Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows

I had my first experience at Simsbury Meadows this past Friday, seeing the HSO Queen tribute. I’ve been going to Tanglewood since I was a small child, so I had high expectations ahead of time.
Bad impression before arriving: There is a $ 6/​ticket «handling» surcharge if you order online or over the phone, but no surcharge if you go to the box office. So you get charged for DIY but not for in-​person transactions. Weird. Luckily, I work in downtown Hartford, so I was able to walk to the Bushnell to save myself $ 12, and my company gets a discount, so I saved a little more on top of that.
My friend and I had met up at Plan B (a must-​do if you aren’t bringing snacks to the show!) so we were able to stay parked in the lot and walk over for the show. We quickly found a spot to set up our chairs and settle in. There were a lot of mosquitoes and other bugs, which was annoying (somehow, Tanglewood is basically bug-​free, so I didn’t even think to bring bug spray). And, as much as I loved the convenience of having porta-​potties mere steps away, and was impressed by the number of them available, it was off-​putting to have them lining the perimeter of the lawn. My friend and I had to keep moving closer to the center of the lawn to escape the smells coming from the structures and to avoid the people who were talking quite loudly.
We were also annoyed by the group of people who stood The. Entire. Time. This was the symphony, so most of the show was not dance music, and this group was in the center of the lawn. They blocked our line of vision and since it was so busy, we didn’t have any options to move anywhere else. I wish they had been more courteous and moved to the side in order to not block anyone.
Otherwise — I really enjoyed myself. The HSO was fantastic, as was the singer they brought in. The crowd (minus the people in front of us) were all polite and friendly. Many people set up tables and chairs, bringing their own drinks and snacks. There were little kids everywhere who all behaved (shockingly!) and I didn’t hear anyone whining or complaining.
The drive back home is a killer, for me, since it was over an hour away, but I would do it again as long as it isn’t a work night.

A month later…
«the staff able to deal with your refund issue will return on Tuesday» then
«checks best friend passed away over the holiday » then
«I was out last week with an injury» then
” this week my accountant is out with a family emergency“
I HAVE NEVER HEARD SO MANY EXCUSES, I think I am dealing with children.

This is the fifth year we have been to one of the events. Sinatra music this time was the least impressive knock off of all the others we have seen. However, the night is all about friends and food and drink and even if the Sinatra singer was a bit non sinatraish the music was excellent and we all got to sing NY NY. Sop fugetaboutit and we will go again next year. Best bet is to get 4 couples and rent a table. Bring the candelabra.

On Mick Jagger’s 70^th birthday, we went to see four excellent rock musicians backed by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra in a rollicking tribute to the Rolling Stones. It was a tremendous experience, maximized by the beautiful facility that is the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows.
The Center is located on Iron Horse Boulevard behind Simsbury Center. You can either reserve a table for 8 near the front of the stage, or bring your own chair and sit in the gigantic general admission lawn. We were at one of the tables and had a very nice view of the stage. The sound system was perfect, and as the night progressed, the stage lighting also added to the show.
The Center’s hundreds of volunteers were great at directing us to our seats and giving us a nice glossy program. Before the show we took a stroll over to «Vendor Row» to check out the booths. There were 2 radio stations there with games and freebies (my buddy tossed a tennis ball into a basket and won a CD), Kane’s Market was selling dogs and burgers, and J J Fosters was doing a brisk business selling ice cream.
Tonight’s show was part of the Talcott Mountain Music Festival. A different entity also runs concerts at the Center (Peter Frampton, Harry Connick). The Talcott Mountain shows lets you bring in alcohol (hallelujah!), while the other group doesn’t. One of the Center volunteers we chatted with before the show said their «no alcohol» policy extends to «no water bottles» too. Of course they sell all of that for your enjoyment and financial support.
Tonight’s music was fantastic. I guess the danger in covering the Stones is running the risk of becoming an exaggerated parody; but these guys were great. The band churned out hit after hit from the Stones’ 50 year vault of gold. The front man had that thin Mick Jagger look, and he made the crowd roar with laughter as he taught us three essential «Jagger moves».
Oh, and believe it or not, a woman rushed the stage, went to embrace the lead singer, and she was bear hugged by security and tossed out!