Live Music Seaside JAZZ Festival

[TreeFrog]

Nobody ever likes it when you say "I told you so"...

The new management company at Seaside continues to treat it like a for-profit resort, rather than a community, as everyone has come to expect it to be over its fairly successful life as a model for New Urbanism.

The corporate suits probably won't learn the real lesson from this, which is of course that events like this should be free and you will gain the profit in ways other than admission and concessions. Instead, they'll all look at each other a go "Gosh, I sure thought that would be popular. Guess those folks just don't like a music festival."

 

[Smiling JOe]

Good points, TreeFrog. I think your are spot-on regarding making it free, gaining profit in other ways. For example, if they would have not erected the privacy tents, they would have opened more parking yesterday, today, tomorrow and Sunday, thereby encouraging more people to shop in the Seaside stores, all of which Seaside takes a cut. They could have worked together with Seaside stores with merchandise sales. HELLO!!!! I wonder if they even knew that Central Square is one of the coolest record shops in the country. Why they didn't ask Central Square to help promote the event, handle the sales of the records, band tee-shirts, etc is beyond me. With free venue and no blockade tents, Seaside restaurants would have been busier (again, with the parking blocked yesterday, too, these restaurants LOST business), as people choose to dine and watch. There was almost no promotion of this event, unless you consider creating a website a promotion.

I really hate that all of this is happening in Seaside, because I have many friends with stores in Seaside, and many others who work there, and I hate to see their businesses suffer due to the incompetency of the suits or whomever is to blame for this. I know that people probably put much time and effort into making this event "happen," and if their hands were tied by the suits, I really cannot blame them for the eff-up.

I will find it entertaining to see what changes are made if any, for the remainder of this weekend and next weekend. Next weekend, ticket prices increase from $100 to $150 ea. The Neville Bros headline, and it is Memorial Day Weekend, so they may be busy by default, but not if people have to park at the SoWal Courthouse Annex, wait for a shuttle to drive them over.

 

[Miss Kitty]

...looks like some of the Seaside owners finally got their wish!

 

[jodiFL]

I really feel bad for all the performers that are slated for this event. What could have been a gold mine has now turned into a "black eye" for all involved in the planning and execution of this "Jazz Fest"

 

[Smiling JOe]

I'd post a video of Rebirth Brass Band performing last night, but I'm scared that the Red Shirts would come after me and try to take my film. Maybe after next week's performances, I'll post a couple. I don't want to give away my hidden camera location too soon.

Though it has nothing to do with Rebirth Brass Band, because they are AWESOME(!!!), I thought it was funny that Raw & Juicy had more people enjoying juice last night than Seaside had people paying to see a fabulous band.

Speaking of Rebirth, they released a new album last week, "25," celebrating their 25th year. Go up to Central Square Records and get you a copy. Also, on May 30-31, Rebirth will have their 25th anniversary party in New Orleans, so if you are over that way, go to the Maple Leaf on Oak Street.

www.rebirthbrassband.com

www.myspace.com/rebirthbrassband

 

[DuneLaker]

Out on 30A last night for dinner at Fish Out of Water. Drove by new county parking lot between Seaside and WaterColor. Wondered why it was empty with all those shuttle signs up. If you are going out tonight near Seaside and Jazz Festival, and don't mind walking just a bit, I'd park there. Even has nice bathrooms. Think way is clear to walk down on north side of 30A to event. Be careful there if you decide to cross to south side of road. County really does need to mark pedestrian crosswalk to south side of road with reflective paint, blinking light or something, etc. People drive fast there from pent up driver rage as they have just crawled through congested Seaside traffic and parking.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Note: Those restrooms at that parking lot close at sunset! While the walkway is clear to Seaside, please be careful, because I almost twisted my ankle on the multi-use path last night just outside of that new parking lot. It appears that the concrete path has sunken down in one spot, making it hazardous.

 

[30A Skunkape]

This just makes me sick. I thought Rebirth was playing today

As long as we are handing out accolades to Rebirth, I thought you all might enjoy this video. They are first class human beings
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZWcwzyJYlc"]YouTube - Rebirth Brass Band performs for homeless[/ame]

 

[Smiling JOe]

Skunky, I called Christi's cell phone to invite you guys, but it was the wrong number. I also called your home number, but got no answer nor answering machine.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Skunky, I called Christi's cell phone to invite you guys, but it was the wrong number. I also called your home number, but got no answer nor answering machine.

Sorry. I will have to give you the number for the 'red phone'