Dan Zanes Takes Diaper Money

isn't that likely more the someville theatre than mr. zanes' policy?

Er, Geoff, do you understand that Dan is doing four concerts at the theatre because his shows have a habit of selling out? Are you suggesting that they just allow an unknown number of babies on parents' knees squeeze into a full house? Do you know of such things as fire laws? There's a *real* good reason the theatre needs to know how many people are attending a concert.

It's standard to sell tickets to all family members at such events. But why do a little research ("like any good uncle/reporter") when you can just blog and complain?

Hmm, dpa, I don't have to buy my 1-year old a plane ticket. And he can sit on my lap at Fenway for free. I'm fairly certain planes and ballparks have safety regulations too, don't they? Dan can make the whole thing up to me if he plays an all Del Fuegos encore.

The difference between a kids, or childrens show such as what Dan Zanes puts on, compared to say Fenway Park, is that for Dan Zanes, his audience is around 50% children. Parents show up with anywhere between 1-4 kids in tow. If babies and the generic children under 2 rule applied, there would be most likely some 150-200 extra children crammed into the theatre. Imagine planning your kids birthday party at your house but only counting how many adults are going to be there in regards to capacity. You would probably have a big mess on your hands.

I think the main concern here isn't the need for a ticket, but that they have to pay for it. In a world where parents will spend their children's college savings to score Hannah Montana tickets, where does the $22 Dan Zanes ticket stand? Where does the fact that Dan will spend over an hour after the show greeting any kid that wants to come up to him.

$22 to see a live show from a musician that truly cares about the music and educating and making sure kids have fun is a very small price to pay compared to the junk that most children are force fed through TV, Movies, and pop culture.

Sounds good, jdm. Will you pick up the tab for my 1-year old then? Thanks!

geoff, this does in fact show an ignorance of general fire laws and ticketing practices, and it is, as charlies suggests, probably somerville's policy and not the artist's. since when do small-time-ish musicians establish their own ticketing policies?

and, WNewton Ed, with a name like WNEWTON ED, why do i get the strong feeling that the $22 ain't gonna kill ya?

WNewton ED, is it that you think that you're entittled to amuse your kid for free or are you just that cheap?
Also, I get why you would need to take your baby on a plane, but why does he need to go to fenway?To pick up his first words (being yelled at the umps) or his first tatse of beer (warm bud lite spiled over our shoulder)?

Yeah, and why do people think 1 year olds should go for free anywhere? I have 2 kids and expect to pay for them just as I would myself. Who wants to spend $22 and have to have a jumpy infant/toddler sitting on their lap the entire time? And aren't kids that young a little too young to be going to concerts of any sort, anyway? Whatever happened to taking your kid to the park and playing on the swings for an hour or letting them learn to entertain themselves for free? In this day of daycare and after school care and constant care, kids can't doing anything on their own anymore, they're always looking to be entertained. And that doesn't always come for free.

shame on you, geoff, for speaking so disparagingly of someone who has contributed significantly to the boston music scene. "woody guthrie-meets-raffi thing"? how about inspiring a generation of kids to appreciate music and live performance? the kids attending dan zanes' shows are being taught the valuable lesson that art isn't free and that it's worth paying for. furthermore, today's 12-day-old baby sleeping on your sister's lap is tomorrow's ticket buyer. it's all a pretty obvious cycle, geoff -- a cycle that your livelihood depends on. maybe we shouldn't be so short sighted?

It's definitely that I'm cheap, you guys got me. Actually, I spent all my money on this house in WNewton.

I've actually got a 4 year-old who is a huge DZ fan, hence our decision to take in the show. The 1 year-old is coming simply because it's probably not safe to leave him at home by himself, even here in tony WNewton.

I am most pleased that theaters and concert halls are not allowing "babes in arms" and forcing parents who are rude enough to bring their squawking infants with them to maybe splurge for a babysitter. Not everyone thinks your cute baby is, well, cute.

Fred, this is a kid's show. If you don't think babies and kids are cute, then maybe you shouldn't be seeing Dan Zanes. I'm not bringing my one-year old to the opera or Rage Against the Machine. I may be cheap rich guy and irresponsible, but I'm not stupid.

By the way, the show was excellent and my four-year-old had a blast (and my one-year old had a nice nap in my arms). Ironically, the fourth seat I purchased was very much broken. Oh well.

No hard feelings, anyone. Except for you, Fred.