NEWS: "Rock Band, Live!" to hit Cedar Fair parks this Summer

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.rockband.com/news/rock-band-live

 

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a publicly traded leader in regional amusement parks, water parks, vacation resorts and entertainment, has announced a summer-long, multi-dimensional partnership with MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) and the leading publisher of interactive music gaming worldwide.

 

An all-new interactive experience, called “Rock Band™, Live,” will pile into the tour bus and travel across nine Cedar Fair parks this summer. In addition, a summer-long version of the show will blast the speakers at Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto and the Company’s flagship park, Cedar Point in Sandusky.

 

The high-energy, concert-like stage show features talented singers from across North America. But the cast will be missing one key piece of the show – YOU!

 

Prior to each show, guests will have the unique opportunity to engage and play the Rock Band video game and compete against their “band mates.” Guests will compete playing the guitar, bass and drums gaming accessories. The rockers with the top score will be invited on stage during the live show to play Rock Band songs (on Rock Band instruments) along with the live singers. (The winners will play on a gaming accessory with the singers.)

 

The show will feature numerous songs straight from the Rock Band video games ranging from classic to contemporary rock.

 

“We’re extremely excited to merge the popular Rock Band video game with a unique, interactive live show for our guests this summer,” said Jack Falfas, chief operating officer for Cedar Fair. “Rock Band is a pop culture phenomenon and we know families have enjoyed playing the game together at home. But now it’s time for them to take it to the next level – on stage at one of our parks in front of a live audience.”

 

Christina Glorioso, vice president of marketing partnerships for MTV Games added, “We are very excited for Rock Band to contribute to the fun at Cedar Fair parks this summer. Music fans of all ages will have an opportunity to either rock out themselves or sit back and enjoy watching other park-goers transform into rock stars on stage!”

 

The “Rock Band™, Live” tour will kick off Memorial Day weekend at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania and will travel to the Company’s other parks throughout the summer. The summer-long shows at Canada’s Wonderland and Cedar Point will kick off in May and June, respectively.

 

“Rock Band™, Live” is a collaboration between Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, MTV Games and RWS & Associates, a full service entertainment firm that provides custom-produced world-class events and live shows worldwide.

 

RWS will hold private auditions for the touring show on Thursday, March 4 at Ripley Grier Studios, 520 8th Ave (16th Floor) between 36th and 37th Streets (Press Room: 17B) in New York City. Auditions are open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Media representatives are invited to attend to learn more about the show, view story boards and concepts and speak with show representatives. For more information, or to inquire about an interview opportunity, please call 212.391.1795, ext. 26.

 

A workshop preview of the show will be held in April for invited guests and media representatives. Details on this event will be released at a later date.

 

I think this sounds like a more functional, inclusive version of the American Idol Experience... Though I find the thought the top Rock Band guitarists and drummers will be able to play the fake instruments on stage. Something about that just feels odd.

Edited May 16, 2010 by jedimaster1227

[Olsor]

And I find it odd that amusement parks are using video games to lure people through the gates. This is like Jerry Jones putting a gigantic TV in Cowboys Stadium to lure people away from their own big-screen TVs.

 

Obligatory:

 

[YoshiFan]

Sounds cool but I know I wouldn't stand a chance. The people who would win are probably those who can get 100% on a song on expert. I guess it fits right in with Dorney then since they had a Guitar Hero game over the summer (not the arcade version) and to win a prize you had to get 100% on a song (which seems difficult to win at since some SF parks only made you get 85% to win).

[Homeboy23]

I am so sick of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. When is this going to end???

[coasterfreak101]

This seems kind of...silly. Or stupid, or weird.

 

Unless they're going to accommodate my needs with cymbals and double-bass Still silly, but a bit cooler!

[chemical_echo]

Sounds cool but I know I wouldn't stand a chance. The people who would win are probably those who can get 100% on a song on expert. I guess it fits right in with Dorney then since they had a Guitar Hero game over the summer (not the arcade version) and to win a prize you had to get 100% on a song (which seems difficult to win at since some SF parks only made you get 85% to win).

Agreed.

How is someone that plays for fun with friends going to stand a chance against people living in their basements making YouTube videos of themselves getting 5 star on every song with their eyes closed while doing some other mundane task with their feet?

This is where the fun gets sucked out of it.

[FlyingScooter]

Well, considering the big deal they made over CornHole this really doesn't surprise me much...

[PKI Jizzman]

Well, considering the big deal they made over CornHole this really doesn't surprise me much...

 

Cornhole is the best thing that happened to the Midwest! That or Roadkill Bingo.

[kdman76]

Rock Band has cost me alot of money. I first bought Rock Band a few years ago for the PS2. I loved it but got bored with the songs on it really quick. When I found out you can buy songs and download then on PS3, well I had to get me one. Next came a bigger 42" flat pannel TV and then surround sound. Over time I have downloaded over 100 dollars of songs. After awhile I got to thinking I want to do this for real so I bought a Fender squier starter pack. I have had that for 3 months now playing away. The last time I tried to play Rock Band I sucked. Now I don't even want to hear it's name anymore. lol

[jedimaster1227]

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/rock-band-live-6921/

 

Get ready to bang your head this summer as a new musical show based on the Rock Band video games and heavy on 1970s and ’80s arena rock songs tours theme parks across the U.S., with Southern California dates planned for Knott’s Berry Farm and California’s Great America.

 

The “concert-like” Rock Band Live show features live singers performing karaoke-style to songs from Rock Band video games. Prior to each 30-minute performance, theme park visitors will compete on Rock Band drums, guitar or bass game devices — with the top scorer climbing on stage to jam with the singers for the final song of each set.

 

The show’s storyline follows the trials and travails of a glam band, its tour manager and an eclectic backstage crew.

 

Almost immediately, the band fires its tour manager, who breaks down the theatrical fourth wall and starts his own band with members of the audience. Naturally, a battle ensues between the stage band and the audience band, resulting in a series of video game showdowns.

 

Meanwhile, a secondary love story develops between the band’s bass player and the merchandise girl. Eventually the rival bands decide to put aside their differences and form one band.

 

A rundown of the song list:

 

Opening set: “Hello There” (Cheap Trick) / “Come Out and Play” (The Offspring) / “Rock and Roll Band” (Boston)

Sound check: “You Shook Me All Night Long” (AC/DC) / “Livin’ On a Prayer” (Bon Jovi)

Audience band audition song: “One Way or Another” (Blondie)

First gig: “Anyway You Want It” (Journey) / “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (Pat Benatar) / “ABC” (Jackson 5)

Second gig: “We Will Rock You” (Queen) / “Blitzkrieg Bop” (Ramones) / “We Got the Beat” (Go-Go’s) / “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” (Jet)

Video game showdown: “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor)

Love story resolution: “Somebody to Love” (Queen)

Finale: “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey) / “Life is a Highway” (Rascal Flatts) / reprise of “Rock and Roll Band” (Boston)

 

Non-touring versions of the show will play throughout the summer at Cedar Point in Ohio from June 5 to Aug. 22, and Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto from May 29 to Sept. 6.

 

A touring version of the show will make stops at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania (May 28-31), Kings Island in Ohio (June 3-13), Valleyfair in Minnesota (June 17-27), Carowinds in North Carolina (July 2-11), Worlds of Fun in Missouri (July 15-18), California’s Great America in Santa Clara (July 23–Aug. 1), Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park (Aug. 5-15) and Kings Dominion in Virginia (Aug. 20-29).

[Not For Sale]

Jesus Christ this sounds like the weirdest show ever. I need to see it.

[RCFreak]

God I miss Star Struck...

[Reon]

Looks pretty interesting. I kind of want to try it...I'll have to see if I can get a day off work when they're at Kings Island, or go some day to Cedar Point....

[jedimaster1227]