The Lincoln Center — Attraction in Fort Collins

Now my ears are ringing all the time. I made the mistake of going to a show there without hearing protection. I was expecting a musical, but it was much more like a rock concert. My hearing was already compromised by exposure to gunfire when I was in the Army. But since I went to a show a few weeks ago, the ringing my ears (tinnitus) just won't stop. The PR folks responded to my concern and stated that "...sound levels must be kept to 90 dB average, 96 dB peak."

The federal government has a different standard for employees: "OSHA requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours." So I wonder how the Lincoln Center complys with this requirement where their employees are concerned?

The Hearing Health Foundation writes: "Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing."

I already had tickets for another show and called the box office to find out how loud the next show would be. They could not answer my question. So I went to the show, and before it started, I asked the musicians in the orchestra pit, who were wearing ear plugs around their necks , and they directed me to the sound enigneer. The engineer sitting right with the audience, who also had ear plugs, was great. First thing he told me was that his show would not go above 90 dB. But I was stil concerned, and he told me: 'put your ear plugs in before the show starts, and take them out after the second song. You won't need them again for the first half." When I thanked him and mentioned my call to the box office, the engineer told me that his crew provides the sound level for each song to every venue they visit. Why couldn't the staff in the box office answer my questions before the show?

I would invite the center learn more about hearing loss. They kept referring to the issue as a matter of "comfort," as if it is as trivial as the themostat setting. Hearing loss is painless, which is why I didn't realize I was being injured until after the first show was over. It's progressive, and it's permanent. Once they learn, I would invite them to be proactive and to make dB information readily available so that concerned visitors can avoid productions that mimic a rock concert. Personally, I think that if they are required to provide hearing protection for their employees, the least they can do is warn their paying customers that hearing protection is recommended. For my part, I don't see myself buying any more tickets to a show that contains an amplifier unless they can publish the dB rating of the show and it maxs at 85 dB or less.

My ears are still ringing, and I suspet I'll remember that show for the rest of my days, for the...

This is one of the best no-so-hidden secrets in Fort Collins. You can find marvelous performances here from groups that tour strongly, even internationally. I have been to a large number of different events here, from dance performance by my daughters to Video Games Live! with the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. The performance rooms are excellent, the seats are comfortable, and the refreshments are on the upside of pretty good.

If you just you're just getting performances, think again. The Lincoln Center also rotates art displays, putting up various artists on the walls of the inside as you move around as well as having a dedicated room to particular projects. I've been deeply impressed more than once with this work.

One last, important note. The customer service at the Lincoln Center is second to none. I cannot tell you the number of times either I, or someone I know, has forgotten tickets and gone to the ticket office only to have them smile pleasantly, assure us that it's not an issue, verify who we are, and print us some tickets. It doesn't stop there though. Their phone service is also amazing, working hard to make sure that if we need any information, want to order some tickets, or need to make changes, that we are fully supported in the entire endeavor.

They're great! Come...

We went too see Brian Regan (Comedian) as a birthday gift of mine from my girlfriend. The place is easy too get too, & has a lot of disabled parking. It has very few places to sit on the 1st floor. It does sell liquor,& mixed drinks. But they are pricey. They also served snacks like chips, or crackers. But you couldn't take them into the venue! Your drinks you could though. Also the seating was quite small, & cramped! Too may seats right on top of each other was the only down side of it! It's also not a very large venue, but it has artworks, & a lot of culture to the place. It's our 2nd time being there. We took my girlfriends Mother too see Hispanic dancers that came a few years back. It was in Winter time. The place was packed again that night. But everyone working there is very polite, & kind! We just wish the would renivate the place with more current seating for comfort! I hate sitting right on top of strangers! But the talent they get there is top notch. & I highly recommend going to see anything they put on. Just be prepared to not be very comfortable...