Okay, you’ve decided on a concert you’d like to attend. Well done, time to purchase your ticket(s).
First, know how many people will be attending. It may sound like an obvious thing and not too complicated if you’re going solo or bringing a date.
Here’s an insider secret you may not know when selecting a concert - if the same performance is on a Friday and a Saturday, you’re better off going on Friday. Saturdays sell out faster so your seat selection is very much improved just by opting to go on a Friday night.
There are three ways to purchase your ticket – in person, by phone, or online. If this is the first time at the venue, I strongly recommend visiting the box office in person. They have seating maps available, sometimes even a scaled down version of the concert hall, and they can show you exactly where your seats are in relation to the stage. Also, the service charges are less. The most expensive way to purchase tickets is online. You pay for convenience.
The price listed in the brochure and/or online most likely does NOT include any service charges. There is always a service charge of some sort. Expect to pay at least a few dollars more. You may contact the box office to ask what they are and what the difference is depending on the method you choose.
I mentioned in Part 1 that the Winspear has a nifty tool on their website where you can see the view from different parts of the hall. Try it! Even after you bring your tickets home you can take a look.
If you purchase your tickets in person, you walk away with them in your hands. Don’t lose them! If you do, the box office will charge a reprint fee and will not print them again until just prior to the show. If you order online or by phone, your tickets will be mailed unless there isn’t time in which case they will hold them for pick-up.
Now, you’ve got your tickets and are planning for the main event. What do I wear? That’s likely a prominent thought. As a general rule of thumb, think “business casual.” If you’re not sure what that is, think about what people working in an office would wear. I’ve seen everything but still think it pays to dress it up rather than down. Think of it as a nice night out (because it is). If you’re going to something like Salute to Vienna, which is held on New Year’s Night at the Winspear annually, people will be dressed to the hilt in tuxedos and gowns. Otherwise, not quite so much.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
General Stuff
Apparently there's a guy who has nothing better to do than come here and spam the comments with inflammatory bull crap. For that reason, I've disabled comments. I was looking for actual feedback from genuine individuals. I don't know this guy but I can probably tell you a lot about him based on his comments. It simply isn't worth my time or effort. He can continue living his pathetic life without everyone else having to read about it here.
I don't really need feedback anyway. I started this blog as a writing exercise. If people find it useful and/or entertaining that's awesome. Some people won't be interested. That's fine, too.
I don't really need feedback anyway. I started this blog as a writing exercise. If people find it useful and/or entertaining that's awesome. Some people won't be interested. That's fine, too.
Kerri's Guide to the Symphony Part 1 - Selecting the Performance
If attending a symphony performance is something you've been curious about but have no idea where to begin this is the absolute first step. If someone has invited you to a symphony concert, the selection process has already been done for you. All you've got to do is show up. I'll cover more on that in another section.
Now, I use the term "symphony" simply because where I live is home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO). It is what I am most familiar with because I once had the pleasure of working in the box office at the lovely Francis Winspear Centre for Music.
The difference between a symphony orchestra and a philharmonic orchestra is only in name. Our friends in Calgary are home to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO). I haven't seen them perform but would love to. The architect of the Jack Singer Concert Hall also designed the Winspear.
Consider the reason(s) you are interested in attending the symphony. All reasons are valid. Some people just want a chance to dress up a bit and make a night of it. Others have never been and are curious.
If time isn't particularly relevant, and you've never been to they symphony but kind of want to see what it's all about, I'd strongly suggest checking them out at a festival. Check out the websites for more information. In Edmonton, each year during the Labour Day weekend is the Symphony Under the Sky held in Hawrelak Park. It's a casual, festival atmosphere held outdoors (weather permitting). They have different themes, even the orchestra shows up in jeans. It's great fun, no pressure, a unique opportunity to see what the symphony is all about. Often the conductors and guest conductors are very interactive.
Alternately, most orchestras (I know for certain Calgary and Edmonton do) offer noon-hour concerts on a scheduled basis. It's best to check the websites for which particular dates these are held as they often vary. Sometimes this is done in conjunction with CBC Radio or something. Most times admission is free or very reasonable.
The web has certainly made things far easier for people. The Winspear website has an interactive seating map (click on "Winspear website" for the direct link to it) where you can click on different sections and have some idea what the view would be like. You can also view a printable version which they also make available in person at the box office. I'll cover more on seating selection in the next part.
If you're trying to plan around a special occasion - like an anniversary or birthday, check the online calendars. Sometimes the box office offers packages that can include dinner. Not always. It pays to call and check, though. If not, you may encounter a particularly knowledgeable staff member who could recommend a nearby restaurant. I used to do it all the time for people as well as suggest the best places to park. Sometimes I felt sort of like a downtown concierge but it was all part of the fun and enhanced the experience for everyone.
If you're not especially familiar with classical music, you can check out the selections playing on the night you're interested in and look them up online. Certainly there's a sound clip somewhere. Even try iTunes if you just want to sample it. I'm fairly certain most symphony and philharmonic orchestra websites have sound clips of them playing. Most nights have a theme of some sort that is usually indicated by the title - like "romantics" or "masters." If you're particularly fond of a specific instrument, check out the entire season to see if there's a featured soloist.
This is just a taste of what is to come and what there is to experience. The next part will cover seating selection, buying tickets, proper attire, etiquette, and that sort of thing. It really isn't as daunting as people may think. If there's something you'd like to see, or think I missed, feel free to leave a comment.
Now, I use the term "symphony" simply because where I live is home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO). It is what I am most familiar with because I once had the pleasure of working in the box office at the lovely Francis Winspear Centre for Music.
The difference between a symphony orchestra and a philharmonic orchestra is only in name. Our friends in Calgary are home to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO). I haven't seen them perform but would love to. The architect of the Jack Singer Concert Hall also designed the Winspear.
Consider the reason(s) you are interested in attending the symphony. All reasons are valid. Some people just want a chance to dress up a bit and make a night of it. Others have never been and are curious.
If time isn't particularly relevant, and you've never been to they symphony but kind of want to see what it's all about, I'd strongly suggest checking them out at a festival. Check out the websites for more information. In Edmonton, each year during the Labour Day weekend is the Symphony Under the Sky held in Hawrelak Park. It's a casual, festival atmosphere held outdoors (weather permitting). They have different themes, even the orchestra shows up in jeans. It's great fun, no pressure, a unique opportunity to see what the symphony is all about. Often the conductors and guest conductors are very interactive.
Alternately, most orchestras (I know for certain Calgary and Edmonton do) offer noon-hour concerts on a scheduled basis. It's best to check the websites for which particular dates these are held as they often vary. Sometimes this is done in conjunction with CBC Radio or something. Most times admission is free or very reasonable.
The web has certainly made things far easier for people. The Winspear website has an interactive seating map (click on "Winspear website" for the direct link to it) where you can click on different sections and have some idea what the view would be like. You can also view a printable version which they also make available in person at the box office. I'll cover more on seating selection in the next part.
If you're trying to plan around a special occasion - like an anniversary or birthday, check the online calendars. Sometimes the box office offers packages that can include dinner. Not always. It pays to call and check, though. If not, you may encounter a particularly knowledgeable staff member who could recommend a nearby restaurant. I used to do it all the time for people as well as suggest the best places to park. Sometimes I felt sort of like a downtown concierge but it was all part of the fun and enhanced the experience for everyone.
If you're not especially familiar with classical music, you can check out the selections playing on the night you're interested in and look them up online. Certainly there's a sound clip somewhere. Even try iTunes if you just want to sample it. I'm fairly certain most symphony and philharmonic orchestra websites have sound clips of them playing. Most nights have a theme of some sort that is usually indicated by the title - like "romantics" or "masters." If you're particularly fond of a specific instrument, check out the entire season to see if there's a featured soloist.
This is just a taste of what is to come and what there is to experience. The next part will cover seating selection, buying tickets, proper attire, etiquette, and that sort of thing. It really isn't as daunting as people may think. If there's something you'd like to see, or think I missed, feel free to leave a comment.
Kerri's Guide to Movie Theatres
I love watching movies on the big screen. When everything goes as it should, the seats are comfy, popcorn fresh, the THX sound makes my heart thump, even the other people in the crowd sharing the experience makes for a good outing.
Despite all the technological advances in the world, people can be annoying - whether or not they even realize it. Maybe I should begin by addressing some basic movie theatre etiquette since a lot of people don't seem to get it. Much of this could cross over to pretty much any public event but for the sake of this blog entry here are my basic guidelines.
Back to the kicking of the back of my chair during Lord of the Rings. One may ask, What do you do if someone kicks the back of your seat? Here's how it went in this case. First I turned around and glared. It was completely useless as she was fixated on the movie. Fine. To get her attention, I threw wrappers at her. I was out of popcorn and had been eating LifeSavers so I crumpled up bits of wrapper & tossed them over my shoulder, then was hoping once I got her attention, I could glare and things would end. Nope, she was oblivious. My back was already uncomfortable from sitting in the same position for two hours and the kicking was beginning to feel like gunfire. I seriously think it was comparable to Chinese water torture. I was on an aisle. I looked around at the foot. Her legs were crossed so the offending foot was actually near the aisle. Once I had the position pinpointed, I reached around (while still facing forward) and grabbed her foot sharply, then released it and retracted. SUCCESS! Finally! She mumbled she was sorry and was more aware of where her feet were for the next hour.
Not only did that incident impair my ability to enjoy the film, the fact that she was so completely oblivious to it and all the effort I had to put into getting it to stop just made me miserable. I think it was over a year before I went back to a movie theatre.
So, I thought that had to be one of the worst things a person could physically do to interrupt my movie watching experience in a theatre. (Aside from the others on my list which are also annoying). I don't recall the movie, but some kid, I think she was like 11 or 12 because of the height, STOOD UP a row or two in front of me in the middle of a movie. Not only that, but she did a full-on stretch with her arms over her head. This was not a long movie like Lord Of The Rings. It was a typical 90 minute or less film. Do you know what my second thought was? (First being something about being pissed off). THAT would be the ultimate way of getting back at a seat kicker!
Now let me tell you that I had the opportunity to try it. I'm not sure what magnetizes these people to me but very often a seat kicker ends up behind me if I'm not in the last row. I always try the glare first. I don't know why because it never works. It would on me I guess because I'd notice if the person in front of me turned around. But anyway, this other seat kicker was as oblivious as the first one. I didn't throw wrappers or anything. When the glare failed, I simply stood up for a second and sat back down. I felt like an idiot doing it, I have to admit. It felt totally awkward. When I sat back down and the kicking resumed, I was annoyed and stood up again. This time more confidently and a bit longer. After this happened the third time, the guy rudely told me to sit down. I said I'd be happy to sit if my seat wasn't being kicked anymore. Truce.
I don't mean to sound high maintenance because I'm truly not. I mean my siblings both complain about the way people eat and such. I'm scared to chew popcorn beside my sister because she glares. Most times she won't even let me have popcorn, she insists on quiet snacks. Still, they have wrappers and if I shuffle the wrapper at the wrong moment they either end up on the floor and/or I get a sharp elbow to the rib. She's a most delightful one to take to the movies. Then she'll tell me afterward about the popcorn mannerisms of others in the theatre.
Despite all the technological advances in the world, people can be annoying - whether or not they even realize it. Maybe I should begin by addressing some basic movie theatre etiquette since a lot of people don't seem to get it. Much of this could cross over to pretty much any public event but for the sake of this blog entry here are my basic guidelines.
- Turn off your cell phone. At MINIMUM, turn it on silent or vibrate. Seriously, though, turn it off. If you can't do without it for a couple of hours maybe you shouldn't be at a movie theatre. You may think you're being all sneaky texting people but guess what? THE SCREEN LIGHTS UP. In a dark movie theatre, this is called a distraction. Just don't.
- Don't talk. For some people this is really hard to do. I've attended movies with such people and it's a bit embarrassing. Having a full on conversation - particularly about something totally unrelated - during a movie is rude. People can hear you. They don't want to. Snapping at people for telling you to shut up doesn't help.
- Do NOT bring small children to adult movies. I mean anything with adult content in it. I once went to a midnight showing of a Stephen King movie and some dimwit brought a toddler. Naturally the kid was scared to death and screamed & cried off & on through the whole thing. Seriously, hire a sitter or rent the movie. I went to see Cable Guy and some guy brought a kid who screamed through it and when confronted, he said the kid wasn't his. It was. We got a refund.
- If you can't sit through a movie without getting up to pee, choose an aisle seat. This also applies to those who take advantage of the popcorn & pop refills. If you can't sit through a movie and insist on trying, at least choose the aisle so everyone else isn't disturbed by the ants in your pants.
- Do NOT kick the seat in front of you. For this reason I now try to only sit in the back row. I went on xmas day to see one of the Lord of the Rings movies in the theatre. Two HOURS into the movie - with an hour left to go - the woman behind me was relentlessly kicking the back of my seat. More on this later.
Back to the kicking of the back of my chair during Lord of the Rings. One may ask, What do you do if someone kicks the back of your seat? Here's how it went in this case. First I turned around and glared. It was completely useless as she was fixated on the movie. Fine. To get her attention, I threw wrappers at her. I was out of popcorn and had been eating LifeSavers so I crumpled up bits of wrapper & tossed them over my shoulder, then was hoping once I got her attention, I could glare and things would end. Nope, she was oblivious. My back was already uncomfortable from sitting in the same position for two hours and the kicking was beginning to feel like gunfire. I seriously think it was comparable to Chinese water torture. I was on an aisle. I looked around at the foot. Her legs were crossed so the offending foot was actually near the aisle. Once I had the position pinpointed, I reached around (while still facing forward) and grabbed her foot sharply, then released it and retracted. SUCCESS! Finally! She mumbled she was sorry and was more aware of where her feet were for the next hour.
Not only did that incident impair my ability to enjoy the film, the fact that she was so completely oblivious to it and all the effort I had to put into getting it to stop just made me miserable. I think it was over a year before I went back to a movie theatre.
So, I thought that had to be one of the worst things a person could physically do to interrupt my movie watching experience in a theatre. (Aside from the others on my list which are also annoying). I don't recall the movie, but some kid, I think she was like 11 or 12 because of the height, STOOD UP a row or two in front of me in the middle of a movie. Not only that, but she did a full-on stretch with her arms over her head. This was not a long movie like Lord Of The Rings. It was a typical 90 minute or less film. Do you know what my second thought was? (First being something about being pissed off). THAT would be the ultimate way of getting back at a seat kicker!
Now let me tell you that I had the opportunity to try it. I'm not sure what magnetizes these people to me but very often a seat kicker ends up behind me if I'm not in the last row. I always try the glare first. I don't know why because it never works. It would on me I guess because I'd notice if the person in front of me turned around. But anyway, this other seat kicker was as oblivious as the first one. I didn't throw wrappers or anything. When the glare failed, I simply stood up for a second and sat back down. I felt like an idiot doing it, I have to admit. It felt totally awkward. When I sat back down and the kicking resumed, I was annoyed and stood up again. This time more confidently and a bit longer. After this happened the third time, the guy rudely told me to sit down. I said I'd be happy to sit if my seat wasn't being kicked anymore. Truce.
I don't mean to sound high maintenance because I'm truly not. I mean my siblings both complain about the way people eat and such. I'm scared to chew popcorn beside my sister because she glares. Most times she won't even let me have popcorn, she insists on quiet snacks. Still, they have wrappers and if I shuffle the wrapper at the wrong moment they either end up on the floor and/or I get a sharp elbow to the rib. She's a most delightful one to take to the movies. Then she'll tell me afterward about the popcorn mannerisms of others in the theatre.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Coming Soon to a Blog Near You...
Hi, my name is Kerri, and I'm a serial blogger.
Now that I've got that out of the way, I'll begin by telling my dear readers what to expect from this page. I decided to call it "Kerri's Guides" because the original concept was far too narrow. It was going to be "Kerri's Guide to Enjoying the Symphony." Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I decided it would be a better blog POST than entire premise for a blog. I have a lot of entertaining (and some of it insider information) advise on how to approach many different things. So I thought I'd blog about all of them and serve them up as a collection. Down the road maybe a nice publisher will pick it up and pay me to publish in a magazine or book. (Insert innocent-style rapid eye blinking here.)
At any rate, I aim to help people feel better about new experiences whatever they may be. I'll do my best to entertain you and educate you on enjoying or enduring different experiences that you either haven't had before or are being thrown into. I want to take away the intimidation factor and show you that if I can do this, you can too.
I feel grateful for living in a community that values the arts and festivals. Naturally I'll start with what I know best and branch out. I'm also open to invitations. If you know of something that may be of interest based on reading my blog, email me. I'm particularly interested in the arts (including concerts, plays, festivals, presentations, etc.) but am open to pretty much anything. If you're interested in advertising on this page, feel free to contact me for rates.
I'm sure this blog will evolve along the way, so enjoy the ride!
Now that I've got that out of the way, I'll begin by telling my dear readers what to expect from this page. I decided to call it "Kerri's Guides" because the original concept was far too narrow. It was going to be "Kerri's Guide to Enjoying the Symphony." Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I decided it would be a better blog POST than entire premise for a blog. I have a lot of entertaining (and some of it insider information) advise on how to approach many different things. So I thought I'd blog about all of them and serve them up as a collection. Down the road maybe a nice publisher will pick it up and pay me to publish in a magazine or book. (Insert innocent-style rapid eye blinking here.)
At any rate, I aim to help people feel better about new experiences whatever they may be. I'll do my best to entertain you and educate you on enjoying or enduring different experiences that you either haven't had before or are being thrown into. I want to take away the intimidation factor and show you that if I can do this, you can too.
I feel grateful for living in a community that values the arts and festivals. Naturally I'll start with what I know best and branch out. I'm also open to invitations. If you know of something that may be of interest based on reading my blog, email me. I'm particularly interested in the arts (including concerts, plays, festivals, presentations, etc.) but am open to pretty much anything. If you're interested in advertising on this page, feel free to contact me for rates.
I'm sure this blog will evolve along the way, so enjoy the ride!
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