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Lodi City Council approves step toward concert at Grape Bowl
'Nationally known act' may be booked for end of July
Living next to the Grape Bowl, Patricia McConville has listened to baseball games, marching bands and graduation ceremonies for more than 50 years at her home on Calaveras Street.
When she heard about the city's idea to bring a summer concert to the Grape Bowl, she said it will not bother her any more than the other events do when it comes to noise.
"The people in cars would be more of a nuisance ... They better make sure they have enough parking if they are going to have a big concert," McConville said.
At the Lodi City Council meeting Wednesday night, the council gave the go-ahead for Interim Director Jim Rodems to start the process of bringing a "nationally known act" to the Grape Bowl at the end of July. A local promoter has offered to bring the act, which Rodems could only describe as classic rock appealing to people over 20.
The concert would be the first in many years at the stadium. Rodems said the last big concert he knew of was Foreigner in 1978.
The show has not been booked, and the reason city staff needed to get approval to start negotiations is because the city has a 2005 policy that limited any additional events from coming to the Grape Bowl, other than those already allowed there.
The main reason for the 2005 policy is because the Grape Bowl is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act .
For the concert, the city will use portable ADA compliant concession stands and restrooms.
The council also voted April 15 to spend $816,000 in county, city and donated funds to make the stadium accessible to people with disabilities. The council also approved $1.2 million in impact fees to install artificial turf to create the city's first year-round field.
The concert could generate revenue for improvement to the Grape Bowl or to go into the Parks and Recreation Fund to put on other events, Rodems said.
The council voted 4-1 to approve the one-time concert use. Councilman Bob Johnson voted against the one-time approval because he believed the council should allow city staff to put on any event there without getting council approval first.
"I don't want every time you want to do something you have to come back and go through this nonsense," Johnson said, in reference to Rodems.
Councilwoman Susan Hitchcock had concerns about neighbors who might be worried about noise. She said neighbors in the area prepare for the Grape Festival every year, but might not be prepared for a concert.
"We have to be judicious about how often we do this," Hitchcock said.
Before the concert, Rodems said the city will contact the neighbors to let them know about the concert. He said it will be used as a learning experience and his staff will measure how loud the noise-level is in the neighborhoods and monitor the parking situation.
Don Bricker, a member of the Grape Bowl advisory committee, said he remembers when there were concerts in the Grape Bowl. He said the whole idea of renovating the Grape Bowl is to have more events like concerts.
"Let's promote concerts to try and pay for it," he said.
McConville said she does not remember being bothered by previous concerts in the '60s and '70s.
"Everyone was so happy to have Lawrence Welk, no one was going to complain," she said.
Across the street, Matthew Brady's house backs up to the Grape Bowl, and he said he has always lived near festival grounds.
He said the noise doesn't bother him, but he asked with a grin if they will get free tickets because when he has lived other places, cities have offered free tickets to neighbors.
Down the street, Rose and Kevin Bosche stood with their dogs outside within earshot of cheering from a game at Tony Zupo Field. Neither is bothered by the noise behind their house, but hope there is enough security.
"As long as they finish at a decent hour and have security to get the kids out," Rose Bosche said.
Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog at www.lodinews.com/blog/citybuzz.
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pettyfan wrote on May 30, 2009 8:05 PM:
pettyfan wrote on May 30, 2009 8:02 PM:
JustTheFacts wrote on May 29, 2009 7:14 PM:
Sounds like that you've seen some good concerts. Would love to compare notes with you sometime. How about over a bourbon, a scotch and maybe even a beer. "
Cogito wrote on May 28, 2009 9:48 PM:
JustTheFacts wrote on May 28, 2009 9:46 AM:
stantaves wrote on May 27, 2009 12:31 PM:
pettyfan wrote on May 24, 2009 10:40 PM:
Brian wrote on May 24, 2009 12:19 PM:
Observer wrote on May 23, 2009 7:41 AM:
roni95242 wrote on May 22, 2009 3:28 PM:
Cogito wrote on May 22, 2009 2:41 PM:
Lodian wrote on May 22, 2009 2:15 PM:
sam wrote on May 22, 2009 2:15 PM:
I remember going to a concert in the delta on an island... it was called The Festival Of The Full Moon. I saw this new unknown band... The Grateful Dead.
Haa... and Aerosmith is STILL amazing !
Jefferson Airplane played at my high school... long before they were famous.
The memories !!! "
Cogito wrote on May 22, 2009 1:51 PM:
Lodian wrote on May 22, 2009 1:16 PM:
wtf wrote on May 22, 2009 11:44 AM:
Observer wrote on May 22, 2009 10:47 AM:
Lodian wrote on May 22, 2009 9:50 AM:
Lodian wrote on May 22, 2009 9:45 AM:
Lodian wrote on May 22, 2009 9:43 AM:
Cogito: We were at the same concert! :-) "
blossom wrote on May 22, 2009 9:12 AM:
Even the group RAIN that playes at the festival aka the beatles would be fine ANYTHING!!! "
weezer wrote on May 22, 2009 8:46 AM:
Would this do
To make it all right
While sleep has taken you
Where I'm out of sight
I'll make my getaway
Time on my own
Search for a better way
To find my way home
To your smile... "
wtf wrote on May 22, 2009 8:36 AM:
Not only is Santana multi-generational, it would also be multi-cultural; whereas, Pink Floyd has such a huge following, that Lodi could probably advertise their appearance as far as San Francisco and get an overflow crowd. ;) "
wtf wrote on May 22, 2009 8:09 AM:
What's always amazed me regarding Pink Floyd concerts is the fact that people will sit and be quiet as they perform - whether old or young - they don't want to miss a thing since the light shows are as exciting as the music.
This Floyd video goes out to all the politicians! ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ofFa50LzY
When I read the Santana suggestion, the song "Oye Como Va" popped into my head. Love to cha cha! ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpPb2cVswlI "
dogs4you wrote on May 21, 2009 11:14 PM:
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 9:18 PM:
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 8:54 PM:
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 8:44 PM:
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 8:41 PM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 7:42 PM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 7:40 PM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 7:32 PM:
Scrutiny wrote on May 21, 2009 7:09 PM:
dogs4you wrote on May 21, 2009 7:09 PM:
wtf wrote on May 21, 2009 6:05 PM:
Seriously, either Santana or Pink Floyd...they'd bring in the older crowd ;) not to mention younger people as well. I grew up listening to Santana and my daughter likes them as well. A real crowd pleaser - not to mention multi-generaltional - if we could get them. LOL! "
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 5:59 PM:
dogs4you wrote on May 21, 2009 5:54 PM:
wtf wrote on May 21, 2009 5:52 PM:
http://eventful.com/performers/pink-floyd-/P0-001-000000652-6 "
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 5:37 PM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 5:35 PM:
Whoa, or Half full, you know this is just a fun Wish List. Suzie will never allow any of this. It is to much fun ! "
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 5:30 PM:
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 5:29 PM:
Whoa Nellie! wrote on May 21, 2009 5:17 PM:
Yes, I'd love to have AC/DC, Journey, John Mayer, etc etc come to town. But wake up and smell the coffee! Of course, with our luck we'd get some C&W one hit wonder like Billy Ray Cyrus! roflmao!
Midtowner- you're rock'n some hip tunes for an older dude! I'd love to see whats on your iPod. How 'bout a lil "Highway to Hell"??? "
weezer wrote on May 21, 2009 4:55 PM:
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 4:49 PM:
boonablis wrote on May 21, 2009 4:44 PM:
midtowner wrote on May 21, 2009 4:16 PM:
midtowner wrote on May 21, 2009 4:07 PM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 3:16 PM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 3:15 PM:
Santana... YES !!!! I loved Buffalo Springfield... until they morphed into Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Loved them too.
John Mayer is good... I LOVE the Fray... How about ICP or Disturbed??
... and I also love a touch of Keith Urban.
and Dogs, you are correct, I DO NOT work for the government. "
dogs4you wrote on May 21, 2009 1:55 PM:
You want good music, try John Mayer or the Doobie Brothers, now your talking, maybe Santana.
And Sam, if business is booming, you sure don`t work for the government. Good luck and now back to work. "
Neo wrote on May 21, 2009 12:54 PM:
Lodi will not tolerate that Anti Christ/Death Child or Knights In Satans Service to play here! We need a nice wholesome band like Motley Crue! "
PAL wrote on May 21, 2009 12:18 PM:
Ok, so that is my rock band dream concert. just a thought.
It is nice to see it in use again,. There was once a 50's concert with antique cars in the grape bowl. It was a lot of fun. They should bring it back. "
Half Full wrote on May 21, 2009 12:14 PM:
Sam, I'm glad I could provide you with a chuckle during your day.
But I think some of you are really putting the cart in front of the horse with some of your "wish list" band suggestions. There are alotta I's to dot and T's to cross to make an event like this to happen. My guess is less than 20% of a chance. "
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 11:26 AM:
Dogs, I am self-employed and am looking at a 10 hour day. Business is booming and I love it ! "
M2CW wrote on May 21, 2009 11:11 AM:
Neo wrote on May 21, 2009 11:09 AM:
dogs4you wrote on May 21, 2009 10:20 AM:
dogs4you wrote on May 21, 2009 10:14 AM:
Neo, now a days anyone with a hang nail can get a medical marijuana card. I can handle a few beers, but I don`t want to have to much of anything and then have to ask my buddy if I had a good time the other night.
While I like music of all kinds, blues is my favorite. The last thing I need is 1,000 14 year olds girls screaming in my ears. Getting to old for the young set. "
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 9:41 AM:
Neo wrote on May 21, 2009 9:41 AM:
Neo wrote on May 21, 2009 9:40 AM:
Let`s try to make sure that doesnt happen again please! "
roni95242 wrote on May 21, 2009 9:34 AM:
Why not even have wine tasting events or open bars?
I am not a wine drinker I would rather have a Corona stroll.
Maybe Brett Michaels??? LOL "
Gator wrote on May 21, 2009 9:14 AM:
to Merced and it became next to Pleasanton the biggest run north of LA. Ask The cities of Merced and Pleasanton how much money pours into those cities over the 3 days!!! Pleasanton twice a year… "
gail1 wrote on May 21, 2009 9:11 AM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 9:01 AM:
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 8:53 AM:
lodidian wrote on May 21, 2009 8:41 AM:
weezer wrote on May 21, 2009 8:41 AM:
Think early 90's and earlier.
From my MP3 player, bands that are still touring:
Def Leppard, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Heart, Journey, Bon Jovi, Chicago, Collective Soul... or AC/DC, please? "
Rhodie wrote on May 21, 2009 8:37 AM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 8:36 AM:
sam wrote on May 21, 2009 8:35 AM:
but Nickleback would be amazing !!! "
weezer wrote on May 21, 2009 8:33 AM:
60 years old is over 20.
Creedence Clearwater stuck in Lodi? lol "
NoLongerInLodi wrote on May 21, 2009 8:32 AM:
Neo wrote on May 21, 2009 8:21 AM:
Whoa Nellie! wrote on May 21, 2009 8:16 AM:
Whoa Nellie! wrote on May 21, 2009 8:15 AM:
Sure, many "nationally known acts" can be seen at the county fair, aspargus festival, etc, but the band is usually way past their prime (ex: Tubes @ Aspargus Fest).
Could enough tickets be sold to cover the very detailed contract? Not to mention the incredible cost of overhead items. Who is on the line financially? City of Lodi or this unknown Promoter?
Lawrence Welk... rofl! Yes, back when the Eastside was safe. 50 yrs ago. "
4AStrongLodi wrote on May 21, 2009 8:11 AM:
Half Full wrote on May 21, 2009 7:41 AM:
Party on Wayne.
Party on Garth. "
Cogito wrote on May 21, 2009 7:26 AM:
kidsalami wrote on May 21, 2009 7:22 AM:
effa56 wrote on May 21, 2009 5:26 AM:
KenH wrote on May 21, 2009 5:02 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.