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  • tfonts
    9 years 4 months ago
    @Fedrd
    Well my friend, everyone's entitled to their opinion and that's what these forums are all about. And with opinions come the point counter point... I'm two years behind you @ 55 years of age and for 38 of my 55 I've loved the music. While I didn't make the SC shows, the build-up and ultimate delivery of the Chicago experience (all three shows) completely exceeded my expectations. And I mean all aspects but most notably, the waves and waves of incredible emotions all three evenings all generated by the music. I'd be surprised if you felt the energy and re-experienced the scene in Chicago over that long weekend if you didn't feel like it was "just like the good ole days." Because that was my take-away...and it was a glorious "Fare Thee Well" where every band member embraced the moment to its fullest.
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    _
    9 years 4 months ago
    @Fedrd
    Sorry you didn't appreciate the effort...it was not 1967, 1972, 1974, 1977 or anything but 2015....agreed the flow was not what we were used to but the love was in the air with the music and more importantly the crowd vibe....the music has always been the core but the experience was always larger than the seamless segues. If your first show was 72, you are not what you were then, mine 73...I am not either...so why hold the boys to a standard we as fans can't live up to....Chicago was magic pure and simple, cheap....no, but a memory I will take to my grave....absolutely.... I walked away with 40 new friends.....thanks to 12+ hours of music and much kindness, acceptance and generosity..... you know our love will not fade away ..... mmmmmbop bop, bop bop!!!!!
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    Fedrd
    9 years 4 months ago
    Dead? in Chicao
    I have no idea how old you are, or when you first started going to shows, But I am a 57 year old male.and went to my first show in 1972 at the Nassau Coliseum. I was fortunate and able to attend quite a few shows from a wide assortment of years.I would not go to any of the 5 shows for a variety of reasons, most importantly I did not think the shows would be worth it. I felt in many ways, that they kind of mailed it in. They were incredibly under rehearsed, leading to sloppy shows and awkward transitions. The shows had no flow and Trey was totally lost. Obviously, there were going to be great moments, but they were few and far between. For the most part, the set lists did not make sense and they played some of their weakest songs ie Built to Last, West LA etc. Hornsby was nothing like he was in 90' when he joined and the drummers did the shows as if blindfolded. It was great that you loved it, but these shows will not age well and it was a pretty shitty job considering the significance. Listen to New Years 2002-03 Other Ones show and you will clearly see what I mean.
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<? // pull in news from "50th Anniversary" feature type taxonomy $news = views_embed_view('story_lists', 'block_50news'); echo $news; ?>

Grateful Dead Original Members Add Two Dates To Final Concerts

April 10, 2015

The original members of Grateful Dead have announced two additional shows at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on June 27th and 28th, as part of their “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead” run. Along with the three shows at Chicago's Soldier Field on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, the run will mark the original members' last-ever performances toget

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12 years 11 months
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"... I'd like to meet his tailor. Draw blood..." Ahh, 1978... We'd caught the Troy, NY & Syracuse shows, but had to skip New Haven for boring mundane work... :/ However, just after clocking out, we were making the drive from Rochester to Springfield in the road warrior station wagon w 3 tickets & 5 people. We needed 2 more to get everybody inside, but that was never an issue. One face value sale & a trade for a six-pack /miracle in 10 minutes and we're all headed inside. With the later start to the drive we were outta luck for good spots on the floor. One look at the sea of folks convinced us we were gonna be up in the seats that night. Grab a few beers, time to look around... We noticed a roped off area up behind the stage, but the first 5-6 rows in front of it were empty. A quick ask over a shared bowl to the folks inside the ropes determined that they were running an old school light show that night, and didn't mind company as long as nobody was making shadow puppets in front of the projectors. ;) Great view of the stage layout, & all the backstage goings on & the extra speakers for the light show crew really put us in our own little place. We'd heard through the grapevine that the band had covered the Warren Zevon tune, so naturally it called for direct action on our part. Let the howling commence! By the late half of second set we'd attracted several dozen other like-minded folks, and the wolf pack was in full voice. I'd like to think we called it in. :)
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9 years 9 months
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During the Donna years, as I call them, my personal favorite era with the Dead. I had front row at the Chgo 73' Internatinal Amphitheatre show. During the first set a woman threw her bra up on Keith's piano. Next song Donna came out on stage and sang, "You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man." Pretty awesome!!On another note, NW Indiana has some reasonable motel rooms and its closer than Evanston or O'Hare. Public transportation available to Soldiers Field via the South Shore.
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11 years 7 months
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That there are hardly any comments here today? Could it be the pic-a-nic people are too busy with commenting to one another now that emails have been exchanged???? Hmmm Donna would know what to do...
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15 years 11 months
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Do you guys think the Santa Clara shows were just a rumor?
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17 years 5 months
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it feels like a rumor but keep the faith...you never know yes, chatter seems down. me: got lucky. USPS said all my MOs were cashed 2/10 so I guess I'm in! I still have not heard from GDTSTOO so I'm a little wary. I feel extremely fortunate, and wish the same for you.
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17 years 5 months
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I'm busted. Big12 did not come up BIG and hurt me bad.
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17 years 5 months
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There may be hope. It's not Chicago, but I did just score (or got ripped off for - only time will tell) a pavilion seat for Merriweather for $179, which has to be pretty close to face. As far as compadres go, a German Shepherd (now passed) was my best friend for 15 years. Would've taken a bullet for that dog, and vice versa. She beat me to the eternal rest and she earned that rest many times over, but I still miss her every damn day and it's been nearly two years. If only "humans" ... Anyway, starting to get hope that the dbag scalpers may be forced to come down as time passes. Good luck to all, Dan.
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17 years 5 months
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congrats. not a bad price for pavillion. feel your pain on your friend...we have 15 yr old yellow lab who is holding on but barely. it wont be long before he's gone.
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17 years 5 months
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Good luck to ya with the lab. It's a tough process, but we will all be on the "receiving end" one day. And congrats on your MOs! Any old body can pass the acid test compared to the WTF FTW ticket test. With any luck, I'll see you there ...
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9 years 9 months
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With two or three shows left at the Capitol, Phil said after receiving his birthday cake and applause from the crowd, "Thank you, and see you in Chicago." This was the day after these rumors started. He is old and could have just been confused, but I think he was making a statement. On this date 20 years ago, the first Unbroken Chain at the old Spectrum in Philly. Good times. :)
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9 years 10 months
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Just saw two interesting sales on eBay. $11,225 for 2 three day Pit GA. WOW......... $6,000 for 2 three day GA. Does not say if Pit or Field. What caught my eye on this sale was that the seller charged the buyer $5 for shipping. lol........ I wish I had unlimited funds; $11,225 is over 7 months rent in NYC. Some rich dude just bid, bid, and bid. While pricing seems to be leveling of. I think once tickets are released in June, shit is going to hit the fan. Your going to get the panic buyer who has flights, hotel rooms, etc. invested. Your going to get fake tickets like never before. It is going to be a mad dash. Still can't over $11,225 Peace out........
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16 years 7 months
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I agree, esvbbv - and it's worrying me lots as I am in need for tix. I'm afraid the basic laws of supply/demand can not and will not work in our favor - those needing tix that is... Ugh....
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17 years 2 months
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I was just over in the picnic forum and I just heard a banshee scream! Is everyone okay in here? Oh, phew, it's just Donna. Thanks be that the banshee isn't calling on one of us ......
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17 years 2 months
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Grateful Dead Tickets 7/3, 7/4, 7/5 Soldier Field - 3-Day Pass - Sec 441 on Ebay Ideally this would be more like $600. Maybe by July it would be. Hard to believe this is considered a deal, but it is not behind the stage and someone will surely snatch this up looking for peace of mind. As far as I can see, it is the "buy it now" price.
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9 years 9 months
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Get this, man! Get this, now! It's more than you ought to have to pay, but you'll be there. I feel bad advocating for it, but I'd feel worse to miss the opportunity to meet you.
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17 years 2 months
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I thought when the behind stage was opened up for seating Shapiro said something like screens and speakers will face that way and attempts will be made to "unobstruct" views as much as possible. Personally, I don't see how those of us looking to hear that sweet spot will be happy with the sound behind the stage, but you never know. I just thought that at this price someone may want to pull the trigger on an early purchase and would not have to watch Trey's ass wiggle back and forth as he plays. This is a side view. I'm not advocating either way, but I know some folks want to get the ducks in a row for this party before late June.
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12 years 8 months
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Anyone who would pay $12K to see Ratdog/Further should have their head examined.I have been a dead fan since the early 70’s and have seen them maybe 40-50 times until late 80’s and early 90’s when it began to really suck, yes that’s right they sucked then. So when I saw this I thought me and my pals would hook up for a road trip, fly out and go one last time even though I don’t really care for Trey’s style. Then this thing became a shit-show, after advertising a certain amount of tickets at $215 they removed most of those seats after the mail order was sent in, so I knew I would be denied. At this point I’m actually glad I’m not going, I’m sure like many others, I didn’t realize this thing would take on a life of its own. It has become way too intense and too much trouble and let’s face it without Jerry you have RatDog and Further. I’ll go see Dark Star Orchestra on June 5th, close my eyes and bring back the good ole’ days.
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12 years 3 months
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I would love to read after these shows are over and done with that it was a ticket tree show. So many times over the earlier years we were told DO NOT ATTEND if no tickets. Only to get there and have them on the ground or on trees as we entered. In Boise 1983 there were so many tickets it was easier to just walk in the side door Mark Steve had held open. Telluride 1987 was another you wont even get in the city/town limits without a ticket. Not even close, The sad truth to this one is it's in a stadium and within city limits. We use to always say the Band could play your local city dump and sellout at the end. We also all had many a rumor over the years. The Grateful Dead are playing the Polo Fields in Golden Gate park for free this summer. 1985 to celebrate the 20 year so far summer. One other I remember that never came true was they are playing at the Golden Gate bridge birthday celebration In 1987 I think that was. Only rumor I ever remember actually coming true was in the summer and fall of 1984 we had all heard they are going to play Chinese New years, That one came true. Also the China tour of 1985 never came to be. Rumors are fun when they come true but that's not often...
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9 years 9 months
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can't believe I'm saying this, but damn I am tempted at $900.... for a crappy seat
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12 years 3 months
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It is sad because without the Man playing it doesn't do anything for me musically wise it is more an opportunity to get together with friends of yesteryear. I to agree the music changed after 1988 my interests were fading , loved the early 80's and 70's just not much for me later on. I take nothing away from those who are so looking forward to this though. That's their rite and if they enjoy the sound even better I go mine years ago they can have theirs now. More power to you
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17 years 2 months
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Make an "O" shape with your mouth and Wontcha Blome me with that opinion. I was tempted to not reply, but WTF for the FTW. Thanks for joining the forum yesterday and expressing that awesomeness today. tarred and feathered, yeah, thistled and thorned one or the other he kindly warned now you look out the window, tell me what do you see? i see a golden calf pointing back at me Oh, the irony.
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9 years 9 months
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spring '90 sucked? really? I've seen Jerry/Dead hundreds of times since '75, they had up and down times, but rarely did they suck for sustainded periods
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17 years 2 months
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I tend to agree with you, but I'm going to talk you up here. This is it, the last hoorah, the final goodbye (well Jerry did that to me in Pittsburg '95, but that's another story), the final chance to go to church one more time. We are not going to see Jerry, or Pig or Brent for that matter. We will be celebrating them though. Truthfully, I'm not sure how this will go down with Trey, and I decided early on that I don't really care. It's gonna be a freeking blast no matter what. Dontcha want to see the Rhythm Devils again? Come on, I know you do.
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12 years 3 months
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I would not discount what others enjoy musically. The sound doesn't do anything for me does not mean I think others should feel same way. More power to you if you enjoy it. I am glad others love the sound and look forward to it.
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12 years 3 months
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I do Look forward to them, funny you say cause it might be one of the highlights. I look forward to everyone having the time of their life . We are all so very lucky to even have them still around. I doubt if you told me 30 years ago they would play again I would of thought no way. But its going to happen and those who were not born yet are going to get that feeling we use to get back in the day and that in itself is AWESOME. Pass it on. Listening to Ventua 1983 rite now. Not the best show from 83 not the best sound but still the band I love most in this world. So Chicago can be this generation's Boreal ridge show. Or Ventura 83 Said with humor.
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10 years 1 month
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So, I was a lucky lad (I think) who got a 3-day pass from the CID VIP entertainment group. It is in section 140, row 7 (just one seat). I would like to go Friday and Sunday but my old bones need a break for Saturday. I have spoken with customer service at CID, and I am able to pick up tickets for each evening on Friday. I will have the wristband to go to the VIP areas, and that is non-transferable. The tickets can then be given/sold to anyone after pickup. I don't want to rip anyone off, and I would like to be able to recoup some of my expenses, but I'm not trying to make a mint. Before I went to ebay or craigslist, I wanted to post here to see if someone might be interested in this. I am also perhaps flexible on Friday's show, but at this point it really is for July 4th and your chance to hear Bobby sing One More Saturday Night one more last Saturday night. If anyone is interested, PM me and we can talk more about options.
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17 years 2 months
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It seems to be a big ticket day! I saw Klangstone pop on here earlier. I wonder if he grabbed it?
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12 years 3 months
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I sure would love a time machine. Imagine taking people back to the Jerry days.
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9 years 10 months
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I'm in a f#cked up place mentally. The blogging is getting tedious, I love you guys don't get me wrong. But I am not a blogger or an internet chatter, and I can't continue to do tis at work. My home life is suffering from being on here all the time. My posts will get fewer as I try to take a step back from all of this. I will still check my PMs and e-mail daily so if anyone has anything important to tell me, please PM me. The endless scalping by actual fans, all the BS that has happened and is continuing... I am still collecting music and enjoying listening to it. I really want to meet you guys too (and girls, Thanks Kristine!). The picnic planning is getting me down. I'm sorry, but I hate to plan for things that are uncertain. KristineD I wish I could believe that I will get a ticket in time to book a reasonable flight before July, but it seems like a fleeting unfeasibility. I hate not knowing, I want to plan to be at the picnic, I want to purchase a shirt, but I am not going without a ticket. I "could" buy a scalped ticket but resisting and this is causing me to develop an ulcer. More confused and less hopeful that ever right now. Don't want to sacrifice my principles but now those principles are also in question. Sorry if this brings people down, just the reality of all this is staggering. The community building here is fantastic but also at the same time a little overwhelming considering my situation. Sorry for the feeble attempt to put into words this feeling, that can't possibly be relayed on a forum. Not a tremendously patient person, and I don't respond to stress or worry very well. Trying to hold to on to some glimmer of hope that this will all work out, but I just don't know and the not knowing is killing me! Again, sorry but the "mayor" may have to step down and resign...
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11 years 7 months
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+1 million I am doing the same...got super depressed when I realized that more than half of the picnic people were in need...I need to pull back and reassess especially now that I just found out that the DJ shows are a no go as I have a series of meetings here the 13 and 14th...
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17 years 5 months
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thanks you for the congratulations.I understand and agree with everything you just expressed. While I am eternally grateful I got lucky, I feel almost guilty about it because of all the people who wanted a ticket as badly as I did, who were not lucky. I don't think I'd be going up there without a ticket. My son kept trying to talk me into it but I had already decided to pass..too much expense for one thing. More importantly, personally, I could not bear dancing on the outside. I know the scene will be wonderful and that in itself IS a mighty draw, but man, it would be almost agony for me to be left on the lot when all the lucky one started going in. Hope to hear from you now and again, though, and keep the faith there will be something out west.
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16 years 7 months
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Hey now, I say hey now lookie here....shit, I sound like Fog Horn Leghorn - man, I loved that dude. Look fellas, you're adult men so not my place to make any decisions for you, but know this... You can not win if you do not play. It's the 20th of March and not a physical ticket has yet hit the street. You are in a brotherhood and sisterhood of pic-a-nic peeps who like all deadheads, have each other's backs. Get to Chicago. Secure a roof over your head. And then your deal will go down. Perhaps even sooner. It is THE place to be in the USA this 4th of July weekend. Period. Cheers fellas !! Kiss your bride and enjoy the weekend !!
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13 years 9 months
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Not from where I stood....Branford? Albany run....anybody??? Bueller, Bueller?...
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15 years 1 month
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Glad to hear that some of you want to see Donna show up for a song or two. Beside her obvious contribution to(or destruction of, depending on your viewpoint)Playing in the Band, I felt that Looks Like Rain was never as good without her harmony.
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16 years 7 months
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MSG, Brandord, EYES OF TEH WORLD !!!!! in '89 went 8 of 9 nights. Susan Vega and Hall n Oats opened for night 9. What a trip !
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9 years 10 months
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With so many people planning on showing up regardless, will they be allowed into the parking lot without tickets? Can a person with tickets but without a vehicle access the parking lot? If the lot is not accessible to everyone, where would Shakedown Street be? I heard it can be a mile long in Chicago. Someone asked where the GDTS $95.50 seats were located. The original seating chart showed them in the 300s (light blue) section. http://www.dead50.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/seating-chart.pdf
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17 years 2 months
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1990 was different than 1977. I can agree with that. I'm just sitting here thinking about some Hamilton shows I went to in Spring and the Summer run I did. Kentucky, Three Rivers, RFK, Rich Stadium in July 1990. Um, that didn't suck. No sir and mammies.
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17 years 2 months
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So the city is allowing tailgating for the shows, but will clear the lots of people when the show starts. The reason citing safety issues. Hopefully there will be a party in grant Park so everyone who is not in can hang there for the listening party and watch on screens. Hopefully, the Grant Park thing will happen and happen all 3 nights. I think there will be a party outside as well as inside the stadium. I would not plan on hanging in the lot unless you want to play cat and mouse with the boys in blue all night long. All those people, I cannot imagine tickets not being available, at least the Friday and maybe early Saturday. I have no idea about Shakedown. Anyone?
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9 years 9 months
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Save the Date! Free Cone Day is Coming! April 14th. Cravings for the long-discontinued "Dastardly Mash" continue to haunt me to this very day. My love will never die. Wonder where "Ben & Jerry's" seats will be?
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16 years 7 months
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Grant Park; Buckingham Fountains. Walking distance to Soldier. I can NOT for foresee a traditional parking lot scene at Soldier; not with passes upwards and over $600 per vehicle. Deadhead, Esq. lot. The folks gotta go somewhere, and Grant is a public park, massive, gorgeous and right up the street.
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9 years 10 months
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Sorry for my last depressing note, experiencing some seriously extreme mood swings. Stay with the positive vibes despite my negative ones. I, Klangstone, hereby promise if I score a ticket and there is a possibility that it is 3-day pass or multiple tix to one day available, I will split my tix with other heads from here. 1 ticket gets me to Chicago, 3 tickets gets me and 2 others to Chicago. This doesn't mean I would expect anyone (or even ask) who was awarded multiple days via GDTS Money Order to do this. The lucky GDTS folks deserve to enjoy their allotment that they planned for. But for scoring aftermarket tix like I "may" get, I will share with those less fortunate so they can also get into the venue at least 1 show. May you all find some Peace, something I am having some trouble with...
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13 years 9 months
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Klangstone.... :-(
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9 years 8 months
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Good idea to take a breather and get your perspective back. Lots of time until 7/3. Who knows what may happen with pricing but there will be seats to be bought. Lost one round but the price wasn't anything...