Write a commentThe Oswego West Side Fire Department reported to the McCrobie Civic Center on Saturday, May 31st to ensure fire code compliance for Oswegonian Rhapsody, a benefit concert for the Oswego Opera Theater.
The Oswego Music Hall seats 150 patrons and has a fire code maximum capacity of 200 individuals, yet this sold-out event was in danger of exceeding this limit. The concert featured 11 acts with a combined total of 35 performers, and 20 volunteers and technicians to ensure the evening ran smoothly. 176 tickets were sold for the event, as others waited in line hoping to be allowed inside.
"Safety is tantamount to the Oswego Opera Theater," said co-organizer Gina Mazzoli, "and so we duteously worked in compliance within the fire department's guidelines to ensure the security of our valued guests."
Artists were separated into two different green rooms, and volunteers were spread out amongst multiple stations throughout the building, to maintain a legal occupancy limit in the main auditorium.
Of this record-setting attendance, Music Hall board member Michael Moss said, "This was the first time in Music Hall history that a Guest Curator event has ever sold out! Congratulations to all the talented performers!"
One of the performers, Mike Gibson of the surf-punk trio The Amazing Shakes, had this to say of the event: "When we were asked to be a part of the show we weren't sure what we were getting into. The Amazing Shakes have a very specific energy, and we didn't know how we would jive at an opera house fundraiser, haha. But it ended up being the best reception we've ever gotten from a crowd! Everyone was into it, and treated us like rock stars. It was really an incredible night for us!"
