Las Vegas Koen PR begins

[Kintamayama]

A small group of Rikishi and officials will be leaving on April 5th for Las Vegas for some PR work, ahead of the Las Vegas koen slated for October 7th-9th of this year.. Asashouryuu, Musashimaru and Takasago Oyakata will hold a press conference there.

Asashouryuu has been talking to foreign visitors coming to asa-geiko and inviting them in English to come to the Vegas bash, it is reported

Edited April 17, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Mark Buckton]

Asashouryuu has been talking to foreign visitors coming to asa-geiko and inviting them in English to come to the Vegas bash, it is reported

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

always talks to visitors when I've been to Takasago - few times last year - never in English that I've heard though. Will have to try again in Golden week.

[_the_mind_]

im just curious as to why they would be pushing so much on the Las Vegas event, are they unsure of what sort of attendence/support they will draw on this side of the Pacific?

[Asashosakari]

im just curious as to why they would be pushing so much on the Las Vegas event, are they unsure of what sort of attendence/support they will draw on this side of the Pacific?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's about the same PR effort they've put into all their recent foreign events as far as I can tell...nothing really out of the ordinary so far.

[_the_mind_]

oh ok, cool.....what country are you in? hope this isnt a stupid question. i dont know where anyone is or isnt resideing.

[sekitori]

Any information yet on when tickets will be available and how they can be purchased? I'm sure that many of us will want to attend.

[Ryukaze]

Shoryu must be a cool guy if thats true what you say he talks to visitors and what not, and can speak english and all, wow is there anything he cant do? lol......

[Burainoan]

Actually, he has spoken in English at least a couple of times, though it was pretty basic. when Itachiyama and I were there a couple of years ago he spoke to us in Japanese, English and a tiny bit of German, which he said he learned from his wife. he seems to try simple English whenever he meets anyone non-Asian-looking. not exactly fluent, but having him be able to communicate directly in English will be good for PR, i think.

and while i'm not exactly his biggest fan, i do hope Asa is Asa for this koen. it should help attract a bit of attention and his more aggressive style may pick up a few fans who might not otherwise pick up on the finer points...but will later, once they start following it. think there may be a few on board here who originally fit into that category....

oh ok, cool.....what country are you in? hope this isnt a stupid question. i dont know where anyone is or isnt resideing.

if you want to know that, read the postings carefully, as lots of us make comments in passing in our posts, and some mention it in their profiles. you can also ask directly, or some may volunteer the fact that, say, until recently they lived in Chiba, but now they are in the LA area. just for example, of course. we've got people on here from all over.

[Higashimori]

Any information yet on when tickets will be available and how they can be purchased? I'm sure that many of us will want to attend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A somewhat longish article from Business Wire here (dated April 4):

Grand Sumo Returns to the United States for the First Time in 20 Years

Ticket info (for Stateside folks at least) is at the bottom of the article.

EDIT: I now notice that this is a Press Release from the PR firm, and that also the icon at upper left was clickable, taking one to this site:

http://www.grandsumolasvegas.com/

Edited April 5, 2005 by Higashimori

[Higashimori]

More on tickets:

My wife called the Kyokai and after several "We have no information, please talk to this section" she was finally told that Japan-based fans will have to buy tickets through TicketMaster.

Speaking of which, here's their site for tickets, with links to a seating chart. Price is listed as "US $183.75 - US $341.25", I guess that's based on buying two tickets plus the service fee, which not surprisingly is whopping ;-)

In case anyone in Japan cares, the onsale time (Wed. April 6th, 10:00 am, Las Vegas) translates to Thursday, April 7th, at 2a.m. in Tokyo.

As capacity for the venue is at around 12,000, I don't think it's so critical to order right away unless you're wanting those $175 floor tickets....

[Kintamayama]

Asashouryuu, Musashimaru and Takasago Oyakata left for the States today. They will hold three press conferences: Los Angeles on the 6th, Las Vegas on the 7th, and San Francisco on the 8th.

[Datchayama]

I just wondered if there's any differences with buying tickets thru ticketmaster or calling up Mandalay themselves.

Was going to try to get a good floor tkt for the 3 days...

Kinda annoying though.. "no cameras,no photography". how boring....standard for Vegas/these things but.. :(

[Higashimori]

I just wondered if there's any differences with buying tickets thru ticketmaster or calling up Mandalay themselves.

Was going to try to get a good floor tkt for the 3 days...

Kinda annoying though.. "no cameras,no photography".  how boring....standard for Vegas/these things but.. :(

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, as of right now the Mandalay site doesn't even have the event listed....but Kyokai is referring folks (here) to either Mandalay or Ticketmaster.

Kinda torn myself which tix to get, don't know if they'd enforce the no cameras thing (i mean, it ain't a concert), wonder if anyone has experience with other sporting events there like the Rodeo).....only reason for a floor ticket (for me) is to photograph....well, anyway, seeing sumo in Vegas is just an excuse for me and my family to travel around the SW states....so maybe the cheap tickets (one day only) are better....

[Kintamayama]

First press conference in LA- Dodger Stadium- "I hope to do the same winning Sumo I do during hon-basho. My intention is to enjoy myself, and not only with the Sumo", said Asashouryuu. "It is important to show the 'Japanese culture' facet of Sumo, but it is equally important to familiarize the spectators with the 'Pro-sport' side as well", added Takasago Oyakata.

Edited April 6, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Yaezakura]

Kinda torn myself which tix to get, don't know if they'd enforce the no cameras thing (i mean, it ain't a concert), wonder if anyone has experience with other sporting events there like the Rodeo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not pleased they are banning cameras...very lame, like it is a concert or play. I mean, is the whole place going to be dark? Would a camera flash really distract anybody? I can't speak specifically to Mandalay, but a lot of venues are pretty strict about enforcing the rules. On the other hand, cameras are getting smaller and smaller these days... (Punk rocker...) Probably a discreet person could take a few pictures without getting caught.

And I'm also very confused as to why the Mandalay web site doesn't list the event. I know you can call their ticket office and get tickets that way, but why wouldn't they even put it on their calendar?

[Guest Guy Caballero]

Cool. Maybe they'll start a sports book on sumo afterwards.

"Kaio at 1:20 vs. Chiyotaikai? I like those odds!"

[Jonosuke]

Well boys and girls, I just had enough money to buy just one day for three of us (my wife, mother-in-law and myself) and I am US$1068.60 poorer (thanks to these three tickets for the Sunday) and I hate to even think what I end up paying at four nights at Mandalay Bay :'-(

I'd have to think bit more if I go back and buy for Friday and Saturday for just myself....

[Guest Guy Caballero]

Well boys and girls, I just had enough money to buy just one day for three of us (my wife, mother-in-law and myself) and I am US$1068.60 poorer (thanks to these three tickets for the Sunday) and I hate to even think what I end up paying at four nights at Mandalay Bay (Punk rocker...) 

I'd have to think bit more if I go back and buy for Friday and Saturday for just myself....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good job! That's hardcore, dude. Have fun. Here's hoping you recoup all of your expenses at the tables!!!

(Sign of approval)

[Datchayama]

Hmm. Seeing how things are going with this...I'm having a hard time putting the money out for it. I'd figured that 700$ for the 3-day would've been for the "best" seating...(floor level,etc. )

As it's turning out, there's no floor level (choosing "any price" and floor level gives no results found per ticketmaster) and the 700's are for Row A in the 100 section (105 per my searches at this time).

400$ gets into row N and higher (same section).

If it was in sections 106/7 119/20 maybe I'd go for a front row..

but 105 has the potential of being farther away then you think.

(Although... it looks like the access areas (e.g. similar to hanamichi) are on that side....)

Bleh. and now I'm stuck a bit due to card daily limits. I had a major purchase earlier today...can't buy till midnight now if I go for the 700 3-day seating... bad timing ^_^ Guess we'll see what happens.. if I can't get the fronts later tonight I'll just go for mid sections later.

[Yaezakura]

and I hate to even think what I end up paying at four nights at Mandalay Bay (Punk rocker...) 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't have to stay at Mandalay Bay. Luxor is right next door (in fact, they are connect by a skywalk) and is much less expensive. I think that is probably where we are going to stay. There are tons of other hotels nearby, so another one might have better prices.

[Jonosuke]

You don't have to stay at Mandalay Bay.  Luxor is right next door (in fact, they are connect by a skywalk) and is much less expensive.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I know but booked it already and got the plane tickets too...man this is turning out to be more expensive than my Hatsu Basho trip when I just got the same day tickets statying in el cheapo room at the Pearl Hotel and milage point flight.

However I am now thinking of just getting the 2nd floor seat on the first two days as the last was meant more for my wife and her mom.

[_the_mind_]

yeah we got our tickets today but mandalay's room rates are more then double anywhere else. will NOT be staying there.

[Higashimori]

I was all set to buy tickets and then I just started thinking about the money, and well, I didn't. I mean, i'm in Tokyo, this month alone will have two chances to see Ozumo up close (and free!)....well, seeing Sumo in Vegas was always just an excuse to take a 2 week trip to the states, but at the moment, with no cameras, and apparently the need to also buy a ticket for my 2 year old son, to be up in nosebleeds for what will probably be just a 2 hour show (emphasis on show), i think I gotta pass....damn, Sumo in Vegas seemed so cool....

[Kintamayama]

From San Diego, on the Jungyo:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20050...-vegassumo.html

[Mark Buckton]

Bally's is good - stayed in LV for 3 weeks a decade ago - wait, was paid to do so (worked at Nellis AFB) and didn't pay for the rooms - opps. Sounds expensive.

Why not save your dollars and come and see an unchoreographed event here in Tokyo?