No Ticket; No Problem

Problem Solving: Getting into a “Sold Out” Show

(Photo by Jim Wong)

I deserved a treat after giving five orientations, worked two committee meetings, put in extra hours and tought a class - all in my first week back from Spring Break!  My well-earned reward was to see the Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) at the Great American Music Hall (GAMH) in San Francisco Friday night.  Unfortunately, it was already sold out. 

DSO is a renowned Grateful Dead tribute band in San Francisco for the first of three weekend shows.

I’m not alone

Hippie Tie Dye (From Wiki Common)

Lots of other would-be concert goers are walking around with one or two fingers up signaling “I need one-two tickets” when I arrive.  A classic pre-Dead show scene abounds with young and old hippies in line and wondering around the GAMH entrance.  Aged long hairs holding signs like “I need a miracle – one tic pleez” and “Help me keep truckin’ on” walk by; in doorways guitarists are strumming for attention; and me - all searching for a ticket.

Thinking It Through

“How can I improve my luck,” I ask myself, “Of finding a ticket?”  Work new arrivals I conclude.  I start asking people pulling up in cabs, “Extra ticket, extra ticket to sell?”  After several cabs I felt like a pushy pan handler and gave up.

Luck be a lady tonight

Next I stand in the Will Call Ticket line even though the window says “Sold Out” and quietly ask the people around me “Anyone got an extra ticket?  Anyone got a friend who didn’t show?”  A voice behind me, “Yeah, I might have an extra.”  I immediate close in.  A thirty-something woman says, "You’ll have to wait a few minutes.  I need to find some friends out here and I might have an extra.”  Cool.

Be friendly 

Don’t let her get away.  “Thanks for letting me know.  My name is Jim and you are…?”  “Jessica,” she replies.  “I’ll be right around in the front when you’re ready, ”  I tell her.  

Back up options

I walk around the entrance looking at my options.  Can I bribe my way through the front door?  Multiple ticket takers, especially young men (often underpaid and under appreciated) are susceptible to a bribe like a folded $20 when they expect to be handed a ticket. Its worked in the past.  But tonight a young business-like woman is taking tickets with a stern-looking supervisor on a riser above her kills that option.

Don’t lose Jessica

I wonder up to Jessica as she's looking for her friends and start small talk.  “Are you catching any of the other nights?  Where are your friends coming in from?  What’s your favorite Dead music era?”  We chat for five minutes.  Soon I discover she’s a University of San Francisco graduate.  “Hey, me too,” so we deepen our commonalities by swapping USF stories for a few more minutes until she wonders off to look for her friends.

God smiles on fools and little children

I walk up and down the ticket holder line for ten more minutes with no luck.  Jessica spots me and waves me over and I have my ticket for face value.  I’m in!

1969 Fillmore East Show (#2317) with Special Guest Bob Weir

Bob Weir (Second from right) joins DSO (Photo by Jim Wong)

“Hard to Handle” opens the show and with the organ stage left, I know this is going to be a Pig Pen pre-1972 show.  While I’m more a 1970’s Dead era fan, I’m amazed at how much frantic raw electric energy is coming through and not spacy psychedelia I associate with 1960’s Dead music.  Four songs in Bob Weir the rhythm guitarist of the real Grateful Dead joins DSO on stage!  Weir’s classic “Beat It Down the Line” and “Me and My Uncle” gets a good workout.  Later “The Other” explodes and morphs into a rousing first half closing “Deal”.  Simply, Weir’s presence elevates the show from tribute to special.  

Rob Eaton & Bob Weir, GAMH 4-11-14 (Photo by Jim Wong)

Wanna a miracle?

• What’s the problem?  No tickets – sold out show.
• What are your options?  Nothing to lose, go and ask.
• How to improve your chances?  Identify who can help and find them.
• Nothing happens if you don’t try.