Date: Monday, February 15, 1999
Title: Pop show crush riles parents
Author: PAULA SCHUCK
Source: London Free Press
Source: http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusicArtistsC/carter_aaron.html
Topic: News
A mob of angry parents demanded refunds and accused a London bar owner of compromising the safety of their children after an Aaron Carter concert turned ugly yesterday.
About 660 teenagers, their parents and grandparents waited outside on Dundas Street in downtown London, many clutching teddy bears and lining up as early as 5 a.m., to see the 11-year-old pop singer.
But when they got inside DV8, they found the bar ill-equipped to handle the group.
No serious injuries resulted but dozens of younger girls left in tears after the concert was stopped for an hour.
Firefighters and police officers were called to the bar after numerous calls from parents inside who reported the venue was overcrowded.
Fans as young as three were squashed, elbowed and forced out of the way by teenagers, many of whom said they were hoping to catch a glimpse of Aaron's older brother, Nick Carter, one of the Backstreet Boys, even though he wasn't on the ticket.
"We can't take a chance. There has to be a pathway cleared to the door in case of fire," said fire platoon chief Bill Connolly, who ordered the concert to a premature halt.
Connolly later said he didn't know if charges would be laid against the bar.
"It appeared to be overcrowded. They seemed to be having a hard time keeping control until we got there. We didn't want to see kids hurt."
"My granddaughter was up near the front for awhile. She said 'I couldn't breathe' and she came back here," said Marilyn Brewster, whose granddaughter, Krystlle, 12, is a Carter fan.
"There's not a thing those little kids could see," said Krystlle's mom, Tanaya Brewster.
"They were getting crushed. They should have brought chairs in."
The $20 tickets were general admission. Crowds rushed the stage in the corner of the long, narrow room.
Judy Hann said she paid $25 at the door for granddaughter Ashley's ticket.
"She's standing over there crying for $25 an hour."
Steve Boudreau, left with daughters Emma, 3, and Megan, 6.
Even from on top of his shoulders, Emma couldn't see the stage and the girls were getting pushed around, he said.
The single dad had his daughters for the weekend and thought the concert would be a nice way to spend Valentine's Day.
Bar owner Siva Markand said capacity at the bar was 900 and he kept a limit on the number of tickets sold at 660 so he could maintain control.
"I didn't sell out on purpose."
He said he hadn't anticipated a crowd quite so young and after numerous people complained he told The Free Press people could return the ticket stubs for a full refund at Dr. Disc.
The concert eventually started again after firefighters cleared a path to the door.
"I was way at the back and still getting crushed," said Melissa Mazzorato, 6.
"It was funner outside waiting to see Aaron. . . They said they could handle 900 in here. They can't even handle this many," said Jessica Mazzorato, 10, who went to the concert with her mom and part of her soccer team.
"I would have had more fun at home reading a book," said Caley Prendergast, 10.
Mandy Leask said concert organizers should have predicted the response would be enthusiastic.
"They said it was an all-ages concert. They should have held it at a spot like Centennial Hall, which is better equipped. My girls were talking about this for two weeks."
