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Joe Bonamassa Forum → General Topics → Chicago House of Blues
Just a "heads up" to anyone within spittin' distance of Chicago, Joe's playing the HOB's in Chicago on November 2nd. It doesn't show up on the tour schedule yet, but I bought my tickets today. I know it's 5 months away, but I'm taking no chances waiting to buy.
Roll Call???
Hey Bill, I ran across this show on ticketmaster as well. After the confusion regarding tickets to the HOB Cleveland show Joe did earlier this year, can you shed some light on how it works for tickets at HOB Chicago? I called there and the person helping me said that the entire music hall is general admission, even though they sell reserved tickets at different levels on ticketmaster. She did mention something about dinner packages that allow you to get a seat for the show. Are there tables at the balcony levels or are those areas open as well. Thanks for any info you may have on this.
Awesome! So it's Chicago on the 2nd, Milwaukee on the 3rd and Oneida on the 5th. A Bonamassa trifecta for the Midwest fans!
Bill, are those HOB tickets reserved seating?
Well, I answered my own question by buying tickets. I got 2nd row Gold Circle seating.
I'm totally psyched! 
I've never been to HOB before.
Roy, I look forward to meeting you.
Yeah, I know what you mean about the "better half". I've got to figure out how to convince him that a trip to Milwaukee and then one to Green Bay is a good idea. Somehow I think video poker is going to be involved.
Did you get tickets for Pitman already? I checked their website and didn't see Joe listed yet.
Patty,
Are you going to this one?
I wonder how the "camera" policy will be at this one? Anyone kow?
~Rhonda
Patty,
A lot will depend on their camera policy! I know that if I don't get a ticket soon I will be SOL!
Does Chicago get snow early in Nov. ?
~Rhonda
The HOB Chicago website indicates that cameras are not allowed. http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago/ It says so right under "coming to House Of Blues" list.
Ok, let's see if I can answer a few questions:
My last time at HOB Chicago was to see Gregg Allman. My daughter (who was on crutches after ankle surgery) and I had dinner, we went to the balcony to get our seating and they f****d it up. So we get ONE seat (barstool right at the front railing), and I'm standing for the entire show. Not bad, but if I had to stand, I would have been on the main floor. As I recall, there are side balconies and there is a side bar area with seating off to the side of the main floor. I will say, I was entirely jealous and wanted to be standing in front of the stage. That entire area is SRO. If it's set up like the Gregg Allman show, the nearest seating will be pretty far from the stage. When I was on the website, I tried to see where the seating was, but there was no chart. I bought General Admission seats and I'll get there early.
As far as I'm concerned, the dinner package was not worth it, unless you really need to/want to sit. I'd have a nice dinner somewhere else (my dinner at HOB was mediocre) and then head over for the show.
Bluesman- You'll have a beautiful walk from your hotel, about 4 blocks right down the river to the HOB's. There's some phenomenal restaurants in that area. Let me know if you need recommendations.
At the Dallas HOB show Joe told them that his fans were to be able to take photos. This was after he heard about fans being hasseld about photos. For the second nights show, fans were allowed to bring cameras in. For me it was too late because I was not able to stay for the second nights show.
I have photographed at several concerts where there was a clear statement of no cameras allowed, but once they found out that Joe was photo friendly, it was ok.
~Rhonda
Roy,
Oh man, lots of great places within walking distance or short cab ride of your hotel and HOB's.
Steaks- Ruth's Chris, Chicago Chop House, Gene & Georgetti's (I'd probably go with Ruth's Chris, but they're all good)
Specialty places - Maggiano's (Italian, huge portions & great food), Fogo de Chao (Brazilian all you can eat..waiters walk around to tables with skewered meat and serve you right at your table - pricey), Cheesecake Factory (I've never been there, but my wife visits almost every time she's downtown Chicago...very good food and reputation).
Seafood - Shaw's Crab House and Joe's Seafood & Steak
These are all probably on the pricey side, but Maggiano's and Cheesecake factory won't require taking out a second mortgage. The steak houses will be expensive, but they are all top rate.
I'm figuring since "the one who must be obeyed" likes seafood, and you and the kids like steak, Joe's might be a good choice and is appropriately named, too!
I assume most of these places have websites where you can check out menu's and pricing. I'll let you know if anyplace else comes to mind.
Bill, you're making me hungry! I love Maggiano's.
The Milwaukee show?? Oh yeah, I'll be there! I haven't missed a Shank Hall show in 2 years....I don't know the theater Joe's playing, but I don't think anything will compare with Shank Hall. Did I read something about tickets going on sale in September for that show??
As far as the Chicago show, I work in downtown Chicago, so I'll be around pre and post show. I'm sure we'll all get a chance to meet.
Bill S THANKS for the info on the H O B got my tickets cant wait to see JB!!!
Jon
Bill,
Yes, according to the director at Pitman Theatre (located at Alverno College) tickets are suppose to go on sale September 10th at noon. I took the day of work because he indicated the best way to get front row tickets was to show up at the box office. I plan on bringing my wife and both children (16 and 10) to the show. I guess as the date gets closer, I should post a thread to other members to see who's coming and if they would want me to pick up their tickets for them, I already have an order from Jaci. I think we should all keep our eyes open for a possible change in the on-sale date just in case. I don't know about you, but I really want to get front row if I can for my kids.
Unlike Shank Hall, the description on their website of the theatre indicates it is a 930 seat facilty. I would be surprised if Joe doesn't fill it up because it appears he always sold out Shank Hall (even though that's only 300 max). Hey, if you haven't missed a Shank Hall appearence, then you must have been there last December 10th. My wife and I and a friend and his adult daughter were at that show too. We were in the first row standing right behind the few chairs/tables up front. That was our first Joe show live even though I've been following him for a while. All I could say was unbelieveable!!
Roy,
We were at the Dec. 10th show, sitting at a couple of tables stage left. You may have noticed our group since my older daughter was in a wheelchair after major ankle surgery (she had one of those "halo's" around her leg).
I did a two-fer that weekend too, after seeing Joe in Chicago on the 8th.
I may take you up on the offer to pick up tickets for the Pitman show...closer is better when it comes to JB.
Bill S
Bill S wrote:Roy,
We were at the Dec. 10th show, sitting at a couple of tables stage left. You may have noticed our group since my older daughter was in a wheelchair after major ankle surgery (she had one of those "halo's" around her leg).
I did a two-fer that weekend too, after seeing Joe in Chicago on the 8th.
I may take you up on the offer to pick up tickets for the Pitman show...closer is better when it comes to JB.
Bill SBill, let me guess, is your daughter blonde? If she is, we were standing right behind her (first row standing) stage left. I can't believe it, what a small world!!
Yeah, that was her (us). She has become such a big Joe fan that even the pain and inconvenience of that surgery she insisted she had to go. I guess I did something right to cultivate her exquisite taste in music.
Anyway, it is indeed a small world, and I'm finding it gets even smaller when you're talking about Joe Fan(atic)s. We'll definitely have to meet for the November shows.
Yep, we're in row 2, seats 23 and 24.
I can't wait. 
I just saw an article in the Chicago Sun Times today, where some company (can't remember the name) took over the selling of tickets for HOB's (not sure if this is everywhere or just Chicago). Anyway, due to complaints about excessive handling charges, they are waiving those fees if you buy directly at the HOB's (Chicago) box office.
Wish this had been implemented 3 weeks ago. I bought 6 tickets to see Joe and got slapped with at least $10 service charges per ticket. It's too late for me, but maybe somebody out there can save a few bucks.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → General Topics → Chicago House of Blues
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