Jump to content






Photo
- - - - -

Thoughts On Three Stages/harris Center Atmosphere/policies


  • Please log in to reply
37 replies to this topic

#1 Steve Heard

Steve Heard

    Owner

  • Admin
  • 13,752 posts
  • Gender:Male

Posted 04 March 2014 - 06:28 PM

Have you been there? How often? What do you think of it? Does the fact that they don't serve alcohol bother you?

 

The reason I ask is that from my observation, and from what I've heard and read from other folks, everyone loves the facility itself, but many feel that it is managed more like a library than an performing arts space, and the lack of alcohol lessens the over all experience.

 

What do you think?


Steve Heard

Folsom Real Estate Specialist

EXP Realty

BRE#01368503

Owner - MyFolsom.com

916 718 9577 


#2 4thgenFolsomite

4thgenFolsomite

    Hopeless Addict

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,979 posts

Posted 04 March 2014 - 06:35 PM

I've never been in there long enough to miss having a drink.  we always have dinner and drinks before and then head on over.  or see an afternoon performance and have dinner and drinks after.  I love that they have coffee and tea, etc. though. 


Knowing the past helps deciphering the future.

#3 Deb aka Resume Lady

Deb aka Resume Lady

    Hopeless Addict

  • No Politics!
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 8,361 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Location:Folsom
  • Interests:Sole proprietor: Tailored Resume Services
    Volunteer: Court Appointed Special Advocate for a child in the foster care system

Posted 04 March 2014 - 07:52 PM

I love the venue. We only drink alcohol on occasion, so it's no big deal for us that they don't serve it -- in fact I wasn't aware that they don't. They must have a reason for not selling alcohol, but it's probably a revenue loss for them.


Job Search Consultant
Tailored Resume Services
(916) 984-0855

Volunteer, Court Appointed Special Advocate for Sacramento CASA * I Am for the Child
Making a Difference in the Life of Abused and Neglected Children in Foster Care
http://www.sacramentocasa.org/

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~ Edward Everett Hale

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank

#4 camay2327

camay2327

    GO NAVY

  • Moderator
  • 11,481 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Folsom

Posted 04 March 2014 - 09:25 PM

We have never been. When someone comes along that I want to see I can't get tickets.


A VETERAN Whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount "up to and including their life". That is HONOR, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. -Author unknown-

#5 Steve Heard

Steve Heard

    Owner

  • Admin
  • 13,752 posts
  • Gender:Male

Posted 04 March 2014 - 09:37 PM

I love the venue. We only drink alcohol on occasion, so it's no big deal for us that they don't serve it -- in fact I wasn't aware that they don't. They must have a reason for not selling alcohol, but it's probably a revenue loss for them.

 

I was originally told that it was because it was on a college campus, but alcohol is sold at Sac State, Davis, Stanford, etc.

 

Musicians and many patrons have complained that though the place is beautiful, comfortable, has great sound and there's not a bad seat in the house, the atmosphere is too quiet.

 

For example, after an instrumentalist takes a solo in jazz, it is traditional for the audience to show appreciation by applauding. That doesn't happen much at Harris Ctr. 

 

When the band Cake played, one member said it was the quietest place he'd ever played.

 

I think that's due in part to the hushed tone of the people at the door and the ushers, but also that alcohol helps some folks to relax, and lots of people like to have a drink before or at intermission. 


Steve Heard

Folsom Real Estate Specialist

EXP Realty

BRE#01368503

Owner - MyFolsom.com

916 718 9577 


#6 chris v

chris v

    Living Legend

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 4,373 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Broadstone

Posted 04 March 2014 - 09:54 PM

I may or may not be guilty of tossing a couple back in the parking lot before a show.

#7 Chris

Chris

    Hopeless Addict

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,857 posts
  • Location:Folsom CA

Posted 04 March 2014 - 10:24 PM

Love the place, saw Merle Haggard, Jeff Bridges and the Abiders, and most recently Clannad there.  No alcohol is not a problem for me.  Love my beer and wine but I don't need it there.  What I don't like is smokers outside puffing away and ruining the fresh night air (not to mention my clean clothes).  I've been to way too many concerts where some drunk fool pukes all over or bumps into you really hard and then wants to fight.  No alcohol is a plus in my book for this most excellent venue.  Regards, Chris


1A - 2A = -1A


#8 caligirlz

caligirlz

    Living Legend

  • Moderator
  • 3,163 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Location:Folsom

Posted 04 March 2014 - 10:52 PM

I haven't been yet as I'm always busy during the weeknight evenings. Since I don't drink, sounds like a huge plus to me. As a former & recovered alcoholic, I really don't understand that mentality, or cop out, that people can't relax without a drink. It does take effort to learn to relax without chemicals, but it can be done!

#9 Steve Heard

Steve Heard

    Owner

  • Admin
  • 13,752 posts
  • Gender:Male

Posted 05 March 2014 - 12:36 AM

I've been to way too many concerts where some drunk fool pukes all over or bumps into you really hard and then wants to fight.  No alcohol is a plus in my book for this most excellent venue.  Regards, Chris

 

Alcohol doesn't always equate to drunks and vomiting.

 

Other than to see Merle Haggard, I've only gone to jazz concerts there. Most jazz fans are mellow and not likely to get drunk and rowdy. I've gone to concerts at Davies Symphony Hall and had a glass of wine at intermission.

 

I haven't been yet as I'm always busy during the weeknight evenings. Since I don't drink, sounds like a huge plus to me. As a former & recovered alcoholic, I really don't understand that mentality, or cop out, that people can't relax without a drink. It does take effort to learn to relax without chemicals, but it can be done!

 

I don't want to use alcohol as a cop-out, and I don't suggest that everyone takes up drinking, but for many people, having a drink, which is perfectly legal, is perfectly fine and harmless, and is part of the experience of enjoying a night out.

 

It's just very surprising as I can't think of another concert venue that doesn't serve alcohol.

 

It increases sales of both tickets and merchandise at the venues, too.


Steve Heard

Folsom Real Estate Specialist

EXP Realty

BRE#01368503

Owner - MyFolsom.com

916 718 9577 


#10 Rich_T

Rich_T

    Hall Of Famer

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,728 posts

Posted 05 March 2014 - 08:42 AM

I don't drink alcohol, but can understand that some people enjoy a drink when attending an event - though I can't imagine that it's the deciding factor in whether to attend or not.  That being said, as long as you don't drink too much and drive, there's no reason you can't visit one of the many nearby establishments prior to the show, for dinner and a glass of beer or wine, then head over to the venue.  Since they don't let you take drinks into the actual concert rooms, the effect would be similar to consuming beer or wine at the Harris Center before you take your seats.  And do most events have intermissions?  I don't know. 

 

The plus side is that there is zero chance of anyone driving away from the event buzzed.



#11 4thgenFolsomite

4thgenFolsomite

    Hopeless Addict

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,979 posts

Posted 05 March 2014 - 09:39 AM

yeah, I would rather have a glass of wine with dinner at home with friends and drive over than drink a lesser quality wine at the theater standing around before the show.  and intermissions are usually only 15 minutes and you would have to wait in line for at least 5 of that, so you would have like 10 minutes to get your drink down before going back in.  I know the Sacramento community center has let people take their drinks back into the show.  I know this because when I attended a Willie Nelson concert last summer, the sloppy drunk in the row behind me spilled her margherita on me as she was leaving to go to the bathroom.  She and her equally hammered boyfriend were apologetic to the point of being pushy and kept insisting they buy ME a drink.  They couldn't believe I wasn't drinking.  :)


Knowing the past helps deciphering the future.

#12 knittychick

knittychick

    Superstar

  • No Politics!
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 640 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Location:Broadstone

Posted 05 March 2014 - 10:11 AM

I have been to Three Stages (I am still annoyed with the name change) several times for a variety of performances and I love, love, love it. That said, it is the stuffiest audience I have ever been part of. I’m not sure if the people attending are new to live performances and don’t know it’s appropriate to show appreciation (clap and make a little noise) after a solo. I have seen performers work really hard (recently Clannad and before that Steve Tyrell) to get audience participation without much luck. Brandon Marsalis and Savion Glover were amazing and the audience was silent until the end of the show when they did applaud loudly. It’s odd – rarely do I see anyone look like they are actually enjoying or “getting into” the music – which makes those of us who do feel a little self-conscious. I would think it’s frustrating for the performers to have such a “polite” audience.

 

It feels more like a movie theater to me. Although I’m not sure alcohol is the answer or would help. Maybe a bus trip to Yoshi's to see how its done?


"Peace is always beautiful." - Walt Whitman

#13 Rich_T

Rich_T

    Hall Of Famer

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,728 posts

Posted 05 March 2014 - 10:35 AM

I have been to Three Stages (I am still annoyed with the name change) several times for a variety of performances and I love, love, love it. That said, it is the stuffiest audience I have ever been part of. I’m not sure if the people attending are new to live performances and don’t know it’s appropriate to show appreciation (clap and make a little noise) after a solo. I have seen performers work really hard (recently Clannad and before that Steve Tyrell) to get audience participation without much luck. Brandon Marsalis and Savion Glover were amazing and the audience was silent until the end of the show when they did applaud loudly. It’s odd – rarely do I see anyone look like they are actually enjoying or “getting into” the music – which makes those of us who do feel a little self-conscious. I would think it’s frustrating for the performers to have such a “polite” audience.

 

It feels more like a movie theater to me. Although I’m not sure alcohol is the answer or would help. Maybe a bus trip to Yoshi's to see how its done?

 

I don't like the name change either, but oh well.  I don't really get an opinion because I've only been there twice, and it was because I knew someone in the performances.  I don't even like to drop $20 on concerts these days, let alone $40 or $60.

 

My uninformed take is that it's a "public television" kind of crowd, who watch concerts as "art", and saves polite applause for the end, as opposed to other venues which are typical jazz or pop concert environments with the crowd being a part of it.  The center has so many types of "cultural" performances that perhaps the same vibe persists during what would normally be festival-style concerts.  The artists are probably being "appreciated" rather than "celebrated" during the show.

 

Or maybe I'm wrong.



#14 nomad

nomad

    Living Legend

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,548 posts

Posted 05 March 2014 - 10:49 AM

 

I don't like the name change either, but oh well.  I don't really get an opinion because I've only been there twice, and it was because I knew someone in the performances.  I don't even like to drop $20 on concerts these days, let alone $40 or $60.

 

My uninformed take is that it's a "public television" kind of crowd, who watch concerts as "art", and saves polite applause for the end, as opposed to other venues which are typical jazz or pop concert environments with the crowd being a part of it.  The center has so many types of "cultural" performances that perhaps the same vibe persists during what would normally be festival-style concerts.  The artists are probably being "appreciated" rather than "celebrated" during the show.

 

Or maybe I'm wrong.

 

I think you're spot on. My neighbor volunteered to be an usher there and they told her that she could only wear black pants and a tuxedo type top. She is an older gal and didn't feel comfortable in that and they told her too bad, its the dress code. Stuffy!



#15 firemedic238

firemedic238

    Veteran

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 156 posts

Posted 05 March 2014 - 11:13 AM

Once again the People/city of Folsom is shooting its self in the foot.  We want people to stay and spend $$ in Folsom( we need it) yet again we complain  and in some cases whine  “forcing” people out of town to enjoy a night out or events that bring $$ into the City to go elsewhere.  While I agree that Drinking doesn’t make the night nor is appropriate at every event here are some facts.  If we want “big Name” entertainment, Beer and wine sales pays the bills. I have work all over the bay area for Concert promoters as Medical/Security for many years.  Sales of ticket s,food, beer and wine sales pay for Security, Police and Fire as well as other staffing costs.  Many acts are sponsored buy beer companies. Many acts have it in their rider (Contract) they get a small cut of all sales. The problems we had with drunks where often limited to a very few people. Most issues are handled onsite. off site DUIs,crashes and fights where rare. The Impact on traffic is limited to approx 30 mins after the show and most shows ended between 1030 and 11PM.   If Folsom doesn’t want to deal with the issues of traffic, crowds, drinking and parking issues then we must shut down the Rodeo (tons of drinking there) concert in the park, Folsom live and many other Sutter street events.  Remember sales = tax money for the City! Both the cities of Concord and Mountain View own the Venue and are making $$$. I don’t mind being delayed a few mins by traffic if the city can attract events that improve the quality of live here. We seem close roads for every type of run or bike race here in the Empire Ranch.  If we don’t do it, many other Cities would love to have this $$$






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users