Steve's Amazing Posterous

Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Filed under: concert

No Danzig Legacy tonight!

Well I was really looking forward to enjoying a concert tonight but instead I got a horrible experience and had to send a nasty e-mail to Ticketfly, the ticket seller for the Congress Theater in Chicago.  I think the e-mail explains everything, here's what I wrote:

Dear Ticketfly,

I just had a bad experience at the Congress Theater just prior to the Danzig Legacy show.  Please let me explain...

I have been to several shows this summer, one at the Congress Theater and I have never had any issues involving my camera phone or my camera.  I was always told as long as the camera is not a professional camera it would be ok.  For this show, I didn't call because I didn't anticipate there being any problems or a change in policy.  Of course, at the Congress Theater, the security said "absolutely no cameras" and to place them in your vehicle.  In my situation, I did not drive, commuted via public transportation, and had no vehicle.  Security said I could coat check my camera and backpack, however I do not trust coat checks in places that I do not know well.  Therefore, I had no other choice but to request a refund which they did not even consider doing at the theater.  

The woman working at the box office told me that I should have called and that I should have checked the website.  However 30 minutes before arriving at the theater, I was in fact on the website looking for the time that the doors would open.  I did not see any warnings about there being no cameras allowed or that there would be any coat checking cameras required.  As of right now, 8:15pm local Chicago time, I see nothing on the Congress Theater's website nor on your website about cameras and there is nothing mentioned about calling for instructions.  I did not like the fact that the woman at the box office apparently wanted me to just magically know that I should have called...like as if that is an actual possible option...to magically know things.  At this point I demand that I be refunded based on the fact that there was no information on any of the websites nor on the ticket.  

In my opinion, if policies are going to be changed at the last minute or changed for each show, I should be given the option to get refunded at the box office and leave with no incident.  However, just posting the proper information ahead of time in a clear, easy to see place or perhaps sending out an e-mail would work.  

If I do not get a response and a refund/credit in a reasonable amount of time, I will have no choice but to contact the Better Business Bureau and the local news.  People should not have to play guessing games with Ticketfly or the Congress Theater about what policies will be enforced that day.  I also apologize if this sounds harsh but the experience I had at the Congress Theater tonight was harsh and very unorganized.  I was looking forward to enjoying the show.

Please contact me immediately.  Thank you.

No one should have to go through this!

Windows Phone 7 Follow-up and My New Samsung Galaxy S Mesmerize

     I said I was going to post a follow-up to my Windows Phone 7 review.  Like I thought the newness wore off and the harsh reality set in, Windows Phone 7 was not for me and here's why.  First, there were several apps that I had on my previous Android phones that did not have any alternatives in the Windows Phone Marketplace.  Secondly, I was very disappointed that the phone did not scan barcodes like Android phones.  You had to take a picture and then it didn't even detect the code in the picture half the time.  All of this led me to the realization that Windows Phone 7 just isn't up to speed with Android and I didn't want to find myself still waiting for those apps to be developed after 6 months or a year.

    So, I took the phone back and picked up US Cellular's best Android phone at the moment, the Samsung Galaxy S Mesmerize.  This phone is a great Android phone with an awesome battery life, a large vibrant screen, and plenty of apps via the Android Market.  If you saw my pictures and video of the Tesla concert I just attended, all those were taken with my new Mesmerize.  I was impressed most with the video quality.  This phone is amazing and I'm glad I finally have a nice reliable Android phone!

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Shine A Light!

I recently got a free month for Netflix as part of a settlement for a class action lawsuit because I was a member a while back.  Therefore, I have been enjoying some movies that I missed while they were at the show.  One of these movies that I got in the mail today was the Rolling Stones and Martin Scorcese movie, "Shine A Light."  I really like The Rolling Stones and their music, so I really enjoyed this one.  Now, I must say that The Rolling Stones are not getting any younger and they're age really shows, but not in the music.  They still can rock!  I think what was really nice about this movie is that they picked some songs that have not been heard in a while...at least not by me.  In between songs, I really enjoyed watching them at the beginning of their career saying things about where they'd be in the future.  There were also a few guest appearances by Bill and Hillary Clinton, Buddy Guy, Christina Aguilara, and Jack White III.  Overall, I think this concert movie was very well done.  My only complaint is that I would have caught this at the theater!  I give this one five stars! [caption id="attachment_285" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="Shine A Light"]
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Collective Soul And Live Performance At The Congress Theater Rocked Chicago!

Yesterday, I went to see Collective Soul and Live perform at the Congress Theater in Chicago on Milwaukee Street. This concert had to be one of the best shows that I have been to, ever! I had a little trouble at first because I wasn't able to print my ticket anywhere before the show. I finally did get in after they found my name on a list of people who bought tickets for the show. When I walked in there I wasn't thrilled with the fact that it was standing room only and it was very warm inside. However, I found a spot and waited for the show. When the opening act came out, I was fortunate enough to meet a couple of women who asked me who it was on stage. I didn't know but it turned out to be the former lead singer of Tonic.  Since I was by myself the women took me in as their fourth person and I hung with them and the guy they were with.  Meanwhile the guy from Tonic performed well and the few people that were paying attention applauded. When Collective Soul came on, the crowd got more and more packed in. The heat started to rise in the theater and before I knew it, I was in a constant state of sweating. Collective Soul delivered some of their best hits and the crowd and I were yelling and going crazy.  It was pure bliss.  After the lead singer from Collective Soul told everyone, "Tell your friends you saw Collective Soul", they left.  Even though my legs were tired of standing, I wanted more Rock N' Roll as I waited for the final performance, Live.  I thought at that point I had seen the best part of the night but then Live came on and continued what Collective Soul started.  Only by the time they came on, the crowd got even more packed and more crazy and the temperature in that theater only went up.  Live performed and I was very surprised how awesome they were.  I can definitely say that I am now a hard core Live fan!  Overall, the evening was packed with high energy, great music, a die-hard crowd, and the kind of heat that can only be enjoyed at great concert.  I highly recommend seeing these two if possible.  Great show!  Below is the only decent picture I was able to take all night with my camera phone of Ed Kowalczyk of Live.

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Rockin’ With REO Speedwagon And The Loop On The Chicago River!

REO Speedwagon played a mini show on the Chicago river aboard a speed boat this morning. I was at the Merchandise Mart along with many fans and Johnny B. from the Loop. I took many pictures from the Loop bleachers with my camera phone and I will be posting them to my Buzznet page, http://smanofsteel76.buzznet.com/, so check them out. This was definitely a "one of a kind" experience. REO rocked and Johnny B. got the crowd excited. I had fun and getting up this morning at 4:30 was worth it. As far as I could tell the people on the streets around there were having fun too. the sound was a little shaky at first and when they did get it on, I would have preferred it to be louder. Even still, it was fun to see a rock band on the river. Some hits REO played were, Roll With The Changes, Time For Me To Fly, Gloria, and more. Rock on Chicago!

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