Tanglewood tips?

cookie · August-21st-2009, 11:35 PM

Thanks to JC's Lois and Facebook, I found out about Mike Garson's "Dreaming the Duke" at Tanglewood on Sept. 5. My buddy Dave is a Garson student and devotee and Tanglewood's only a tad over 3 hours from Syracuse. We plan to attend.

Questions:

What should we expect in terms of traffic? Is it well-organized for tourist idiots?

Can we get tix at the gate? I know it can be hard to tell what will sell, but they *do* have a place you can walk up and just buy one, right? If you tell me advance tix are a MUST, we will act.

Any other suggestions? Can you, say, bring a picnic to the lawn or is that verboten? If you're back on the lawn, can you see anything (naturally or on-screen?)? Where's the best place to see and hear?

Thanks.

Lois Gilbert · August-22nd-2009, 02:54 AM

Cookie, I moved your questions over here from The Alley and forwarded to Dawn Singh to respond here as well. This year is going to be great!

Pete C · August-22nd-2009, 08:27 AM

I'll be at the show with Kenny Barron/Mulgrew Miller duo & Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

Pete C · August-22nd-2009, 08:30 AM

Somebody should tell Tanglewood's copywriter that there's a difference between classic and classical:

"They will perform classical Ellington standards as well as selections from Ellington’s famed 'Black, Brown and Beige Suite.'"

Pete C · August-22nd-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie

Can we get tix at the gate? I know it can be hard to tell what will sell, but they *do* have a place you can walk up and just buy one, right? If you tell me advance tix are a MUST, we will act.

Any other suggestions? Can you, say, bring a picnic to the lawn or is that verboten? If you're back on the lawn, can you see anything (naturally or on-screen?)? Where's the best place to see and hear?

Thanks.

If you're driving that far and really want to see the show, why not buy a reserved seat in the hall?

You can eat on the grounds, but not concert halls:

Grounds Policies

Cooking, open flames, sports activities, bikes, scooters, skateboards, tents, and other structures are prohibited from the Tanglewood grounds.
No eating or drinking inside any of the concert halls.
During Shed concerts, Children may play ball (and other games which may disturb others sitting on the lawn) only behind the Visitor Center or near Ozawa Hall. Ball playing is not permitted on the lawn of the Shed at any time when the grounds are open for a Shed concert.
Photography and video recordings are prohibited during concerts.
Shirts and shoes must be worn inside concert halls.
No areas of the lawn may be staked or cordoned off for any reason.
For security reasons, we reserve the right to inspect bags and other items brought into the grounds.

* * *

A grounds ticket for the whole day (afternoon & evening shows) is $34. My guess is that you can buy at the gate, but if you're certain you want to go why not pay the extra $5.50 in fees per ticket for peace of mind?

walto · August-22nd-2009, 09:05 AM

Eat at The Old Inn on the Green. Terrific restaurant.

hornplayer · August-22nd-2009, 04:24 PM

I'm going to be there Saturday night and Sunday.

Cookie, why don't we hook up?

cookie · August-22nd-2009, 04:55 PM

That would be cool, HP!

dawn singh · August-23rd-2009, 01:53 PM

Hi Cookie:

Pete C is correct on all points so I assume he's been to Tanglewood or reviewed the website (tanglewoodjazzfestival.org). You can buy tickets at the box office for either indoor seating in Ozawa Hall or on the lawn. Picnics are welcome as well as are all beverages. Tanglewood is one of the "adult" venues that does not prohibit wine, beer, etc. We also have the wonderful Jazz Cafe that serves food and beverages and features performances by the Jazz Cafe artists. All main stage performances are in Ozawa Hall (no Shed).

The gates on Saturday open at noon and people stake out their lawn space. If you plan to be there all day Saturday, I would recommend you get there a bit early and get in line. Ozawa Hall seats 1,100 and the lawn seats about 5,000 for decent viewing. The state of the art sound system is excellent and there is no delay in sound as you go up the amphitheater hill.

Traffic is not too bad except on the Mass Pike where it can get backed up at the Springfield/NYC exit, but it's usually pretty smooth. Being a world-class venue, Tanglewood is extremely well managed and the guides are very helpful if you have any questions. I would recommend comfortable walking shoes. The distance from the box office to Ozawa Hall is only about a block, but many people like to walk around the campus between shows. It is quite beautiful and peaceful.

Please let me know if you have any other specific questions. You can reach me at dawnsingh@aol.com.

So glad you plan to attend. Mike Garson has a couple of radio interviews coming up that I will post, so keep your eye out.

Thanks.

Pete C · August-23rd-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawn singh

Being a world-class venue, Tanglewood is extremely well managed

I have no doubt that's true for Tanglewood. Unfortunately, it can't be assumed for all world-class venues or festivals. The Monterey Jazz festival was a logistical nightmare on many levels the two times I attended.

cookie · August-25th-2009, 01:35 AM

Thanks everyone. This is helpful.

walto · August-25th-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

the Springfield/NYC exit

Kevin Bresnahan · August-25th-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walto

The "NYC" exit is Route 84. Coming from Boston on the Pike, the Route 84 exit can get a bit sticky, especially on Friday nights & Sunday afternoons. It can back up for miles.

Mass Pike's "Springfield" exit is Route 91. I've never had any problems at the Route 91 exit. Coming from the South (up Route 91), the tollbooth to get on the Pike can back up, so maybe that's what Dawn means?

Be aware that there's a lot of construction on Route 91 in Springfield so if you can avoid it, do so.

Kevin