Yes, we’re halfway into the first month of 2013 — but I realized I forgot to do one of these Beehive Year in Review posts. I swear it’s the last looking-back-at-2012 post I’ll write. If I didn’t do this post, though, how would you know which contests you entered the most and which commenters are still in our “top 10?” See. You’re welcome.
So without further ado — unless you want me to drag this out another 14 days — here are the most read and most commented Beehive posts of 2012, along with our most prolific commenters.
Whether you’re on the list or not, thanks to everyone who participates in the site, either by reading and responding, sharing links with your friends or even grumbling to yourself about what we write. You’re all appreciated.
Near the end of Thursday night’s jam-packed show at Save Mart Center, Drake stopped to tell Fresno that the show was one of the best nights of his professional career. The crowd, of course, went nuts.
Drake probably says that to all the cities, but it doesn’t really matter. The scene goes to illustrate the most overwhelming fact about Drake’s Fresno debut — he had the crowd eating out of his hand at every turn.
That’s why I almost hesitate to ask this, because I’m sure I already know the answer: Fresno, what did you think of Drake? Judging by the reactions from the crowd, I’m thinking you loved him. But, how about telling us more? What did you love about the show? What did you think of the setlist? About Drake’s demeanor on stage?
Chime in on those and anything else you like. While you think about it, read over my thoughts below and peruse a few more pics from The Bee’s Craig Kohlruss (above and the next two) and some pics and vids from me.
UPDATE: Added some videos below. You can also now download a Drake wallpaper from fresnobee.com. Finally, anybody fuming mad about Drake not showing up for a supposed afterparty at Rome Nightclub?
UPDATE: Congrats to our winner, Eddie Smith. Enjoy the show. Thanks to all who entered. Everybody come back tomorrow and leave your reviews of the show.
ORIGINAL POST: I literally just got off the phone with the Save Mart Center with two great pieces of news for Drake fans: (1) A bunch of seats opened up for tonight’s show. They pushed the stage and video screens back a bit. Boom! More seats. Hurry to Ticketmaster or the Save Mart Center box office if you want them. (2) We’re giving away a pair of FLOOR seats to tonight’s show.
You want those free tickets, it’s easy. Just leave a comment below telling us why you love Drake. No multiple comments allowed. You’re ineligible if you’ve won something from us in the past 30 days.
Deadline to enter is 4 p.m. A winner will be notified by e-mail, so please leave a real address and please check it. Our winner wll have about a half hour once notified to accept the tickets. If not, I’ll pick another winner. Complete rules below.
I guess we couldn’t let tonight’s Drake concert come and go without a little bit of drama, could we, Fresno? Last night, a false rumor about tonight’s sold-out Drake show at Save Mart Center getting canceled spread with vicious fervor.
I’ve checked with the promoter of the concert, Live Nation, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not true.
Drake IS coming to Fresno. The show is NOT canceled. Everybody on Facebook and Twitter saying otherwise is WRONG. Got it?
It’s amazing how quickly it happened, really. But I guess that’s social media for ya. I heard it from two different well-connected people around 5:30 p.m., checked it out, learned it was false, but the rumor train had already left the station. The rumor continued to circulate late into the night.
The worst part of this? Not that it will affect the show any. It’s sold out. If someone bought tickets and then didn’t go because of an unconfirmed Tweet, then they’re a fool. The worst part is how quickly everybody believed this. Geez, people, get better at life. Just ’cause something is on Facebook or Twitter doesn’t make it true.
Brace yourselves, Fresno. We’re being invaded. By our neighbors from the Great White North. Canada! Canada is taking over our music venues this week.
We need to gather our Mounties and protect ourselves … wait? Mounties? The Canadians have already begun to take over my mind. Aye! While I figure out an elixir, here’s what this week’s Canada takeover is all aboot:
Finally, the rap king of Canada — barely edging out Robin Sparkles — comes to Fresno for a huge concert at Save Mart Center on Thursday. We’re talking about Drake, of course, who has done a good job of making everyone think he’s as a typical American rapper who loves champagne, cars and money. But, no, he’s from Toronto, wich means when he “sips on syrup” it’s maple syrup. Anyhoo, his concert is long sold-out. I suggest you read this story to see what all the fuss is aboot.
It’s the first of the month (cue Bone Thugs ‘N’ Harmony) and we want to help you make the most of March. So we mapped out local events, pop culture happenings and whatever else we think you need to know about.
Here’s The Bee’s “Don’t Miss it Guide” for March — which you might notice got a facelift this time around. You dig? I do. Click the PDF below for the bigger, complete version.
Put to rest the months of rumors about Drake possibly or possibly not coming to Save Mart Center — the heartthrob rapper/singer is performing March 8 and his eager fans can get tickets soon, the arena announced this morning.
Tickets cost $39.75, $59.75 and $79.75 and go on sale at noon Friday at Ticketmaster outlets and the Save Mart Center box office. There’s a pre-sale for California State University, Fresno students beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, only at the arena’s box office.
Drake — part of Lil Wayne’s Young Money record label — is riding high these days from the success of his sophomore album, “Take Care,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in November.
It was a month before that when rumors started to swirl about Drake coming to Save Mart Center. He announced, then pushed back, his Club Paradise tour. Then he announced dates for the tour, but no details emerged from his camp about tickets.
Country star Miranda Lambert will headline Save Mart Center for the first time on April 26, the arena announced this morning.
Lambert is known for songs such as “The House That Built Me,” “Kerosene” and “Heart Like Mine” and is famously married to fellow country star Blake Shelton.
Tickets cost $37.75 and $52.75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Jan 27 via Ticketmaster and the Save Mart Center box office. Lambert was last at Save Mart Center in 2010, opening for Brad Paisley. Before that, she played Table Mountain Casino in 2008.
Earlier this week, the Save Mart Center promised concert announcements today and Monday. I suspect we’ll FINALLY get a Drake announcement on Monday.
Latin rock giants Mana have announced, on their website, a return to Save Mart Center on April 22. Save Mart Center hasn’t officially announced that one yet either. Stay tuned.
UPDATE II: For those of you landing here from a Google search — the concert is on. All details right here.
UPDATE: Looks like the Drake-in-Fresno talk has kicked up again. MTV broke news this morning of the rapper’s 2012 tour schedule, which lists a March 8 show at Save Mart Center.
Nothing official yet from Save Mart Center confirming the show. It’s not even on Drizzy’s website. So be cautiously optimistic, Drake fans.
More info when I get it.
Drake — for anybody not familiar — is the heart throb rapper whose sophomore album “Take Care” was the No. 1 album on the Billboard charts recently. Currently it sits at No. 4.
So Eminem has a new album coming out next week. It’s not as bad as his last one, which is a welcome turn around. Also welcome is this commercial for the album, in which Slim Shady and his team found the best possible pitchman for an Eminem album:
The Big Fresno Fair’sconcert lineup is getting a boost from hip-hop’s next big thing. Drake has been confirmed for an Oct. 10 date at the fair. Tickets will cost $20 and $25 and will go on sale in mid-August, though a specific date is yet to be determined.
Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” is one the biggest hip-hop records of the summer and he is pegged by many to be hip-hop’s next superstar. He’s touring this summer with Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and Soulja Boy.
In addition to that show, the fair has also announced:
All the new concerts will go on sale in mid-August. No specific date has been announced yet. You can check out the rest of the Big Fresno Fair concert schedule and buy tickets here.
