Comments on: When Family Friendly Fails

By: matthew

matthew — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:15:15 +0000

One of the problems is the misnaming, if you will, of the event. I am of the opinion, and I think Dino and others would agree with me, that if the event is called a “Concert” then it is the music that matters. But other people, like Lisa and others, don’t share the same perception. For them the event is more about the total social event. Fine, that’s what it is for them.

I guess I’m more tolerant about the issue (or maybe less tolerant because I usually don’t go because I know it will be difficult to enjoy the music). I figure that people who go for the socializing have as much right to be there as me. But, again if the issue is respect for the music and the musicians, talking throughout some or all of the performance doesn’t seem to fit the bill.

Whether or not something is rude is a matter of perspective. I will again concede that smoking during the concert is more harmful than talking in the long run. But both activities could be considered rude because they detract from other people enjoying the event. Dino’s original point dealt with respect for the performers. From that perspective it is quite easy to argue that talking during the performance shows less respect for the performers than does smoking during it.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 21:07:36 +0000

I do not sit at the front because I am not primarily there for the music. I DO enjoy most of the music and I do not sit and chat the entire concert. I went to EVERY concert this summer because it is not the music that matters, but the event and the wonderful atmosphere and the many friends I roam around and see AROUND THE PERIMETER, where the smokers should be.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 21:05:05 +0000

I KNOW this is no law against it – it is common courtesy, and common sense to not smoke just a few feet from other people! Geez Louise – I have a son that smokes and I believe he knows better than to smoke in a crowd of people.

By: Dino Corvino

Dino Corvino — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 01:30:44 +0000

I learned a long long time ago that I cannot begin to understand peoples attitudes toward music, musicians, recorded music, or live performance.

So, I thought it best just to simply focus on something real. The damage to a fender stratocaster.

By: matthew

matthew — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:18:46 +0000

Dino – in general I agree with what you say. Allowing kids to go on the stage uninvited is simply not appropriate. I don’t attend many of the concerts on the square – mostly because I do not like the bands that are playing. Even when I do go it is generally disappointing. And, not because of the kids, although the running and yelling does distract from the music. What is a greater problem for me is what Lisa mentions when she says “I don’t pay a lot of attention to the stage as I like to visit”. She is not alone in that attitude. And I won’t say she is wrong to do that but it does add to the problem. Events like this are labelled concerts but aren’t really concerts at all. They are a venue for people of all ages to enjoy the weather and being together on a summer evening. The music, unfortunately I think, simply serves as muzak for the conversation. Your point, Dino, about the potential damage to amps, instruments, etc is well taken. But if the issue is the lack or respect for the musicians, not listening and/or talking and preventing others from listening is just as disrespectful as kids running around.

Lisa has the right to go there and visit with her friends. But talking during the music distracts from the enjoyment from nearby people who come to enjoy it. While it may not be unhealthy it is, in its own way, as rude as someone smoking.

By: Thisisnews

Thisisnews — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:19:17 +0000

Lisa, people think it’s ok to smoke in the middle of the park because it IS ok to smoke in the middle of the park. There is no law against it.

By: Dino Corvino

Dino Corvino — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 06:05:45 +0000

Thanks Lisa. It is nice to know someone understands. I have never experienced the amount of negative reaction to a piece, as I did with this one. Holy cow.

I think a lot of people missed the sentence where I said how much I loved the events.

But, for me it comes down to 1 ounce of prevention is easier than a pound of cure. And it is easier to prevent a kid from breaking a guitar, than it is to buy a musician a new one.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:27:26 +0000

But, then again, don’t get me started on the number of people who think it’s ok to smoke in the middle of the Square, since it is ‘outside.’ The number of rude smokers has certainly seemed to increase this year.

Maybe an announcement about smoking, dogs, drinking and kids on stage needs to be made – making us look like real curmudgeons!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:25:00 +0000

I agree Dino – I don’t pay a lot of attention to the stage as I like to visit, but kids running around up there have bothered me this summer. Not just running around the instruments, but too near the front edge. Also, one week there were a few kids up there and 2-3 little girls dressed only in bathing suits were ‘dancing’ on the edge, and I thought, “what kind of parent lets a little girl dance in a 2-piece bathing suit in front of thousands of people?.” I don’t mean to sound like a pervert, but someone in my group also mentioned the likelihood that there were um, people who probably where not the type who should be allowed to watch that. I don’t think it would be wrong for the band to ask the kids to leave – it’s their stage and their show. They can blame it on safety but it’s really about respecting the show.