Friday, July 31, 2009

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Kentucky Speedway

Wildlife Expert Maynard Named Meijer Indy 300 Grand Marshal

Cincinnati Zoo Executive Director to Deliver the Command for IndyCar Series Drivers to Start Engines at Kentucky Speedway

Motorsport.com

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens Executive Director Thane Maynard will deliver the command for an international field of IndyCar Series stars to ignite their engines when he serves as grand marshal of the "Meijer Indy 300 Presented by Red Baron and Edy's" on Aug. 1 at Kentucky Speedway.

The nationally-known wildlife expert has been associated with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens for more than 25 years. He is best known as a writer and host of numerous wildlife programs such as the "90-Second Naturalist," which airs on radio stations across North America. He has additionally been featured as regular guest with popular NBC Television late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien as well as on ABC Television's "Good Morning America," NBC Television's "Today" show and "CBS This Morning."

Maynard has previously worked as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) U.S. project coordinator and continues to partner with advocacy organizations such as Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy. He is author of 13 books and explores a variety of wildlife-related careers in his most recent work, "Working with Wildlife."

"Cheetahs are the fastest runners on Earth, so it's a perfect fit to have our 'Race For The Record' at Kentucky Speedway and to partner with record holder Sarah Fisher. Besides, our motto at the Cincinnati Zoo is 'More Animals. More Fun.' What could be more fun than to come down to Kentucky Speedway to join their great fans? It'll be a blast."

Maynard is expected to attend the "Meijer Indy 300 Presented by Red Baron and Edy's" with Sarah, an eight-year-old female cheetah which will attempt to become the "World's Fastest Land Mammal" at the track Sept. 9 when she challenges a record time to be established by the South African cheetah Zaza on Aug. 15.

"Our association with the Cincinnati Zoo and its cheetahs dates back to our inaugural 2000 season when we were proud to play host to Moya. Under Thane's leadership and dedication, the Cincinnati Zoo has grown to be one of the very best in the world and we're honored he will be joining us for the 10th IndyCar Series event in our history," Kentucky Speedway Director of Communications Tim Bray said.

Kentucky Speedway stages its fourth and final 2009 race weekend featuring IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights action July 31-Aug. 1. Both series open the weekend with Friday practice sessions and qualifying before a Saturday doubleheader featuring the IndyCar Series "Meijer Indy 300 Presented by Red Baron and Edy's" and Firestone Indy Lights "Kentucky Indy Lights 100" along with modern rock group Carolina Liar in concert.

Weekend tickets, new infield camping and Big Deals can be reserved by visiting the tickets pages of www.kentuckyspeedway.com, by phone at 888-652-RACE (7223) or through the Kentucky Speedway ticket offices at 400 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 100, in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., or the Sparta, Ky., Fan Center off of Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 North. Fans also can reserve tickets at Meijer stores and Tickets.com outlets including Meijer stores.



Thursday, July 30, 2009

Derby County teams up with Tickets.com

EUFootball.Biz

English Derby County have revolutionized their ticketing system for the new campaign by teaming up with one of the world’s leading experts – Tickets.com.

The company, who are owned by Major League Baseball, will introduce a range of improvements which will benefit Rams season ticket holders and those who purchase special packages and ‘match by match’ tickets.

Derby County CEO Tom Glick has described the new system as a “giant leap forward” for the club and its fans.

The biggest change Rams fans will notice for 2009/10 is the introduction of a state of the art season ticket holder smart cards to scan at the turnstiles instead of the traditional tear-out books.

They are credit card sized and will allow quick and efficient entry to Pride Park Stadium on matchdays, reducing queues and hold-ups and provide added security benefits to fans.

Rams CEO and President Tom Glick said this is an exciting development: "This exciting new partnership with a market-leading organization in Tickets.com will bring about all the positive changes that fans want.

"We are always engaging our supporters through extensive consultation and an improved ticketing service is a subject that has come up on many occasions: both in terms of a better service for season ticket holders and match by match ticket purchases.

"The changes and improvements that are being implemented will bring the club in line with the most up-to-date technology, all of which leads to a more efficient and convenient system for fans.

"These enhancements have all been made with the supporters at the forefront of our thinking and I’m sure it will prove popular as the new system and benefits bed in."

Aside from the new state of the art season ticket card, supporters will see a range of new benefits with the switch to Tickets com.

The online aspect will see an improved, more reliable and faster ticket sales solution through the Derby County’s official club website, dcfc co.uk.

Fans will be able to buy and renew their memberships and season tickets online and thus have further flexibility to manage their own personal account information.

Plastic, credit card-sized membership cards will also give discounts in shopDCFC on selected products.

Improved online ticket sales opportunities will mean members and season ticket holders can buy their tickets ahead of the general public for selected games.

Supporters will be able to purchase packages of tickets online, and also tickets for friends and family.

Another exciting change is a special offer with new partners McDonalds, who are providing fantastic discounts exclusive to Rams season ticket card holders at participating local restaurants.

On the reverse of the season ticket card supporters will find details of the special offers. The Rams are partnering with 10 participating local McDonalds restaurants: Markeaton, Breadsall, St Peters Street, Wyvern, Ilkeston, Belper, Ripley, Alfereton, Osmaston and Asda.

The new service will be launched on August 1st.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Wolf Trap

Children Are Special at Wolf Trap
Theatre-in-the-Woods features children’s programming.

Vienna Connection
Donna Manz


Throughout the year, Wolf Trap offers children’s programs through its educational arm. It’s in the summer, though, beneath towering shade trees in a wooded clearing, that Wolf Trap programs for children really shine. The Theatre-in-the-Woods hosts daily twice-morning performances ranging from puppetry and song to ethnic dance, opera and storytelling.

The authentically-outfitted hula dancers who performed the full week of July 6 – 13 had tots and their parents swaying in their seats.

"We like the atmosphere here," said Christine Gabriel of Great Falls, holding the hands of her two-and-a-half-year old daughter, Grace, as they moved to the music. "We’ve come here the past three weeks, but today, we came especially for this show. Grace likes dancing. It’s wonderful."

Not everyone is local at the Theatre-in-the-Woods shows. During the week, campers from throughout the metropolitan area make their way to Wolf Trap on field trips. Parents and grandparents from all over Northern Virginia and Maryland bring young ones for cultural exposure and fun, sometimes, year after year. Saturday shows are frequently packed and sold-out.

Joy Hunter of Hyattsville used to belong to a hula group and brought her three-year-old son, Alex, to hear the music and watch the dancers.

"This is the first time we’ve been to a children’s show here," said Hunter. "I like the Theatre-in-the-Woods. It’s nice, quiet, cool and comfortable. The way the theatre is set up, there’s not a bad seat in the house."

"I like it," said Alex.

The Hawaiian dancers, armed with traditional Hawaiian dance implements, are local, as well. They live in Vienna, Great Falls and Herndon. Their performance, the early show, was followed by "Mr. Steve," a local musician/singer who has appeared on PBS. Parents were buying his CDs.

Vanessa and Robert Redd of Ashburn brought daughter, Sophia, aged four, to the hula show. "It’s a great venue because it’s shaded and the small kids can really see the performance up close," said Vanessa Redd. "The programs are just the right length, too, just long-enough to keep them engaged."

TO GET TO the Theatre-in-the-Woods, patrons take the paved downhill path to the meadow, cross the footbridge, and follow the earthen trails to the theatre’s stage and seating. Strollers line up along the path. In the meadow, families and campers spread out blankets and share snacks and lunches. Several picnic tables, in the shade, are scattered about.

The theatre holds up to 800 paying guests with seating up to 1,000. Saturday shows frequently sell out. Pre-purchased seating is recommended by Wolf Trap for all performances.

Tickets may be purchased at Tickets.com, by calling 1(877)WOLFTRAP, at the Filene Center Box Office, or at the new gazebo. Pre-purchased tickets may be picked up at the footbridge leading to the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Day-of-show tickets, if available, may also be purchased at the footbridge with exact change, check, or credit card. A new wood-clad gazebo, open in mid-July, houses a ticket office and merchandise sales.

Adults and children aged three and up require tickets for all performances. Tickets are $8 each for one show or $10 for both shows on the same day.

For general information, call 703-255-1868. For schedule and performance details, to

http://www.wolftrap.org/Education/Childrens_Theatre-in-the-Woods.aspx

Monday, July 27, 2009

Blondie, Benatar will take to Tachi stage

Mike Osegueda
The Fresno Bee


Kathy Griffin's show at Saroyan Theatre is just one part of a girl-power weekend. Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore is hosting a concert with Blondie and Pat Benatar on Saturday.

The co-headlining "Call Me Invincible" tour promises a night of '80s pop/rock nostalgia.

This-generation girl rockers The Donnas are also playing.

The tour is the first time that female rock icons Benatar and Debbie Harry [Blondie's singer] have joined forces to tour.

Benatar, now 56, is best known for hit singles such as "Love is a Battlefield," "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and "Heartbreaker." Her most recent release is the 2003 CD, "Go."

Blondie's repertoire includes such calling-card songs as "Rapture," "Heart of Glass" and "Call Me." Harry, now 64, released a solo album in 2007, "Necessary Evil."

Tickets cost $25 and $35 and are available online at tickets.com or by calling the Tachi Palace gift shop at (559) 924-7751.

Showtime is 7 p.m.

App stores are not the future, says Google

Financial Times

Google's Vice President of Engineering, Vic Gundotra, forecasts that consumers will prefer using mobile browsers to access news and entertainment, rather than popular applications. He cites economic reasons for the shift, explaining that Google will invest in the mobile browser instead of attempting to support all of the different application platforms available.

Read more >

Friday, July 24, 2009

Local Searchers Go Mobile

Jack Loechner
MediaPost


comScore, Inc. reports that the number of people who sought local information on a mobile device grew 51% from March 2008 to March 2009. The mobile browser is the leading access method, with 20.7 million users seeking local information in March 2009, up 34% versus year ago.

The strongest growth in the category is coming from downloaded applications, followed by SMS at 72%. However, developers, carriers and device OEMs remain the least popular access mode for mobile access of local information. A marginally more often used channel for obtaining local information is SMS, with an impressive 72% growth rate. Overwhelmingly, though, the preferred mode to access local content remains the mobile browser.

Serge Matta, comScore senior vice president, says "...it would not be surprising within the next six months to see the number of people using downloadable applications surpass SMS for the accessing of local information via mobile devices... "

Among the various local content categories, the number of people accessing online directories has seen the greatest increase during the past year, followed by restaurants, maps, and movies.

Across the board, local search-focused Internet brands have been developing mobile content at a feverish pace. AT&T Interactive has made a significant effort to expand its YELLOWPAGES.COM online experience across several mobile platforms.

Local search brands seeking to capitalize on the trend are looking to mobile to extend consumer reach and attract incremental ad dollars. Joining YELLOWPAGES.COM within the past six months, Idearc's Superpages, R.H. Donnelley's DexKnows and Yellowbook's Yellowbook.com have all released iPhone applications.

Deborah Eldred, Director, Mobile and Personalization for R.H. Donnelley concludes that "The mobile medium is an ideal fit for local directories... we have seen a significant increase in queries specific to visiting a local establishment, as people are looking for information about where to eat and what to do when they are out and about... they look to a trusted brand to provide the confidence that consumers need... "

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Metropolis Announces Fun Summer Show

METROPOLIS ANNOUNCES BIG, FUN, SUMMER SHOW:
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: UNCENSORED


Grab your girlfriends and get ready to laugh! The Second City’s Girls’ Night Out: Uncensored comes to Metropolis Performing Arts Centre August 6 – September 19, 2009.

The theatre that brought you Tina Fey and Bonnie Hunt brings their latest troupe of laughable ladies, with one funnyman in tow, to Metropolis for Girls’ Night Out: Uncensored. You’ll be rolling in the aisles as they tackle everything from shopping sprees and chocoholics to dating woes and intolerable in-laws. You can bet these witty women will really be a scream as they put their side-splitting spin on everything in a woman’s world.

The Second City’s Girls’ Night Out: Uncensored runs at Metropolis from August 6 – September 19, 2009. A complete listing of show dates and times can be found below. Tickets are $28.50, Stage Tables $33.50, and can be purchased online at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the Box Office at 847.577.2121.

The Second City’s Girls’ Night Out: Uncensored is part of the Comedy series at Metropolis, bringing hilarious, biting social satire, silly, surprising, and smart comedies to the northwest suburbs. More comedies in the 2009/10 season include Dinner for Sex Six, Put the Nuns in Charge!, Bikerman and the Jewish Avenger: Love Hurts, Flanagan’s Wake and The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?.

Metropolis is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. In addition, Metropolis receives generous sponsorship from American Airlines, the Daily Herald, Doubletree Hotel of Arlington Heights, FastSigns of Arlington Heights, and Stella Artois.

Metropolis is located in the heart of Chicago’s northwest suburbs in downtown Arlington Heights at the intersection of Campbell and Vail Avenue (111 West Campbell Street). Street parking is available. Free parking is available in the public garage behind the theatre. For more information about Metropolis and a complete 2009/2010 performance schedule, visit MetropolisArts.com or call the Box Office at 847.577.2121.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Theater At The Center Presents FOOTLOOSE

Broadway World

Whatever the thermometer might say; this summer will be hitting the 80s on stage at Theatre at the Center! The 1980's musical Footloose will cut loose July 9 through August 16 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. The press performance of this exhilarating Broadway smash hit will be July 16. Directing and Choreographing Footloose will be Stacey Flaster.

A compelling story of teenage rebellion overcoming the misconceptions and fears of adults, Footloose is an inspiring tale about embracing change and celebrating life. The smash musical features electrifying dance sequences and a dazzling hit score including 80's favorites "Almost Paradise, "Let's Hear it for the Boy," "Holding Out for a Hero," and "Footloose."

When free-spirited Ren moves from Chicago to a conservative small town in the Midwest, he discovers that wide open spaces sometimes come with very narrow minds. The repressive local minister, Reverend Moore, has convinced the town to ban dancing and rock n' roll music. Complications arise when Ren falls in love with Reverend Moore's strong-willed daughter, Ariel. Together they start to stand up for their beliefs and revitalize the spirits of the town, winning over the hearts and souls of the whole community in an effort to make dancing legal again.

The cast of FOOTLOOSE features Matt Raftery as "Ren". Starring as "Ariel" will be Andrea Prestinario.

Also featured in FOOTLOOSE is Mary Jane Guymon as "Ethel McCormack", Larry Adams as "Reverend Shaw Moore", Cory Goodrich as "Vi Moore", Elizabeth Haley as "Lulu Warnicker", Robert Hildreth as "Wes Warnicker", Peter Vamvakas as "Coach Dunbar", Laura Taylor as "Principal Clark", Sarah Kinsey as "Elenore Dunbar", Linda Andrews as "Betty Blast", Donica Lynn as "Rusty", Rebecca Pink as "Urleen", Traci Allen as "Wendy Jo", Matt Bugay as "Lyle", Daniel Castro as "Cowboy Bob", Robert Deason as "Willard Hewitt", Kent Haina as "Chuck Cranston", Tate Jorgensen as "Travis", Travis Porchia as "Bickle" and Scott Stratton as "Garvin".

In addition to Stacey Flaster as Director and Choreographer, the Music Director is Bill Underwood. The design team for FOOTLOOSE is Scenic Designer Alan Schwanke, Costume Designer Nikki Delhomme, Lighting Designer Tim Fandrei, Wig and Makeup Designer Kevin Barthel, Props Designer Libby Fandrei and Sound Designer Victoria DeIorio. The Stage Manager is Rita Vreeland with ASM Jason Wroblewski. Production Manager is Chuck Gessert and Technical Director is Ann Davis.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional, equity theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. ($36.00); Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. ($40.00); Sundays at 2:30 p.m. ($40.00) and select Thursdays at 7:30, and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. To purchase individual tickets, call the box office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. For groups of 20 or more, call 219.836.3258. Gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions, are also available by calling the Theatre at the Center box office at 219.836.3255. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

STG Presents Grizzly Bear 10/16 At The Moore Theatre

Broadway World

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) & Sealed With A Kiss present Grizzly Bear on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Moore Theatre.

Grizzly Bear released Yellow House in 2006. It was a slow, steady and stunning ride-boundless in scope and elegance. Given the album's otherworldly charm and staying power, it's hard to believe three years have gone by.

That might seem like a long time. But given Grizzly Bear's hectic touring schedule, including stints with Radiohead, TV On The Radio and Feist-as well as several performances during a five-night tribute to Paul Simon at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, a co-headlining show with the L.A. Philharmonic, and the release of Friend, a 10-song EP of re-recorded and re-worked songs, collaborations and covers-all of this seems very reasonable. They've been busy.

But about a year ago, singer/songwriter Ed Droste, drummer Christopher Bear, bassist Chris Taylor and singer/songwriter/guitarist Daniel Rossen -whose other band, Department of Eagles, released the sublime In Ear Park last fall-began passing demos around and working together creatively in different pairs and permutations. A few months later, blessed with producer/engineer Chris Taylor's willingness to transport his recording equipment, they began the recording process for Veckatimest, which would unfold over the next six months in three very singular locations. And in many ways, it is the recording process that reveals this record-each space catalyzing different interactions, inspirations, and ultimately, songs.

In July, the band spent three weeks at the Glen Tonche house in upstate New York. The beauty, mystery and surrealistic feel to the estate made anything seem do-able, possible and even magical. Though still finding their feet, much of the album's groundwork was laid there. After breaking briefly for the Radiohead tour in August, the band convened at a house on Cape Cod (graciously provided by Droste's grandmother) where they re-addressed and solidified the compositions they'd started at Glen Tonche. Lastly, Grizzly Bear came home, to a church in NYC, to fine-tune and complete the album-named Veckatimest, after a tiny, uninhabited island on Cape Cod that the band visited and was inspired by, particularly liking its Native American name. Following initial mixes by Chris Taylor, the band brought Gareth Jones (Interpol, Liars) over from England for a final mixing session with Taylor. The album was then mastered by Greg Calbi. Artist WilLiam O'Brien created Veckatimest's colorful, hand drawn artwork-a perfect compliment to the album's enigmatic title.

There is an unbelievable clarity of sound and vision to Veckatimest: vocals (a duty now shared by all band members) are sharper and more complex, arrangements are tighter, production is more venturous and lyrics more affecting. Having opened the creative dialogue at such an early stage, Grizzly Bear was able to realize these 12 songs together as a band, making it their most collaboratively compositional album to date. Taylor's artistry as a producer and engineer has only gotten stronger, both Rossen and Droste's conviction as singers and lyricists has swelled, and Bear's authority behind the drums is striking.

This yielded an unexpected mix of material that feels more confidant, mature, focused-and most of all, dynamic. From songs like "Dory" (a gracefully psychedelic, ever-evolving work),"Ready, Able" (a synth-y opus, and one of four songs that boasts string arrangements by composer Nico Muhly) and "Foreground" (a plaintive, vocal-driven send-off, and one of two songs to feature choral arrangements also by Muhly) to more resounding pop songs like "Two Weeks" (an other-worldly doo wop featuring backing vocals from Beach House's Victoria LeGrand) and "While You Wait For the Others" (a triumphant and melodically cacophonous pop masterpiece), Veckatimest is an album of the highest highs and lowest lows-an unbelievably diverse collection of songs that celebrates the strength of each band member, and the power of the whole. It was well worth the wait.

Tickets: $25.00 not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount Theatre box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org. More information can be found at SealedWithAKissPresents.com, as well.

Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Circus is coming to Staten Island

Cole Bros. set to pitch its tent at Midland Beach

Staten Island Advance
by AWE staff


True, the pyramids of Egypt are ancient architectural wonders. For modern marvels, check out a seven-man pyramid on a high wire at the circus.

Now celebrating its 125th anniversary, Cole Bros. Circus pitches its mustard and ketchup-colored tent on Midland Beach's Father Capodanno Boulevard, near Midland Avenue, July 20-26.

The Toprasta Troupe, from Columbia, recreates the treacherous, three-tier, "7-Man Pyramid on the High Wire." Joining them are Russia's Svetlana Gololobova whose grace belies her strength in a precisely executed aerial gymnastics routine.

Circus daredevils the Globe of Death and Giant Gyro Wheel amp up the thrills factor, while with the zany Cole Bros. Clown Crew provide comic relief. Elephants, camels, jugglers, dogs, ponies, and arguably the world's funniest mule take turns in the spotlight. The Human Cannonball is fired at every show.

The circus runs July 20-26 at 5 and 8 p.m. nightly with additional 2 p.m. shows July 25 and 26. Tickets are $12-$17. Children younger than 13 are admitted free when an adult purchases a $12 general admission ticket with a coupon available at S & L Children's Designs in the Staten Island Mall. Or children are entitled to $3 reserved seating when an adult purchases a $15 reserved seating ticket with the coupon at S& L Children's Designs. The store sells tickets through July 19.

For more information, call the children's clothing store at 718-761-6498 or visit tickets.com or gotothecircus.com, or call 1-888-332-5200.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Washington Nationals Print at Home Ticket Delivery

Have your Nationals tickets delivered instantly with Print at Home ticket delivery. Choose "Print Tickets at Home" as your ticket delivery option and you'll receive an email with a link to your Print at Home Tickets. Print them on your home or office printer in order to get fast, convenient access to the Nationals Park on game day. Buy your Washington Nationals tickets at www.nationals.com.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Finger Lakes Wine Festival tickets available

Ithaca Journal

Tickets for the Finger Lakes Wine Festival are now available online.

The festival will be held Friday through Sunday, July 17-19, at Watkins Glen International. The celebration kicks-off Friday evening at 6 p.m. with fireworks, wine, and togas at “Yancey’s Fancy Cheese Launch of the Lakes.” Saturday and Sunday the Festival will open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., featuring a variety of wine and food and arts and crafts from across the state, culinary classes, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, live entertainment and much more.

Camping on Festival grounds, shuttle service to area hotels, and plenty of free parking are also available.

Wine tasters can find the link to purchase at tickets.com through www.FLWinefest.com spCQ or at www.TheGlen.com spCQ but will find a new streamlined and simple way to make their online purchase.

Tickets.com provides a very straightforward approach to viewing the tickets and available camping, finding up-to-date prices, and making a final purchase. Tasters can still save up to $10 per ticket by taking advantage of Advance Sale prices until June 26. Two-day taster’s passes are only $35 and weekend camping is also still available at the same price. Wine enthusiasts looking to take advantage of the new 50/50 Payment Plan, where you can pay half now and half later, should call (866) 461-7223 spCQ instead of ordering online.

For more information visit www.flwinefest.com

Kid Rock adds block parties to weekend Detroit shows

Adam Graham
Detroit News Pop Music Writer


Welcome to the party.

Prior to his concerts at Comerica Park on Friday and Saturday, Kid Rock is hosting block parties in front of the Detroit Tigers' home, complete with a chili cook-off, car show, motocross exhibition and live music. The celebrations, in the lots in front of Comerica Park between Woodward Avenue and Witherall Street, begin at 2 p.m. both days and are open to the public, promoter Live Nation has announced.

Gates open for the concerts at 5 p.m. both days, and the concerts start at 6:30 p.m. Friday's opener is Lynyrd Skynyrd; Cypress Hill and Alice in Chains open Saturday's show.

A limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday's concert through Tickets.com, the Comerica Park box office, select Meijer stores or by phone at (866) 668-4437.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

STG Announces SWITCHFOOT, Added To The Blue October Show 7/30 At Moore Theatre

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) is pleased to announce the addition of Switchfoot to the Blue October show, with Longwave on July 30th, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Moore Theatre.

Switchfoot are a critically-acclaimed San Diego band, who are known for their energetic live shows. Following the huge success of the The Beautiful Letdown & Oh! Gravity, Switchfoot will be releasing a new album in the Fall of 2009.

Tickets: $35.00 not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount Theatre box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.

Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series Returns to Tulsa for Three Action-Packed Performances

Rodeo Attitude News

The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) brings its Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) to Tulsa’s brand-new BOK Center for the U.S. Border Patrol Invitational presented by Express and River Spirit Casino, stop #23 on the elite tour. On Friday, July 17th at 8 p.m., on Saturday, July 18th at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, July 19th at 2 p.m., the PBR will showcase the top 40 bull riders in a world-class production as they compete for the coveted event title.

For as little as $10 and increasing to $25, $35, $50, and $75, PBR fans, new and old, will not only see the toughest athletes on earth, they will also experience more than two hours of edge-of-your-seat thrills and spills, rock & roll music, and pyrotechnics. Tickets can be purchased at the BOK Center Box Office, online at www.tickets.com , or by phone at 877 885 7222 (standard ticket fees may apply).

During three nights of heart-pounding, bone-crushing action, fans will see U.S. Border Patrol riders Luke Snyder (Raymore, Mo.) who is competing in his 257th consecutive event, Oklahoma’s own Austin Meier (Kinta, Okla.), and L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.); 2008 PBR World Champion Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil); PBR superstars J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.), Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.), and Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas); the “Cherokee Kid” Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Okla.) who will make his return to competition since breaking his leg in March; and current world no. 1 bull rider Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.). Challenging these men will be the fiercest bulls in the world today.

The U.S. Border Patrol Invitational will consist of four rounds of competition with the first three rounds featuring the top 40 bull riders randomly matched against the PBR’s toughest bulls. The scores from the three rides will be combined and the riders with the top 15 scores will advance to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round after intermission on Sunday. In the end, the cowboy with the highest total score on four bulls will be declared the winner!

On Saturday, fans will be treated to several activities around Tulsa including the 2009 PBR Bull Draft. Each bull rider will be given the opportunity to select his bull for Saturday night’s competition based on his performance on Friday night. The draft will be held in conjunction with the PBR Fan Zone which will feature PBR rider autograph sessions as well as several PBR sponsor displays including Ford, U.S. Border Patrol, Big Tex, and more. The Cooper Tires stage will also be in attendance, providing music and entertainment for attendees.

The PBR Draft and Fan Zone will be held at the Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow, Okla., with the draft being held at 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and the Fan Zone held immediately after. For more information on the Draft, Fan Zone, or any of the additional activities, please visit www.pbrnow.com/competition/bfts/eventLoad.cfm?id=3222.

The event will air on VERSUS on Saturday, August 1st at 6 p.m. EST. Please check your local listings for times and more information.

The PBR is the premiere bull riding organization in the world, boasting contestants from the United States, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, and Canada. Its events air weekly on VERSUS, NBC, and FOX, and in recent years, it has been tagged the ‘fastest growing sport in the country.’ For more information on the U.S. Border Patrol Invitational, please visit www.pbrnow.com or contact Katharine Sherrer at 719 242 2800 ext. 3372 or 719 252 6967.

All roads are leading to Las Vegas and PBR is heading down it! Don’t miss out on any of the action at the 2009 Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas, Nev. The world-class event will take place on Oct. 30-Nov 1 and Nov. 5-8 at the Thomas & Mack Center---get your tickets NOW at 866.PBR.SHOW or unlvtickets.com!

About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR):
PBR attracts over 1.7 million live attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure which includes the prestigious Built Ford Tough Series, the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants. With over 450 hours of prime time programming annually and a viewership of 100 million, PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air and broadcasts on FOX, NBC, VERSUS, and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., with additional offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico, and prides itself in its 1,000 plus stock contractor relationships and over 1,200 PBR bull riders competing in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions across the five countries.

For more on the PBR, please visit www.pbrnow.com, www.teampbr.com, or www.pbrnow.com/worldfinals/.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: BOK Center

Arena is up there in sales rankings
It's rated No. 9 in the U.S. and No. 23 in the world in ticket totals for January through June.

Tulsa's BOK Center is ranked No. 9 in the United States and No. 23 in the world by Pollstar magazine for the number of tickets sold at arenas during the first half of 2009.

The center sold 188,688 tickets for events from January through June. It will celebrate its anniversary Aug. 17 with a Paul McCartney concert.

BOK Center General Manager John Bolton said people would not usually expect Tulsa's arena to perform as well as it is because of the size of the metropolitan area's population. The U.S. Top 10 is dominated by major metropolitan areas, he said.

"But one, this is a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, and two, our economy is stronger than in many areas of the country," he said. "Acts are also excited to tap into a new market that has responded extremely well."

Bolton said the ranking by Pollstar, the trade publication of the concert industry, matters because it bolsters the BOK Center's reputation.

"It captures the attention of promoters, agents and act managers, who will recognize this as a hot building and steer the tours this way," he said.

The U.S. venues that rank higher than the BOK Center on the Top 50 list are Philips Arena in Atlanta; Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., a Chicago suburb; BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., outside Fort Lauderdale; Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.; St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.; Madison Square Garden in New York City; Toyota Center in Houston; and Mohegan Sun Arena, at the Mohegan Sun resort and casino in Uncasville, Conn.

The Atlanta arena, with 303,911 tickets sold for the period, is the only U.S. venue to crack the worldwide Top 10, which includes venues in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Mexico, Australia and Canada. The No. 1 venue is London's O2 Arena, with 1,217,397 tickets sold.

Oklahoma City's Ford Center ranked No. 48 in the country and No. 93 in the world with 69,946 tickets sold. The center closed for renovations at the end of April, so it had no May or June events. It is scheduled to reopen in October.

Tickets are counted for the tally when an event takes place, not when the actual sale of the ticket occurs.

For the six months, the BOK Center had 65 ticketed events, including 18 Oilers hockey games and six Talons arena football games. However, Pollstar does not include ticket sales for sports events.

The June 22 concert by the Jonas Brothers also wasn't part of the BOK Center's total because of when the data was turned in, Bolton said. The 16,585 tickets sold for that show could have boosted the Pollstar ranking, he said, but similar situations may have happened at other arenas as well.

Bolton's complete figure for the six months is 333,721 tickets sold, totaling $13,516,322.

Bolton said the Jonas Brothers concert was the No. 3 event in terms of ticket sales for the first half of 2009. No. 1 was the eight-performance run of "Walking With Dinosaurs," with 49,096 tickets sold, followed by the Billy Joel and Elton John "Face to Face" concert, with 17,335 tickets sold.

Pollstar's rankings for the first three months of 2009 put the BOK Center at No. 2 in the United States and No. 9 in the world.

"We really had a strong first quarter, which led to that high ranking," Bolton said, noting that "Walking With Dinosaurs" took place during that period.

The BOK Center has been the scene of or is scheduled to be the venue for nine of the Top 10 tours this year: Britney Spears, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John and Billy Joel, the Eagles, Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews Band and Dane Cook.

The Dead, an offshoot of the Grateful Dead, is the only one not on the BOK Center's calendar, and it had only a limited run on the East Coast, Bolton said.

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

‘Devil Went Down to Georgia’ artist coming to town
Charlie Daniels Band concert will benefit Mexico mission

The Charlie Daniels Band will be in concert Nov. 18 in Columbus, and special tickets for churches and military personnel go on sale Wednesday. The concert will be at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. General public tickets become available Sept. 1.

The concert isn’t on Daniels’ regular touring schedule but is a benefit for Laughing Child International, a ministry in Mexico to sick children.

Columbus native Shane Clark, who has also worked with Habitat for Humanity International and with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, oversees Laughing Child. Clark and Daniels have been friends for about a decade, when Clark worked for Habitat and Daniels performed for Habitat fundraisers.

“We want to introduce churches and volunteers to the ministry,” Clark said on a recent visit to Columbus. “Charlie is allowing us to use his celebrity to draw attention to these children.”

Daniels, 72, is known primarily for his No. 1 country hit, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry early last year.

Camp Laughing Child in Mexico is for children with HIV-AIDS. Worldwide, 2.3 million children are afflicted. Clark said it costs $30 to send a child to the camp.

Two new homes are planned for the Camp Laughing Child campus, outside Mexico City. The first, a boys’ residence to be completed by the end of the year, will bear Daniels’ name. The girls’ home will carry the name of his wife, Hazel. That one should be built in 2010.

Clark has ministered in Mexico for 2 1/2 years. He has done similar work among poor children in South Africa and in India. In 1999, he published a photographic book, “When I Grow Up,” for which Mother Teresa wrote the foreword. (The famous nun died in 1997.)

A musician as well, Clark’s latest album, “Deep Blue Hymns,” features a duet with Daniels.

Through the mission, Clark seeks long-term engagement between congregations and individuals and the children his ministry serves. He has a saying: If the Church will learn to cry, the children will learn to laugh.

“The answers are not more organizations or more institutions but healing relationships,” he said.

In his own book, “Ain’t No Rag,” Daniels has high praise for his friend Clark: “I am completely amazed by this young man. He has given up his whole life to be in service to the poor of this world. He spent years in India with Mother Teresa caring for the hungry and the dying, serving mankind at a level which few humans ever understand, much less aspire to. The stories he tells are heartbreaking. The number of destitute souls on this planet is absolutely mind-boggling. The need is so great and the resources and workers are so woefully inadequate.

“It would seem to be a losing battle, an insurmountable task, but to people like Shane it’s just another mountain to climb and they sacrifice any semblance of private pleasure or personal comfort to take just one painstaking step at a time.”

Clark is a graduate of Asbury College in Kentucky and completed master’s-level study with a mentor, Sam Kamaleson of World Vision International. He’s had one year of Ph.D. studies in Oxford, England.

The fall event will also feature a lunch and silent auction beginning at noon in the RiverCenter lobby. Clark is soliciting items (or vacation spots) of at least $200 in value. All bid winners will be able to meet personally with Daniels on Nov. 18. In addition, there will be a raffle for one of Daniels’ autographed fiddles.

Columbus-based musicians Jonathan and Lisa Moore will open the concert that evening.

Tickets range from $39-$79. Seniors, students, teachers and civil servants receive $3 off each ticket, and the military receive a $5 discount. Beginning Sept. 1, tickets will be available through the RiverCenter box office and at Tickets.com.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Metropolis Performing Arts Center

Metropolis Executive Director and Resident Playwright Team Up and Take the Stage for One Uproarious Night

Called “A new Odd Couple” by the Pioneer Press, Bikerman and the Jewish Avenger return to Metropolis in their new show We had babies… Man Style on Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Bikerman, also known as Jim Jarvis, Metropolis Executive Director, and the Jewish Avenger, aka Metropolis’ Resident Playwright Scott Woldman (Indecent Proposals, Speedating the Musical), are back together after a 4 year hiatus. Since we last saw them, a house was destroyed, 13 possum were caught, a thumb was bitten off and someone went to the ER for getting cayenne pepper in their eyes. And they both became dads. This hilarious duo is reviving their special, high-energy brand of storytelling, but this time, no escapades involving bear hunting, Harley riding and video gaming. That’s right, these new dads are all about diaper changing, lullaby singing and Peek-a-booing, and doing it Man Style. While you never know quite what to expect from this unlikely team, one thing’s for sure: it’s a side-splitting night you don’t want to miss!

Bikerman and the Jewish Avenger: We had babies… Man Style comes to Metropolis July 25, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $16.50 and can be purchased online at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the Box Office at 847.577.2121.

Bikerman and the Jewish Avenger: We had babies… Man Style is part of the Comedy series at Metropolis, bringing hilarious, biting social satire, silly, surprising, and smart comedies to the northwest suburbs. More comedies in the 2009/10 season include The Second City’s Girls’ Night Out: Uncensored, Dinner for Sex Six, Put the Nuns in Charge!, Bikerman and the Jewish Avenger: Love Hurts, Flanagan’s Wake and The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?.

Metropolis is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. In addition, Metropolis receives generous sponsorship from American Airlines, the Daily Herald, Doubletree Hotel of Arlington Heights, FastSigns of Arlington Heights, and Stella Artois.

Metropolis is located in the heart of Chicago’s northwest suburbs in downtown Arlington Heights at the intersection of Campbell and Vail Avenue (111 West Campbell Street). Street parking is available. Free parking is available in the public garage behind the theatre. For more information about Metropolis and a complete 2009/2010 performance schedule, visit MetropolisArts.com or call the Box Office at 847.577.2121.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Paul McCartney Tulsa show tickets on sale Monday

Paul McCartney will do the only arena show on his current summer mini-tour Aug. 17 at BOK Center in Tulsa, AEG Live announced Wednesday afternoon.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at the BOK Center Box Office, all Tickets.com outlets, by phone at 1-866-7-BOKCTR or online at www.bokcenter.com and www.tickets.com. You can see the press conference announcing the show below.

According to the BOK Center website, the American Express presale will run from 10 a.m. CT July 13 to 10 p.m. CT July 18.

The Tulsa show is McCartney’s first show in Oklahoma since his 2002 performance at Ford Center in Oklahoma City.

The show will feature classics from McCartney’s catalog, including Beatles, Wings and solo career hits as well as selections from his most recent album "Electric Arguments," released under his alias The Fireman.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

ARCA RE/MAX Series Teams Prep For Click It Or Ticket

Kentucky Post
Jessica Noll


SPARTA, Ky. - Eight of the top 10 teams in the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship standings rolled to Kentucky Speedway Monday to test their wares in preparation for the July 18 "Click It or Ticket. Buckle-Up! Kentucky 150."

Current championship leader Parker Kligerman and second-place driver Justin Lofton were on hand to mentor teammates, while nine-time series champion and four-time Kentucky Speedway race-winner Frank Kimmel was hard at work turning laps in his No. 44 Ford.

Kligerman, who owns a 55-point lead over Lofton after collecting a series-leading three wins and a total of five top-five and eight top-10 finishes through nine events, was advising stock car newcomer Dakoda Armstrong, but remained intensely interested in the information gained from his team’s test laps.

"Dakoda has done a little bit of stock car stuff and just wanted a little help getting used to this place; it’s the fastest place he’s been," Kligerman said.

The 18-year-old Penske Racing developmental prospect saw his original part-time campaign convert to a full-season scenario when he came out of the gate with two top-five and a total four top-10 finishes through the first four races of the season.

While unexpected, his full-time cushion hasn’t changed his go-for-broke race mentality that has helped him claim victory in three of the past four series events.

"We’re coming to every race with the intention to win because we didn’t think we’d be here for the full season. We’re focusing on the points, but we’re also focusing on winning. We really feel we should have won one more in addition to our three," he said.

The Connecticut native’s only finish outside a race top-10 this season was a 17th-place showing in the May 9 "Drive Smart. Buckle-Up! Kentucky 150." He plans to make amends for that performance in 12 days.

"I think it will be hotter than the last race, so the tires might be a little slower and we might move around a little more. I think we have a good package from last race, which is one of the races I feel we at least should’ve finished second. I kind of threw it away coming of Turn 4 on the inside with a couple of laps to go trying to catch the leaders. We want to come back and get vengeance on this place," he said.

Lofton, who has picked up a win and a total of seven top-five finishes this season, served as lead consultant for his Eddie Sharp Racing teammates Craig Goess, currently fifth in the championship standings, and Tim George, Jr., ranked 10th in standings.

"I made a couple of laps, but it’s actually fun having people wanting you to come out and help them, but it’s not as much fun as being in the racecar and doing your own thing," Lofton said.

He’ll also be searching for Kentucky Speedway redemption in the "Click It or Ticket. Buckle-Up! Kentucky 150" after placing second in a May event he feels he could’ve won.

"I’m hoping I’ll make up for the first race here when we finished second with such a strong racecar. We hit something on the track and put a hole in the nose. It’s beneficial for me to be here to spend some time on the track and some time off it to see the different changes everyone is making and which way the track is going," he added.

Nine-time series champion Frank Kimmel will make a run at his fifth Kentucky Speedway victory in the upcoming 150-mile affair.

The Clarksville, Ind., driver and team owner earned his series track leading 11th top-five and 13th top-10 finish with a fifth-place May showing.

"The track was awesome last time we were here. It had a lot of grip, it was a night race and we were running really fast. We were really happy with the car. We probably had a top-three car, but ended up fifth the way things fell out. I’m looking forward to coming back. We’re testing today and hopefully we can make the car even better," he said.

Kimmel enters the series’ July 11 race at Iowa Speedway third in the series standings after collecting two top-five and four top-10 finishes. The veteran sits 230 points back of the leader, but plans to make a strong run at the young gun in the remaining 12 races on the schedule.

"Parker’s been tough and he’s going to be hard to beat all year long. He’s doing a great job, but he’s not really had any problems. We’ll just keep plugging along, doing our thing. If we can be more competitive, we’ll just push him as hard as we can," he added.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne was a surprise guest in the Kentucky garages where he worked on transitioning ARCA RE/MAX Series hopeful Brad Sweet to stock car racing. Kahne set up Sweet’s car and turned the second-fastest lap of the morning session at 172.712-mph (31.266 seconds). Joey Coulter topped the first session with a 172.767-mph (31.256 second) trip around the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway tri-oval.

Visit arcaracing.com for a full list of drivers and their times from the morning and afternoon sessions.

Kentucky Speedway's third of four 2009 race weekends opens July 17 with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series practice sessions from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Action continues July 18 with a doubleheader race day featuring the NCWTS "Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers" followed by the "Click It or Ticket. Buckle-Up! Kentucky 150." The day also includes a concert with classic country music artist Lee Greenwood.

Weekend tickets, new infield camping and more Big Deals can be reserved online by visiting http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com/, by phone at (888) 652-RACE (7223) or through the Kentucky Speedway ticket offices at 400 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 100, in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., or the Sparta, Ky., Fan Center off of Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 North. Fans also can reserve tickets at Meijer stores and Tickets.com outlets.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center

Alys Stephens Center Announces New 2009-2010 Season of Performances

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. РBruce Hornsby, Loretta Lynn, The Wailers, Los Lobos, David Sedaris, Buddy Guy and B̩la Fleck are among the performers the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center will present for its 2009-2010 season.

The new season line-up also boasts comedian Darrell Hammond, Hubbard Street 2 Dance, Battleworks Dance Company, Chicago City Limits, McCoy Tyner Trio with Savion Glover, Soweto Gospel Choir, Shawn Colvin, Regina Carter with Kurt Elling and Russell Malone, pianist Gabriela Montero and more. Click here for a complete season calendar.

The Alys Stephens Center is Alabama’s own world-class performing arts center on the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) campus. Visit the Alys Stephens Center online at www.AlysStephens.org.

Season subscribers can purchase tickets now. New subscription orders go on sale Monday, May 18. Single tickets go on sale Monday, August 10. For a brochure or to purchase tickets, call 205-975-2787, toll free 1-877-278-8457, go to the ASC Box Office at 1200 10th Ave. S. Birmingham or visit www.AlysStephens.org. Sign up online for the center’s popular ASC E-Club for exclusive discounts, show announcements and reminders, ticket giveaways and more.

Since opening in 1996, the Alys Stephens Center has established itself as the center for arts and education in Birmingham. UAB, Viva Health and The Birmingham News are sponsors for the Alys Stephens Center’s 13th season as they present the world’s best and brightest artists in the center’s four intimate, acoustically impeccable venues.

This season the Alys Stephens Center offers nine series sure to please: Legends & Icons Series, Eclectic Palate Series, Beyond Comedy Series, Global Rhythm Series, Red Hot & Jazz Series, Movement & Magic Series, Birmingham Music Club Classically Inclined Series, Birmingham Chamber Music Society Series and the ASC Kids’ Club Series.

Returning is the VIP ticket level, which offers first choice of seats and added benefits such as concierge service, discounts, special event invitations and meet-the-artist opportunities. Custom-design a subscription with the popular “It’s Your Choice” package by choosing any four regular season performances, then deduct 10 percent from the single ticket total cost. “Continue the Experience” events enhance many shows in the season with free parties, wine tastings, dance lessons, refreshments and more.

Subscription packages begin at $34. Discounts are available for UAB students, faculty and staff and for groups of 10 or more. Student- and kid-friendly tickets are available. Flexible payment options are available for season packages.

In addition to world-class performances, the Alys Stephens Center’s Arts in Action program also presents top-quality, far-reaching arts education events, workshops, meet-the-artist events and performances for people of all ages. Since 2002, this education program has presented unique performing arts experiences to more than 15,000 area students and adults each season. Most of these programs are free or very low cost, and even provide free buses from schools to the center for most programs.

The ASC Junior Patrons group offers young professionals the chance to experience great live performances, receive special discounts for many ASC shows, access to the Junior Patron VIP Lounge and invitations to Junior Patron and ASC Social Club events throughout the year, which are free to members.

About UAB
Located on the UAB campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast’s premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world’s best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama. For more information on all Alys Stephens Center events and programs, visit www.AlysStephens.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a separate, independent institution from the University of Alabama, which is located in Tuscaloosa. Please use University of Alabama at Birmingham on first reference and UAB on second reference.

VIDEO: www.youtube.com/uabnews
TEXT: www.uab.edu/news
TWEETS: www.twitter.com/uabnews

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Crosby, Stills and Nash to play Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Judith Salkin • The Desert Sun

Crosby, Stills and Nash are scheduled to make their Coachella Valley debut at 8 p.m. Sept. 25 in the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Tickets for the concert are priced at $49, $69 and $79 and are on sale now through the casino box office and online through Tickets.com.

Depending on whether you talk to David Crosby and Graham Nash, who claim that they started singing together at Joni Mitchell's home, or Stephen Stills, who claims it was at Mama Cass Elliott's, the trio has been a driving force in American music starting in 1969.

They are known for tight harmonies and intricate lyrics. Both Stephen Stills and David Crosby have played solo concerts in Palm Springs and Indio, but this will be the first time the trio will perform together.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is in Indio at 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway.

Information: (760) 342-5000; (800) 827-2946; www.fantasyspringsresort.com; or www.tickets.com.

Monday, July 6, 2009

STG Presents Psychedelic Furs & Happy Mondays 9/14

Broadway World

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Psychedelic Furs & Happy Mondays on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Moore Theatre.

The Psychedelic Furs are back and currently preparing to once again unleash their distinctive brand of smartly tripped-out grooves for audiences. Reforming after 10 years gone, the Furs are headlining a spring tour in support of Sony/Legacy releasing The Psychedelic Furs Greatest Hits. In addition, the band is working on a bundle of brand-new songs that will be recorded later this year.

During the Furs' first tenure (1978-91) the group garnered tremendous respect from critics and fans alike for the music's unpredictable mix of punk rock, poetic lyricism and seductive rhythmic hooks. Fronted by vocalist and chief songwriter, Richard Butler, the Furs earned a reputation as one of the most riveting musical forces to come out of the early 80s post-punk, new wave era. The band charted big hits with "Love My Way," "Pretty In Pink," "Heaven," and "The Ghost In You," in all releasing seven studio albums on Columbia and spawning several compilations including a box set in 1997, "Should God Forget: A Retrospective."

In their finest moments on albums including 1980's Talk, Talk, Talk and 1984's Mirror Moves, Butler's husky vocals and often-brooding lyrics ingeniously intertwined with the edgy musical textures provided by brother Tim Butler on bass and John Ashton on guitar. Even when their releases didn't scorch the Top 10, Furs records remained innovative and adventurous force in early alternative music and maintained a steady presence on college radio.

Through it all, Butler's rubbery baritoNe Yowl became one of the 80's most recognizable sounds, often managing to be both introspective and aloof at the same time. It was quirky and darkly cynical faire that expressed the detachment of the times and the itchy struggle of a generation to find meaning in the turbulent headwaters of what would later become the dawn of Information Age. Gaining much of their fame as part of MTV's first wave of video artists, Butler and company will be forever identified with a time when the stale musical paradigms of 70s were forever cast aside and replaced by the new rock of an angrier and faster world.

Throughout the Fur's reign, critics routinely compared the group's enigmatic sound to an impressive slew of art-rock icons including David Bowie, The Velvet Underground and The Doors, as well as to punk progenitors, The Sex Pistols. Growing heavier and more guitar-oriented in their later releases, the Furs have since been placed loosely in the rock pantheon somewhere between early punk and the alternative hard rock and grunge that would rise in the band's wake during the 90s.

After twelve years of recording and touring, Butler and the other band members grew tired of being the Psychedelic Furs and in 1991, they decided to go their own ways. "It was really very amicable," Butler recalls. "We had been doing it for so long that the process became predictable. I think we all wanted to do different things. We had a great run, but after you've been playing 'Pretty In Pink' almost every night for ten years, things are bound to feel pretty old. There weren't any surprises left, so we moved on. "

In 1994, Butler formed a new band called Love Spit Love. The group recorded two albums and met with moderate success but never captured the sort of loyal following the Furs had enjoyed. In 1998, Butler and wife Annie had a daughter, Maggie Mozart Butler, and the artist who was once described as a wiser Johnny Rotten and a sober Jim Morrison decided to concentrate on being a parent. Spending much of his time at home in Cold Springs, New York, Butler began writing songs for a solo project.

According to Butler, it was interest in developing this wealth of new material that gave rise to the Psychedelic Furs' second coming. "I was working on songs for a solo record, when I got together with Tim to do some writing. When he saw all the songs I had, he was pretty impressed and he asked me if I had ever thought about doing a Furs' record. I hadn't really given it much thought, but then our manager called and asked me if I'd be willing to do some shows. Those two things sort of coincided so it seemed like the time was right."

During the Fur's decade-long hiatus, guitarist John Ashton was also busy, producing and performing with the likes of Marianne Faithful, Mercury Rev and Red Betty, among others including Spiv, a local band in Ashton's hometown of Woodstock, NY. Like the brothers Butler, Ashton says he ready to plug in again with the Psychedelic Furs.

"It's been fun hanging out and writing Furs material again," he says. "There's always been great tension in energy in what we do. However, our audience has always been the other half of the story. Without them we wouldn't be here."

For his part, Butler says he's warmed to the idea of tackling the old favorites as well, not only to make long-time fans happy, but also to rediscover the work itself in a fresh context. "When we decided to do this, I went back and listened to a lot of our records, and honestly, I was really surprised by how good I think they are. We did some good work and I'm really looking forward to playing those songs. I guess you could say it's like getting to know some old friends all over again.

"I'm especially delighted to be working with Tim and John Ashton. It's going to be interesting to see what influences we've all absorbed over the past few years and how those ideas will come out in the music," Butler says.

With a career spanning the rise and fall of punk, MTV, glam metal, grunge and hip-hop, Butler is wizened and happy to be in a position to communicate with an audience. "As long as there are people, who enjoy music and have fun going to shows, there'll be a place in the world for artists who try to do something interesting and different," he says. "I don't really think you can change the world making music, but it sure is nice to think that you can enable people to have a good time."

Demand for the Furs has obviously never waned, with Sony/Legacy releasing The Psychedelic Furs Greatest Hits to coincide with their latest trek across the U.S. and Canada.

Tickets: $29.50, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount Theatre box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.

Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Mexico leads Gold Cup schedule at Oakland Coliseum

Darren Sabedra
Mercury News


The struggling Mexican national soccer team will open Gold Cup play Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum against Nicaragua.

The match will be the second game of a doubleheader in Group C. In the first game, which begins at 2 p.m., Panama will meet Guadeloupe.

The United States, the defending Gold Cup champion, plays its opener in Group B on Saturday in Seattle against Grenada.

The final of the 12-team event, which features teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, is July 26 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Mexico is aiming to regain its old form before it resumes World Cup qualifying Aug. 12 against the United States in Mexico City. El Tri is fourth in the CONCACAF standings — behind Costa Rica, the U.S. and Honduras — and only the top three are guaranteed a spot in next summer's World Cup.

More than 25,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday's doubleheader at the Coliseum, which has a capacity of 47,000 for this event. Tickets, with prices ranging from $20 to $75, can be purchased at www.goldcup.org, www.tickets.com or by calling 1-800-225-2277.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy Fourth of July from Tickets.com!

Happy Birthday, America!

Friday, July 3, 2009

M-commerce is catching on: 5% of the top 500 e-retailers offer mobile sites

Internet Retailer

Mobile commerce, what some retailers call the fourth sales channel, is catching on. Today, 5% of the largest e-retailers offer m-commerce sites or iPhone-optimized m-commerce sites, according to new research from e-commerce and m-commerce consulting firm Acquity Group LLC.

“Within five years that figure will approach 50%,” predicts Adam Boysen, project manager at Acquity Group. “The trends all are pointing in that direction—people are increasingly on the move, smartphone sales are soaring, awareness of mobile web browsing is growing greatly. We’re primed for big growth in mobile retailing.”

Learn about ProVenueMobile from Tickets.com >

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Thursday, July 2, 2009

Tickets.com Signs Up to Green Achiever Scheme

Tickets.com achieved Green Achiever silver status A Buckinghamshire business that specialises in providing integrated ticketing solutions designed to enable entertainment and sports organisations to sell tickets to consumers under the clients’ brand is the latest business prepared to demonstrate its green credentials to suppliers and customers seeking such organisations.

Milton Keynes-based Tickets.com, which also has offices in Europe, the US, Asia Pacific and Africa, has achieved silver status through the Green Achiever scheme. Developed by E4 environment, a business or organisation interested in Green Achiever will start by registering free at www.greenachiever.co.uk, complete a short questionnaire to outline its responsibilities and receive a listing in the Green Achiever online directory. The first level is self-assessment, which includes a declaration of environmental commitment. Silver is the next and demonstrates the positive action taken in the way it cares for the environment. The highest level, gold, is attained following an extensive environmental audit.

Daniel Burrows, Senior Software Analyst and Trainer at Tickets.com and co-founder of the company’s Environmental Committee, said: “We have always demonstrated a basic environmental awareness, so joining the Green Achiever scheme initially enabled us to spread our wings within the green domain. Attaining silver status allows us to positively show businesses and potential customers that we are very serious about our contribution to helping the environment, based on the development of strategic processes and commitments. These are laid out in our environmental policy in terms which our customers and suppliers can understand.”

Mandy Stoker, director at E4 environment, said: “Everyone’s talking about the government’s environmental policies and how our behaviour and neglect is leading to changes in the climate. The public is becoming increasingly vocal about what they expect from retailers and manufacturers, for example, less packaging and more recyclable products and packaging, as well as services and products that are environmentally friendly. Over 40 businesses a month now register with Green Achiever from a range of sectors and varying sizes including retail, IT, manufacturing and professional services, sole traders, SMEs and large corporations.”

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Kentucky Speedway

Lee Greenwood to Perform at Kentucky Speedway

Kentucky Post
Jessica Noll


SPARTA, Ky. – Classic country music artist Lee Greenwood will perform a July 18 concert at Kentucky Speedway during a doubleheader race day that will feature the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” and the ARCA RE/MAX Series “Click or Ticket. Buckle-Up! Kentucky 150.”

The well-known country singer will take the track’s Turn 1 concert stage in lieu of Chris Cagle, who was forced to cancel his event appearance to begin physician-ordered vocal rest.

Greenwood, 66, skipped his high school graduation to begin forging what would evolve into a long and successful recording and touring career. His inspiring signature 1985 single, ”God Bless the U.S.A.,” was honored as the Country Music Association (CMA) Song of the Year and helped earn him one of his two career CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Awards.

“I wrote the lyric ‘I’m proud to be an American,’ because I really wanted to instill the pride back in America. The song represents my family, my community and all the Americans who are proud of who they are,” he said of the uplifting ballad that was voted the most recognizable patriotic song in the country.

Throughout his tenure as one of country music’s most recognizable vocalists, he has won numerous accolades for his work on songs such as “I.O.U.,” “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “I Don’t Mind the Thorns (If You’re the Rose)” and “Dixie Road.”

He is currently in the process of finishing an album of pop standards entitled "Proven," which will contain Ray Charles’ classic “I’m Busted” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” The collection will soon be available through his Web site: http://www.leegreenwood.com/.

The veteran also is working on a new country album. “It will be more than a comeback album, I’m hoping to discover a new legion of fans that buy the music Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride are recording,” he said.

In addition to working with his new projects, he remains true to his All-American core by serving as the official spokesperson of Operation Never Forgotten (ONF), a national non-profit communications service that connects the U.S. military and civilian worlds through non-partisan public service announcements (PSAs).
Greenwood’s Kentucky Speedway performance will be included with the price of race tickets, which are priced as low as $20.

Kentucky Speedway's third of four 2009 race weekends opens July 17 with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series practice sessions from 3-9 p.m. Practice Day tickets are $20 and include infield access.

Weekend tickets, new infield camping and more Big Deals can be reserved online by visiting http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com/, by phone at (888) 652-RACE (7223) or through the Kentucky Speedway ticket offices at 400 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 100, in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., or the Sparta, Ky., Fan Center off of Interstate 71, exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 North. Fans also can reserve tickets at Meijer stores and Tickets.com outlets.