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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dylan Concert Moves Indoors

A cold, drippy forecast is forcing Bob Dylan and 4,500 of his local fans inside tonight, away from a hard rain that just might fall at Riverfront Park.

Concert promoters and park officials decided late Tuesday to move the 8 p.m. performance inside the Spokane Convention Center. It was previously scheduled as an outdoor show at the Lilac Bowl, where ticket-holders could lounge on blankets in the grass.

“It just wouldn’t be fair to the people who put up money to see the show or even to Dylan himself,” Hal McGlathery said. “We said rain or shine thinking of average June temperatures. This is not average. We’re not having clear, balmy weather here.”

Officials were convinced the crowd would be miserable sitting on soggy grass for two hours. Temperatures are expected to stay in the 50s tonight and more rain is on the way.

The stage, built specifically for Dylan’s outdoor performance, won’t be used now because it won’t fit inside the Convention Center, McGlathery said.

Dylan, who prefers singing outside, chose the Lilac Bowl over the much bigger Gorge at George for tonight’s concert. He also passed over the Opera House, where less seating would have pushed ticket prices up to $50 each.

No more tickets will be sold for the indoor show.

“It’s too bad,” McGlathery said. “The weather’s unfair.”

, DataTimes