Date:

June , 2000 2

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831
Jim Ritzman, Task Force Chair, 476-8556

Mayor Don Wesely's Concert and Entertainment Task Force has released the results of a survey designed to gather public opinion about concert opportunities in Lincoln. The survey was distributed in April through the Lincoln Journal Star, entertainment venues, campuses and other locations, and more than 500 questionnaires were returned to the Mayor's office.

Among the survey results:

• Country and rock are the most popular concert formats.

• Seventy percent of the respondents said they were not satisfied with the concerts currently offered in Lincoln.

• About 67 percent of the respondents had paid to attend a concert in Lincoln in the past year, but only 43 percent had attended more than one.

• About 70 percent of the respondents had attended one or more concerts outside of Lincoln in the past year. About 29 percent had traveled more than 240 miles to attend a concert.

• About 67 percent of the respondents had paid a top price of $50 or less per ticket. Only 11 percent had paid more than $75. Only about 23 percent said they would pay more than $50 for a ticket.

• More than 60 percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that Lincoln needs a new concert facility.

• Eighty percent said they would attend an age-appropriate concert where alcohol is being served. About 59 percent said they agreed or strongly agreed that alcohol should be allowed at age-appropriate concerts and events at Pinewood Bowl. Eighteen percent had no opinion on the Pinewood Bowl issue, and 23 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The Concert and Entertainment Task Force began meeting in January 2000. The survey results will be part the Task Force's report to the Mayor, now scheduled for release in mid-June.

The survey was developed by the task force with help from Cheryl Wiese, Associate Director of the UNL Bureau of Sociological Research. Results were compiled with the assistance of the box office employees at the Lied Center.

Those who filled out and returned the survey by April 15 were entered into a drawing for a "Fun in Lincoln" prize package. The winner, drawn by the Mayor May 26, was Rick Goldsby, who had filled out a newspaper form. The package includes tickets to local events and other gifts donated by Warner Enterprises, Three Eagles, the Lincoln Community Playhouse, the Star City Dinner Theatre, UNL Athletics, the Lied Center, Pershing Auditorium, Lazlo's/Jabrisco/Empyrean Ales, the Douglas Theatre Company and Amigo's.

(Complete survey results are available by fax by calling Diane Gonzolas at 441-7831.)

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