Alright, guys and gals. We need your input.

Unless you’ve been living under a large, shadowy rock for the last several years, you know that social media has taken a firm grasp on our lives, completely restructuring the way we communicate. A majority of this renovation has occurred within the last five years: Five years ago You Tube was just getting its start, and MySpace was the most prevalent social network. As for that other little site called Facebook? Facebook was still toddling around on its baby legs, restricted to a network of college students searching for attractive coeds in the dorm.

Since then, social media has exploded. Facebook is no longer a site limited to twenty-something’s working towards a degree. We can now share photos, links, and wall posts with anyone who has a valid e-mail address. If we want to watch a video of just about anything, we head to YouTube. A whole new mass of social media has emerged as well. Wondering what Lindsay Lohan ate for breakfast this morning? Follow her on Twitter and receive live updates.

We have always strived to become a part of the newest social media outlet. If you’re reading this, you know that we post weekly blogs, keeping you informed about current events and news. Our Facebook and Twitter pages are updated daily and provide a tremendous outlet for sharing your comments and opinions. (And don’t be shy! We love to hear your thoughts!)

Now, social media has taken yet another step forward: Foursquare. Sure, it’s fun to post a status update on Facebook or Twitter about how you’re out for the evening. But what if you could actually earn points and receive special deals for hanging out at your favorite restaurant, bar, or event center? Foursquare works with your mobile device, allowing you to “check in” to a location and unlock special deals, simply because you’re out having a good time. It’s a new way for friends to remain updated on your location, so they can come and join the party.

So, the question is this: Since we all know that the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is truly the center of everything from concerts to Broadway plays to hockey games,

Is Foursquare a social media outlet that you would use in connection with the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center? Do you currently use Foursquare? Which social media outlet do you prefer?

We can’t wait to hear your feedback – Just click on the link below this post titled “Comment” and share your thoughts. After all, we want social media to work for you, our fans and loyal supporters. So let us know what we can do to make your experience as interactive as possible!

Eric Church has seen his share of highs and lows.

Doesn’t that seem to be a recurring theme when we think of our grandparent’s “country music”? For a great deal of today’s generation, the term conjures up unpleasant thoughts of twanging steel guitars and lyrics lamenting lonely nights and cheatin’ hearts.

That’s what sets Church apart, though. The controversial and fiercely independent musician/songwriter has continuously blurred the line between country and rock, with a young and vivacious fan base supporting him along the way. There is a gritty, authentic feel to each of his songs and even more so to his live performance, which is the result of an artist who refuses to sing about topics that aren’t true on a personal level.

And Church certainly does have a wealth of personal experience to draw from. Growing up in the small town of Granite Falls, North Carolina, he quickly recognized his love of music, and began writing songs at 13.

It was at a bar in the mountains of North Carolina where he truly found his calling, though. As he watched the band on stage, their melody weaving its way amongst the crowd, he realized that he could play those songs just as well. Church formed the Mountain Boys, and within a year he was incorporating original songs into the band’s set list. After college Church headed to Nashville, determined to make a name for himself.

Although he found some initial success, Church’s story is not one of overnight celebrity. His debut single, “How ‘Bout You” struggled on the music charts. He was booted from the Rascal Flatts tour after failing to comply with an assigned set length, and subsequently left those large arenas to play small rock clubs.

Crazy as it may have seemed, the decision turned out to be a wise one. It was in those rock clubs that Church began to see a loyal fan base develop, one comprised of young men who tattooed his lyrics on their bodies and packed the front rows of each show.

Church has now established a more loyal fan base than ever, and has plans to tour with fellow country star Miranda Lambert this fall. His ability to open himself to an audience has made him one of the most relatable young musicians around, with incredible range and depth.

We all experience our own highs and lows. What Church does is deliver an energetic show that takes an honest look at those times and gives us something we can reach out and connect with. Because at the end of the day, we’re all human; Eric Church has simply found a way to bring us together.

So come and join Eric Church live in concert on Saturday, July 24th and be a part of the experience!

Information from billboard.com; “Big Country: A Look At Three Artists,” and ericchurch.com.

Imagine a night out at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center: You’ve been anxiously waiting to see one of your favorite artists for months (Carrie Underwood, anyone?) in person and amidst a throng of other fans just as thrilled as you are. What’s on your mind? Making sure you haven’t forgotten your tickets on the kitchen counter, arriving on time, and the general excitement of the event are all running through your head.

On our end, though, there are countless responsibilities and tasks being executed behind-the-scenes, all of which are essential to ensure that an event is a success. One of our primary concerns is the safety of the public and of the staff who work each event that takes place in our facility. When security is a top priority and functioning at the highest level, the experience is one of enhanced enjoyment and safety for everyone.

While we’ve always made safety a top priority, we felt that there were even further steps we could take to bring our security measures to the next level. This goal has been a long time in the works, and we are tremendously excited to finally see it being completed this summer.

The undertaking includes sixty-plus cameras installed throughout the Civic Center, including the outside of our building and the parking lot. There will be cameras installed near entrances, food and alcohol vending areas, and hallways. The IP network cameras will have High Definition and megapixel resolution capabilities, as well as substantial storage capacity. Our building will also be transitioning to a keyless access system which eliminates the need for physical keys. This reduces the risk of a key falling into the wrong hands, and will provide a record of exactly who has entered the facility.

So what does all of this mean to the public attending concerts, comedy shows, and hockey games?

It means a little more peace of mind while you are enjoying whatever event brings you in, and for those of us taking every possible step to keep our building a safe and pleasant one. The heightened security measures being implemented give our facility increased credibility and professionalism, and we are excited to see the positive results from their presence.

So feel free to sit back, enjoy the show, and let us take care of the rest.