Maná

Maná

Maná, a Latin rock band played our Arena last night. Weeks before the band played I did some research on Google to find out as much as I could about Maná. In this business it helps to know as much as you can about the shows that are performing at your arenas and I learned a lot about them. First off, I had no idea that Maná had won over 4 Latin Grammy Awards and over 4 MTV Music Video Awards. After reading that one sentence I knew that we were going to be in for a treat.


The first thing that pops into my head when I think about seeing a live show is how good or bad the band or artist might sound. I have been to many concerts who have not sounded well and we have all heard the errors and misfortunes on TV. Maná front man Fher Olvera was nothing short of incredible! Even though I cannot understand spanish, I could not help but relate to the rythem or tone of the songs Maná played. I quickly found myself nodding my head as Sergio Vallín ripped on his gutiar. I was loacted in the pit for the first threee songs and could feel the excitement and rush Maná gives to their fans. I will have to point out that Maná may have some of the most loyal and dedicated fans that I have seen.

Gwinnett Arena News

I wanted to take this time to point out some awesome shows that will be coming up at the Arena. Enrique and Pitbull will be performing October 20th- this should be a fantastic show! We have just announced two new shows that will be coming in November. We will have the Foo Fighters on November 7th and Reba with The Band Perry on November 12th. Go to our website at www.gwinnettcenter.com to check out all the information!

Josh Groban

By:  Melissa Morris (melissaal05)

I have been a Josh Groban fan for years, a fan club member for 7 years and this was my first JG concert experience.  And, I have to say, he certainly lived up to all my expectations and beyond.

At first, I was devastated because I thought the concert would have to be cancelled due to his illness.  I said God, you let me get the front row seats that I prayed so hard for, please don’t take them away from me.  I prayed, A LOT!  And, I was so thankful that he recovered & the concert went on as scheduled.  If not, I would have been sitting in a dark corner, listening to his cd’s and crying for days, literally!

From the moment Josh took the stage, he blew my mind.  Yes, I’ve listened to his cd’s for years, but hearing him sing live, that was a whole new experience.  From the singing to the piano playing to the drums, I am just so amazed by all his God given talents.

He is such a kind & caring person.  He is always wanting to do the best for his fans & he certainly did that with the fan interaction.  From taking questions to singing Happy Birthday to a 17 year old (how lucky can you get), to the very lucky fans who got to sit on the stage while he sang a couple songs.  We were just truly blessed by his presence.

When he sang his final song, his “signature song”, YOU RAISE ME UP, I had tears in my eyes.  Not just because it is such a moving song, but, because we had to say goodbye.  I certainly did not want the night to end.

He is and always will be my favorite performer.  Not only because of his talents, but because he is such a kind soul.  And, I love his smile!  I am so glad I got to share my experience with my daughter.  Thank you Josh for making MY dream come true.  Hopefully next time I will actually get to meet you.  Now that would be a wonderful blessing! 

Since the Duluth concert, I have now decided to attend the concert in Charleston, SC with another Grobanite that I met in Duluth. Making new friends because of Josh.  I cannot wait for my next concert!  Stay safe!

This picture was sent in by our Guest Blogger from the

Josh Groban Concert

Katy Perry

I am not sure where to begin with the Katy Perry Blog so before I start I wanted to let everyone know that Katy Perry had one of the best performances and set deigns that I have seen in a long time. If you like shows that keep the fans involved and you want to see a display of fireworks, foam, and lasers then this is the show for you!


Just hours before the show Katy Perry put on her twitter account “I AM SO EXCITED FOR TONIGHT I MIGHT ESPPPPPPLOAAAAD #ATLANTDREAMS.” From then on I knew this concert was going to be one of a kind and I quickly thought about what things may be in store since we were the first show on her North American tour. I was out taking pictures of Katy’s fans hours before the show started and the one thing I noticed was how incredibly excited every fan was to see Katy perform. It’s you the fans who drive these shows and make a magical experience for everyone at the arena.


The crowd roared and girls screamed when Katy took the stage in her white dress flowing with moving peppermint candies as she broke into one of her hit song Teenage Dream. Katy, an energetic superstar whose costumes fit the tour, cd, and songs perfectly did not let her fans down when she broke into I Kissed A Girl, Hot n Cold, and E.T. The music terrific, but that was not the highlight of my evening. The highlight of my evening was during one of her breaks when she started talking to the audience. She asked if she could be our Georgia peach for the night and then stated something I was not expecting. “If I had the choice of an In-N-Out burger over the Chick-fil-A, I would not do it. I would pick the Chick-fil-A.” Katy then pointed on how great their Polynesian sauce is.


Another high point of my night was getting to see Katy interact with some of her biggest fans. I was down stairs of the arena for Katys meet and greet and was blow away by her beauty and her loyalty to her fans. She was not only interested in her fans, but more than willing to sign an autograph or take a picture and for that I commend Katy Perry.




Please check out some of our fan photos at www.facebook.com/gwinnettcenter or www.gwinnettcenter.com/photogallery

Professional Bull Riding

Hey everyone!

My name is Greg and I am the marketing intern at the Gwinnett Arena. I have never written a blog, but I am extremely excited to start this summer. Gwinnett Arena has some great shows coming up this summer and I cannot wait to let everyone know how they were.

My very first show at the Gwinnett Arena was Professional Bull Riding. At first I was not sure what to think, but after being in the arena for Friday and Saturday’s show I cannot explain how great a PBR event is. The interaction that PBR has with the patrons is unbelievable and how can anyone pass up the opportunity to watch pro bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco ride a 1,500-pound bull called Deja Blu?

If you have never been to a PBR show then take it from me… Go to one! The introduction is incredible and you will not find a more welcoming bunch of riders and entertainers anywhere in the world. Saturday started off with a bang when PBR flashes fire and pyrotechnics while welcoming the riders to the ring, the next thing you know the crowd screams when Ochocinco walks through the arena.

During the show you can’t help but wonder how these riders can last 8 seconds on a bull. We have all heard the horror stories of what can happen within 1 second on a bull and luckily no one was seriously injured. The one thing that really separates PBR from other events is the riders. These riders show true passion and love for their jobs, how many people would be willing to ride a 2,000 pound bull every weekend? Another part of PBR that people don’t typically ask about are the ranchers who move the bulls from their cages to the chutes. When I spoke with a PBR representative, she described them as “bull-whisperers.”  She stated that “sometimes they do not even have to touch the bulls, it’s almost like they are talking to them.”

The best part of the event was obviously watching Chad Ochocinco ride Deja Blu. Many people who have not seen the event missed Ochocinco get on the bull for the first time which in turn caused the bull buck at him. He instantly stood up and what looked like he was rethinking his decision. However, Ochocinco proceeded with the challenge and lasted 1.5 seconds. I personally believed the risk was greater than the reward, but there is a reason behind Ochocinco’s madness and I for one would like to know more about it and him. 

Get Ready, Gwinnett!

This weekend, The Revolve Tour returns to The Gwinnett Center for Dream On. There are still a few seats left, and trust me, you DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS! Revolve is a one-of-a-kind inspirational weekend for 6th to 12th grade girls that combines award-winning bands, dramas, and speakers with real, relevant messages.

 

But Revolve is much more than just a fun time for girls. Since it began, more than 35,000 girls have indicated they made first-time decisions for Christ at a Revolve Tour event. More than 16,000 children have been sponsored through World Vision as a result of The Revolve Tour. This year’s event, Dream On, will feature speakers Chad Eastham, Jenna Lucado Bishop, Kathryn McCormick, Jamie-Grace Harper, and Courtney Clark Cleveland; compelling dramas; and be highlighted by musical artists Hawk Nelson, Britt Nicole, and Group 1 Crew. Not only is The Revolve Tour a great event but they also have wonderful resources for you and the girls in your life. You can find more information The Revolve Tour blog and also find books and other products, designed specifically for reaching the teenage girls in your ministry, here.



For more information, please call 877.9.REVOLVE (877.973.8653) or visit http://www.revolvetour.com/.