ACDC is using credit cards for ticketing

Just got back to internet access after the drive back from Wilkes-Barre...

On the whole, the crowd was lame. Then again, that's what happens when you start the tour in a laid-back, sleepy little town. However, it also allows the band to fly under the radar while still getting the kinks out.

I must say, paperless ticketing rocks! The guy in front of me had bought paperless tickets and sold them to a guy and his wife. He tried to get them into the venue on his credit card, but was denied; security said that if the guy with the credit card didn't go in, then nobody would! As for me, it took a brief scan of my card, seat receipt printed, and I was on my way in all of about 5 seconds.

There were a few glitches; Phil screwed up the count back into the verse from the solo, and got the evil eye from Angus.

As mentioned in an earlier post, the Rosie doll was MIA due to a very close encounter with a flamethrower during a rehearsal the previous night.

In a funny moment, during Highway To h*ll Angus' horns slid down his head until the covered his eyes. Brian kept trying to pull them off, but Angus, not being able to see, just kept bobbing away. :)

During the encore, Angus' guitar was sounding like a screechy wet fart. I talked to the sound guys after the show about it, and they figured that he blew either a cone or the microphone in his setup. I also asked about the short show, and was assured that they had plans to lengthen it as they got their feet wet.

Hilights:

Of the new stuff, besides Train, War Machine got a great reaction, as did Anything Goes. My guess is that they'll stay in the setlist. Big Jack went over quite well, too.

Brian also sounded great. He's back!

What did surprise me was that most of the crowd had no idea that it was their turn to sing during The Jack. The band even went around a second time to get them to sing it. Also annoying was the guy next to me that kept asking me what song they were playing for anything that wasn't on Back In Black or Black Ice.

I doubt that the band will have those problems in cities where people actually buy their albums. Oh well, on to the next one... and see you in Detroit!

ACDC fans sound off on the new paperless ticketing tickets , long lines at the first show

at the ACDC BLACK ICE TOUR 2008 rehearsal show, alot of people had to pickup their tickets at will call, it was a cluster f$ck !! People were lined up at 5pm, the show was at 7:30, at 6:50 they finally opened the doors for will call. They had a bunch of people at a table wading through envelopes with their nams on them.It was a mob scene and a disaster waiting to happen. Extremely poorly managed, they should have the will call window open all day which would have eliminated crowds and any chance for an unruly scene.

I dont know if anyone missed the beginning of the show because I was at front of line. If there were a bunch of people stuck in line and they heard the beginning of RNRT from outside , there would have been a riot to get inside.

10 most anticipated features of the new Yankee Stadium

10 most anticipated features of the new Yankee Stadium
Add a Comment October 6, 9:56 AM
by Pete Sabatini, New York Yankees Examiner
Though the doors of the old Yankee Stadium have just closed and the Cathedral will still host a final ceremony on November 9th, with a 2009 schedule announced and the grand edifice taking shape it’s hard not to look forward to the new Yankee Stadium.

Here are some of the best of the new stadium that I’ll be looking forward to:

10 - Some of the old feel. The new field will have the same odd dimensions of the old field complete with the 314’ short-porch in right. The style of the game won’t change even though the style of the stadium will.

9 - Food and souvenirs. I’m not one for consuming much at a Yankee game, but if concession revenue goes to the same place free-agent signing dollars are taken from I’m glad the Steinbrenners have found ways to make money on stuffed Jeter bears and soft pretzels at a world-record pace. There will be one concession stand for every 172 fans as opposed to one for every 260 previously.

8 - Shorter bathroom lines. In the new stadium there will be a restroom fixture for you to share with 59 others instead of the old stadium which only had one for you and 88 others. Sure, that stat looks better because of the overall reduction in capacity, 56,866 vs. 52,325, but a shorter line is a shorter line when you’re trying to get back to your slightly larger seat.

7 - Better parking. The Yankee Stadium plan calls for a $320 million parking garage project with the city of New York. I don’t know exactly what $320 million worth of parking looks like, but I’m looking forward to seeing it, if not paying for it. Now if only they could add another level to the George Washington Bridge.

6 - 500,000’ of elbow room. The new stadium will have 500,000 square feet of additional internal space making it 63% larger than the old stadium. Maybe that means sweaty shirtless guy won’t press up against me on the way out.

5 - 100’ scoreboard. The new video board will measure 59’ x 101’ as opposed to the old 25’ x 33’. The new board will also be in high definition. Camden Yards got a new video board for the 2008 season and after seeing what that upgrade could do for replays I’m really looking forward to seeing it in the Bronx. A humongous Kiss Cam I will not look forward to.

4 - Luxury. With all sorts of new luxury seating options that the average fan will never see, you might not think there’s much benefit in them for the rest of us. But all those private areas might just keep the “luxurious” from holding up the ‘Red Sox suck’ cheers in your section

3 - New chance for “our” stadium. For years I’ve been jealous of my father’s stories about the way the “original” Yankee Stadium used to be. This is a new stadium that we’ll be able to share together and I can’t wait to tell my kids about the days of the “old” stadium.

2 - Grandeur. The new stadium is still taking shape, but what we can see so far is as grand as the artists’ renderings predict. The Yankees and their history should continue to be revered by the very stadium in which they play, and this could prove to be a mighty Parthenon of Baseball.

1 - World Series 27 – The only thing better than old memories are building new memories on the foundation of those old memories. New crazy personalities, new scandals, and most importantly, I’m looking forward to seeing World Series Championship number 27 in the new Yankee Stadium.

The Chicago Cubs may play the Yankees in the first game at the new Yankee Stadium

The Chicago Cubs may play the Yankees in the first game at the new Yankee Stadium.

The two teams are in talks about an April 6th exhibition match-up of one or more games before the 2009 season starts.

The teams are in negotiations but the Associated Press is reporting that the Cubs are the Yankees’ first choice.

Exhibition games are probably a good chance to iron out the kinks at the new digs and make sure the new Legends Hospitality Management staff have their act together.

For more on the Legends Hospitality venture with the Dallas Cowboys read here.

For highlights of the 2009 season schedule, including opening day and Red Sox games, at the new Yankee Stadium, click here.

For some of the best features of the Yankees’ new home, click here.

setlist Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel NYC Obama fundraiser

Final setlist that I got before our caller was lost

the bill will be in the mail tomorrow...


1. In the Name of Love - John Legend
2. This Time - Legend
3. ?? - Legend and India Arie
4. ?? - Legend
5. ?? - Bruce, Patti, Legend, Arie

6. The Promised Land (solo acoustic) -- Bruce
7. This Hard Land (solo acoustic) -- Bruce

8. Miami 2017 -- BJ
9. Baby Grand- Billy & Alexa

10. 10th Avenue Freezeout -- Bruce, Patti and BJ, being backed by a band of some kind

11. Movin Out- Billy & ????
12. Thunder Road Bruce & ??
13. Matter of Trust Billy & ??
14. Spirit In the NIght Billy/Bruce
15 Allentown- Billy/ ???
16. The Rising Billy/Bruce
17.NYSOM Billy
18. Glory Days Billy/Bruce
19.RIver of Dreams
20. Born to Run

21. People Get Ready
22. Sign Sealed Delivered

Nasty ticket sales is that why Janet Jackson keeps canceling shows?

tickets for her show at the Meadowlands...currently named the izod center are going for $20.00 each this Friday ...maybe that is wny she is feeling NASTY ...


Janet Jackson, who had promised to hit the stage over the weekend, was again a no-show, cancelling two more performances on her Rock Witchu tour.

Jackson cancelled her Saturday night show in Uncasville, Conn., only a day after she released a statement that she would be back on the road.

She also cancelled her Monday night concert at the Turning Stone Resort in New York.

A message posted on the resort and casino's website stated the show had been cancelled at the advice of Jackson's doctor.

The 42-year-old singer fell ill just before a show in Montreal and has since cancelled appearances in Boston, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Philadelphia and Greensboro, N.C.

BILLY ELLIOT the Musical Broadway review

The Imperial has found itself a new show that will run for a very, very long time.

BILLY ELLIOT the Musical is a massive show that is, at its core, a very simple story. The thing that sets BILLY apart from all the other musicals right now is that it doesn't try to be anything it isn't - it doesn't TRY to be a big, splashy, flashy, tacky, etc Broadway musical - it very simply tells the story with heart, passion and energy.

As a scenic designer, I was absolutely fascinated by the choices made with the design. Ian MacNeil hit the design on the head and then some. The set itself has a certain character about it - it's very drab and dirty and some have complained about it, calling it ugly - it has done its job. The miners' strike was not happy, cheery, bright, etc it WAS drab and dirty, very bleak and disheartening. The coolest part of the set is the "screwdriver" spiral-staircase unit that revolves, rises and falls out of and into the stage. The back of the stage is a simple brick wall that is visible almost the entire show and serves as a great 'backdrop' for the musical, as opposed to something like a painted cyc.

The lighting design was phenomenal! From various moments of lighting that projected shadows of the actors onto the brick wall at the back of the stage, to the incredible colors in 'ANGRY DANCE' - the lighting was truly fantastic and definitely deserves notice.

David Alvarez was on for BILLY that night and was breathtaking. His BILLY is so genuine, pure, honest - I could go on with plenty of adjectives, but I won't. David was simply perfect. No one could take their eyes of off him and his 'ANGRY DANCE' had everyone holding their breath - it was unbelievable. Applause lasted long after he left the stage for intermission.

Elton John's music and Lee Hall's lyrics are not typical, brassy Broadway songs. They're simply not. If you're going in expecting huge musical theatre 'hits' and should-be standards, you're out of luck. However, if you're looking for music that fits this show and helps tell the story and pushing the plot forward - you're in luck. Lee Hall's lyrics are very, very smart and original and, again, extremely genuine. Elton's music is perfectly matched to Lee's lyrics and his music for the "ANGRY DANCE" brings something of a huge rock concert to mind, but with the beating of a heart as the basis for the whole thing.

Lee Hall's book is very smart and raw. Definitely one of the strongest, if not the strongest, aspect of the show.

A quick rundown of things that stood out/moved me the most...

-The boxing scene - VERY funny, especially the little kid walking out. Audience ate it up!

-SHINE - Hayden Gwyn rocked this song and made it clear she thoroughly understands Mrs. Wilkinson and then some. The girls' ensemble is a hoot and each one has a clear character - loved it.

-SOLIDARITY - Stephen Daldry's direction is so organic and symbolic - definitely a memorable song and powerful one at that.

-EXPRESS YOURSELF - Frank Dolce as Michael was perfection. The lines were delivered so dead-on and the song got incredible reception, it certainly puts things in a different place with a message like this coming from kids to adults, as opposed to it coming from adults to adults...

-ANGRY DANCE - By far the best moment in the show for me. From the moment the first chord hits with Billy running up the stairs, to him throwing the mattress off of his landing and the lighting creating the shadow of him on the back wall. Wow. When the 'screwdriver' unit started to revolve with him tapping it became even more impressive and passionate. Once he made it down to the stage level and the shack came up it was clear David was deep into the role and had let it all out - the small bit I really loved was with the pieces of the huge sign - from Billy being lifted on one to being dragged by someone reaching through one to the back of the stage where all the pieces came together - very powerful. The shields and the police officers banging on the shields was such a powerful image and everything in this moment made that even more powerful (lighting, smoke, music). What really put it over the edge was how loud the music got - it's as if they turned everything up as high as it would go and then told the orchestra to play as loud as possible. Just, wow. I get chills just thinking about it.

-MERRY CHRISTMAS MAGGIE THATCHER - Very funny and the audience got it!

-Transition during DEEP INTO THE GROUND - The staging of the transition was fantastic. Definitely made me take note of it in my mind.

-SWAN LAKE - A very powerful moment of theatre. The whole scene is unbelievable and extremely energizing to watch. When the dance proper ends and Billy dances to his father - lots of tears came. The entire scene working up the that is so well constructed that all the emotion going with it just builds and builds, but you don't notice it until he dances up to his dad and finishes.

-ELECTRICITY - The applause David received stopped the show. Well deserved.

-The ending was very interesting - I'm well aware of the 'megamix' though I think I prefer the show without it. Being left with Michael onstage and Billy leaving through the audience certainly isn't the happiest ending, but it's real and puts a bittersweet outlook on the whole thing.

It's my understanding the 'megamix' will return later in previews once the big kinks are hammered out...

Other notes - David Furnish (Producer of the show and husband of Elton John) was sitting behind me... Lee Hall, Peter Darling and Stephen Daldry were at the back of the house with all of their assistants taking pages of notes... I talked to Stephen very briefly to tell him how much I was enjoying the show and he seemed to enjoy the feedback....

If this is a very 'rough' version of the show with more work to be done, I can't imagine what the final product will be - incredibly stunning show and the best piece of the theatre I've ever seen.

Feel free to ask questions...


EDIT - It completely slipped my mind to mention the direction. Stephen Daldry has directed this show so naturally and organically that it makes it feel REAL. The moment that you first truly notice his fantastic direction is in GRANDMA'S SONG/WE'D GO DANCING - the 'ghosts' moving across the stage in a 'slow motion' throughout the song and interacting with Grandma... beautiful - it really felt like you were either watching a movie take place in front of you, or you were seeing these people in Grandma's mind... the point is, it's a beautiful image and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Luxury Agents Say Bookings Are Steady

Luxury Agents Say Bookings Are Steady
Fri Oct 10 2008, by Jessica McMenamin

In the face of the ongoing credit crisis, now said to be causing a recession, travel agents report normal leisure sales in their top of the market sectors as luxury clients are continuing to travel and book vacations.
(Google last week reported that its travel queries remain strong. Page 34. Official Airline Guide reported big cutbacks in US flights and capacity for the fourth quarter. Page 4.)

However, agents are cautious about the long-term outlook and note that the effects of the Wall Street meltdown could kick in several months down the line since bookings for fall and holiday travel have already been made.

"My perspective is that the top of the market is still going well," said Bob Malmberg, president of Malmberg Travel, an agency in the Virtuoso network based in Boston, that caters to an upper echelon clientele.

"Our gross numbers remain the same, even though our transactions are lower."

Clients of Garber Travel, another Boston-area agency, are booking early, according to Nancy Greenfield, director of leisure sales.

"We still have luxury travelers booking and booking strong, far into 2009," said Greenfield. "We just booked a family for Christmas in 2009, an Italy and Greece vacation in July 2009 and a high-end Regent cruise in October of 2009."

Altour, another top of the market agency, reports its high-end American travelers are not staying home either. They are instead responding to the economic market by booking earlier, thereby locking in better prices and taking a new interest in all-inclusive resorts.

Bob Watson, managing director of Protravel, another Virtuoso agency, told Travel Trade, "Affluent clients are almost embarrassed to talk about how they can afford a trip because most of the general public can not." He added, "It's as though they're too ashamed to take joy in the fact they're about to go on a luxurious trip."

For most top of the market agencies, the general consensus is to wait and see how the economy unfolds after the election in November.

"Our agencies are not really concerned," Kathryn Mazza-Burney, executive vice president of sales and service at Travelsavers told Travel Trade in a group discussion with her colleagues about the market. "I don't feel a real sense of urgency."

Travelsavers agents are, however, seeing that their clients are being cautious about spending. Even though they're getting the best of best, they want to make sure they're not overspending.

Nicole Mazza, executive vice president of marketing for Travelsavers, told Travel Trade, "The affluent traveler is still booking within the luxury market, yet they're perhaps not booking that penthouse."

She added, "They're taking the suite instead. High-end travelers are looking for more value for their dollar."

Malmberg also sees his clients questioning where their money is going.

"For example, one client of mine who typically leases a private G5 nonstop jet across the county, decided to opt for a smaller jet, that costs $60,000 less and stops half-way to refuel instead of her normal nonstop flight," Malmberg said.

Amid the caution and questioning, agents say their luxury clients are not not canceling their vacations.

"I haven't seen the defection of travelers yet. I think the next four weeks are going to be in flux," said Watson.

"It's really difficult to say what's going to happen and only when the elections occur and the economy levels off again, we'll see a major change and dent, if at all, in the top of the market. It's just so difficult to say because bookings are already in place for the next few months."

Like Watson, Jim Mazza, COO of Travelsavers' parent American Marketing Group, agreed, "We're not really going to see anything major until after the holidays, because most bookings are already in place up until Christmas," said Mazza.

"Anything that's been planned is still going forward, 30, 60, 90 days out. After January 1, then we'll maybe see the effects from happened in the economy last week and in September."

Duffy Square TKTS Booth Will Be Credit Card Friendly

Duffy Square TKTS Booth Will Be Credit Card Friendly
By Adam Hetrick
07 Oct 2008


When the anticipated TKTS Booth reopens in Duffy Square later this month, theatregoers will be able to purchase day-of tickets using credit cards.

The Theatre Development Fund has announced that the redesigned TKTS booth will accept major credit cards in addition to cash and travelers checks for tickets to day-of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.

The news comes as welcome relief to theatregoers who have been hoping the midtown location would, like its counterpart booths located in downtown Brooklyn and South Street Seaport, accept credit card payments.

"We're thrilled to be able to improve our service for patrons and productions with this added feature at the new TKTS booth in Duffy Square," said TDF's executive director, Victoria Bailey in a statement. "This has been a goal for some time and we've been working out the logistics of accepting credit cards at TKTS. It turned out to be much more complicated than it might appear on the surface, but by working closely with Telecharge, Ticketmaster and The Broadway League, we've been successful in developing systems that will serve the many productions whose tickets we sell 365 days a year, while maintaining the transaction speed necessary to keep the lines moving quickly. We've been accepting credit cards at our South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn TKTS Booths as a trial and I'm happy to report that the trials have been successful."

The brand new TKTS booth is part of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Duffy Square, the island located in the northern part of Times Square. Featuring an illuminated red glass staircase, the new TKTS booth, which has increased its box office from ten to twelve windows, will officially open at 3 PM on Oct. 16.

TKTS Duffy Square hours of operation follow: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3 PM–8 PM for 8 PM performances; Tuesdays from 2 PM–8 PM for 7 PM and 8 PM performances; Wednesday and Saturday from 10 AM–2 PM for 2 PM matinees; and Sunday from 11 AM–3 PM for matinee performances and 3 PM–7 PM for evening performances.

to avoid the long lines at the ticket booth check online at www.tixx.com for tickets to many broadway shows

Billy Elliot began preview performances

A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the upcoming theatre season, Billy Elliot began preview performances last night, October 1, 2008. With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical opens at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (240 W 45th St) Thursday, November 13th.

Directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot has played over 1,300 performances and recently celebrated its 3rd anniversary in London. Billy Elliot the Musical opened at London's Victoria Palace in May 2005 to unanimous critical acclaim. The production went on to sweep London's nine awards for Best Musical, including the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Theatre Awards. In London, Billy Elliot has now been seen by over 1.5 million people and has grossed over £65 million. The musical opened to equal acclaim at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Australia in December 2007. The two current productions have played to over 2.3 million people.

Billy Elliot will be played by David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik. They will alternate performances when the musical opens on Broadway.

Springsteen rocks Obama rally in Philly

Springsteen rocks Obama rally in Philly
By MARYCLAIRE DALE – 17 hours ago

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bruce Springsteen called the Bush presidency "a disaster" and said many Americans have "justifiably lost faith" in the American dream.

The legendary rocker interrupted a seven-song acoustic set at a voter-registration rally in Philadelphia on Saturday to praise Democrat Barack Obama and bemoan the crises facing the next president. Springsteen said that America remains a house of dreams for some, but that too many people have given up on the promise of fairness and equality.

"I've spent 35 years writing about America and its people and the meaning of the American promise — a promise handed down right here in this city," said the New Jersey rocker, whose songs often depict down-on-their-luck, working-class dreamers. "Our everyday citizens ... have justifiably lost faith in its meaning."

The rally, planned by the Obama campaign a week ago, drew tens of thousands of people to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Springsteen approached the campaign and asked to help out, an Obama aide said. The Philadelphia event came just days before Monday's voter registration deadline in Pennsylvania.

"The Boss" also plans to perform at Obama gatherings in Ohio on Sunday and Michigan on Monday. On Oct. 16, he will join Billy Joel at an Obama fundraiser in New York City.

Springsteen cited the Iraq war, the recent economic turmoil and Hurricane Katrina as examples of the Bush administration's failures. He bookended the set with his rock classic "Promised Land" and Woody Guthrie's folk anthem, "This Land is My Land."

The Obama camp says its registration efforts have helped give Democrats a 1.2 million-voter advantage over Republicans in Pennsylvania, up from a 580,000-voter lead in 2004. The most recent Quinnipiac University poll, conducted late last month, showed Obama with a 54 percent to 39 percent lead over Republican John McCain among likely state voters.

Artist Colleen Dougherty-Bronstein, 55, of Yardley, was perhaps one of the few undecided voters on hand.

"I have concerns about both candidates," she said. "Are either of them strong enough to take on the mess that they'll be going on to?"