Wednesday, August 26, 2009
While slipping the door man my ticket, I could hear the bass shaking ground under my anxious feet. I slid through security, not minding the search because I was looking past the guys in blue shirts and through the narrow halls that led to the stage. I could see the green lights, the smoke coming from the smoke machines and hundreds of hands in the air waving to the same beat. I was in the Granada.
As a fan of music, I like the Granada. The variety of musicians that have come to play there allow fans from all genres to have something to see.
In my many visits there I have seen Atmosphere, Umphrey’s McGee, Robert Randolph and The Family Band, Talib Kweli and even The Game.
Each show, from hip-hop to classic rock, impressed me not only because of the music, but also because of the place I was listening to the music.
If I had to complain about one thing in the old Granada, it would have to be that it would often become extremely crowded around the bar facing the stage.
That is a mild complaint, because it seems that almost every bar in Lawrence during the school year is packed with thirsty young people.
While most students went home for the summer, the Granada was quietly transforming. Behind closed doors this summer renovators were gutting the place to reverse any of the complaints concert-goers might have.
According to Brad Hocevar, a
Granada bar-back for one year, the summer renovations were just the first stage of a two step renovation process.
Noticeable improvements made during the first stage include more than just the extension of the bar in the lounge area.
There are no longer two entrances to the stage area, but only one, which helps the Granada staff control the crowds better and makes getting around inside easier.
“There is more room behind the bar for the bartenders to cater to the crowd,” Hocevar said.
Another welcome change is the improvements to the bathrooms, which will be further renovated during the second round of renovation.
With a new and improved Granada in Lawrence, the local music scene is only going to benefit.
The Cool Kids, who performed on Friday, started the year off with a bang — or a boom-bap — and with future musical groups such as Tech N9ne, Shwayze, Victor Wooten, Paul Wall, The Schwag, Brother Ali and Lotus, the Granada looks to put our hands in the air and make us stomp our feet much more this upcoming year.
— — Roesler is a Denver junior in journalism.
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