A little lost birdie sends this in…
My companion and I enjoyed very much the performance of the Blue Man Group Saturday night at the JPJ, but were shocked at what we encountered upon leaving – or attempting to.
Having been seated fairly close to the stage we weren’t surprised that the long lines leading up the staircase to the hallways were slow moving, after all there were a lot of people attending the show that night. Once we reached the top, we proceeded, along with many others, towards the brightly lit “Exit” signs nearby, only to be told by a JPJ employee that “um, that’s not really an exit.” Really? Pardon me for misunderstanding, but is it legal to have large glowing exits signs over doors that are not really exits? The show took place in only half of the arena; does this warrant blocking half the exits?
Thinking the fire marshal couldn’t possibly approve, we turned around and headed in the opposite direction, only to be met by a large crowd of people . . . standing still, unable to go anywhere. Apparently, the crowd was so heavy up front - because we were all being funneled up a single staircase - that those of us down the hall had nowhere to go. I was shocked. I couldn’t stop thinking how dangerous this situation was. What if it was an emergency? What if the place was on fire? What if I really had to pee?
I get panicky in crowds as it is, but feeling trapped does not appeal to anyone’s sense of safety. We stood there for a good ten minutes, blocked in on both sides, before the crowd, just as rowdy and impatient as I was, finally was able to slowly move along. Granted, I don’t know if the “non-exit” was actually locked, but one more minute of standing there and I would have found out. Now, I can wait my turn like anyone else, but this situation felt extremely unsafe and couldn’t possibly have met fire codes, right? Anyone?
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Tagged as: , arena, blue man, concert, Exit, fire, john paul jones, jpj
(Fairly recent lurker, coming out of hiding… hi!)
My husband and I were at the show as well, and had the same experience. We saw the huge mass of people headed towards the one exit, and figured we would miss the crowd and head out the opposite “exit”. Told the same thing, we joined the mass exodus. Feeling not just a little bit like cattle, we finally made our way back to the surface. Glad to hear that someone else felt as ‘wtf’ as we did.
Jess, thanks for the validation. Welcome to our site. I’m sure Lilith will offer you some sweet snacks.
Wow! I’ve taken my son to shows there, and now will think twice. Thank you.
There is a difference between “exits” and “emergency” exits. Perhaps this was the case. I am pretty sure that they have met building codes and guidelines…
I’ve noticed this at other shows…….makes ya wonder. UVA hasn’t figured out how to handle the traffic into or out of events, by vehicle or foot.
When it comes to places of assembly, exits are exits. If a crowd is asked to parse the difference, there would be chaos. A red exit light means exit. Period. Emergency exits are for structures will smaller, less transient occupants.
Sound like “The Who” show in the 70’s, where 11 people were trampled to death because the design of the exits was bad.
Parse the difference…like the emergency exits at schools, hospitals, retirement homes etc. Not saying they were emergency exits, just asking. But simply because there is a door and you wanna use it means you should be allowed to. Its a private area and they can set the rules.
Crowd control is simpler when you are able to control the crowd.
Sounds like a fantastic venue for the Great White reunion show…
Ummm on the Who concert….it had nothing to do with the designs of the ENTRANCES (people arriving to show not leaving…) and it was blamed not on faulty design but on improper crowd management. The changes in the US and the rest of the world to do with the Who show are related to crowd control.
Whatever it was, it sucked, it was dangerous, and in an emergency someone would have been killed. I’ve been to stadium Dead shows with a crowd high on acid that emptied faster than than that. I won’t be going back to JPJ.
At first I thought this thread was sounding overly reactionary, but now I’m taking it a little more seriously. So… really?
Yeah, really. You lock me in there with another 10,000 NASCAR fans and their children, and … well, something’s gotta give.
JPJ has never been about comfort or convenience.
I have been to JPJ many times and have NEVER had the problems mentioned. I hope it was isolated problem and those affected would contact the University or the management of the JPJ.
It is a very safe place and has numerous exits- it seems wrong that you had this problem. The JPJ is better designed then any other place like in the state of Virginia and most nearby states. I gone to many concerts and have never had any difficulty getting out.
i’ve never thought about being trapped in a fire (great, something to worry about friday night), but it always takes a ridiculously long time to get out of there, especially if you’re seated in the 100s near the stage, or on the floor.
There is a big difference between crowd control and emergency exits. Was there an emergency besides your over worked sense of entitlement? I suspect that in an emergency all exits would have been utilized.
Someone might have been killed… standing in line…for the Blue Man Group. Sounds like too much acid daze are catching up to someone.
Small group of people, small group of exits to make it simple to clean and keep the place secure. Just a couple whiney over reactions…
Allright, daniboy, take it easy.
There are laws that deal with large crowds, and ease of cleaning is at the bottom of the list.
It just seemed dangerous, that’s all.
“Small group of people, small group of exits to make it simple to clean and keep the place secure.”
Really? Security is at issue here? Don’t tell me I should expect to remove my shoes next time I’m entering a JPJ event. Because, at the airport, it makes me feel SO much safer.
Small group of people, small group of exits = fewer paid employees needed to man those exits.
I’m still hoping someone can address the issue of fire codes. Danpri, you seem to know a lot on subject?
here lies parlie.
died suddenly of self-righteous indignation
and also boredom.
standing in line
at the blue man group.
Over-worked sense of entitlement? The tickets were $75 a piece plus a $30 parking pass. I didn’t know we had to buy another pass to get OUT. Come to think of it, it would have been money well spent.
“I suspect that in an emergency all exits would have been utilized.”
You suspect?! Geez man, I hope you’re suspicions are correct.
I suspect that in an emergency all exits would have been utilized.
I’m sure that if there’d been an existing emergency, all exits would have been available to concert-goers. The problem is that forcing people out a single exit as described creates a mob, and if some situation were to occur then[fire alarm, gunshot, smoke…], well you’d have real problems on your hands. People lined up to get out aren’t going to circumnavigate the arena to leave from another exit, in all likelihood they’re going to try to leave through the one in front of them faster. This puts children, the elderly, people with disabilities at particular risk, but even healthy young people can be trampled or crushed. If JPJ’s management is putting people at even the slightest risk of substantial injury or harm for convenience, then someone needs to re-think their policies. Are they also oblivious to the fact that this creates a perfect environment for pick-pockets? Deranged people with weapons (though they’d never think to strike at an institution of higher learning, would they?)?
I’ve had similar experiences at JPJ but then again, I’ve also had similar experiences in many venues across the country.
You can do what a guy behind me did at a show last summer at JPJ - the mass cattle drive was en route when behind us we heard a booming voice “excuse me, let us through, my wife is in labor!!!” to which the crowd parted like the red sea. The guy passes through, alone, turns around and says to the crowd “so I lied.. but now you can follow me!” and on he went.
It was actually pretty funny..
This puts children, the elderly, people with disabilities at particular risk, but even healthy young people can be trampled or crushed.
and since I’m not a child (physically), elderly (emotionally), have a disability, or a healthy young person, I’m safe!
Which, really, is all that matters.
I couldn’t agree more, Oy.
To be specific (as I just gotta be) The Who concert issue was blamed on festival seating. The first come first served way that was once very popular. I remember many a concert at the Cape Cod Coliseum in the 70’s and the mob rush to get to the front of the stage and being pushed and almost trampled and squished by the hordes of humanity. Not great for a claustrophobic such as myself. Hey, who doesn’t want to be in the front row to see Foghat, but I digress.
Anyway, the people at the Who concert were trampled because the crowd mistook the bands sound check for the beginning of the concert and the door they were trying to get into was locked. That led to a widespread ban on festival seating styled concerts in many states. The End.
[…] publish the thoughts of a little birdie, who feared for herself and fellow kin at JPJ in the event of emergency. Apparently, they don’t know how to manage exits accordingly. Still no response from the JPJ […]