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charlene · 01-03-2008, 02:38 PM

Sat.Jan.12 - free tribute concert..listen on CBC radio as well.
No tickets for Peterson event

People to be admitted on first-come basis day of tribute; memorial to be broadcast on CBC

Jan 03, 2008 04:30 AM
Martin Knelman

Many people have been asking: "How do I get tickets for the Oscar Peterson memorial concert?"

The answer is: You don't. Simply the Best, as the 90-minute event on Jan. 12 is being officially called, will be a no-ticket event, with free admission.

"We're treating it as if it were a church service," says Charles Cutts, CEO of Roy Thomson Hall, which is playing host to the 4 p.m. event. People will be admitted on a first-come basis, with doors opening at 3 p.m.

It's a strategic decision meant to avoid the negative consequences of ticketed free events.

For example, many of those who lined up for free tickets to the Richard Bradshaw tribute at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts did not turn up for the concert. The result: empty seats, despite the fact there were thousands of disappointed opera lovers who couldn't get tickets.

Another pitfall became apparent at the Lincoln Center memorial event for Beverly Sills, the queen of New York opera. The lineup for tickets started at 5:30 a.m. Even though they were free, scalpers had a good day pocketing money from fans who arrived after all the tickets had been given away.

There are approximately 2,500 seats at Roy Thomson Hall. About 200 will be reserved for VIP guests. It's open season on the other 2,300 seats.

Those who can't be there in person can listen to CBC, which has agreed to broadcast the proceedings live on Radio One (99.1 FM in Toronto) at 4 p.m., with a repeat broadcast the same day at 8 p.m. on Radio Two.

Talent bulletin: the lineup will include Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and the University of Toronto Gospel Choir, as well as previously announced Measha Brueggergosman. And TD Canada Trust has come on board as a sponsor.

But once the music and the speeches have faded away, will Toronto build a lasting memorial to the great jazz pianist? A wonderful precedent exists in the form of the superb Glenn Gould sculpture outside the CBC Broadcast Centre on Front St. W. A perfect spot for an Oscar Peterson statue would be outside Massey Hall.
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Diana Krall may also attend..Oscar was her inspiration in becoming a jazz artist.

01-03-2008, 02:38 PM	#7
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: Oscar Peterson Dead At 82 Sat.Jan.12 - free tribute concert..listen on CBC radio as well. No tickets for Peterson event People to be admitted on first-come basis day of tribute; memorial to be broadcast on CBC Jan 03, 2008 04:30 AM Martin Knelman Many people have been asking: "How do I get tickets for the Oscar Peterson memorial concert?" The answer is: You don't. Simply the Best, as the 90-minute event on Jan. 12 is being officially called, will be a no-ticket event, with free admission. "We're treating it as if it were a church service," says Charles Cutts, CEO of Roy Thomson Hall, which is playing host to the 4 p.m. event. People will be admitted on a first-come basis, with doors opening at 3 p.m. It's a strategic decision meant to avoid the negative consequences of ticketed free events. For example, many of those who lined up for free tickets to the Richard Bradshaw tribute at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts did not turn up for the concert. The result: empty seats, despite the fact there were thousands of disappointed opera lovers who couldn't get tickets. Another pitfall became apparent at the Lincoln Center memorial event for Beverly Sills, the queen of New York opera. The lineup for tickets started at 5:30 a.m. Even though they were free, scalpers had a good day pocketing money from fans who arrived after all the tickets had been given away. There are approximately 2,500 seats at Roy Thomson Hall. About 200 will be reserved for VIP guests. It's open season on the other 2,300 seats. Those who can't be there in person can listen to CBC, which has agreed to broadcast the proceedings live on Radio One (99.1 FM in Toronto) at 4 p.m., with a repeat broadcast the same day at 8 p.m. on Radio Two. Talent bulletin: the lineup will include Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and the University of Toronto Gospel Choir, as well as previously announced Measha Brueggergosman. And TD Canada Trust has come on board as a sponsor. But once the music and the speeches have faded away, will Toronto build a lasting memorial to the great jazz pianist? A wonderful precedent exists in the form of the superb Glenn Gould sculpture outside the CBC Broadcast Centre on Front St. W. A perfect spot for an Oscar Peterson statue would be outside Massey Hall. -------------------------- Diana Krall may also attend..Oscar was her inspiration in becoming a jazz artist.