Peter Schorsch
The Florida Capitol Press Corps is getting ready for a bigger, better edition of its Press Skits next year, with a variety of changes it says “will help us get back to our roots and make the event more accessible and fun for all our guests.”
The highlights: Lower ticket prices, free parking, and instead of reserved tables, seating is first-come, first-served.
The group posted the news on its website this week.
The 61st (Sometimes) Annual Press Skits will be held Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, to coincide with the early Legislative Session.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at The Moon at 1105 East Lafayette St. in Tallahassee.
Floor seats are $70; general admission is $30 (plus fees, explained below). Tickets, which go on sale beginning Nov. 23, can be bought by calling The Moon’s box office at (850) 878-6900 from noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by visiting the venue’s website.
Here are more details from the Press Corps:
• We got rid of the tables.
We have philosophical and financial reasons for doing so. The Press Corps voted, and collectively we decided to get back to having seats first-come, first-served with a slight tweak. That is how we arrived at this new two-tier system:
The $70 floor seats (plus $7 in service charges, total $77) are closest to the stage. General admission is $30 (plus $5 in service charges, total $35) and covers all other seating. That is a $5 reduction from last year for G.A., and we also expanded G.A. seating to include the mezzanine levels that cost $70 last year.
• All seats are first-come, first-served within the two tiers.
There will be tables throughout the venue like normal, but none of the seats around these tables will be reserved for any particular person or business. If you and your friends want to sit together, we suggest you get there early and stake your claim.
Yes, the House and Senate majority and minority leaders, governor and Cabinet will have reserved seating up front and center, if they choose. But they will have to pay the $70 like everyone else and their staff and colleagues will be subject to the same rules as everyone else.
• But the drinks will still flow freely.
Of course, we will have four cash bars open like normal. People who have G.A. tickets will have access to all four bars, including the two on the floor, at all times.
• And so will parking.
All parking at The Moon is first-come, first-served. And it’s free. No reserved parking at all. (Unless your name is Richard Lynn Scott and then, well, your SUV makes its own rules.) Once those lots fill up, head across the street to the strip mall lots.
• Plus, no more growling stomachs in G.A.
That brings us to the food. Last year, there were folks seated at tables who said the food was a waste of money. Others sat in general admission and said they were starving and wished there were food options available. We heard you! The Moon kitchen will be open up front, and there will be a food truck on the Silver Moon patio. Food for all! Just pay for and grab what you want.
So join us!
For more information or questions, email presscorpstickets@gmail.com.
Note: If you need to pay by check, you will need to send it to The Moon even if the check needs to be made payable to the Florida Capitol Press Corps. Be sure to check with them or The Moon to make sure the check includes applicable fees and service charges – again, $77 for floor, $35 for G.A.
