Ed:

Yes, I had a bad experience at a Dave Matthews Band concert here in Buffalo at HSBC Arena, where the Sabres play their games. In this instance, I was one of two people in this particular wheelchair section. Where I can at least move around if need be --- this other young man was a quadraplegic. This guy was mid twenties --- and he couldn't even move his head. He came to the show with his mother and sister --- and I went with Paula.

The show starts and an entire row of what Paula and I call GIGLE GIGLE teens about fourteen at the most --- they stand on their seats! I literally spent the entire show not seeing a damn thing. We were yelling at them to SIT DOWN and I even went and got the usher --- for that short of a distance I can walk --- but with excruciating pain.

The usher comes back with the guy in the suit with the earphone in his ear --- a true pretend-a-cop. They told me that if I didn't sit down --- that I would be ejected from the building FOR CAUSING TROUBLE. This guy started telling me that a WAREHOUSE representative told them that they were not to stop any females from dancing. The WAREHOUSE is the name of the DMB fan club.

So, suffice to say that was the last time I would ever go to see a show in that building. However, last December when my best friend's son was opening for the BARENAKED LADIES, I had much better seats, if you know what I mean.

Also, I would never see DMB again because of such an asinine policy. The next day after that show I called the Arena's management office and filed a formal complaint.

However, there are three primary concert venues in Toronto:

01) CNE Exhibition Grounds Statium (50,000 capacity)

02) Air Canada Centre (20,000 capacity)

03) Molson Amphitheatre (10,000 capacity)

The treatment of human beings is much different in Canada. I have been to each one of these places, and I have never had one problem with anything. The people are much more friendly, and the energy and the vibes of the city are much different. In fact, in the past three years --- I have seen more shows in Toronto than I have in my own city. I am sure that this cannot be good for the economy. The Peter Gabriel show cost us about $1,000 with the great time we had up there.

Because during the blackout drill of August 14, 2003 Paula and I were standing outside of the Molson Amphitheatre to see a STEELY DAN show that was cancelled --- the fear and uncertainity of the event did not touch us at all. However, coming in over the Peace Bridge on the way home --- you could actually feel a helpless and fearful energy permeate the atmosphere.

KDB = Buffalo, NY USA