STINK AT PINK GIG
Music fan fuming over wheelchair access blue
A GOLD COAST disability advocate says she was removed from a Pink concert after she was denied entry to the VIP area because of her wheelchair.
Marlena Katene was one of just 115 people to secure a VIP experience for the concert in Sydney on Saturday. But her excitement turned to frustration when she was told she would not be allowed in the VIP area and was relegated to a wheelchair space in the bleachers.
A GOLD COAST disability advocate says she was removed from a Pink concert after she was denied entry to the VIP area because of her wheelchair.
Music journalist Marlena Katene, who has cerebral palsy, said she was excited to be one of the 115 people to secure the VIP experience for the Pink Wild At Heart Tour at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday.
The tickets gave Marlena and her carer Bert Hibbert access to the standing area at the front of the stage, a space they had been in at other concerts. “I choose the tickets for a simple reason – social engagement,” she said.
However, the excitement turned to frustration when Marlena was told she would not be allowed in the VIP area and was instead relegated to a wheelchair space in the bleachers.
Unhappy with the arrangement and the lack of warning about the supposed access issues, the pair questioned the decision. “Security came over 15 minutes later and told us it was their policy,” she said.
Bert asked to see the policy as they had been in the same zone at Pink’s Melbourne show without issue.
“We purchased tickets legally and nowhere was it stated that wheelchairs were not allowed,” Marlena said.
According to Marlena, staff were unable to provide a policy for the decision and instead called police over. The pair say they were then escorted from the venue.
“They took the tickets off us and removed our wrist bands – they attempted to remove our videos as well,” Marlena said. The pair have been refunded the ticket price but are out of pocket for travel expenses.
Marlena says she is seeking legal representation on the matter and has also reached out to Pink.
A spokesman for Qudos Bank Arena said they were aware the incident had taken place and were investigating the allegations made.