid Crew Show 8x10, that I received with my crew travel books I purchased off of eBay. They all thought it was really cool, Steve especially. He thought about different stuff with the tour, named off the people that were on the picture, and then brought it over so that the tour manager could see it. He thought it was amazing that I had it, and that just the same...that he thought that much about it. I'll have to try to see if I can scan a copy for him or something...We then made our way on up to Al, and I showed him the Gotta Boogie contract. He talked about how long ago that was, and that he didn't really remember having to make it. He said, obviously he had, though...and that Dr. Demento sold it, as he didn't need it anymore. I then had him sign the Stupid 8x10. He was also amazed at how long ago that tour was, and how far they had came since then. Had interesting discussions about both items, and then got a pic with Al...which turned out very good. Anna was next. She gave the nesting dolls that she had made for Al to him, and got a flyer signed. She then got an Al-Hug and an awesome posed pic. They chatter for awhile longer, and then her brother got a photo with Al. We finished up talking to the band members, as the bus was leaving quickly after Al got back on...and also the friends we had made in line. Very fun after-show meet!

After everything was over, we made our way back to our car in the parking building. It was just a little past Midnight, and when we left there wasn't anywhere working the cashier place. We deposited our ticket in their little dropbox, and headed on. Not sure if it was free parking, supposed to be $4...but it was awesome to get for free. It was pretty close to the venue and the street that the busses were parked on. Just a very, very, very fun night...and if you couldn't tell...we enjoyed it!

Can't wait for tomorrow and then the next weekend. These shows are a blast with family!

[Orthography Enthusiast]

thanks for the review! Sounds like tremendous fun!

[weird_el]

DARN FULL HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE (the reason I couldn't come)

grumblegrumblegrumble

Franks, YDLMA and a meet n greet -- everything I missed at Summerfest.

grumblegrumblegrumble

K... done kvetching now.

[Alinite27]

Yeah...it was kind of interesting looking for hotels for this trip. All of Downtown Milwaukee was full, so I was searching around. Found a really nice Days Inn for $80 in Sturtevant, which was about 30 mins away from Downtown Milwaukee. It was on the way down for today's Glen Ellyn show, though...and it has worked out great!

[kaffy©]

First of all, I had a fantastic birthday, all the birthday wishes from Random unknown people because of my hat and button.. Dinner with Poohbear and his wife Margie was most excellent. If you like Seafood, next time you're in Milwaukee, I suggest hitting up a place called Rip Tide. I had the Pan Fried Tilapia.. Delicious. And had a bite of Margies Coconut crusted shrimp, excellent..and Poohbear said his scallops were good.. i had a bite, and they were but I still don't think I'm a scallop person!! And thanks to Fred for my Birthday gift as well.. again, its awesome, and it will certainly be spent wisely ;-)

It was one of the BEST shows i've seen in a very long time. It was freaking fantastic.. especially for a birthday show and having front and Center seats..on the aisle. hehe As Jeremy said, spoke to him and Met Anna and Joe

Not only did I smell like Frito's but I melt Al's underwear and just to be sure, wanted to know if I believed in Love at first sight or if he should walk by again.. ;-)

The show was great, full of energy..and they all looked so happy to be up there. I had on my Birthday cake Hat, and a red flashing pin that said Birthday girl on it.. very hard to miss me being in Front Row.. hahaha

At the end of Fat, Jon Stood up to wave to us and spotted me right away and we waved at each other during the show, Steve and I made alot of eye contact and googly smiles at eachother.

AFter the show, I met up with Maria and her daughter Theresa outside by the buses and waited. Spoke with Ruben and tried to get him to give me his CD as a birthday present. I don't think he liked that too much Oh well.. Saw Steve, and he greeted me by name!! w000!! I think thats the first time he's greeted me by name.. so awesome. Had him sign my ticket stub and he wished me a happy birthday, and I thanked him profusely.

Next Up.. JON.. he gave me a big ol bear hug and wished me a happy birthday as well, and he signed my ticket stub and said he wasn't gonna sign Happy Birthday and would leave that for Al if he wanted to.

Next up was Al, and he stood up to give me a great big bear hug as well, and wish me a happy Birthday. Then he proceeded to ask me and make sure that I didn't have any stray Guitar shards stuck in my eyes or any other body parts. and I explained to him I did not. I had him sign my shard of guitar that I grabbed off the stage, he said that he is always concerned with that part of the show because he's always afraid guitar parts are going to go flying into the audience. And they actually did this time, but I was on the other side of where he did it at. hehe NO one was injured!!

Maria took our picture and I thanked him profusely again. and told him I'd see him the following night. and he said "Excellent!" hehe

After Al, Jim was standing off to the side, so I had him autograph my ticket as well. And thanked him for a great show. Jim Also wished me a very happy birthday... Its something being wished this by all the band members, made that day that much more special

Then the long drive home. Got home about 2 a.m. i was tired.. but it was such a great time.