MGM Grand Casino Now Open In Springfield (Boston, Chicopee: sales, salon)

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Honestly- do people really go to strip clubs anymore? I mean, normal well-adjusted adults-with-jobs people. I think the last time a friend of mine suggested going to a strip club was when we were 20.

From what I understand things were different back in the day (70's/80s). Back then it may have taken a good hour or so for a stripper to be nude. It was one piece of clothing per song...not everything in four minutes.

What gets to me isn't so much the dancers but sleazy shyster huckster owners. There was one I think that was trying to practically order someone in the room to pay another $300 for some other dance/experience.

Springfield had four clubs (one lost in the natural gas explosion).

Marti Gras is supposedly one of the biggest on the east coast. They also have 350 Grill and were trying something with comedy. I just can't see that marketed all together. "Hey kids order a burger for me I'll be seeing it shake next door" said no one.

Center Stage is practically darkness. Serious it's like no one paid a light bill. Blue lights are so low you can't see. Couldn't hear either with the music.

Five Alarm no one in their right mind should go to. Why? Because it's next to Friends of the Homeless. Yes from what I understand is some (not all) go next door when the state payments come in.

These places don't add value although driving by Center Stage makes me feel like I'm in grand theft auto.

Most of the Combat Zone in Boston ended up being dorms for Northeastern so it can be argued that redevelopment isn't that hard.

[CaseyB]

You guys are getting way off topic.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

You guys are getting way off topic.

Sorry- this just always comes up when I hear people talk about Providence but I've always doubted it.

[The_General]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Honestly- do people really go to strip clubs anymore? I mean, normal well-adjusted adults-with-jobs people. I think the last time a friend of mine suggested going to a strip club was when we were 20.

I'm 33 so not since my mid 20's but that was also the last time I was in Proivdence

[mp775]

When I worked in Providence ten years ago, some coworkers went to the Cadillac Lounge pretty regularly.

[mdovell]

Back to topic MGM has Cher coming in April. Should be good. Prices vary from around $50 to $500. I think there's a bit of a back and forth about what they should court. To be honest though when you see venues often times that's to bring people into an area rather than just the locals. There's pressure I think for more sports but at this point there's no way the city or the state would authorize another stadium. I'm thinking maybe MGM might sponsor the Sting ABA team. There's already ice hockey.

The thing is Cher, Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder might court more of an older crowd (Big E has one of the beach boys). Maybe it's just music being so fragmented these days that it is hard to get a general performer that will draw a crowd. This isn't like say the 60's 70's and 80's where you had say Elvis, the Beatles and Michael Jackson having "eras" and different generations liking different ones.

Regardless though the hipsters are gradually invading the downtown. Coffee shops, bike repair shops, small dogs, joggers etc.

[IWLC]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Back to topic MGM has Cher coming in April.

Regardless though the hipsters are gradually invading the downtown. Coffee shops, bike repair shops, small dogs, joggers etc.

Springfield is the smallest arena on Cher's tour. The only reason that the acts coming to Springfield are coming is that it is included in their contracts with MGM, that in order to to perform at MGM's other venues they must also be willing to go to the less glamorous spots too (MGM said that early on before the opening), and face it, The Mass Mutual Center is on the bottom tier when it comes to venues. There aren't enough seats to make it profitable for a big name to book there.


As far as hipsters go. Whether you like them or not, a diverse city needs a diversity of people. Young professionals have the disposable income. Springfield can't survive on the memories of Steigers and Johnson's Book Store (though, come to think of it, the hipsters would have loved Johnson's).


Anyway, I'll be at the Aaron Lewis show tomorrow night - I believe it's sold out. I'l probably be getting tickets for Bill Burr too. I'm seeing a Massachusetts talent theme emerging here - Dropkick Murphys, Aaron Lewis, Bill Burr.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by IWLC

Springfield is the smallest arena on Cher's tour. The only reason that the acts coming to Springfield are coming is that it is included in their contracts with MGM, that in order to to perform at MGM's other venues they must also be willing to go to the less glamorous spots too (MGM said that early on before the opening), and face it, The Mass Mutual Center is on the bottom tier when it comes to venues. There aren't enough seats to make it profitable for a big name to book there.


As far as hipsters go. Whether you like them or not, a diverse city needs a diversity of people. Young professionals have the disposable income. Springfield can't survive on the memories of Steigers and Johnson's Book Store (though, come to think of it, the hipsters would have loved Johnson's).


Anyway, I'll be at the Aaron Lewis show tomorrow night - I believe it's sold out. I'l probably be getting tickets for Bill Burr too. I'm seeing a Massachusetts talent theme emerging here - Dropkick Murphys, Aaron Lewis, Bill Burr.

Tell us about it, ok? I love hearing the news from those who have been there. I may get up there one day in winter by train from CT--not for a show, not for gambling, just out of curiosity.

I agree that Springfield needs a diversity of people. That's how it used to be too. All kinds, rich, poor, and in the middle. The rich people help keep things going and the rest of us get to enjoy it without spending a bundle. (Yes, they would have loved Johnson's Book Store. A book store and so much more, something for everyone. I still have my lucky Santa penny from Johnson's, could have an entire thread about Johnson's.)

[IWLC]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

I agree that Springfield needs a diversity of people. That's how it used to be too. All kinds, rich, poor, and in the middle.

Speaking of which, few people acknowledge the influence that gay people had on Springfield in the 80s. The biggest gay bar (actually according to the beer distributor I spoke to, the biggest beer account of any bar in Massachusetts) was in Springfield - the Frontier, with an occupancy of 600 people - though they often exceeded that. I knew a few of the cops that worked special detail at the Frontier and all said it was the best assignment, because there was never trouble, despite the size of the weekend crowd. Some issues with Shannon's Bar across the street at closing time though.


As a result of the Frontier's location on Pearl Street, many gay people moved into that general area. The apartments at the top of Pearl onto Spring St and down to the museums had a heavy gay occupancy. They kept the places they rented in good shape, and landlords were happy to rent to them. Most of the historic row houses on Matoon Street were bought and renovated by gay people.

Many of the small businesses in the area were gay owned as well - the antique stores, costume shop, picture framing store, the hairdressing salons, and many worked in the restaurants and shops at Baystate West.


The McKnight area was heavily gay as well. They bought and restored many of the Victorian mansions. I don't know if any of that is the case today or whether there are gay bars anywhere in the area - maybe Northampton has one.


There were clubs of all kinds in Springfield then - the Bar Association on State Street always had big crowds. I think the mayor's ruling ending music at 1 o'clock pretty much killed any nightlife downtown. A big mistake. Every city has nightlife and if there are problems they find a way to fix them, not just shut them all down. In the 'day' the boys in the South end who owned all the bars knew how to keep things under control.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by IWLC

Speaking of which, few people acknowledge the influence that gay people had on Springfield in the 80s. The biggest gay bar (actually according to the beer distributor I spoke to, the biggest beer account of any bar in Massachusetts) was in Springfield - the Frontier, with an occupancy of 600 people - though they often exceeded that. I knew a few of the cops that worked special detail at the Frontier and all said it was the best assignment, because there was never trouble, despite the size of the weekend crowd. Some issues with Shannon's Bar across the street at closing time though.


As a result of the Frontier's location on Pearl Street, many gay people moved into that general area. The apartments at the top of Pearl onto Spring St and down to the museums had a heavy gay occupancy. They kept the places they rented in good shape, and landlords were happy to rent to them. Most of the historic row houses on Matoon Street were bought and renovated by gay people.

Many of the small businesses in the area were gay owned as well - the antique stores, costume shop, picture framing store, the hairdressing salons, and many worked in the restaurants and shops at Baystate West.


The McKnight area was heavily gay as well. They bought and restored many of the Victorian mansions. I don't know if any of that is the case today or whether there are gay bars anywhere in the area - maybe Northampton has one.

I don't know either, but I did have a gay friend back in the 1980s who lived on Mattoon St.

Anyway, I just got off the phone with a friend who went to the new casino yesterday. She is a gambler and did not like it there. She said the machines were too expensive for what pay out you get (or something like that--I am not a gambler.) So for her, it's not worth it and she won't be going back. She also didn't like the decor and said it was plain, a lot of grays and nothing fancy like the other casinos. A friend of hers already has tickets to see Cher--cost about $150 I think.

I will still go--for a show or just to see it.