Post-Essence Complaints about Houston

[MsJag4Jag]

J4J, the seating capacity the Reliant is bigger than the Superdome, but the Superdome is a multi-use arena, and from what I've seen of both, Reliant doesn't offer the huge conference rooms that the Superdome does. Did they have the Superlounges this year?

Hopefully Essence will return to New Orleans next year, but I doubt it, unless the work in the Superdome is finished totally. It will be ready for football this year, but that's only Phase I of the SD's refurbishment, and Phase II will begin when the football season ends. From the things I've read about what they're going to do to it, especially if they knock some of the outer walls out on the Lodge/Club section of the dome to add windows it may not be done.

delock from a hotel standpoint New Orleans will be ready, and with new hotels opening next year, and the few damaged hotels that are still closed, will also be opened by that time next year.

Again, I think they'll be pushing it, to get the SD ready for other things besides football, but a lot of things will become much more clear of New Orleans' future after this hurricane season blows by.

Though I enjoyed my time in Houston for the Bayou Classic, one of the things I saw for the BC that I didn't like was the lack of hospitality in the hotels. I mean asking for something as simple as directions to Reliant Stadium was like pulling teeth from those front desk folk. With that stadium being an attraction in Houston, I would think they would have directions already printed out, but they didn't, and it wasn't like I was staying at Motel 6, we were in the Wyndham.

Also, the BC, and Essence Crowd's, are all night party crowds, with just about every club closing at the 2 am hour, you're gonna get a lot of complaints from out of town patrons, because if you're coming from a city that keeps the clubs open late, being asked to roll out at 2 is gonna hurt. Especially if the concerts are letting out around those same times. The NBA, NFL, and MLB crowds are mostly corporate parties, so there isn't a problem with the 2 am lockdown.

I know folk come to town to party for the Superbowl, and All Star games, but more than likely they won't be going to the games themselves, so being in the club when those games are over is not a problem, but when you have an established event, and folk are used to doing things the way they were done in the past, that becomes a problem, when those same things can't be done. If it was a brand new event, I don't think there would be as many complaints

Again I enjoyed my time there for the BC, and any other time I've (mainly because I knew people), but if you're not familiar with Houston it's a nightmare trying to find your way around. These types of events is where Houston's size hurts it, because everything is so spread out.

The big events that are held here in DC, you see people (party promoters, and club employee's) everywhere directing traffic, and hustling. Whether it's in the streets, at the hotels, the malls, they make sure you know where the happenings are, they may not tell you how much it's going to cost after a certain time, but you'll definitely know where things are.....lol.....and those are things I didn't see in Houston.

NICE

DNICE: They didn't have a "super lounge" like we know it in the dome, but they did have the Coca-Cola Stage and another one that I forgot the name of...so it was hard to do it like in the dome because Reliant aint the dome. Its that simple. It threw people off and made for good jokes from Steve Harvey.

From what I hear, Chris Brown was supposed to be on the main stage, but missed his flight. So he was bumped to the Coca-Cola stage...which was too crowded and hot just like in the dome. It has its give and take. They had food but not like the locally owned places of New Orleans. Nobody had a bowl of redbeans and rice with sausage in it for sale or a big bowl of sausage, chicken and shrimp jumbalaya or a giant turkey leg for sale. That was missing. The concert let out at 2:30....the ramp walk in new orleans is a cake walk compared to the hike we take at Reliant. It aint a place for the gals to be cute with their five inch pumps....but many tried it and at the end of the night all of their feet were hurtin...

Also, there was no where to walk except back to your car and go back to your hotel. My family and I took the metro ride to downtown, picked up a bite to eat at Cabo's and took it back to the stadium. It wasn't a bad thing...it just wasn't Nola. However, people could make the best of it until Nola got it back together.

We didn't stay in a hotel since we live here so I can't speak to the folks having things READY like they do in New Orleans. I don't see Houston as being a big tourist town, but at the same time we do have major events here all the time, and I agree with you that they should have had maps ready with keypoints on it just for those visiting for the first time who do not fully know how to navigate the backstreets. Most out of town people know 3 highways, 59, 45, and 610....and maybe 288. Anything other than that...they lost. I-10 does not count because it takes you either of two ways...west towards CA or East towards LA... :lol:

 

[da_caramel_diva]

Ok..being a party girl I can comment on the party scene. First off Houston doesnt have a law to close clubs at 2 am. They cant sell liqour after 2am so most places chose to close since they cant make money staying open til 5am. Now there was plenty of places this past weekend that had after hours spots..Red Cat, Club 2 AM, Next, and alot that I cant name...heck visions stayed open til 5am on Monday night.. You got clubs like Harlem Nights which you can bring yo own liquor but thats the butt-booty nekkid club


Houston had plenty of after hours spots this weekend. Its just knowing where they were...i still hope that it goes back to New Orleans next year!

 

[BLAQUE PRINCE]

It will be interesting to see if they make smart use of the space across from Reliant where Astroworld was torn down. The smart decision would be to build things to accomodate those from out of town that aren't used to having to drive to get to everything like Houston folk. Put hotels resturants and clubs over there and you've got a winner.

 

[da_caramel_diva]

It will be interesting to see if they make smart use of the space across from Reliant where Astroworld was torn down. The smart decision would be to build things to accomodate those from out of town that aren't used to having to drive to get to everything like Houston folk. Put hotels resturants and clubs over there and you've got a winner.

you shol'is right!

 

[D-NICE]

Bring that THANG TO WASHINGTON, DC

Are you crazy? There's nowhere to put it. It's too big for the MCI....errr Verizon Center, Fed Ex Field is too far out, and though RFK is closer, but like Fed Ex, it's an outdoor stadium, and to top it off, it's outdated. I don't know if you were here during the Budweiser Superfest days, but I was, and trust me bruh, there's nothing worse than going to a concert at an outdoor stadium, and having it rain, and if you have floor passes, being stuck in that wet arse grass when it stops. Then to make matters worse, if it's raining during the show, it's going to go on, because the artist are shielded from the rain, so you either have to sit in the rain watching the show, or you're going to miss the show because you don't want to get wet, or you're going to go home, and THERE ARE NO REFUNDS!

DC has the party spots, and the convention center to hold the seminars, and what not, but there isn't an indoor spot here that can hold an event of that size for 3 days.

NICE

 

[Storm96]

It will be interesting to see if they make smart use of the space across from Reliant where Astroworld was torn down. The smart decision would be to build things to accomodate those from out of town that aren't used to having to drive to get to everything like Houston folk. Put hotels resturants and clubs over there and you've got a winner.

I thought they were using that land for condos or some other real estate venture. Houston really needs a CENTRALIZED entertainment district. No one can touch Bourbon Street and the Quarter but I think downtown has the potential to really step it up. They've been steadily improving.

 

[D-NICE]

It will be interesting to see if they make smart use of the space across from Reliant where Astroworld was torn down. The smart decision would be to build things to accomodate those from out of town that aren't used to having to drive to get to everything like Houston folk. Put hotels resturants and clubs over there and you've got a winner.

I don't know if that would work, or even be cost effective unless it's just that much stuff going on in H-Town, that the hotels you would put over there could survive without anything going on in Reliant. The clubs, and restaurants would probably be alright, because people love nice party spots, and eateries.

I think the party people in Houston need to do a better job of informing out of towners where the happenings are if there isn't that one hot spot in town that people just naturally flock to, when they come to town.

Clubs in New Orleans are spread out, but with the French Quarter/Bourbon Street being an all day/all night thing, you could walk up, and down Quarter streets, get drinks, party, or what have you, and believe it, or not, a lot of out of town party promoters rent downtown hotel ballrooms, and throw parties there. I don't know if the same was done in Houston, but from the folk that I talked to up here that went, that was a big complaint that they had, and that was not knowing where the haps was.

Mark Barnes, and Taz up here did it every year. They promoted their New Orleans parties here in thier clubs, and bought air time from the radio stations, and on Russ Parr's show, and pushed it on air, for all the DC people, and anybody in the NE that were familiar with their clubs, and parties that were going down.

NICE

 

[MsJag4Jag]

I thought they were using that land for condos or some other real estate venture. Houston really needs a CENTRALIZED entertainment district. No one can touch Bourbon Street and the Quarter but I think downtown has the potential to really step it up. They've been steadily improving.

Tis true! Riding the Metro Rail for $2 for a 24 hour period can't be beat..

 

[Deuce]

. . . Houston doesnt have a law to close clubs at 2 am. They cant sell liqour after 2am . . .

In Montgomery, you can buy alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week . . . at a grocery store.

Liquor stores are open on Sundays too. You can buy a pint of gin on your way to church if you want to. :emlaugh:

And big arse Houston doesn't allow people to buy liquor after 2 am . . . at a club? Wow.

 

[delock]

I thought they were using that land for condos or some other real estate venture. Houston really needs a CENTRALIZED entertainment district. No one can touch Bourbon Street and the Quarter but I think downtown has the potential to really step it up. They've been steadily improving.

So true....but we are to country to think about stepping up! Unless it's the Rodeo!

 

[da_caramel_diva]

In Montgomery, you can buy alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week . . . at a grocery store.

Liquor stores are open on Sundays too. You can buy a pint of gin on your way to church if you want to. :emlaugh:

And big arse Houston doesn't allow people to buy liquor after 2 am . . . at a club? Wow.

:bawling: i am shamed of that.... :bawling: you cant even go to Walmart and buy beer and wine after 2am :shame:

DNice you are right...Marc & Taz...set it off in New Orleans. We have promoters down here but the market is so saturated no one knew where to go...keep in mind we have ALOT of top promoters who's parties never let me down. On top of that...stars who wanted to come in and throw parties. all of the parties was on one website but actually knowing where they were was an issue...they were spread all over...galleria...downtown..uptown...midtown..westhiemer&richmond area...and the northside...

 

[EB]

Yeah, but do you know how far that shat is from the party spots, etc.... I was there for a conference in March and I didn't even feel like I was in the ATL.

....how was the gridlock in Houston. ATL is gridlock city.

If it is anything like it was in years past, I sure do.

 

[Storm96]

In Montgomery, you can buy alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week . . . at a grocery store.

Liquor stores are open on Sundays too. You can buy a pint of gin on your way to church if you want to. :emlaugh:

And big arse Houston doesn't allow people to buy liquor after 2 am . . . at a club? Wow.

And not only that....

liqour stores close at 9pm and are shut tight on Sundays. I messed around and forgot to go to the 'package store' on Saturday night and was forced to buy drinks all day Sunday. I usually BYOB when I go to Pappadeax's and places like that.

Thats what I miss about Louisiana.

 

[PVJAGUAR]

In Montgomery, you can buy alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week . . . at a grocery store.

Liquor stores are open on Sundays too. You can buy a pint of gin on your way to church if you want to. :emlaugh:

And big arse Houston doesn't allow people to buy liquor after 2 am . . . at a club? Wow.

We should make Montgomery the new entertainment capitol of the world than!

 

[Deuce]

We should make Montgomery the new entertainment capitol of the world . . .

It already is. :emlaugh:

Seriously, my point is that if you can buy alcohol in a moderately sized, and conservative city like Montgomery - in the middle of the Bible Belt - then you certainly would expect to be able to do so in a major metropolitan area like Houston.

 

[Dr. Sweet NUPE]

Are you crazy? There's nowhere to put it. It's too big for the MCI....errr Verizon Center, Fed Ex Field is too far out, and though RFK is closer, but like Fed Ex, it's an outdoor stadium, and to top it off, it's outdated. I don't know if you were here during the Budweiser Superfest days, but I was, and trust me bruh, there's nothing worse than going to a concert at an outdoor stadium, and having it rain, and if you have floor passes, being stuck in that wet arse grass when it stops. Then to make matters worse, if it's raining during the show, it's going to go on, because the artist are shielded from the rain, so you either have to sit in the rain watching the show, or you're going to miss the show because you don't want to get wet, or you're going to go home, and THERE ARE NO REFUNDS!

DC has the party spots, and the convention center to hold the seminars, and what not, but there isn't an indoor spot here that can hold an event of that size for 3 days.

NICE

Ever thought of dual shows going on at both the convention center and verizon center? just a thought.

 

[jag4life]

It already is. :emlaugh:

Seriously, my point is that if you can buy alcohol in a moderately sized, and conservative city like Montgomery - in the middle of the Bible Belt - then you certainly would expect to be able to do so in a major metropolitan area like Houston.

My hometown allows you to buy liquor like that too but in clubs it ends at 2am. Same in Lafayette and Lake charles.

 

[lilC]

Honestly, I don't like the liqour laws here in town but I know why they're hear. This is Houston. At this point in Houston's life, it isn't wise to give Houstonians lee-way to drink after 2 am. Especially when out of towners are around. Crowds in Houston can get pretty rowdy which is part of the reason the city has always been very spread out. Hotels and clubs where astroworld was would be a disaster. Clubs and shopping places.....a multi-million jackpot. It wouldn't compete with what's going to happen in dowtown, or the galleria, or sugarland, or what's going to happen along 288 on Almeda. Plus, it'll plain look better. I've BEEN said, my hometown's problem is that when out of towners get here they just can't find anything. It leaves people with a bad taste in their mouths about Houston. But on the flip side, out of towners expect Houston to be bigger yet have EVERYTHING like the cities they're from. It's the south but it's waaaaaaaay bigger than the usual reports say it is. The HOUSTON AREA is Houston. Not just what's inside 610. Oh well, Essence doesn't actually consider Houston for much anyway. So if they leave I see no loss. Most black magazines don't think of or mention Houston much at all.

 

[MsJag4Jag]

You can drive for 45 minutes straight and still be IN Houston

Honestly, I don't like the liqour laws here in town but I know why they're hear. This is Houston. At this point in Houston's life, it isn't wise to give Houstonians lee-way to drink after 2 am. Especially when out of towners are around. Crowds in Houston can get pretty rowdy which is part of the reason the city has always been very spread out. Hotels and clubs where astroworld was would be a disaster. Clubs and shopping places.....a multi-million jackpot. It wouldn't compete with what's going to happen in dowtown, or the galleria, or sugarland, or what's going to happen along 288 on Almeda. Plus, it'll plain look better. I've BEEN said, my hometown's problem is that when out of towners get here they just can't find anything. It leaves people with a bad taste in their mouths about Houston. But on the flip side, out of towners expect Houston to be bigger yet have EVERYTHING like the cities they're from. It's the south but it's waaaaaaaay bigger than the usual reports say it is. The HOUSTON AREA is Houston. Not just what's inside 610. Oh well, Essence doesn't actually consider Houston for much anyway. So if they leave I see no loss. Most black magazines don't think of or mention Houston much at all.

 

[Vinita]

You can drive for 45 minutes straight and still be IN Houston

:topic:

You can drive for 13 hours and still be IN Texas, depending on where you start.

*this useless piece of information has been brought to you by one BORED futhamucka*

 

[MsJag4Jag]

:topic:

You can drive for 13 hours and still be IN Texas, depending on where you start.

*this useless piece of information has been brought to you by one BORED futhamucka*

Ok Niter...are you on the Goose tonight?

 

[D-NICE]

Ever thought of dual shows going on at both the convention center and verizon center? just a thought.

I'll ask you again, are you crazy? You'll be splitting the market with dual shows, that's the purpose of having all the concerts in one place.

NICE

 

[MACKG]

There's always going to be some sort of criticism. People are never satisfied. They could have held it in New Orleans and people would still be complaining. People were whining about returning the BC to New Orleans. Well...wait until the day after the BC for all of the complaints.

 

[PVJAGUAR]

There's always going to be some sort of criticism. People are never satisfied. They could have held it in New Orleans and people would still be complaining. People were whining about returning the BC to New Orleans. Well...wait until the day after the BC for all of the complaints.

I think thats just in our nature to nag and complain about everything...:argue: i had a good time at the event....but i had plenty of help, if you know what i mean..there is always going to be something that could have been done better...The City of Houston is getting showcased by force..and i think they are doing a good job..The City's apperance is unmatched and a lot is in store for Houston in the future...cost of living still is one of the best in the country...

 

[bluedog]

The Essence Music Festival played its Houston road date this year to crowds smaller than those at last year's New Orleans show. And the overwhelming sense of the audience was to bring the show back 'home' in '07.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
By Keith Spera

HOUSTON -- Deep into the second night of the Essence Music Festival at Reliant Stadium, comedian Steve Harvey hosted a couples' fashion contest on the main stage.

Upon learning that contestants Donald and Kendra Keelen hailed from New Orleans, Harvey regarded their stylish matching black-and-white attire in a fresh light.

"You got a whole FEMA outfit on!" Harvey joked, sizing up Donald Keelen's sunglasses and hat. "You made the flood work for you! You probably pulling for another flood!"


Not surprisingly, audience applause anointed the Keelens the winners. Harvey loved it.

"We've got the winners right out of New Orleans, fresh out the flood!" he said, laying it on thick. "Right when you thought New Orleans was gone, here they are!"

From July 1 through Monday, Houston hosted the first Essence Music Festival staged outside New Orleans, where it originated in 1995 as a celebration of Essence Magazine's 25th anniversary. But New Orleans still loomed large, if only as a point of comparison.

And by near universal acclaim, the Big Easy compared favorably.

With the timetable for Superdome repairs unknown, Essence officials decided last fall to move the festival to Houston. Quint Davis' Festival Productions Inc. confronted a slew of logistical challenges to reconfigure the event.

But Essence was still unmistakably Essence, from the airbrushed souvenir photo backdrops of Moet bottles to the well-attired audience and the unmatched array of contemporary urban music.

"Reinventing this from scratch in another place was hard, but we did it," Davis said.