THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605300054
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: The Imperfect Navigator
SOURCE: ALEXANDRIA BERGER
LENGTH: 64 lines
WITH FULL-PAGE newspaper ads and radio and TV coverage, the Virginia Beach Amphitheater opened in mid-May to rave reviews and a lineup of top-name entertainment. There was only one problem.
Disabled people couldn't see a thing.
After the first concert, callers complained to the city of Virginia Beach, Cellar Door Concerts, the Endependence Center and others. No excuse would make up for poor planning. Concert audiences stand up, wave their arms, move to the beat. Didn't anyone think of this?
Handicapped-accessible seating, sprawled across the back of the amphitheater, was behind regular seating.
Joy Crawford, a quadriplegic who uses a wheelchair, told me after attending the Rod Stewart concert, ``All I could see were the backs and butts of people.
After hearing Joy's story, I talked with Mike Tabor, general manager of Cellar Door Concerts.
The day before we met, he'd heard recommendations from the disabled community concerning seating and parking.
Tabor, who previously worked at Nashville's Starwood Amphitheater, is no stranger to handling problems. Together, we figured out how we could get proper seating and parking for the handicapped.
Tabor said we can expect the following changes by June 16. SEATING
To order handicapped-accessible seating, call the Amphitheater, 368-3000, and ask for Muff Mishoe at the box office.
The new seating areas are as follows:
Handicapped-accessible seating: Gold Circle, orchestra, left or right of center stage, first three front rows each section (40 seats available now), raised Section 101 and 103 - first two rows (62 seats), available June 16. A ramp will be installed to these sections. You can also sit with your friends on the lawn area, which will be graded at the end of the season for easier access. Ushers will assist you in getting to the lawn area.
If you already have handicapped-accessible seating, your seats have been moved along with any companion tickets to these new areas. Ability to purchase more than one companion ticket in these areas will depend on demand. Check with Mishoe, who will do everything she can to accommodate you. A special phone number will be added, so watch for newspaper ads.
There is no ticket service charge for people who call the box office and request handicapped-accessible seating.
Visually impaired: Gold Circle, orchestra, left of center stage behind handicapped-accessible seating.
Hearing-impaired: Row E, Section 103. Transmitters for hearing-impaired are available at Guest Services, as are two TDD phone machines. Request a sign interpreter three weeks in advance. PARKING
A total of 76 free handicapped-accessible parking spaces will be individually marked ``handicapped or van accessible.''
These temporary changes will be made permanent at the end of the season.
Give Mike Tabor and Cellar Door a hand. They've taken the initiative. Give the Endependence Center credit. Go easy on the city of Virginia Beach. This is a learning experience.
Continue to give Cellar Door and the city your positive recommendations. Joy Crawford learned that it can make a difference. by CNB