Ashvegas and the Phish

8 Comments

1. 

   Miss Daisy June 12, 2009

   Persistency? Is this a word?

   Tonight, Asheville’s Civic Center smelled more like City Hall than an Amsterdam hash house.

   I guess Carl would know.

   Reply
2. 

   Jeff June 10, 2009

   Ahh. Here’s the latest in the series of concert reviews from An Army of Mum:

   June 9, 2009 -10:15 PM

   From: Carl Mumpower, Asheville City Council

   To: Gary Jackson, Asheville City Manager

   Subject: Observations of Phish Concert as Asheville Civic Center
   Mr. Jackson,

   I just left the Phish Concert at the Civic Center and wanted to share my experience there.

   First, I appreciate the learning opportunity and staff support for my request to observe the event firsthand.

   In a nutshell, I was impressed. It was apparent that city staff, our police, event security, the promoters, and the vast majority of those most important to a successful event, the Phish fans, were on their game.

   The atmosphere was fun, safe, and managed. The arena was not overwhelmed by the smoke of cigarettes or pot and it was evident that most folks were trying to do their part and respect the facility’s rules.

   I understand that there were a significant number of arrests – mostly outside the facility – for drug activity. I appreciate our police officer’s persistency in defining Asheville’s Civic Center, public spaces, and downtown as a place you can come to have fun, but not a place you can freely sell and use drugs.

   In short, the difference between this event and the Ratdog and Wide Spread Panic events of several years ago was night and day. A perfected experience with such a large group was never the goal – but tonight seemed to come pretty close.

   Appreciation is due for all the hands that helped Asheville hold an event that was defined by a good time versus drug activity and indifference to the rules of the house.

   Tonight, Asheville’s Civic Center smelled more like City Hall than an Amsterdam hash house.

   Many thanks,

   Carl Mumpower
   Asheville City Council

   Reply
3. 

   eemilla June 10, 2009

   Although not advertised, my husband’s co-worker was walking by the Civic Center on his way to work, and he was stopped by a guy who said they had tickets. I guess they corrected their glitch from earlier or busting some scalper. Most of his coworkers purchased tickets that morning so many a miracle ticket was delivered.

   Reply
4. 

   Jeff June 10, 2009

   Jason ~ I saw you in the pit at Phish. I can’t wait to see your photos.

   At the end of the first set I saw (and followed a bit out of curiousity) Carl Mumpower. He was strutting around very quickly giving the hippies dirty looks and plowing through the crowd being a pushy jerk. Sherman Bass was right there trying to keep up. Carl went out of his way to shake hands with all the cops he passed.

   Maybe Carl will issue another famous e-mail review of the show?

   Reply
5. 

   greenashevilleblogspot.com June 10, 2009

   I saw enough driving around after work yesterday. Been there – done that here, too. Eating magic mushrooms and staying up all night throwing frisbee in a parking lot aint for me anymore. I’ll listen to Dead Air tonight instead…

   Reply
6. 

   Lesley June 10, 2009

   OMG LOL. In fact, LMFAOROTF. Thanks Ash and Grat for making my day! So sorry I missed the fun last night.

   Reply
7. 

   Gratuitous June 10, 2009

   Me too. I’m glad I have the kids this week, because without that excuse I probably would have gone down to be near the action. Only to regret it, feeling old yet superior for my Grateful Dead experiences, while drinking myself silly in a bar, then hitting on hairy hot chicks who won’t even look at my clean-cut self at an after-party in a sad attempt to make myself feel better. And superior.

   And I’m still angry with the ticketing situation. As a local, I should automatically get any tickets I want to anything local. Unless, of course, when I want tickets to something out of town, in which case I’d still be entitled to anything I want.

   Reply
8. 

   bmwloco June 9, 2009

   Let the madness begin…

   I’ll skip it 😉 Been there, done that, and I’m getting old and crotchety.

   Besides, I missed the entire Phish thing… I was on ice at the time.

   Reply