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University Daily Kansan, October 30, 1981
Declining ticket sales threaten KU concerts
By KATEDUFFY
Staff Reporter
Sagging ticket sales have made the University of Kansas a shaky concert market, Duke Divine, SUA special events committee chairman,
"KU is in danger of losing concerts because we can't support the ones we've got." he said. "We are getting them from with promoters since the Tubes."
In September, the financial backer for the Tubes, a British rock band, canceled its KU concert because only 300 tickets had been sold. Hoch Auditorium, where the band is scheduled, holds about 3,700 people.
Beverlampia, another recent SUA concert, sold only 1,000 tickets, prompting the promoter to say he is not in good shape like it again at KU, Divine said.
Divine added that the special events committee was open to suggestions from students.
"Send notes, call, walk into the SUA office," he said. "Anybody will listen."
SUA HAS three concerts scheduled for November. The George Thorogood and the Destroyers concert schedled for Nov. 6 has sold about 1,800 tickets, but only 500 tickets each have sold for Molly Hatchet, Nov. 13, and the American Transfer, Nov. 7.
Divine said he was especially baffled by slow sales for the Molly Hatchet band. Last year its KU concert sold out and the group recently packed Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
Although Divine was not certain of all the reasons for low ticket sales, he said the KU market had stagnated.
"Students just don't care anymore."he said.
Divine said he thought that ticket costs weren't too prohibitive because they usually were lower than Kansas City concerts that many KU students. They tickets exceeded between $40 and $12, he said.
IRENE CARC, SUA program adviser, said students had many choices of concerts in the area, and he was delighted at attendance at Lawrence concerts.
She said November tickets were selling slowly probably because "people are short of money now. It's the end of the month."
Booking a concert is no easy job, Divine said. Besides selecting a group that will draw a audience large enough to pay for itself, the organizer must find a promoter and a financial backer to sponsor the concert.
Curtis Reinhardt, manager of the Lawrence Opera House and a copromoter for the Thorogood concert, agreed with Divine that the concert business has been rough lately. But he added that all businesses, including the concert business, were suffering now.
BECAUSE of the poor economy, students have gotten out of the habit of going to concerts, Reinhardt said.
Another factor affecting the concert scene, according to Reinhardt, is the home entertainment market.
"Television is our major competition down here," he said. "People buy a six-pack and watch a rock concert at home."
Reinhardt said he though new concert facilities would help SUA's ticket sales because Allen and Hoch were not suitable for concerts.
Overall, Reinhardt said he thought that SUA was "doing a good job with the facilities and policies they have to work with."
These policies state that SUA will not take financial risks with its concerts. Promoters and backers provide the money and the ad space that the SUA provides the facility and the backup crew; Divine said.
EVEN WITH ticket sales sagging and promoters threatening not to sponsor concerts at KU, Divine said SUA's policies were still the most practical. A concert in Allen Fieldhouse, he said, could cost between $30,000 and $100,000 to produce.
--plus a special midnight show and halloween
MOVIE "DARK STAR is way, way out and right to the point at the same GENERAL ADVICES
October 30 & 31 Dyche Auditorium 7-9.30 p.m. Admission $1.25
--sure it is not weak. If it is run-down
system (the alternator and regulator
Union Bookstores
Main Union Level 2 • Satellite Shop
    Satellite Union
Prepare for winter now, mechanic warns
Kansas
By TERESA RIORDAN Staff Reporter
Motorists should not let the unreasonably balmy weather that has graced Lawrence recently deceive them—winter is near and now is the time to prepare automobiles for the approaching cold and snow.
Cold temperatures can make engines hard to start, slippery roads can interfere with normal tire grip and sleet conditions. It is safer to make breakdowns hard to deal with.
To make certain all car systems are in good order, car owners should check the following areas before winter comes, according to Lawrence Jim Warren. Jim Warren's Straight Arrow Auto Service, 920 E. 28th St.
Winter weather can be rough on cars, but it can be equally rough financially on owners who neglect to prepare for winter's riots.
- Battery: The battery can be heated or cold engine. It should be tested to make sure it is working properly.
- Ignition: Engines should be given a good tune-up before winter to ensure easy starting, Warren said. The ignition system's spark plugs and cables should
Motorists should also put in an adequate concentration of antifreeze, which is from 50 to 60 percent in this area, he said.
If the antifreeze has been in the radiator for two or three years or appears dirty, the radiator should be
be checked or the car could be hard to start on cold, damp days.
- Antifreeze: An insufficient amount or concentration of antifreeze could cause expensive problems for car engines, such as a crack in the engine block.
"It's just a lot cheaper to put in antifreeze," Warren said.
drained, cleaned out with radiator flush and refilled with antifreeze.
- Brakes: Uneven brakes may not seem a problem in the summer, but they can make it difficult and dangerous to stop a car on iy roads.
"You should definitely get those fixed in matter what the weather is." Warns.
given to help. "It doesn't hurt to have snow tires, and studed tires are even better," he said.
, you only need to change the oil every 2,000 to 3,000 miles, so you should be okay if you stay within that schedule," he said.
- Oil change: Engine oil may not need to be changed but make sure the oil viscosity is in the recommended range.
- Tires: Drivers need good tires to get around on slippery roads, too.
- Exhaust system: To ensure safety, the exhaust system should also be checked. Warren said.
- Choke: The automatic choke must also be correctly adjusted for the engine to start and warm up smoothly.
Other things to check before winter arrives are the thermostat, to ensure proper warm up and adequate heat for a comfortable stay. The windshield wipers, for good visibility.
"If you have holes in it, gas (carbon monoxide) can come up through the floor board and get trapped in the car window." It worked with the windows rolled up," he said.
Budig to be KU commencement speaker
Chancellor Gene A. Budig will speak at the 1983 KU commencement on Saturday.
Last year the Commencement Committee recommended getting a speaker from outside the University of Kansas, and the recommendation was carried out.
"I suggested that since it is the chancellor's first year, we have him make the address as has been done since time immemorial," Richard von Ende, executive secretary to the University, said yesterday.
In addition, when the Commencement Committee was searching for an 1862 commencement speaker, it learned from a graduate graduates showed that most students
were not interested in hearing an outside speaker, von End said.
"he hasn't given it a minute's con-
ference," he said, that he would be
speak, "scaly said."
Most of the respondents said they were in hearing an outside speaker at graduation.
THE SURVEY of KU graduates was mailed to half of the 1980 graduates. It asked about things they liked and disliked about commencement.
The survey also asked whether the graduates liked having the ceremony on Monday. The response was an overwhelming "No."
Traditionally, the ceremony, highlighted by a procession from the campanile, has been on Monday evenings. But because the 1980 graduates complained about having Commencement during the week, University officials have moved the ceremony to Sunday.
Most of the respondents to the survey said their families could not come to graduation during the week because they could not get off work.
The Commencement Committee, which plans the ceremony, has not met yet this year so no plans have been made other than selecting the speaker, Edward Julian, secretary of the committee, said.
Drinking Myth of the Week.
The Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth St., has received 25 reservations for the 15th and 32 for the 18th, according to our office manager. Total capacity is 110.
Scott Newton, desk clerk for Travelodge Motel, 810 Iowa St., said about six or seven rooms had been reserved for the weekend.
Some people have been thinking ahead about commencement and have made reservations at Lawrence motels for May 15 and 16.
THE COMMITTEE is composed of administrators, faculty and student representatives who are asked by the chancellor to serve, Julian said.
The Student Assistance Center 121 Strong Hall 864-4064
---
Let your spirits be with the Hawks on Halloween
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2007 W. 8th St.
841-8484
Eat at THEIR regular restaurant
The place
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Mon.-Set. 11-10
Sun. 5-10
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843-2138
Lawrence, KS
2
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HALLOWEEN SPECIAL!
FREE COSTUME PRIZES FOR:
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$ 2 5^{\circ} $ Draws from 9 p.m.-3 a.m.
$1.00 Drinks all night (Ask waitress or bartender for $1.00 drinks)
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