DocWu's Other Blog

Can you get too much of a good thing? Can a concert series get too big? Is Artpark following in the shoes of Thrsday At The Square?

Apparently, it is possible. Likely, even.

I went to Artpark to see America play today. My expectations were low to start with, as I had seen America last year at the North Tonawanda Harbor Series and knew I'd see a competent rendition of the same songs they've been doing since the 1970s. Kind of like a cover band, but covering their own songs. No surprises, no chances taken, just phone in a good performance and get back on the bus. But that's okay and what a lot of people want to see. You can't blame them for giving them what they want.

Speaking of cover bands, Route 66 was the opening band and they were very good. For a cover band. I wonder if they have any original material. They'd be great if they did.

But I didn't really see them, or America.

First of all, I didn't expect to be there early. I left home a bit late. But on the way, I ran into a detour on Route 104 which sent me off on a wide excursion. When I finally realised it was going to take me almost into North Tonawanda, I struck off on my own and headed back west. I finally got to Lewiston Hill near the power project, and eventually got back to 104 in Lewiston. I entered the park and they already had filled the parking lots and were parking us on the grass. No problem. Where ever you park there, you still have a long walk.

The lawn area was already full and people were already filling up the whole area right up the hill where the boardwalk used to be. Nowhere within sight of the stage had any room left. I finally unfolded my chair and sat near the 97Rock van, just so I didn't have to carry it any more.

I got a beer and went and stood in line for food. The line was huge, but moved along, if not fast, at least steadily. I got some food - an Angus Burger and a pulled pork sandwich - and went back to my chair and enjoyed just sitting there eating my meal. The music, sunshine, fresh air and plenty of other people around made it quite enjoyable.

But the whole good time was marred by the fact that you just couldn't get anywhere near enough to the stage to see anything. The Artpark posters all have the slogan "Help Us Keep The Concerts Free" but this show would have been better served in the main stage at $20 a ticket. What are they thinking by booking such big-name groups into a free event? If they want to raise money, they are doing it wrong. The food sales were limited, not by demand or the size of the crowd, but by the ability of the overtaxed staff to keep up. They wouldn't sell any less if the crowd was half the size.

I finally left during America. I didn't run out, I just picked up my chair and wandered for a while. If I couldn't see the show, it didn't matter where I stood, sat, or walked. I ran into a couple friends and chatted a bit. I enjoyed the breathtaking scenery at the park, something worth going there for alone. And I enjoyed the leisurely walk to the car and exit from the park without the traffic that would be clogging it in an hour or so.

No hard feelings, as I didn't have big expectations anyway, but I have to give a poor grade to Artpark on this show.