Attention, ladies, single and otherwise: You cannot bring your pricey handbags to the Beyonce concert at the Georgia Dome on Sunday.
One more time: Purses, no. The clear bag policy that is in effect for NFL games, yes.
According to stadium security rules, bags can be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and cannot exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags are also acceptable as well as small clutch bags (about the size of a hand, no larger than 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches) with or without a handle or strap.
That is the primary directive to remember if you’re one of the 50,000-plus heading downtown this weekend to attend the third date of Ms. “Lemonade”’s “Formation World Tour.”
Bey launched the tour Wednesday night in Miami, and here are some tidbits gleaned from early reviews:
- She hit the stage close to 9 p.m., but official showtime is 7:30 p.m., so arrive late at your own risk.
- Her set list included 37 songs, including a tribute to Prince ("Purple Rain" — again), a tribute to husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy ("Halo") and several songs from her just-released "Lemonade" album (the show-opening "Formation," as well as "Hold Up," "Sorry" and "Daddy Lessons" among them).
- The stage — a gargantuan contraption that has been under construction at the Dome since Monday — features a lengthy catwalk leading to a secondary stage at the back of the floor, so fans are guaranteed a glimpse from most vantage points.
Here are a few other tips:
- The concert is sold out, so don't go to the venue expecting to buy a pair of tickets at the will call window. Some production hold seats are released sporadically, so keep an eye on www.ticketmaster.com and hope you get lucky.
- Speaking of, Ticketmaster is the only official, verified source of tickets for the "Formation World Tour." If you purchased a ticket through Ticketmaster or the BeyHive, your ticket is authentic and you are protected in the event of a cancellation or postponement. If you can't make the show, you can resell your tickets on Ticketmaster.
“With a show of this magnitude, counterfeit tickets on the secondary market is a possibility, so just be careful of the source you use to purchase tickets,” said Jason Kirksey, senior communications specialist at the Georgia Dome. “If you can’t find the person or company you bought the ticket from in the event of a problem, it’s generally a good rule of thumb not to buy it.”
- If you're the social media-sharing type and just have to boast about your prized tickets online, a suggestion — #CoverTheCode. On your ticket — both paper and mobile — is a specific code. Anyone who acquires it can make duplicate tickets, which would render yours useless.
- If you're driving to the Georgia Dome, you can purchase parking in advance at the Red, Blue and Yellow lots ($30) at www.gadome.com. MARTA riders can exit either at the Vine City station (Blue Line) near Gate A of the Dome or the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN station (Blue Line).
Beyonce’s tour runs through July 31 and will also hit Raleigh, N.C., (May 3) for those eager to make a road trip. The Nashville, Tenn., show (May 5) has been postponed. (No reason was given for the abrupt delay, but Nashville fans were told to retain their tickets for a new date.)
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