Seaside JAZZ Festival

I agree with you on the tents/promotion front, but don't think "families w/ kids" were the targeted group for the Jazz fest - especially since it replaced a wine festival. :roll:

Pretty sad if paying for alcohol (at prices similar to some local bars) prevents folks from enjoying a concert. You can't bring your own 'refreshments' into events like MountainFilm or Seabreeze Jazzfest.

The security wasn't exactly intimidating - their main job seemed to be handing out programs and bead necklaces - I brought in a bicycle and they didn't even check my backpack. At one point I set my beer down on their table, walked outside the tents to point out the restrooms to a friend, then walked back in and grabbed my beer without a word from security or the Sheriff's deputy standing there. :funn:

Poor promotion, prices too high for families with kids, intimidating layout with tents and security (including not allowing bringing your own refreshments).

I can almost promise the Rep will draw a bigger crowd for Tuesday's free show of Stinky Cheese. As they should.

<Rant mode on>
As I've said before, it flies in the face of the friendly, open vibe that Seaside formerly had as a "poster child" for the New Urban movement. If it was wide open like the usual free Seaside weekly entertainment, it would be jammed. The new management company at Seaside has different ideas...
<Rant mode off>

In fairness, a clarification to the above...as previously stated in another thread, the "new management company at Seaside", Intrawest, is not to blame. They had nothing to do with the planning, execution, etc. for the Seaside Jazz Festival.

The Board of the Downtown Seaside Association (merchants association) made the decision to create the event, and then told the merchants what they had decided. The Board then hired a jazz consultant to help make the event happen.

Beach Bimmer-

Thanks for the clarification on who organized the event. My mistake.

My comments on promotion, prices, and intimidating layout are now redirected for the board's thoughtful consideration.

Beach Bimmer-

Thanks for the clarification on who organized the event. My mistake.

My comments on promotion, prices, and intimidating layout are now redirected for the board's thoughtful consideration.

They have taken your comments into consideration and kindly request you refrain from parking in front of their houses on county road 30A.;-)

They have taken your comments into consideration and kindly request you refrain from parking in front of their houses on county road 30A.;-)

If I wouldn't hit a pedestrian, I'd just close my eyes and drive straight through. Peeking and gawking will soon be outlawed, to accompany parking and flagrant use of the beach pavilions. Dave, you can just toss my tacos and a Corona at me as I drive by.

It was an awesome show tonight. The talent over both weekends was outstanding. My compliments to Kristin Banker and all the staff and volunteers that pulled it off in a short amount of time. There may be some things that will be done differently next time but I can assure you no one on the grass was unhappy.

There were quite a few people hanging out in the cheap seats on the balcony at Central Square Records and Raw & Juicy.

Photos and video to follow.

The Neville Brothers were great tonight and the festival seemed to be appreciated by all in attendance.

Regarding "tents"

Since the "Event" is now history, and what a wonderful musical journey thru jazz is was. Awesome musical acts!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved them all!

Regarding the "Tents", what is everyone's take on what could be done next time for a paid Seaside music event? Again, you'd have to do something to generate funds for the show. Unfortuantly I think some would sit there chairs/blankets on the parking lot and watch the show for free, rathing than paying and supporting great music. Just a thought.

Walter was awesome and the Nevilles rocked the house......
Peace out.

The tents don't really block the noise - and the folks in the cheap seats at Central Square Records etc. could see right over them.

The big issues (for me at least) with the tents was that they weren't used, took up parking spaces, and were a wall of white. Banners, advertising, local merchant's displays would have made them blend and been more inviting.

Blank wall vs. a poster/banner advertising the artist, future events etc.

If I had my druthers, I would move the tents off the sidewalk (and have smaller tents) and put a vending space on the backside - just attach a metal grid to the framework and you could sell jewelry, art, t-shirts, etc. That would encourage pedestrian traffic, free up parking spaces, and be more visually inviting.

If the event is for charity, or even a portion of the proceeds go to charity (the more local the charity the better), then this fact should be out front and center by publicizing it well. I believe most people are honest, caring, and good-natured (at least in SoWal, especially when they are on vacation). If people know about the charity you're probably going to get a very high rate of paid attendees. If 10% or so of the people are never going to pay and are going to hang around the edges, then so be it. Maybe they will spend a little with the merchants, or buy a Tee shirt.

And even if there is no charity involved I think the large majority will do the right thing and pay if you have it set up properly. Booths at every major ingress between buildings and on 30A. Paid attendees get a bracelet. Have roaming greeters to approach folks without bracelets and direct them to the ticket booths. If this is done in a thorough and friendly way on the first day word will get around and those who haven't paid will be more inclined to line up.

The only tents that are needed are medical, souveniers, tickets, vendors, etc. Just those will create a separation. In between you can have signs that say, "no entry without ticket" with an arrow to "ticket sales".

The bottom line is make it an open, friendly and welcoming event and people will come in droves and almost all will pay. The festival will make a profit, the majority of homeowners and merchants will be happy, and so will locals and visitors.

Getting locals on board is very important. I know there was limited time to get the whole thing planned and exectuted, and it seemed to go pretty smooth. 30A Radio should be playing the artists leading up to the shows, with maybe an interview or two. Central Square Records should be involved with getting the word out.

Include SoWal.com in your advance marketing, and other marketing thoughout the year, and you will be way ahead of the game. ;-)

IMO Seaside Jazz Fest is a grayt thing....however, I wish they would pick up their signs on hwy 98 and 331. There are 2 of them on the north side of the road. (In the ROW)

Dear Scooterbug

I totally agree that something promoting the event/merchants/sponsers/etc...could have looked more inviting. However, I heard that the outside of the tents could only have a VERY limited amount of banners or advertising per Seaside.

I can certainly understand Seaside not wanting billboard tents, I was thinking more a poster or banner that was maybe a 1/10th of the tent's area or having vendors displaying merchandise there.

Wine festival? I would pay extra to have the wine festival and the concert combined I miss the Seaside Spring Wine Festival!

Spring Wine

That would be pretty cool tho. Don't know if Seaside could handle that many peeps in town. Homeowners don't want crowds, but merchants do...and I don't blame them either!

Word is that the Spring Wine event was not being supported by the Wine vendors/dist, since it's on the heals of the Sandestin Wine thingy. Unfortuntantly they hold the key, well Wine key that is!!!!!!!!!

<Rant mode on>
As I've said before, it flies in the face of the friendly, open vibe that Seaside formerly had as a "poster child" for the New Urban movement. If it was wide open like the usual free Seaside weekly entertainment, it would be jammed. The new management company at Seaside has different ideas...
<Rant mode off>

Too bad that you don't know from whence you speak! It was a fund raiser and how else can you raise funds if you don't control the entrance and charge admission. Seaside offers enough other free events in an attempt to give back to the public.

I think it's pretty unreasonable to expect every event at Seaside to be free!

Ticket prices may have been too high, but all of the similar events in the area cost $, even if it's a nominal amount (less than $20) to defray costs.

Thread added to the SoWal.com home page.

Kurt

I have to ask, but do you really think selling tickets to an Open venue will work?? I always trying to think good of people, but come on now! An event would have to sell a butt load of beer, food, event merch, etc...to off-set the cost of having this music talent??

PS
Good to meet you at the event on Sun.

I have to ask, but do you really think selling tickets to an Open venue will work?? I always trying to think good of people, but come on now! An event would have to sell a butt load of beer, food, event merch, etc...to off-set the cost of having this music talent??

PS
Good to meet you at the event on Sun.

Yes, it can. I think JDarg had a very good idea and that was to begin the music outside the confines of the green. I bet you could lure plenty of people (who otherwise had no intention of paying) into the gate by starting the party outside. I know, sounds crazy, but think about it...start every day off with a performance by a brass band or Mardi Gras Indian tribe as they make the rounds through the town center, across 30-A into the merchant's area then back across 30-A into the venue. These groups are built for portablility and I promise would make a connection with many people who would want to see them finish and see what was to follow. I think a reasonably priced ticket is part of the equation...$45 buys one general admission into the New Orleans jazz fest all day. Advertise the heck out of it and offer a premium VIP seating/lounge area for a more expensive ticket. Add value to all tickets-perhaps Bud and Alley's would be kind enough to knock 10% off of a meal with a ticket stub for example.

I have to ask, but do you really think selling tickets to an Open venue will work?? I always trying to think good of people, but come on now! An event would have to sell a butt load of beer, food, event merch, etc...to off-set the cost of having this music talent??

PS
Good to meet you at the event on Sun.

Good to meet you also! I believe with enough time for planning and marketing, which Seaside now has for next year's event, there's no reason why the next one can't be much more profitable than this year. But breaking even might be a realistic goal.

The event will always be limited in size because of space and parking. Maybe bring in sponsors to boost profits and keep ticket prices down if needed.

I really don't think a wall of tents is necessary. Just enough to separate the in from the out. People won't be hanging out in the gaps, and if they did, friendly security and staff can encourage them to buy tickets and come on in. Only a couple of tents along Scenic 30A are necessary. If people try to hang out there then friendly reminders from staff that the walkway needs to be kept clear is enough.

Once the amphitheater is full, is there much reason to worry about who's not on the grass?

It was an awesome show tonight. The talent over both weekends was outstanding. My compliments to Kristin Banker and all the staff and volunteers that pulled it off in a short amount of time. There may be some things that will be done differently next time but I can assure you no one on the grass was unhappy.

There were quite a few people hanging out in the cheap seats on the balcony at Central Square Records and Raw & Juicy.

Photos and video to follow.

Raw & Juicy Smoothie - $6

Cheap Seat for Neville Brothers - Priceless

Kurt

Oh yeah, I think they (Seaside Merchants Assoc.) will be looking at all of the pros and cons for next year to help make it better i.e. ticket prices, bands, additional sponsors, merchant participation, food/drink, etc... Maybe do one long weekend packed with musical acts all day long at a cheaper ticket..

Still trying to figure out how an open venue (i.e. with maybe a low fence) won't cause an issue...How would one combat the folks that pay and complain about the folks that can see the acts from outside the fence? Just a thought..

Hell, never mind. They have a long time to figure that one out. I just hope they (Seaside) doesn't give up on the event. With NOLA 4 1/2 hrs away, too many awesome bands to miss out on!
Tanks

PS Major bummer to the peeps that are boasting of not paying (Supporting) to see the musical acts.

Jazz/blues whussup with you cheapies?

Hey, y'all,

Aren't you used to paying for great music? Whatsamatta wit y'all? Musicians have to eat, buy gas, etc. don't you get it?

Huh?

QM

QM-

I don't believe that any of the many posts about this festival expressed even a shred of concern about what the musicians would be paid. They richly deserve every penny they earn, and most of them don't earn nearly enough.

We did, however, have other concerns about the festival.