August 14, 2006
Get out of Dodge
Before heading to Saturday night's Allman Brothers/Tom Petty concert at the Dodge Music Center in Hartford, I talked with my sister-in-law, who was going to the show with her two sisters. They bought $35 lawn tickets because they didn't want to drop $85 on the concert.
I told her, "You're better off not going than sitting on the lawn," but she figured, "How bad could it be?"
She found out.
Upon returning home, I checked my messages and she had called at 10:15, saying she was already halfway home and that they left the show before Tom Petty even hit the stage. I believe the words she used were "disgusted" and "mortified." She didn't expect to be subjected to the thousands of drunk kids walking on their blanket, stepping on their feet and, most disturbingly, urinating whenever and wherever they felt like. Not to mention the clouds of marijuana smoke.
Worst of all, there's nobody to complain to up on the lawn. There is no police presence up there and there didn't seem to be anybody from the venue brave enough to venture onto the lawn to keep any semblance of order.
Apparently, it's a young person's game up on the lawn and most likely these are the kids that started tailgating hours before the show at the various parking lots surrounding the Dodge.
I'm really not the prude I might sound like, but aren't there limits? Why do people who want to go and see a show have to deal with drunken idiots?
I just find it hard to believe that the Hartford Police don't know or don't care about the activities happening on the lawn and in the parking lots before and after concerts. And it will probably take a seriously unfortunate event before there are any changes to the anything-goes policy now in place.
That's why I stick to this line of thinking in regards to the Dodge Music Center: "If I go to will call and my ticket says lawn, I'm gone."
Posted by Sean on August 14, 2006 6:45 PM
Comments
Hell yes! After seeing one show from the grass, I whole heartedley agree with your sister-in-law. I will not attend any more concerts at the Dodge - I like my beer as much as the next person but not to the extent of peeing wherever and dealing with people who have no clue of who is even playing. One women asked me "Who is this?" It was the Allman Brothers. She didn't know who she was even there to see.
Posted by: Carol A at August 14, 2006 7:43 PM
Amen to that brother! My experience at Tom Petty was horrible. I will never go to another show at the Dodge. I will happily give my money to the folks at Mohegan Sun who know how to provide an evening of entertainment for adults.
Posted by: Susan B at August 15, 2006 4:48 PM
I blame the owners and operators of the Dodge for allowing the free-for-all I saw at the Tom Petty show. It was impossible to overlook the public urination/vomitting, underage drinking and illegal drug use, unless you were deaf, dumb, blind or, obviously, working security at the show! I will never attend another show at the Dodge. Pavillion seats are OVERPRICED and Lawn seats are dangerously OVERSOLD. Their concern is for the almighty dollar; not the safety and comfort of people who attend their shows.
Posted by: Edna at August 20, 2006 10:56 AM
You people are idiots... its called a Rock Concert.... why the hell would you want the cops to come and trample on civil liberties. You all sound like a bunch of whiny yuppies. Maybe if you had a drink yourself you could unclinch your buttholes and have a good time. If people having fun is too scary for you maybe you should try an Eagles concert instead... maybe some Jame Taylor... yeah that safe... you can bring you high maintenance girlfriend there. If you people are blind to positive energy that the allmans, crowes, petty bring around I pitty your consumeristic souls. Well on the bright side, we count that many more stiffs out next time a good time comes around.
Posted by: Brian at August 22, 2006 8:32 PM
hhahah i was one of the drunken pot smokers on the lawn why didnt you guys stay in the family zone hahha
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