The Boss at the Basie: Let the bidding begin
So you had a dream that you got into a bidding war for a pair of tickets to a Bruce Springsteen concert. The guy you were bidding against kept upping the ante, but you weren't about to be outdone and you finally trumped him and snared the elusive tickets. What if you weren't dreaming, would you bid so recklessly?

Bruce Springsteen

You'll have the chance to find out on Thursday, March 20, when bidding opens for tickets to a Bruce Springsteen benefit concert May 7 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.

Proceeds from "An Evening With Bruce Springsteen" will benefit the historic Count Basie Theatre and help offset the cost of the renovation and restoration of the theater that will begin this summer. A portion of the concert proceeds will also support other programs and operations at the theater, such as the educational program, The Count's Cool School. Tickets will be made available to the public through an online "Make Your Best Offer" auction beginning March 20 at www.countbasietheatre. org. Instructions on how the auction will work will also be provided on the Web site. Concert information can also be found at www.brucespringsteen.net and www.backstreets.com.

Rusty Young, CEO of the Count Basie Theatre Foundation, said, "We are excited that Bruce Springsteen will be performing a benefit concert and deeply appreciate his willingness to help preserve and restore the Basie."

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Patti Scialfa, E Street Band member and Springsteen's spouse, serves on the board of the Basie Foundation and as honorary chairwoman of the capital campaign. Let the bidding begin.