Adjust music venue start times

Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ) - April 6, 2007
I agree with Richard Kelleher 's recent column. We are missing out on nightlife in the northeast. There are two large groups of customers not being served.

Every Saturday night, my guy and I head out for dinner and some fun. We, like many of those "our age," have lots of money and are ready to spend it.

We eat out around 7 p.m. and look for a place to go afterwards for good music. But guess what? There is no live music until after 9 p.m. By the time the music starts, we are ready to head home.

The other group being missed is all the East Coast visitors. Anybody aware of the time difference? Our 9 p.m. is their 11 p.m. or midnight, depending on the time of year.

Arrive downtown for a conference, sit all day, have dinner and then walk around looking for something to do for two to three hours before anything actually starts and then give in to fatigue and go back to the hotel with the money still in your pocket.

My suggestion: Start the music earlier. People walking around in the evening should hear live music everywhere by sundown.

Imagine: The beautiful Arizona sunset lighting the buildings and hearing music from the sidewalks! I would want to be there!

-- Trudy J. Phillips, Phoenix