Gulf Shores concert series off to fast start

By JOHN MULLEN

theislander@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

GULF SHORES, Ala. – A new procedure for buying tickets has the 25th annual Gulf Shores Entertainment Series off to a rousing start for the the 2011-12 event.

The city added an online feature to the process and after just weekend of sales, more than a quarter of the seats are sold.

Tickets became available on Oct. 1.

“There are 8,400 seats if you take the number of shows we have in the series times 600 and something people in the arena,” Grant Brown, Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said. “As of 11 a.m. today we have sold 26 percent of those seats, 2,433 have been sold for about $62,000. To compare that to this time last year we had sold 74 for a total of about $12,000.”

Brown said the move to go online was not without apprehension, but the results have been overwhelming.

“There was a little bit of a question whether that was the right thing to do or not,” he said. “But the people that are in the northern states that support this and have for 25 years — this is the 25th anniversary of this event – it gives them the opportunity, as well as our locals who can go online to purchases. “It seems to be well received.

“You can go to our city website click on purchase tickets and actually sit there and click which seat you want, put them in the shopping cart and pay by credit card online.”

This year’s series will feature 14 shows by eight different acts. On Jan. 9 and 10, The Diamonds and The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra start the series followed by Dukes of Dixieland on Jan. 16-17.

Linda Davis is in for one night on Jan. 24 with "In the Mood" presenting its retro 1940s musical revue with singers on Feb. 6-7.

Other acts will include BJ Thomas and Billy Joe Royal, Cloris Leachman, “Laughing with the Legends” featuring Brian and Joey Gurl and the Celebration Winds. Ticket prices vary and you can see the entire lineup and prices at www.gulfshoresal.gov.