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Many tickets left for rockin' night in Garden City

Published 8/18/2009 in Local News

By RACHAEL GRAY

rgray@gctelegram.com

REO Speedwagon's only Kansas appearance for the summer is drawing near, and there still are plenty of tickets available to see the band live on Aug. 29 in Garden City.

The concert is the second annual benefit for Mosaic, a nonprofit organization that assists area individuals who have developmental disabilities. Last year's Styx concert raised $35,000 for the organization.

This year, with the concert less than two weeks away, staff at Mosaic hope the benefit does as well as last year.

Brian Schwindt, community relations manager, said he was concerned about ticket sales so far. About 2,000 tickets have been sold, which makes up less than 40 percent of the grandstand, Schwindt said.

"A lot of people in Garden City wait until the last minute to buy tickets in case of weather," Schwindt said. "We're hoping that's the case and they're just waiting."

Debbie Reynolds, Mosaic's executive director, said they've been pushing advertising to promote the event.

"People always say there's nothing to do in Garden City, but here's a chance to see a very good, very popular band," she said.

Reynolds said some may be concerned about the seating.

"People may feel like there's not enough reserved seats, but general admission seats have gotten better," she said.

General admission tickets, which cost $55 last year at the Styx concert, cost $35 this year and include both stage front and grandstand seating. Schwindt said concert-goers will be able to travel back and forth between the two areas the night of the concert.

"There won't be a bad seat in the house," Reynolds said.

The winner of Mosaic's Battle of the Bands concert -- Bipolar Echo -- won the public's approval back in June to open for the headlining rock band. The Guymon, Okla.,-based band that describes its influences as Queen, Uriah Heep, Cheap Trick and Journey will be opening the show at 8 p.m. at the Finney County Fairgrounds.

Prior to the arena show, Mosaic also will be hosting a VIP party in the Finney County Exhibition Building, and only about 60 tickets are left, Schwindt said.

Tickets, which cost $40 for the party, include three drink tickets and hors d'oeuvres and a private musical performance with St. John-based Lady Wisdom, the runner-up in the Battle of the Bands concert in June.

Motorcyclists have the opportunity to buy ride-in tickets for the concert for $5, in addition to the $35 admission price, which will allow motorcycles onto the floor of the arena during the concert.

Motorcyclists also can enjoy a poker run planned for the morning of the concert. The run has stops in Jetmore, at Dodge City Harley-Davidson, Cimarron and back to Dodge City. At each stop, riders get their cards punched and at the end, whoever has the best hand will receive a bike pass for the REO Speedwagon concert and will get to meet the band. The run costs $25 per hand and includes breakfast.

Concert tickets still are available at ticket vendor locations including Baker Boot and Garnand Fine Furniture in Garden City and at Dodge City Harley-Davidson in Dodge City. This is the last week to purchase tickets online at Selectaseat.com. Tickets will be available to purchase at the concert.

Mosaic was formed in July 2003. The nonprofit organization currently assists about 130 people with residential, vocational, community integration and case management services.

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On the Web

Select A Seat: www.selectaseat.com

Mosaic Run, Rock n' Roll: http://www.mosaicinfo.org/runrockroll/

REO Speedwagon: www.speedwagon.com

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