Very disappointing first-time experience at the National Music CentreCSKoala
Well...What an enormous disappointment. I have been involved in the music industry for over 65 years as a musician, writer, publisher and performer. I had not yet visited the NMC, but saw an opportunity to go and hear Legends of Laurel Canyon Oct 4. Very excited to go, particularly as the advertisement encouraged people to get there early (performance started at 8:00 pm) and as the doors opened at 7:00 pm, we could "tour the museum, take in the exhibits and have a drink or something to eat". We arrived earlier than 7, having just been to a fabulous Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra performance that afternoon, and then out for an early dinner. It was a rainy windy night in Calgary, and quite cold. When we arrived at the NMC at about 6:40 pm, the doors were locked (there are two sets of doors - one on the street, and another about 10 feet in to enter the NMC). There were two people standing in the alcove area, and a young security guard came to the door, but would not open it. We were standing in the rain and wind, and asked if we could just step into the inside area to wait. He had no interest in us doing that and said the doors did not open until 7:00 - all the while, with two others standing in the very area that he had let in. He left, and the gentleman opened the door for us to stand inside. Over the next 20 minutes, about 15 other people showed up, so people let them come into the area as well to get out of the cold and rain. We all stood there, wondering why we could not at least go into the foyer, and we were told by this young man that there were not enough volunteers there yet to let us in - this with the very volunteers who eventually did let us in, all roaming around and talking about 10 to 15 feet inside the door. About 6:45, they all assembled within feet of the inside doors, sat in a chair, and chatted, while we were left standing there.
At 7:00 pm on the dot, the doors were opened. We walked in, and right away noticed that all entries to all exhibits, except for two pianos on the main floor, were blocked. I approached the information desk, and asked if we could go look around, as that is what we had read we could do, only to receive a smile, and "No, the museum is closed". I reiterated that we were led to believe we could tour the museum prior to the show, as others had said while waiting they believed was the case, and he said "Sorry, we are closed other than for the performance. I then asked if our tickets could be used toward purchasing a membership, which a few people we had met earlier said they had done. Once again, "No you can't - this is a private performance and not one being put on by the museum".
So we were limited to wandering around the foyer, having the option to purchase very expensive beverages, and the right to wander through the limited gift shop that was selling items not dissimilar to what you might find on a midway!
When we were eventually allowed to go up two flights of stairs to the performance area, there were volunteers ensuring we didn't try to wander into the hallways to see the exhibits - we were actually told we could not view anything.
We could hear a number of people who were visibly upset by the fact that we had been led to believe this would be a night of fun to explore the museum prior to the performance, and for those who had to stand outside because the area we were standing was so small, people were very disappointed.
Again, having been in music my entire life, and even having had occasion to associate with or work with some who are featured in the museum, I must say that this was one of the most disappointing experiences I have ever had in the music industry.
To appease my disappointment, I was told by someone at the information desk that "I was free to come back another time and purchase a ticket to view the museum". What he didn't tell me, and we noticed this on a message board inside, was that seniors can go in on Tuesday or Wednesday (can't remember which) for $20. What added insult to our disappointing experience, was when he looked at me and smiled and said, "Oh, and we had free entrance just recently". I asked when, and he said it was on September 30 just past...So of course, I inquired, "Now that we have purchased tickets for tonight, and they cannot count toward a membership (which provides discounts for future events), when is the next free event?" He responded, "Beats me...they don't tell us".
Given all this, we went upstairs, sat down for a few minutes, realized it was going to be about 45 minutes to an hour (depending if the band started on time) until the music would begin....and left!
The staff clearly demonstrated little interest in their jobs, care for visitors, and the museum's false representation of how our evening could have unfolded, is enough that we will not be going back. What a shame, and what a sham!!
