Search upcoming concerts at The FOX or DTE Energy Music Theatre and try to find Jason Mraz listed. Any luck? Nada. That’s because the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter will be making the fifth stop of his tour at EMU’s Convocation Center instead. Step aside Motown. We’ve got this covered.
“I never thought I could see an artist like Jason Mraz play at my school,” said EMU sophomore Carrie Rakowitz last week outside the Convocation Center. “But here I am, buying not one- but two tickets, because they’re so affordable. My boyfriend isn’t getting off that easy.”
Convocation Center Director Mark Monahan said tickets to the Mraz show have been selling fast and now that school has started, he’s expecting another spike in sales.
“The main floor will sellout first for sure,” he said. That section plus lower and upper seating levels are still available for $22-$42 by calling (734) 487-2282 or by visiting www.emutix.com. The show begins at 7 p.m.
According to Monahan, abrupt ticket revenue immediately following the start of a semester (much like the winter 2010 Jay-Z show) is standard, which is why the Convocation Center goes almost entirely unused during the summer months aside from a few high school commencement ceremonies. But with the returning support of EMU and U of M students, the Convocation Center will thrive with four to five concerts this upcoming year.
Along with the preparedness of employees there, a sold out show isn’t as chaotic as one would think, partly because the venue isn’t especially large.
“Never have we experienced any problems with crowd control, parking, bathroom cleanliness or substance abuse – especially with Jason’s fans,” Monahan said. “It’s such a mellow crowd; I wouldn’t worry about a thing.”
Seven years ago when Mraz originally played a gig at EMU, he was just stepping into the spotlight with hits like “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” from his debut album.
And now, with two Teen Choice Awards, a few Grammy wins (along with several other nominations under his belt) and a recent radio staple like his balmy ballad “I’m Yours,” Mraz has become a household name among other artists who have also performed at EMU’s main concert hub, such as the aforementioned Jay-Z, Ludacris and Dashboard Confessional.
Besides his environmental activism and support, he’s acknowledged as a poetic lyricist who taps into his creative side while frequently traveling to new countries, which explains the ethnic twist on his acoustic, pop sound. No word on an album-in-the-making since he’s tied up with his current tour that ends in mid-October.
But as his latest album title goes, “We sing. We dance. We steal things.” Now, we wait for him to take the stage.
