thursday, September 1, 1977
page 12
daily nebraskan
I
Fleetwood Mac concert test for Sports Complex
... ... A A. .it- - -i
By Casey McCabe v
, When the concert gets underway at the UNL Sports
Complex on Sept. 15, the majority of eyes and ears will
focus on Fleetwood Mac, probably America's most
popular band.
But there are others who will pay attention to seating
facilities, acoustics and most important, the crowd itself. '
Since it's the first test the Sports Complex faces in
accommodating a rockr concert, and while many are
enthusiastic, others may be a bit skeptical about the
multi-million dollar structure being invaded by concert
-goers.
Everyone involved seemed willing, to give the Sports
Complex a trial run, according to Suzanne Brown, Union
Program Council (UPC) assistant director of programming.
"While we didn't have a great deal of choice in groups, the
program council was excited about getting Fleetwood
Mac. They are not really a hard rock group though." .
- Rise in popularity
Fleetwood Mac has experienced a sharp rise in popu
larity since a major personnel change and the subsequent
success of their self-titled IP in 1974. The record was one
of the nation's best sellers-for nearly two years, until
the release of Rumours, which is the top-selling album
thisyear. They also were voted group of the year by the
Playboy Music Poll.
Also appearing will be Kenny Loggins. Loggins is tour
ing in the wake of his successful Celebrate Me Home
album. It is his first solo effort since last year's breakup of
the highly popular Loggins and Messina team. .
The show is a joint effort by UPC and Schon Produc
tions of Milwaukee. UPC will be the local promoter and
receive 10 per cent of the gross receipts; half of which is
returned to the Sports Complex for rental. .
v "We've been working over a year to get a different
rental rate on the fieldhouse," Brown said. "Now with a :
fixed split percentage, UPC gets a better deal than an out
side promoter would if they dealt directly with the
Sports Complex." .
Sellout?
The show is an anticipated sellout, and although the -complex
can seat 15,000 for basketball games, there will
be seating for only around 12,000.
This is because the eating design is in an arena form,
and there will be some seats with little or no view of the
group.
"The future of concerts in the Sports Complex all de
pends on how the crowd treats the hall," says Gary
Gilger, Union program advisor. "We've got to convince
people that this could be the one and only show there."
. According to Gilger the security situation is being sized
up by both the Lincoln folice Department and Campus
Police: - --"v
" It's not that Lincoln isn't used to large crowds. Bob
Hope and Lawrence Welk have played to sell outs at the
Sports Complex, although it's doubtful security was con
cerned about marijuana, liquor, and vandalism.
Keep it cool
- "The Sports Complex was a tremendous expense, and
they want it to be used," Gilger said. "But we. urge
Sex ed. on tube
may benefit youth
By E. K. Casaccio
Explicit sex on television has been banned by groups
representing God, government and the PTA.
However, the chairman of the UNL Psychology Dept.
says it may benefit adolescents.
Richard Dienstbier's "Sex and Violence: Can Research
Have it Both Ways?" published in the Journal of
Communication's summer edition states:
". . .the loosening of restrictions on nudity, and other
forms of explicit sexuality in the broadcast media in
fictional programs could provide an opportunity for
similar parent-child discussions of values, decisions, etc."
In an interview Dienstbier said the article is not an
argument in favor of pornography or nudity on television,
but an appeal for sex education.
"Until real sex education is possible, the sexuality on
television may provide one of the very few circumstances
which evoke (family) discussions about sex," he said.
"Tastefully discussing sexuality in the media draws people
toward healthy sexuality."
"Real sex education in our society is largely
unknown," he said. "It does not typically help a child
make a single decision as whether or not to become
involved in socio-sexual behavior."
Dienstbier said he would like television to present
frank discussions on a person's first sexual encounter,
including: what led to it, what it was like both psychologi
cally and physically, and the person's reaction.
Most parents are not capable of being open with their
children about sex, he said. In the average home a "pact
of silence" exists about sex, he said.
Parents may say, "Now feel free to ask me anything
that's on your mind," Dienstbier said, but the child
won't ask because the barriers already have been built.
"Sex is one of those areas where we say 'what if we
tell the child more than the child should know and dumb
th'mgs like that," he said. "Sexual conflict is a part of life;
one area that's still taboo."
Dienstbier said his ideas on sex education probably
would blow the average parents' mind. He said he would
lue to sec school churches and to some extent parents.
handle a program discussing masturbation, intercourse,
homosexuality and niW inf-s that would interest a
1
of
to 14-year-oJd. He aso would include pictures
exuaJ intercou
--v
people to keep it cool, because there is a lot riding on this
show." . .n '
Local concert goers also will notice something they
haven't been used to; long lines for tickets, reserved
seating, and a higher $8 and $9 ticket price. v
But if the Sports Complex proves to be superior
aesthetically and acoustically and more accommodating
than Pershing, the main concert hall in past years, the
municipally owned auditorium may face its first real
competition for major groups.
Ivan "Ike" Hoig, Pershing manager for 17 years said he
doesn't feel the advent of the Sports Complex for
concerts will bother Pershing.
Pershing more intimate
"Fleetwood Mac should get a good crowd, but some
don't do that well," he said. "The average crowd we get
is between 5,000 and 7,000. That many people would
look lost in the Sports Complex. I like to think most kids
like to go where the crowd is, and feel more intimate and
at home in Pershing."
But it has been months since there has oeen a concert
at Pershing, and Hoig attributes it in part to the stepped
up police security at the last concerts.
"It's hard to convince shows to come to Lincoln, when
they have to be responsible for the high security. It s been
the kiss of death on Pershing," Hoig explained.
- "In the past, security has cost around $400 a night,
but at our last few shows it's cost from $1,600 up to
$2,700 for ' the "Z Z Top concert. Promoters just can t
afford that."
"I don't think the ' groups themselves like playing
where the kids are getting hassled," Hoig said.
Pershing is ending its concert drought with tentative
appearances by Styx in late September, Stew MiUer,
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and Chuck Guard in October,
Jesus Christ Superstar and Waylon JenningsCharlie
Daniels Band in November.
In the mean time the Sports Complex faces the 10-day
onslaught of the Nebraska State Fair, as 22 performers,
predominately country and comedy, appear there. But
apparently tne reai resi wm ue ncciwwu av.
arts Hi entercainmerk
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- Photo courtesy of Union P.'Oi.-srr. Coyncil
Hotfoot, a Kansas City-based rock group will play at 6:30 this evening at the Union Program Council's 'Welcome
Wingding.
Series choice offered at Kimball
It's a series you make for yourself, said Ron Bowlin
about the new ticket sales program for Kimball Recital
Hall.
Bowlin, co-ordinator for the Cultural Affairs Com
mittee at UNL, said the program is based on "the idea of
a flexible series."
Under the old plan, the "Performing Arts Series" '
included" a seat for one performance of selected shows,
usually one play, one dance recital and two types of
concerts. Other 'events were available only through
other series.
But this year patrons can choose their special prograrr
from a list of nine events. Any order of four or more
tickets purchased before Sept. will receive a a 20 er cent
discount, Bowlin said.
Benefits to the program include buying tickets to
the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony,
before they go on sale to the general public.
Non-series members will not be able to purchase tickets
in advance. - -
The shows available in the series are: Mimist Keith
Bcrgcr, Sept. 15, students $1, general $2; Pianist Misha
Dichter, Oct. 2, students $3, general $5; Raymond
Johnson Dance Company, Nov. 5, students $2.50, general
$4; The National iheatre ot the Deal, Nov. I2t students
$2.50, general $4; the 5 by 2 Plus Dance Company,
Feb. 25, students $2 JO, general $4; Violinist Pinchas
Zukerman, March 5, students $3, general $5; the Dancers
Ballet company, March 13 and 15, students $3, general
$5; the Guthrie Theatre (doing Eugene O'Neill's A Moon
for the Misbegotten), March 27 and 28, students $3,
general $5; and, The Pennsylvania Ballet, April 21 and 22,
students $4, general $7.
The Minnesota Orchestra on Nov. 1 and 2, are students
$5, general $8 and the St. Louis Symphony on March 7
and 8, students $5, general $8.
Another scries is the UNL Opera Theatre Season. The
scries, called "A Musical Tour of Europe," includes one
ticket for four productions at $6 for students and senior
citizens and $8 for the general public.
The operas will be 77ie Secret Marrijge by Domenico
Cimarosa on Oct. 27, 29 and 30; "An Evening with Push
kin" consisting of Mozart anJ Salieri by Rimsky-Korsa-kov
and Mavra by Stravinsky, on Dec. 9; Gilbert and
Sullivan's Vie Pirates of Penzance on Feb 2 through 5;
and "An Evening in Berlin" consisting of There and Back
by Paul Hindemith and Vie Songspicl Mahagcnny by Kurt
Weill and Berthold Brccht on May 5.