I would like to preface this blog with two simple words. If you were here at our venue last night you would understand the preface of this blog without any further explanation. You would read the words, nod your head with approval and utter the words, “So true.” If you were not, shame. Shame on you.

Here goes:

JONNY LANG

Enough said. Moving on.

So, I was at the theatre this past Wednesday taking in a little more Classic Albums Live as they presented Who’s Next, the fifth album released by British rockers The Who. First of all, what an awesome album—Bargain, Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O’Reilly and all the rest. I bet there are so many people in my generation that have no idea that Bargain isn’t just a commercial jingle, Behind Blue Eyes was not written by Limp Bizkit and Baba O’Reilly is the actual title to that song, not Teenage Wasteland. Had these people come, they would have received a little musical lesson, but for the sake of this blog, that is neither here nor there.

But what struck me besides the sheer re-creational force of this band was another very powerful feeling. This feeling is in no way new. I feel it almost every time I am inside that building. It was pride. Not the arrogant type, but that effervescent kind that bubbles up from the pit of your belly and spills over the brim into a big ol’ grin. The kind you feel when your child graduates from college or when you stand up in your living room for the National Anthem at a game for which you’re not present…or when your best friend in the world gets married…to someone you really like. You’re just so damn excited to be connected to such a wondrous thing.

Aristotle talked about pride as being a virtue of something that is worthy of great things. I would have to say that this place isn’t just worthy of great things; it has accomplished great things on an innumerable level. It has done so not only in the form of incredible concerts and events over the past 80 plus years, but in affecting the lives of those thousands upon thousands who have crossed through the doors in moving ways.

I think it is also a great thing that we can bring the more obscure bands, those that fly a little below the radar, into our theatre and still totally rock the house. I say I get that tingly proud feeling pretty much every time I walk into the theatre. However, for some reason it feels that much stronger for shows that aren’t so mainstream, but where the response from the audience, as little in numbers as they may be, is as great as a full house. It just makes me proud to be a part of something that makes people so happy.

You know you can get in on that :)

kat.berry.