On May 11, I ordered tickets for the Andrea Bocelli concert to be held at the First Horizon Coliseum at Greensboro Complex. Having enjoyed a Bocelli concert several years ago, I knew to look forward to a wonderful evening. Alas, that was not to be.
When I purchased the concert tickets, I wasn’t living in Greensboro yet. We moved from Las Cruces, NM, to Greensboro about a week after the tickets were purchased. Having never been in Greensboro prior to our move, I had no knowledge of the venue… especially its walkability for two women in our mid-70s with limited ability to walk more than short distances.
The evening of the concert, Sunday, October 12, came. My anticipation and excitement were peaking as we headed to the Coliseum, using a car service to avoid the headache of finding parking, waiting in long traffic lines to park and then to leave. We were dropped off at the front of the Coliseum and had to make our way to the back by following the crowd. Inside, we discovered that our seats were at the highest point of the balcony (220Q), five rows down from the very top of the Coliseum. We were both shocked and disappointed to find that there were no escalators (they’d been removed some time ago, apparently). Moreover, the elevators were quite small, and there were long lines to use them. By the time we got off the elevator, we still had a long walk to our seats, and it was nearly intermission! But facing another long walk to get to our seats, we concluded that this was not going to be possible. We messaged the car service and headed down to the main level.
The car service driver, however, had another idea and contacted a colleague connected with the Coliseum who insisted we must stay and further insisted that he would find us convenient seating on the main floor. He was good for his word: he found us seats, and we enjoyed the second half of the concert. We managed to find the energy to get to the drop-off point to meet our car and return home.
I’m sure our experience was shared by many. In fact, we later learned that acquaintances, who’d driven from Charlotte for the concert, waited more than one hour in the line of cars going into the parking area, finally entered the lot only to discover that there were no more parking spaces, and, thoroughly frustrated that the concert had started and they were missing it, turned around and drove home.
I would not consider going to another event at the Coliseum, and I would caution other “seniors” that it’s not user-friendly for elders. I’m sure it’s fine for younger people coming to concerts and other events, but we have scratched the Coliseum off our list.
Good to see a letter in the Rhino that values DEI.
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In the mind of Chris, the purpose of this letter is to support anti-white DEI initiatives…
He’s mentally ill.
I understand how you love to consume misinformation that feeds your emotional biases and bigotry but the truth is that DEI programs are also designed to protect and benefit the disable and elderly.
If you weren’t so closed minded, you would know that…..but don’t let the truth get in the way of your willful ignorance and hate.
Best wishes.
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Wow.
Somebody is certainly full of anger and “hate”. Look in the mirror.
Again, when faced with facts that counter his misinformation he just resorts to personal attacks. Yawn.
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You’re such a bloody wanker.
I wouldn’t go to the Coliseum for any type of concert. . .too many people, too many parking problems, too much noise, etc. Guess this tells you I’m over 70 and could care less about concerts.
Good one, Chris. You may almost be right.
First mistake, not researching the venue. Second mistake, not considering the crowds. There is always security around who will help, especially if it is explained a first visit experience. Andrea Bocelli concerts are not filled with young rockers to contend with. Your experience is a one-off. Give the venue another chance.