If you can go to only ONE concert, where?

[~Hippolyte~]

Based on the venues I've been to...(on the east coast)
Cinci or Greatwoods.....

But I tell you....hands down...you have to go to Frisco Texas at some point.

bestest tailgate I've seen (tho I haven't yet made Alpine, Greatwoods, Tampa or Pittsburgh)

The Texas crew is just amazing!!

[NewToTheForum]

Sorry not to respond sooner. Didn't realize I hadn't hit "Notify me when a reply is posted" and I just assumed no one was responding.

There is a long-shot possibility that we will be in Paris in September. Wouldn't that be cool?

Does he ever play any open air venues (like Chastain Park in Atlanta) and if he does, does that make the concert better?

[MDown]

Red Rocks....

[NewToTheForum]

Wow. The photos of the Red Rocks venue are stunning!

[Bfan53again]

Duval Street.........

[waikikimermaid]

Yes definitely that "One Particular Harbor" in Tahiti for a special birthday - November 13, 2012!

[xcatch]

Red Rocks would be stunning, and Tahiti perfect, but nobody parties like the parking lot at Alpine Valley - Wisconsin appreciates their summer when it finally gets here!!

[piratenurse]

That little 2 day tailgate ain't too shabby, either. Y'all come on down now, hear?

Based on the venues I've been to...(on the east coast)
Cinci or Greatwoods.....

But I tell you....hands down...you have to go to Frisco Texas at some point.

bestest tailgate I've seen (tho I haven't yet made Alpine, Greatwoods, Tampa or Pittsburgh)

The Texas crew is just amazing!!

[Aquaholic101]

Anguilla....Again !!!!

[springparrot]

I guess we are the only ones that did not like Alpine?

[VanillaGrl]

I guess we are the only ones that did not like Alpine?

I've been told many times that Alpine is the best. And now that I'm in Chicago, it could be doable....but I'm holding out for Frisco. That will most likely be the one and only I'll consider doing this year.

[springparrot]

I guess we are the only ones that did not like Alpine?

I've been told many times that Alpine is the best. And now that I'm in Chicago, it could be doable....but I'm holding out for Frisco. That will most likely be the one and only I'll consider doing this year.

We were told that too and I was soooo looking forward to it
Frisco is soooooooooooooooooo much better
Or in my opinion

[Nighthawk]

I guess we are the only ones that did not like Alpine?

Only way Alpine is any good is if your in the first few rows, and you do not have to deal with Wisconsin's "Finest"

[VanillaGrl]

I guess we are the only ones that did not like Alpine?

I've been told many times that Alpine is the best. And now that I'm in Chicago, it could be doable....but I'm holding out for Frisco. That will most likely be the one and only I'll consider doing this year.

We were told that too and I was soooo looking forward to it
Frisco is soooooooooooooooooo much better
Or in my opinion

Hmm..what did you not like about it? Was it the venue itself? Tailgating? Could be we're just spoiled with Frisco.

[ParrotHeadInThe Making]

Great Woods or Mohegan Sun.

[ExpatriatedAmerican]

If you're seriously limiting to East Coast, Greatwoods. If you're willing to travel - Alpine Valley is over the top.

Enjoy whatever show(s) you settle on.

[NewToTheForum]

Had decided that I would spring for Great Woods (or Fenway), Frisco, Red Rocks, Jones Beach, Atlanta (because the birthday girl lives in Atlanta) or the NOLA Jazz Fest as soon as he announced any of those places, and now I am getting nervous that he might fill out his 2012 tour card without hitting any of those sites this year.

Or, that he'll announce Mansfield for June 23rd when I can't go. (Have a job that day I simply cannot get out of.)

This is nerve-wracking.

Seems that he usually has only about 25 tour dates a year, and already he's up at 17 without hitting any on my short list! Yikes!

[lime rickie]

Had decided that I would spring for Great Woods (or Fenway), Frisco, Red Rocks, Jones Beach, Atlanta (because the birthday girl lives in Atlanta) or the NOLA Jazz Fest as soon as he announced any of those places, and now I am getting nervous that he might fill out his 2012 tour card without hitting any of those sites this year.

Or, that he'll announce Mansfield for June 23rd when I can't go. (Have a job that day I simply cannot get out of.)

This is nerve-wracking.

Seems that he usually has only about 25 tour dates a year, and already he's up at 17 without hitting any on my short list! Yikes!

June 23d is out...Rascal Flatts is playng GW that day.

[NewToTheForum]

Actually looks like Rascal Flatts if there the 16th. http://www.livenation.com/Comcast-Cente ... venue/8213

[NewToTheForum]

Okay, so here's the apparent answer for the original question:

I'm crushed that GW looks like it's going to be on a weekend when I have to work, but overjoyed to see reliable rumors this morning that Atlanta is June 9th, because I do not have to work that weekend, and Atlanta is where the birthday girl lives, and it would allow me to fly down there on a Delta award points (just barely) and not have to spring for a lodging, making it (by a long shot) the most affordable venue.

So, even tho no one mentioned Atlanta among the best JB venues, it just might have to be the best venue for us for this particular birthday.

I really loved the sound of Frisco, GW and Red Rocks, and am sorry to miss out on those. Maybe next year?

A bright spot about Atlanta is that with me having almost zero travel expense, I can buy more tickets and take more friends to help her celebrate the big birthday.

Thanks for the help, everyone.