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Well I know who I’d rather spend the evening with; how about you?  You’re right, I’m a disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporter, but still, this is an exciting week to live in Colorado.   The city of Denver is all fancied up and we’re ready for our guests, all 50,000 plus.

Look for this as you fly into town; it’s in a wheat field near DIA:

If you’re coming to see Willie at Red Rocks on Tuesday:

Directions:  Red Rocks Amphitheatre is located in Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado, 15 miles west of Denver. Coming from Downtown, take I-70 west to exit 259, turn left at the bottom of the Morrison exit ramp, cruise on downhill 1.5 miles to the Red Rocks Park entrance. Coming from south Denver, take C-470 to the Morrison exit, turn west and follow the signs to the Park entrances.  Coming from Boulder, take Highway 93.

Watch out for altitude sickness:  Drink lots of water.  Often, it’s dehydration that people are experiencing, because your body uses up more water at higher altitudes.  Try to cut back on caffeine, and alcohol, because that can contribute to dehydration.  (sorry)  Here is a link to information on symptoms and danger signs.  Rest as much as you can.
http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Altitude-Sickness

Bring a poncho to RedRocks:  It’s been raining a lot in the evening, especially in mountains:  It’s the traditional Rocky Mountain Showers –  a little rain, a light show, then it clears up.  Red Rocks is rain or shine — the stage is covered.   Umbrellas are discouraged, but they do let you bring small ones in.  And those tarps are good for a group to huddle under, if you come with some friends.

Parking.  Free, or included with cost of ticket.  I like gate #2, because it takes you by the will call ticket office, if you need it. 

Stairs.  There are lots of them.  In and out, up or down to bathrooms, food, beer.   Getting out of the venue can be very slow, everyone walking up or walking down.

The seats are hard, and there’s nothing to lean against, so if you like, bring a cushion or stadium chair, which are permittable.  They sell them there, too.  The rows of seats are 3 feet wide, so there is plenty of room to dance, to stretch out and for folks to move in front of you.

Tailgate parties.  Yes.

Bring a picnic:  You can bring in little coolers that will fit under the seats.  So you can pack a sandwich, if you want.  You can bring in sealed water bottles, but no cans. 

Go early:  Gates open at 5 a.m., and there are folks who get there that early to be first in line for the open seating. Most serious fans will be there by 9 or 10; lines don’t get real long until after lunch.   Red Rocks is nice in that they have the first 24 rows as open seating, then the next 25 – 60 rows are reserved.  So people who want to know they have a seat and want to walk in as the lights go down, can be guaranteed a reserved seat. 

If you go early, bring lots to drink.  There is no shade, and it’s hot wherever you end up waiting.

For Willie, the best place of course to be is right up front.  Other concerts, I don’t mind sitting back, up higher, where you can see the bright lights of Denver, shining like diamonds, lightening in the sky, storms move in and out, rainbows. 

This year, the organization, Denver for Darfur (www.DenverforDarfur.org) , is having a fundraiser, and offer VIP seats to the show, and a chance for two lucky humanitarians to meet Willie Nelson on his bus before the show.  So some of the front rows might be for those folks who generously donated $250.00 for a good cause and for the VIP seats. 

But come as early as you can.  You will get a good seat if you come later, but come early, put down a blanket in line, then go wander around, or take a nap.  It’s a blast hanging out with other WN&F fans that come and go.  Come early to avoid traffic hassles and enjoy the views, the sunshine, and the legendary ambience. Or, tour the Visitor Center and explore the history of Red Rocks.  Doors open at 6:00; show at 7:30 

Cameras:  Their web site says it’s up to the artist.  I think it’s up to the promoter, because sometimes I have been able to bring cameras into Willie’s shows there.  Sometimes they look harder than other for cameras.  So I don’t know.  It is a looong walk back to your car, though.  I’d call just to see what they say before you head up to Morrison (720-865-2494.)  Usually you can get your small camera in.

Visit the Vistors’ Center:  The visitors’ center is like a museum; it has so much information about the history of the rock formations and of the venue, the site’s Native American connection and also a rock-and-roll hall of fame style exhibits on the many artists who have played at Red Rocks.  Lots of pictures, artwork, and a video display, which features Willie and other artists, talking about how much they like Red Rocks.

click on the picture, and you will go to interactive seating chart, where you can get views from different seats in the venue.

The Red Rock link has lots of information and pictures and fun facts at www.RedRocksonline.com.  Also, here’s is a link to a web cam of Red Rocks http://www.redrocksonline.com/pages/media/webcam.html

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 am and is filed under Colorado, Venues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.