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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 1997)
Thursday, August 28,1997____ Page 15 Is UNL going to the ‘burbs’? Since Bill Byme became the University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletic director five years ago, he’s increased football ticket prices, started mandatory “donations” from certain boosters and moved student seating. These changes are switching the sport’s fanfare away from students and average Nebraskans toward the arena of the fortunate few. With such elitist plans as skyboxes, the transformation seems to be progressing well. Et tu, Bethea? The Lied Center for Performing Arts, under the executive direction of Charles Bethea, seems to be operating with similar discrimination. If you are unaware, the shows of three of the Lied’s 29 performers this season have already sold out. Tickets to see the artists - Itzhak Perlman, Peter, Paul & Mary and Hal Holbrook - were gone weeks ago. In fact, the Lied box office made individual access to the 26 other performers available only Monday. This isn’t an issue of delinquent buyers. Because the performances sold out so quick ly, students would have had to be Lied sub scribers to gain access. That would have required purchasing one ticket to the three performances, as well as a fourth, costing them at least $47. for exam pie, to see Peter, Paul & Mary. Certainly, Bethea has worked magic with the Lied’s lineup. Having been there less than one year, he has helped sign such greats as Latin jazz man Tito Puente and master pup peteers Theatre Sans Fil. However, by using the subscriber system, the Lied forgets an important segment of Lincoln and the university - students. All UNL students pay university program and facilities fees. While the amount that goes toward Lied student discounts is minimal - $ 1.98 per student per semester, with a pro jected annual revenue of $96,233 - the fund’s purpose is to maintain student access to qual ity arts and entertainment. The subscriber system works against this goal, as well as the Lied’s mission to make “the experiences (of lifetime learning through the arts) accessible to all members of the community.” Likewise, it jeopardizes the student interest in the Lied that Bethea has said he wished to nurture I hope Bethea remembers his studeni constituency when planning for ticket sales next season, and doesn't “Byrne” us like oth ers have. Goodwin is a senior news-editorial major and the Daily Nebraskan Arts & Entertainment editor. I I Kate Milford/special to the DN PERFORMING ARTIST SHARON HEYES is touring almost 50 cities, gathering the experiences of les bians for a piece she will later write. ■ Traveling production gives Lincoln women an opportunity to share their experiences. By Jim Goodwin A&E Editor Lesbian students looking for a larger com munity will have the opportunity to see New York City writer and performance artist Sharon Hayes at the Wagon Train Project. 512 S. 7l“ St., Friday night. Hayes’ project, “Lesbian Love Tour,” includes a five-part spoken word and move ment piece exploring what it means to be a les bian living in America today. Abbigail Swatsworth, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln social work senior who is helping sponsor the artist, said Hayes’ produc tion and a pre-performance potluck will pro vide women the opportunity to speak freely and share experiences with one another. “(Hayes) seems to want to start a discussion of the people who are there,” Swatsworth said. “The question will be, ‘What is our communi ty like?'” Actually, Hayes is looking for input from aboul 48 communities. The artist’s perfor mances - taking her from New York City to Los Angeles and back over a 3'/2-month period - is only one aspect of her Lincoln arrival. At the end of every performance, Hayes asks for audience participation in a group dis cussion. The material she collects from such talks will comprise the performance’s second part, which she will perform in New York City. Not only will the evening give Hayes access to Lincoln’s lesbian community, but the women will have the opportunity to meet one another, said Amy Lamphere, director of the Wagon Train Project. “I'm hoping it will help identify issues that are specific to Lincoln,” she said. Hayes’ evening-length performance includes a piece about sexuality and shame and three segments of her unfinished “SENSE” Please see TOUR on 16 Country rocker electrifies diverse crowd By Sean McCarthy Music Critic The Junior Brown concert was hotter, if not wetter, than a sauna Tuesday night. The heat didn’t affect the huge reception country rocker Brown received once he took the stage shortly after 11 p.m. Iggggg/ft “It’s great to be back!” Brown yelled, his trademark double neck slide steel guitar in hand, imme diately launching into a set that consisted of traditional country and old school rockabilly. The diversity of Brown’s fans showed in the audience. About half of the crowd were country music fans, who cheered for the slow ballads, such as “Darlin’ I’ll Do Anything You Say.” The other half were college students, who cheered wildly for “Highway Patrol” and other more high energy rockabilly songs. With his steel-shined suit and 20-gallon cowboy hat, Brown displayed showmanship with tacky perfection. His perfor mance was more along the lines of The Reverend Horton Heat than Brooks & Dunn - more Mojo Nixon than Garth Brooks. Before Brown played, local favorites Shithook entertained the sweat-drenched crowd. The band’s performance was greeted with hoots and raised Budweiser bottles throughout the bar. Brown’s mix of blues, rocka billy and country could convert country music haters. With his customized guitar on his lap, Brown let loose some amazing riffs reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Bonnie Raitt. His Grammy-nominated song, “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead” drew the largest applause.