Here's more info about this Saturday's Joni Wall to Wall in NYC. It feels so frivolous to be writing about it with the war having started. Seems a good use for my anxious energy, though, so here it is.
In case someone's missed earlier posts about this extravaganza, check this out: http://www.symphonyspace.org/genres/eventPage.php?genreId=1&eventId=287 Yesterday I went over to Symphony Space and talked to the guy at the box office. Becoming a member for $50 makes getting in MUCH easier. Membership covers that person and one guest. You can "join" via phone or in person through Friday. The box office number is 212-864-5400 and it's open from 11 am to 7 pm. On Saturday there will be two lines, one for "members" and one for "non-members". It's the non-members line that barely moves. When seats are available, members are let in first, and then people on the other line are let in. Since people can't become members on Saturday, they're really stuck in that line. Anyone who's in the members line gets to go in first. There will probably be a lot of activity inside, with people moving around and leaving at any time. One suggestion the ticket seller had for our group is that we pick out an area of the theater and try to meet up there. The lines start forming about 9 am, with the doors opening about 10:30. The seating plan is on their website, so if someone would like to suggest an area to aim for that's fine with me. I imagine the place will be packed all day long, but maybe not since it's the first weekend of the war and lots of people will probably stay home. And it's supposed to rain all day. Then, again, it's NYC, full of intrepid people who insist on doing what they want even when it's raining and there's a war on, so maybe not on the staying home. Plus, it's Joni's music! Once someone goes outside, they have to stand in line again to get back in. I spoke with someone else today who said the longest wait in the members line during previous Wall to Walls was about 1/2 hour, so, again, paying the $50 is a good idea; then if you do go outside it won't take long to get back in. If you're in the other line, it could take hours to get back in. Snack food is available in the building. Not very healthy food is what I was told. I asked if food could be taken into the theater, as in one person go out and bring back lunch for other people. Answer: only if no one sees it. I asked if there would be any Joni stuff for sale and was told probably not, but the performers may be selling their own cds. Bob, maybe you can find some more covers there! There are police all over the city, and some national guardsman in some of the more crowded places. There's even been a policeman standing on my corner for the past few days, with his radio squawking. Maybe he has one of those radiation or chemical detectors on him. I don't know if there will be any unusual security at Symphony Space. Probably not. It's at 95th and Broadway, and all across 96th Street at every avenue all cars and trucks going south are being stopped and searched, so there will be plenty of cops a block away. Plus, 95th is a couple miles from midtown so I doubt anything would be happening there. Anyone who goes into the theater, though, has as her or his first assignment to find out where all the exits are. That's prudent behavior no matter what's going on in the world. There's a huge anti-war rally planned for Saturday, with people gathering at noon at Times Square (42nd Street) and marching downtown, so that will tie up traffic all day, especially on the west side. Anyone driving in, or coming in by train to Penn Station, will need to plan around that. That's it. Sounds like a major adventure to me! I expect the music to be fantastic, and am thinking to start the day very early, get settled in, make a note of where all the exits are, then focus on enjoying the music with my companions, and ignore whatever jostling may be going on. The box office guy recommended area restaurants/bars so I checked them out while I was in the neighborhood and told Patrick L. what I found. I think he'll be making some suggestions on list about that. Debra Shea P.S. I'm leaving off the NJC; even though it's not directly about Joni, there may be Joni-onlies who could use the info. I hope that doesn't offend anyone.
