Phones buzzing, people viewing their screens, or getting up from a performance are all distractions. The audience is made up of people who paid to witness a performance. Unless you're on stage, leave the devices at home or off. And I mean "OFF" off, as in totally inoperational. If a group wishes to have some interactive terminals or solicit cell contributions after the show that's fine with me. Otherwise, kindly don't interrupt my entertainment experience. We can all wait until we get home to email our friends to say where we were or how much fun it was. Unless it's some sort of Performance Art, the artists should not need to know our immediate feedback unless there is a question of ego involved. People living life with their cell phones in their hands reminds me of all the folks who watched their babies first steps on a 1" black and white screen (VCR camcorder). Put down the toys, live life, report on it later.
Name: Michael Colter
City: Indianapolis
I find there are many things that already detract from the experience. Last week a couple in front of me were texting, chatting and occasionally making out. This was in the dress circle mind you. They also had several champagne glasses lined up. When they were not busy with those activities they were thumbing through the program. All of this occured during the performance. Indianapolis does seem to have many coughing, candy un-wrapping, program dropping patrons. I do not think we need to encourage this type of behavior - it will be common place soon enough.
Name:
City: Indianapolis
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Last night I attended my first Happy Hour at the Symphony event. This is something that I've wanted to do for awhile and with the great deal I found on Groupon (
http://www.groupon.com/indianapolis/) it was impossible to pass up! Overall the evening was even better than I expected. It was awesome to see so many people there and I found everyone was very friendly as we mingled around before the start of the concert. Even the selection of complimentary beer was great! The symphony itself was absolutely wonderful! The music was beautiful and I was surprisingly entertained by the conductor. His jokes and singing kept the audience enthralled. Everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy the performance. I'm going to keep my eye out for more coupons, but even $20 is a great price for a night like this! I'd recommend it to all!
Name: Allison Bowen
City: Indianapolis
This was the first event I've ever attended at the Indianapolis Symphony and I loved it! I met up with some friends, took advantage of the free food and drinks and listened to an awesome live concert.
The conductor did a great job of engaging the audience...I only wish there had been more music by Coldplay. Thanks for an awesome night!
Name: Kelly
City: Indianapolis
Email:
This was my first happy hour, and I was thrilled by the experience and absolutely plan to return in February. The one-hour performance was the perfect length, and the variety of food and drink was much appreciated! I assume there will be some adjustments made in the future to ensure the bar staff can accomodate the larger crowds, but everyone in line seemed to be enjoying themselves and mingling nicely with each other as they waited for a drink. I think the conductor did a great job drawing in the crowd and the musicians were very talented and inspiring. I would have enjoyed at least one more Coldplay song, and I sensed others felt the same way. Overall, this deserves to be recognized as one of the best social events in town - thank you ISO for a fabulous evening!
Name: Julie
City: Indianapolis
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This event was really fun! I loved how the concert was only an hour long, a perfect length for an exhausting work day. I was disappointed that an announcement was not made prior to the Beethoven/Coldplay piece because I didn't even know it happened until the composer sat down on the piano. For a piece that was the headliner for the concert, it would have been nice to have received more explanation BEFORE it was actually played. I was left confused. The other pieces were beautiful, however I still had a hard time following the program. The complimentary food and drinks were a great idea, but I arrived at 5:45 when the lines were too long to even attempt to get anything. It was very crowded, perhaps I will be able to arrive earlier to actually enjoy more of the "Happy Hour" before the concert. I think more food and drinks would be necessary to accomodate the amount of people who participated, but since this is a first of the series I think there is much room for improvement. The concept is wonderful and makes the symphony much more accessible--thank you so much for a beautiful concert and I will definitely be attending the Feb 18 Happy Hour!
Name: Shauna
City: Indianapolis
Email:
I seated myself just behind the sound console, orchestra right, floor. Hackman delivered Wyoming 307 (name from an area code) but the piano was too quiet to be heard well above the crowd noise. Short Ride in a Fast Machine brought images of Copeland and the open spaces of the wild west to mind, with the clattering of 1/4 notes on wood block and massed orchestra galloping through with myriad tempos. It's a complicated piece, that really got the attention of the audience. The sweeping strings were particularly majestic during the middle section. The Beethoven/Coldplay arrangement was very artful, blending the well known Eroica with rock drum kit, organ, piano, and vocal joining in for the 'Fix You' Coldplay portion, winding down with closing movement of Eroica. Conductor/pianist Hackman took a bit to entertain the audience with some lively banter about the history of the various selections for the evening and was well received. I'm not familiar with the Joe Black themes played next and to me, the dancers were a distraction but I'm sure that others enjoyed their interpretation. (I feared for their safety, performing on a 7' wide sliver of stage). Next up, the Infernal Dance and Closing from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite sandwiched another well-known melody, Debussy's Claire de Lune. The Debussy was delightful and I personally very much enjoyed the dramatic Firebird with all it's fortissimo playing, horn fanfare, and tympani. For years I listed to the rock band Yes using the Firebird as a show opener so am very familiar with this number and the ISO performed it to stunning effect. Great show overall, truncated a bit but for the ticket price you couldn't go wrong. I'd wished that they'd used the available lighting tools to greater effect and some of the solos seen on a projection screen were difficult to hear (bump them in the mix please Mr. sound guy). An enjoyable evening despite the very active crowd in the lobby. I think the organizers got what they wished for- to bring symphonic music to a new, younger crowd. Mission well accomplished!
Name: Michael Colter
City: Indianapolis
Kudos to the entire Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra team for an incredible Happy Hour event. The energy in the hall was evident, and the pairing of classical and contemporary pieces worked quite well!! A great evening.
Name: Karen Mangia
City: Carmel
If I had one word to describe tonight, it would be crowded. If I had two, the second would be thirsty. The room upstairs that had the bars and White Castle table must have at one time had 300 people in it. You literally could not move. The line for drinks was was out the door. Nobody in my group was able to get anything to drink all night.
The concert, on the other hand, was fantastic. It was just beautiful and the conductor was very talented and funny. Unfortunately, there was a very intoxicated teenage boy behind us who kept talking the entire concert. It was pretty bad. He was slurring and had a hard time walking after the show ended.
But generally the concert was great but the happy hour was just too packed and hot to be conducive to a good time.
Name: Laura
City: Indianapolis
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