Donate a toy, see ice show for free

"Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3" will play several shows at Time Warner Cable Arena Oct. 6-10.

Tickets go on sale July 23, but show organizers will offer a free voucher (good for one ticket to the Oct. 6 performance) to the first 200 people who donate a new toy during the Salvation Army’s holiday toy drive, which will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. that Friday at the arena. Limit one per family. (Everyone else who makes a donation during the July 23 promotion will get 50 percent off tickets to that performance.)

For more about Disney On Ice, go to www.disneyonice.com.

Concert news: Soul shows on the horizon

Budweiser, Live Nation and Haymon Events announced today the revival of Budweiser Superfest, a soul and R&B concert series that will visit 18 cities this summer -- including Charlotte on Sept. 2.

The 2010 tour will feature Anthony Hamilton, Kem, Jaheim, Raheem DeVaughn, Abraham McDonald and Hal Linton, with more to be announced.

During its two-decade run -- 1979 through 1999 -- the Budweiser Superfest featured headliners such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, TLC, Parliament and Luther Vandross.

The Charlotte concert will be at Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre at the N.C. Music Factory and will go on sale Saturday. Details: www.LiveNation.com.

ALSO COMING TO THE N.C. MUSIC FACTORY: Corinne Bailey Rae, the British songwriter and guitarist behind blues-pop hits such as "Like a Star," will play the Fillmore Charlotte on Sept. 8.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday and are available at LiveNation.com, the Fillmore Charlotte box office, Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Ticket prices add up to fewer shows

I wrote an article for the front page of Thursday’s Observer about the summer concert season and the key factors that have caused a handful of big shows to be canceled here.

Here’s some more information on that topic that I think you’ll agree tells a big part of the story:

Average price of a ticket to see one of the top 100 tours in 1996, according to Pollstar data: $25.81.

Average price of a ticket to see one of the top 100 tours in 2009, according to Pollstar: $62.57.

That’s nearly a 150 percent increase. You can chalk it up to inflation; but not all of it. I mean, I bought my first new car in 1996 for $16,000, and my third new car in 2009 for $28,000. (My current car is nicer than that first one.)

The more telling piece of this story, though, is how – duh – there’s a direct correlation between demand and price:

Price for a cheap seat to see red-hot Justin Bieber on Aug. 8 at Time Warner Cable Arena: $31.50. Ticket sales have been extremely strong.

Price for tickets to see uber-popular Adam Lambert perform last week at the Fillmore Charlotte: about $40. His concert sold out almost immediately after tickets went on sale in May.

Price for good seats to see Santana – which hasn’t had new material in five years – at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre: $81.50. The show was canceled.

Price for a premium seat/VIP package to see Lilith Fair at Verizon: $756. The show was canceled.

The lesson couldn’t be more obvious, but I’ll let Neighborhood Theatre owner Zach McNabb put it in a nutshell: “It’s a simple formula that’s gotten lost amongst the larger bands and promoters: Cheap tickets plus desired artists equals higher attendance, and higher profits.”

What else is there to say?

Top collegians to play at Knights Stadium

The 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will take on the Korean Collegiate National Team at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, S.C., at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, July 16, as part of its summer exhibition schedule.

The Collegiate National Team -- which last visited Fort Mill in 2007 -- is made up of the country's top non-draft-eligible collegiate players. In the past, the team has featured several players who eventually had success in the majors, including Nomar Garciaparra, Ryan Howard, Dustin Pedroia, David Price, Huston Street, Mark Teixeira and Jason Varitek.

Tickets are on sale through the Knights' ticket office (704-357-8071) or at www.charlotteknights.com.

Jonas Brothers cancel Charlotte show

 July 2 press release:

JONAS BROTHERS ANNOUNCE UPDATED TOUR SCHEDULE

Jonas Brothers released today an all-new world tour schedule that now includes additional shows in both Latin America and Europe.

Due to recent changes in the Jonas Brothers schedule and the addition of several international tour markets on their upcoming Live In Concert world tour, the shows in Raleigh at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion (Oct. 16) and Charlotte at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Oct. 17) have been removed from the current routing.

However the Jonas Brothers remain committed to their fans and will look to return to Raleigh and Charlotte as soon as possible.

Tickets for this show will be refunded at point of purchase.  Tickets purchased online or via phones will be automatically refunded.

Check www.livenation.com and www.teamjonas.com for further information.

Lilith Tour cancels Charlotte show

July 1, 2010 (New York, NY) –The 2010 Lilith Tour is announcing the cancellation of 10 upcoming shows: Salt Lake City (7/12), Montreal (7/23), Raleigh (8/4), Charlotte (8/6), West Palm Beach (8/10), Tampa (8/11), Birmingham (8/12), Austin (8/14), Houston (8/15) and Dallas (8/16). Refunds are available at point of purchase.

“We are in the midst of one of the most challenging summer concert seasons with many tours being cancelled outright,” says Lilith co-founder Terry McBride. “Everyone involved with the tour would like to apologize to the fans and artists scheduled to play in these markets, and express appreciation for all the support for the festival’s return. Lilith remains the only tour of its kind, and we are confident that fans will be amazed by what each date has to offer.”

In light of these cancellations, some artists who were set to appear later in the tour may be performing in other cities.

Please check LilithFair.com for the most up to date information for each city.

In the mood for some Snooki?

Snooki (neé Nicole Polizzi) -- the pint-size princess of MTV’s "Jersey Shore" -- is bringing a piece of Seaside Heights to Whisky River in uptown Charlotte's EpiCentre on Tuesday night.

Snooki recently wrapped up filming of Season 2 of "Jersey Shore," which premieres July 29 and will see her and the other seven housemates splitting their time between New Jersey and Miami.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for her appearance, although who knows when she'll actually show up. Here's an additional draw, though: Whisky River will be holding a "Snook-A-Like" contest, with the woman who makes the best impostor taking home $300. In other words, the people-watching should be EPIC.

Text 980-333-3923 or visit WhiskyRiverCharlotte.com for more information. Guests must be 18 or older.