I'm almost positive it's today. They were there LATE last night setting up, and the Flyers and Sixers are both off today. All of the seats on the first level remain intact and a white curtain surrounds it. A stage is set-up at the far end and the entire floor is covered with round white tables and chairs. It looks pretty fancy.
Where did you hear about this party? I was told by one of the guys in charge of the Spectrum shutdown that the Spectrum is closed to the public for safety reasons.
Where did you hear about this party? I was told by one of the guys in charge of the Spectrum shutdown that the Spectrum is closed to the public for safety reasons.
I'm sure it has been closed to the public for safety reasons. But there has been a party (of some sort) planned for months and that is why the lower level seats were left intact. I was actually there last night and saw the set-up going on with my own eyes just as I descibed. I'm sure it's not "open to the public". Whatever it is, it's a very private event and details have been nonexistent.
The party was tonight. From what I could gather it was an elite crowd of guests ranging from Philadelphia Alumni to CEOs types from different companies. A lot of limos and expensive vehicles. Earth, Wind, & Fire was entertainment. The interior concourse was littered with chairs, racks, and containers, and was dark and off-limits. Everybody entered through a tent covered tunnel that I believe took them in through Bullies and into the Spectrum. Due to being curtained-off, missing half of the seats, and not utilizing the concourse, I can't imagine it had much of a Spectrum feel to it. But, it was the Spectrum Finale, so, I suppose they'll really kick the gutting into high gear and get ready to bring 'er down in a couple of months.
Although there wasn't much to capture, I did take a few photos.
I'm sure it has been closed to the public for safety reasons. But there has been a party (of some sort) planned for months and that is why the lower level seats were left intact. I was actually there last night and saw the set-up going on with my own eyes just as I descibed. I'm sure it's not "open to the public". Whatever it is, it's a very private event and details have been nonexistent.
If you were sure it was closed to the public, then why did you ask if anybody here was attending?
If you were sure it was closed to the public, then why did you ask if anybody here was attending?
A) Due to the condition of the building, it most likely is closed to the public for safety reasons. Shouldn't be hard to figure out why. There are open risers and stuff laying all over the place. You can't have a building in that condition open to the public.
B) Even given the overall condition of the building, They DID have the Spectrum finale there last night. They just weren't climbing up into the open risers and racing around the concourse tripping on stuff. They entered underneath and went right to the floor which was obviously secure and set-up for the party.
C) This was my first post ever. All I did is asked if anybody here was going and what time they were arriving. This is a hockey website, isn't it? I am in the Flyer section, aren't I? Just because the Spectrum isn't "open to the public" doesn't mean that somebody in here couldn't be on the guest list of a private Spectrum party. I was just trying to find out information on the event. I don't know who was and wasn't invited or what their connection to the building was, for all I know there could have been some long time season ticket holders on the list. There may even be some long time season ticket holders in this forum. In fact, just recently Bob Fina said he was professionally shooting the Flyers. Wow, maybe Bob has access to the Flyers and or their buildings and events that the general "public" doesn't.
D) I didn't bring up the building being closed to the public. I was merely replying to pelts35.com. He made it sound like their couldn't possibly be an event there just because he had someone in the know tell him the building was closed to the public. Either way, I don't see what my original question has to do with whether or not the Spectrum is or isn't open to the public.
The Spectrum's last show was Pearl Jam on Oct. 31.
Right?
Not quite.
Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider staged one last blow-out Saturday night with a spectacular cocktail party that filled the floor of the doomed arena. Ice sculptures, some bearing raw bars laden with jumbo shrimp, crab claws, and oysters, dotted the room, which was draped off from the seating area by white fabric.
The guest roster was a mix of sports alums and front-office folks, power players (Steve Cozen, Ron Rubin, Bart Blatstein), and broadcasters (Al Morganti, Keith Jones, Steve Coates, Ron Burke, Michael Barkann) -- some of whom, like concert promoter Larry Magid, were even around when The House That Ed Built opened in September 1967. Hence, the rare bottle of 1967 Château Lafite Rothschild that was cracked open.
A spotlight shined on a full-size ice sculpture of singer Kate Smith as Flyers alums Bernie Parent and Bob Clarke carried the Stanley Cup (on loan from the Penguins) and led a line of about 10 Broad Street Bullies teammates to greet Snider. Queen's "We Are the Champions" played. Jerry Blavat spun records during the breaks.
After Snider's welcoming remarks -- and a duet of "God Bless America" featuring a recorded Smith with a live Lauren Hart -- he pointed to a curtain. It opened to reveal the evening's headliner: Earth, Wind and Fire, whose second set was followed by a performance by Elvis interpreter Johnny Seaton & Bad Behavior.
(There's the answer to the trivia question: "What was the last musical act to perform at the Spectrum?")
Snider's children presented their father with the framed blueprints of the building, bearing an Ayn Rand quote, and staff suprised him with a tribute video set to Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrecking Ball." (For the record, the Rand quote: "Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision.")
The building will come down in the spring to make way for an entertainment complex called Philly Live.
