Here's my comments:
When we got there, there was no baggage check, so we were able to have water and snacks and I didnt even bring my non-pointed umbrella (which according to the venue seems to be the only thing you are allowed to bring).
Hubby and I were sitting opposite of where the guys went in and out, guess it would be considered back stage, (section D) kind of a quiet section.
This was my third show for the SOL tour would like there to have been more, but alas we have interferences like jobs and bills to pay, stupid life!!!!
I am not sure how I feel about the venue, maybe would have felt differently if we were closer to the front of the stage, but I miss the screens being visible right behind the band (at least where we were sitting , we had to watch the left or right side for the screen). Of course, there was a limitation to exploding streamers and there were no exploding yanko bucks. There was no live camera shots of Al in the audience during WBUL, so missed seeing the lady get shrieked at, at the end, since he was probably laying on the floor, I think Bermuda and the amps were hiding him. Its always amusing to see peoples reactions to Als insanity.
They didnt allow cameras although there were some rebels flashing cameras in the audience. I didnt see tight security, like at the Beacon, those guys watch over that place like a flock of hawks. Other than rebellious shutterbugs, the crowd was extremely tame, far as I could see
maybe a bit too tame.
The show was great as usual. No complaints there at all. I think there were quite a few new pastries mentioned in the Donut shop in Albequerque
and I think he covered almost every berry in existence, except for Poke berry. Something seemed different about the medley and I cant quite put my finger on it, nothing bad, just different.
The best thing about this venue was that they did let us line up and meet Al, even if it was brief and quick and not enough time to say more than a sentence. My husband got Als first album signed (has had it for 25 years finally got it signed). Al, if you are peeking in here, Thanks a lot. I got a yanko buck from last year signed
and no I WILL NOT sell it on EBAY.
As an after thought, we went back to see if we could join the end of the line again and get our picture taken together with Al, but the people on the line had been instructed to say they were the last. That was O.K. with us, we just wanted to try, but didnt want to be a bother to Al or the staff.
So, of the three I have been to, for meeting Al, Westbury rates number 1, Beacon in NYC rates number 2 (we should have just been more patient) and Garden State Arts Center (NJ) rates a very bad number I cant think of, because we couldnt even get near the buses. As far as show goes, Garden State Arts Center rates number 1, both for stage set up, space for standing by the stage and audience enthusiasm without obnoxious behavior. Beacon rates number 2 for space for standing, audience enthusiasm (but had obnoxious people), too tight security (poking at people about pictures and just being in the way visually), and not letting us have any of our own food or drinks (because they want to sell their over priced stuff). Westbury rates number 3 for space for standing or even being allowed to stand, audience enthusiasm (it was there, but not as great as at the Arts Center, here in NJ), but the security wasnt that visible or annoying.
Yes, as Dave mentioned, most of the exits that we needed to get home to NJ easily were blocked off, so we had to loop around a bit too.
Thats my story and Im sticking to it.
Flo-cat
Love his expression. lol
