Mid Hudson Civic Center

Over the years, my activities here have changes as my interests have changed. When I first moved here, I would go the ice arena for skating on Wednesday nights. Years later, I would come here for concerts. WPDH used to help get some halfway decent concerts here, but the acoustics for rock concerts were horrible. My ears would typically ring for 2 – 3 days after, and there had been no way to put in tiered, elevated seating; everybody sat at ground level, and if the people in front of you stood on their chairs, you were out of luck. These days, I go here mostly for shows and expos, for which they do a decent job. For these sorts of things, the civic center is right-​sized for the crowds and events.
Their website advertises parking at the garage in-​between the civic center and the Poughkeepsie Grand hotel, but often you cannot park there; the parking garage across the street is still convenient and reasonably inexpensive.
The center is showing its age. The stairways could be a bit wider, and the elevators could be more convenient. But in general, everything was clean and well-​maintained.

The place need some TLC, Investors and to step into this century. I was just at the civic Center for a Sesame Street Live show. Now I should preface my review with saying that it was my choice to see the show here because of pricing. What would have cost nearly $ 800 at Madison Square Garden cost me $ 260.00. A VIP Meet and Greet and Second Row seats for 4 people. So — yes I know what I was getting into regarding the venue and the drive.
The place is just old. Reminded me of the Nassau Coliseum. the décor, signage and seats — all old.
We were escorted into a room in the lower level for the Meet and Greet — it was a decent looking room and nicely decorated with Balloons and Sesame Street step and repeats. Watching my girls interact with Elmo and Cookie Monster — Priceless.
The venue for the show — not bad. Sound was good and our view was amazing!
I think the place works for a small kids show but I can not imagine a concert in this place.
The concessions reminded me of a High School Wrestling Tourney or a Cheer-​leading Comp. Although I must say pricing was GREAT. $ 21.00 for 6 people getting snacks and drinks.
Getting in and getting out — smooth!!! Free Parking although there wasn’t much guidance regarding why it was free, ticket to get into the lot, a worker, nothing. I parked and prayed that the car would be there at the end of the show.
So would I return — based on the getting in and out with no pushing or headaches, the pricing be great and giving the girls the experience of a meet and greet and front row seats at an affordable price… Yes — should I have the opportunity to see another kids show here… I will. As long as I remember that you get what you pay for!

Whatever you do, don’t let your loved ones play hockey here!!! It’s supposed to be a non-​checking league– SUPPOSED TO BE. Fights go on and the refs watch along with everyone else. Players have ripped off their opponents helmets to fight, and use their sticks as weapons (like tonight when a local lawyer flung his stick at the back of an opposing player’s head). The owner is also a spectator, though he does not involve himself nor does he take action when witnessing fights that occur even after teams have left the ice. It’s typical to see him run away as soon as things get heated. What does he care as long as he gets his money though. On top of this, I’ve seen a female player punched in the face by a man on an opposite team, during the «good game» handshake (the man is still allowed to play), and another man screaming profanities at women cheering for the opposing team.
Now if this is what people signed up for, then I’d say it is what it is. But the USAA insurance is WAY TOO CRAPPY to cover the type of damage this place will cause. And judging from the behavior of certain players, there’s probably like a ⁷⁵⁄₂₅ chance that someone’s gonna bring a gun in there one day. SAD. I’ll continue to let anyone I care about know that the civic center hockey league is a cost to be AVOIDED.

I was there for the Beer fest. the festival was great. the Civic Center needs to tighten up their box office with better service. the line was long and only 1 person in the box office and that person was just slow. And somebody that said he was a manager was outside just telling people where the back of the line was. he should have been in the box office helping.

The place looks like it’s seen better days. Went to a concert there recently and I enjoyed it since it was easy in– and out, parking was free and the concessions prices were reasonable. I don’t think the facility could handle anything major, but kind of shocked that there are very few concerts scheduled there. Of course, not privy to the economics of running the place, but just seems to this layperson like a waste of space.

Towards the beginning of June, I sat for a show. The usher was kind, but didn’t listen to his own rules. He told us to wait on line, and that we would be the first ones in. However, when the doors opened, we seemed to have been forgotten about. People who were waiting in other areas were ushered in first.
Then, when we got inside (the building) and were waiting to be ushered to our seats, the area was cramped. I squeezed in so much, there was no space to get past. One of my parents had to use the restrooms (and they could not get past others who were trying to do the same thing.) THEY NEED to ENLARGE THIS SPACE DESPERATELY, so they can comfortably and efficiently let people wander in.
I’ve seen several performances there before, but this one specific incident almost two months ago, had me starstruck-​I just had to tell everyone about it.
Bathrooms are on an upstairs area, with no elevators nearby. According to another usher, they said that people need to bring winter fur coats to the restrooms, as it’s located right underneath the cooling station for the ice for the ice-​arena.
Seating wasn’t the worlds greatest either. Although the seats were slightly padded, there was almost no leg-​room, and since there were people next to me, no arm room as well. That’s where little kids get off easy (although they got their fair share of problems at this center too, since most kids can’t see from the front seating areas).
Be careful at looking at ticket prices. If you go for a concert and buy cheap seats that sit near the front, you may very well be sitting right directly in front of the blasting speakers. We weren’t going for a concert this past time, but several years ago, this was the story, when we attended a Beach Boys concert there in 1996. (I’ve had other performances I’ve seen that were enjoyable), but this performance may have detered my appearance and money there, the next time I make the decision.

What happened to the MHCC? I remember my friends and I used to see some really good shows here (Ozzy, Pantera, Slayer, Megadeth, etc.) now it has been reduced to Kids Expos, Marist Fashion Shows, and other sorts of mediocrity. I guess The Chance Theater took over where the MHCC didn’t.