O-Town
March 16, 2001 - Hammerstein Ballroom
New York, NY

Lugo, Mariama Goodman

On Friday March 16, 2001 I attended an O-Town concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, NY. I contacted the venue about priority seating numerous times, with no help. But, I made it to the venue after walking for what seemed like forever, and taking many subaways.

We searched for security to help us out, and were passed from person to person, none of which knew what to do. We were first asked if we had tickets, and we did. We then explained I was handicapped and were told to go see the "guy with the ponytail" since the person we were talking to was unsure of what to do. We then found the "guy with the ponytail" and were told by him that he didn't think there was anything that could be done, and that we should then see the security at the door. We went to see him, and he said to get in the line and come inside. At the end of the ramp entering the venue, we were asked what was in our bags, and my purse was checked. When stating that our left over dinner was in one of the bags, without even being asked if we wished to finish the meal, the bag was torn out of the chaperone's hands and tossed into the garbage after he said to us "LOSE IT." Already getting angry over the rudeness of that guard, we headed to see the guard who told us to get in line. We again stated the situation. I have Cerebral Palsy and would need to be accommodated for. I mention that usually I am put in the front of the venue, to hold onto the barricade. I was told that it would be hard to get to the front at this time, but it was the only way, since if I were to be put in the back of the venue I would be trampled on the way out. I had avoided purchasing Mezzanine tickets, since there were stairs. I was told by a friend who had been to the venue before that there were no railings on the stairs of the mezzanine. We had decided that would not be a good place for me to be, since I would need maximum assistance on the stairs to get to me seat.

We were then told to stand off to the side, which we did, as many fans were sent inside filling up the floor more and more as each second passed. No one really told us what was going on, so we stood there and waited. Eventually we were told someone was coming to help us. A man came over to us and I explained the situation yet another time.

At first he said that the venue had no barricade, which to me made no sense, because anyone could just jump on the stage in the middle of the concert. He then changed his mind and said there were barricades, but he couldn't let a handicapped person hold onto them. They must not be too sturdy, since it wasn't like I was using them to support the whole weight of my body or anything, just to hold my ground. I told him that I had done it before and didn't see why it was such a big problem. He then basically called me a liar, saying that he had been in the business for 30 years, and that no one would ever let me do that. Well, apparently he hasn't seen it all. Since at 2 other concerts I was let in first, or near the front, and ended up in the front row off to the side, holding onto a barricade. Maybe he meant at that particular venue, but I never stated, nor did I imply that it was at this venue that the accommodations mentioned had been made.

He then stated that the band wanted the first 550 people at the venue in the front. What was that supposed to mean? The band hated me, a supporter whom they've never met? I don't think they'd have all that big of a deal with 3 extra people in front, one of which was handicapped. If they do, I shouldn't be a fan of theirs anymore. He then told me that I would have to sit, and he could not let me out on the floor. Angry, I agreed. He told me to go upstairs and I could sit wherever I wanted, and that he promised a lot of people weren't up there already. "Can you go upstairs?" He asked, and I replied, "Are there railings?" He said that there were, and I agreed. He didn't completely lie, however once going up the stairs to the mezzanine (which did have railings) the stairs to get to each row were railing less. We looked for the closest seat possible. Someone asked if we wanted seats in the front, and pointed out some to us, but by the time we made it down the stairs they were taken. We spotted some other seats, but they were roped off. I remembered the man saying I could sit wherever I wanted, and I wanted to sit in the front, so we were going to sit there. So we sat down. Having a flashlight glowed in our face, we were told that the seats were reserved for the press, and that we'd have to sit somewhere else, because the cameras would be coming shortly. (However, I glanced over at the section numerous times during the show, and the majority of the people in the section looked like teenagers, without cameras. Not press.) So we moved, and asked where we should sit, since no one seemed to be able to accommodate anyone handicapped. I find it hard to believe no one knew what to do, I couldn't have been the first handicapped person to ever go to a concert there. The man who shined the flashlight at us told us that there was a side entrance for me to be let in. I was standing right in front of him, I didn't need to be let in, I needed a seat.

Finally I just sat down in a row about 3 from the top. At that point I had twisted my ankle so many times from going up and down the stairs I just wanted to sit. And sit I did, in a seat with barely any feet room whatsoever. Now I was just glad I was at the concert. And no one was around to be rude to me, aside from the fans. But the fans were surprisingly nice.

I sat through Lugo's performance upset that everyone was so dumb and rude. Lugo was alright though, I liked his pants. hehe. Then Mariama Goodman came on stage she was alright too and Savannah and I would yell "OH LOOK SHES SINGING OUR FAVORITE SONG!" just to be stupid, and to cheer me up. LOL the girls in front of us gave us looks a few times but oh well!

After the second opening act went onstage (Mariama), I decided I wanted to go downstairs and get a T-shirt. I made my way through the row, and up and down stairs, to be told by the person who ripped my ticket, and knew I was handicapped that I'd have to wait until after the show. So I did.

We headed back upstairs to our seats and sat and waited for OTown to come out. They were playing soulDecision on the radio, so I knew theyd come out soon and interupt me singing! LOL There was also a big ruckus of the fans on the floor all turning to the right. Apparently LMNT was there. And at one point during the concert Bryan left through our section. Everyone was paying more attention to him then the concert!!

O-Town finally came out and it was awesome. They sang All FOr Love, Take Me Under, Then they introduced themselved, Baby I would, Sexiest Woman Alive, The Painter (w/ a fan onstage), Girl/Money/All About the Benjamins medley, Love should be a Crime (Jake and Ash played the guitar! soo cool!), All Or Nothing..
I could have sworn Jacob pointed up to our section before a song. (Of course the point was meant for me, LOL) and i was like YAY he sees me he pointed (of course kidding) and then they started singing Girl.. so I was like "I hate this song!!" and Tiffany and Savannah laughed because i was so excited just moments before LOL.
Before they came out for the encore of liquid dreams and every 6 seconds, Clive Davis, who I had seen earlier to the right of my section came on stage to say that the album had gone platinum!! It was awesome and the guys were soo escited and jumping up and down. It was a great moment to have shared with the guys!

I knew getting merchandise would be mobbed, but apparently it was ok for me to get pushed and squished in the merchandise line after the show, but not in the crowd on the floor during the show. Holding on for dear life to Tiffany's hand, and Savannah's too we waited in a sea of fans for what seemed like an eternity. Finally after almost being knocked over many times, Tiffany made it to the counter and we were able to buy my shirt. We then pushed our way out of the crowd and headed outside. (Where I was also bumped into and almost knocked over by someone selling photos he had taken of posters, and selling for \\$2, but that was nothing compared to what I had just gone through.)

Ill definitely be seeing O-Town again. But I will definitely NEVER go to the hammerstein ballroom ever again after what happened!