The Connecticut Man Show hits WCSU
It was a good time to be a guy on Sunday, as The Connecticut Man Show invaded the friendly confines of Western Connecticut State University’s O’Neill center. With pockets full of “funny money”, currency given to all patrons, guests played games to win prizes, met celebrities and sampled the foods of local restaurants. Many business and other organizations were present to promote their products. Vice president and general manager of the Danbury Westerners baseball club, Jon Pitser, was manning his team’s booth at the expo in an attempt to promote the upcoming New England Collegiate Baseball League that begins this summer. Also, Wesco Sports Center teamed up with The New York Rangers Road Tour to bring hockey fans a unique experience. A New York Rangers team Zamboni was aptly parked next to Wesco’s booth which offered National Hockey League merchandise and ice hockey equipment.
The Man Show was met with rave reviews from some Western Connecticut State University students who had stumbled upon the event, but others felt it left something to be desired. Trevor Agne, a 19 year-old sophomore at Western, found The Man Show to be a fun experience. Agne liked the diversity of the event in stating that “There is something for everyone to enjoy here. I don’t think this show is only for men”. Those interested in games and gambling were not disappointed, as The Man Show brought the casino to the fans. Intermittent in the vendors’ booths were game booths where guests could use their i95 Bucks, or Funny Money, to play casino games in hopes to win more i95 Bucks. Fans would then use their Funny Money to buy prizes or enter raffles for bigger prizes.
There was no shortage of star power at The Connecticut Man Show as sports figures made appearances throughout the day. The New England Patriots’ Cheerleaders signed autographs and took pictures with fans. Having traveled to Arizona to cheer on the New England Patriots to their victory in the Super Bowl, the cheerleaders happily posed with fans and signed team calendars. Later on, current players for the New York Giants held a meet and greet with fans and signed autographs. Fresh off of his rookie season with the New York Giants, running back Andre Williams signed memorabilia alongside teammate Jameel McClain. From the world of baseball, three time American League All-Star and former New York Yankee Joe Pepitone made an appearance.
The i95 radio audience was in for a treat as well as the event was complimented with a steady dose of live music from the beginning of the event right up until its conclusion. Acoustic guitarist, John Fazio started the afternoon playing well known rock covers as well as a few of his own original works. After his performance, Fazio was made available in the acoustic lounge for a more intimate performance.
While some may have found The Man Show to be exciting to people of different interests, Kristen Hinz of New Milford felt that the title was accurate in a negative way. Hinz thinks that the expo was geared towards a very specific audience in saying “I think its advertisement was a little too ambitious compared to what was there. There were a few booths that seemed fun for both men and women, but otherwise it was geared towards interests that stereotypically belong to men”. Hinz’s statement may have some truth to it, as one of the vendors was Elan’s of Connecticut, a gentlemen’s club in Danbury. The inclusion of a possibly inappropriate business may have cost The Man Show positive reviews from female fans.
While there might have been some problematic elements of The Man Show, the guests appeared to have a great time discussing sports, sampling local foods, and doing what they believe men do.