After months of planning and hard work to get Ludacris here, the show will go on, but at a cost. “It’s more like a compromise I would say,” said SGA president JR Husmillo.
The compromise is with the fire marshal. The Mini-Dome has been approved for the concert Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m.
Security will be tighter. “There will be no backpacks, water bottles, and purses will be checked along with your ID,” said Husmillo.
One senator asked if cameras were allowed. “No cameras will be allowed,” said Tricia Nguyen, ETSU director of student activities. “That would be a violation of his contract. We can tag them and guard them for you, but no pictures.”
SGA is willing to address all of the security concerns, since it means the concert will be held. “This situation is not consistent, but I would rather have a concert than not,” said Husmillo.
No one will be able to hang on the railings or block the stairs or walkways. The students can only be in the seating section. “No one can be on the floor with Ludacris,” said Nguyen. A private company will be hired to assure that no students are on the floor. There will be stagehands that are students to help with hospitality and set up.
“No matter what concert we have – this isn’t just for Ludacris – we would step up the security,” said Carshonda Harris, senior.
“Students will enter on the east side of the Mini-Dome. “Once students go in there will be no re-entry,” said Husmillo.
The safety measures are only a precaution. “We’re not worried about the students, but we’re going to cut down the risk as much as possible,” Nguyen said.
This is a compromise situation. “It’s the first time we’re doing this and this may be one time,” Husmillo said. “We’re not sure if we would get the Mini-Dome again, so let’s do it well.”
There will be concessions and merchandise for sale at the concert. It will be up to Ludacris to decide whether he wants to sign autographs.
It has only been a week since the initial announcement that the concert was canceled. Johnson City City Manager Pete Peterson rejected Freedom Hall as a venue, saying he would not sign a contract with ETSU because of security concerns. Then the fire marshal approved the Mini-Dome for use.
“I wasn’t sure how this would turn out but I didn’t expect this,” Harris said. “The students voiced their opinions and the response after it was canceled was interesting.”
The future of concerts will be determined by this one. “The way students conduct themselves with this concert is going to affect the outcome,” said SGA Vice President Josh Shearin.
Harris agrees. “The concert has to go well because it will be watched. It will base the rest of the concerts on it.”
Five thousand tickets will be sold in the Culp Center at Booth C on Oct. 19-25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is approximately 2,000 less than the original number from Freedom Hall.
With the tickets there will be a code of conduct and notes attached.
If there are leftover tickets, then a guest ticket can be purchased for $10. Guests must show their driver’s license as ID and must be 18 years or older.
Ticket information will be announced in ads in the East Tennessean and in flyers posted on campus, and e-mails with concert details will be sent to students.

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