And the curtain goes up ...

Once upon a time, in the fair Star City of Lincoln, Nebraska, someone had a dream that the little city could become a big city ... if only they had the right type of entertainment area. 

I --and too many other people "my age"--was a nonbeliever. Rob was not ... he knew that, if we built it ... they would come. And so ... after a successful bond issue and restaurant/hotel tax increases, a beautiful arena arose in the midst of the Haymarket. 

The Haymarket is located just west of downtown and west of the University campus. It's been a vibrant place for a long time ... converted lofts and lovely restaurants. But the Haymarket started to lose its luster and many were drawn to the Big O of Omaha and their shiny new venues, including a huge arena. 

A little history on the Haymarket: long ago, it was a place where farmers brought their hay to sell or to move elsewhere, via the iron horse. The train station still stands ... but now, the area around it has grown exponentially. Estimating 20 new restaurants in the Canopy Street area (so named for the canopy that overhung the distance between the train station and the train ... allowing passengers to board trains without getting wet) and/or the Rail Yard (no explanation needed).  The new arena ... the Pinnacle Bank Arena ... has brought with it new life to the Haymarket. 

Last night was the opening night for the Pinnacle Arena's concert series ... and it began with a bang ...  Michael Buble. The arena holds 12,000 to 14,000 depending on the type of event. Last night, 12,000 souls made their way to the Pin. It was fantabulous. Michael Buble paid homage to the fact that he was chosen to christen the new arena by mentioning Lincoln and personalizing nearly every aspect of his performance. He even donned a Husker jersey for one of the sets. Most poignantly, he dedicated the evening's performance to Jack Hoffman ... read my past blog to learn about this fearless youngster who has captured the heart of Nebraska ... and won an ESPY while doing so for his run-back during the Spring Game. (Jack, btw, is listed on the Husker roster as a "running back" ... weighing 72 pounds and in 2nd grade ... very cool.) Then the award-winning story of Jack and his magic run was shown before Michael Buble began his set series. Amazing. 

Rob is not generally drawn into events that require audience participation ... especially singing. But there is something about Michael Buble ... whether or not you like his style of music ... that puts a smile on your face and a song in your heart .. and sometimes the song bubbles up and out of your mouth to join the others singing: "All you need is love." Yes, even Rob succumbed. Me? Well, you should know me by now ... I was singing, dancing, and reaching for the confetti hearts that were blowing everywhere. It was a magical night. Thank you, Lincoln, for changing the face of our city ... bringing us great acts like The Eagles, Pink, Elton John, and Jason Aldean ... and that just the October/early November list! Thank you for bringing us the Rail Yard ... where one can sip a cocktail and then walk around with it ... outside into the night ...  within a prescribed area, of course. There was definitely a party going on last night in Lincoln. 

More about the Pinnacle Bank Arena