And the demise of the Birmingham Heritage Festival
By Wade Kwon
Earlier today, we posted a preview of the returning Birmingham Heritage Festival.
Scratch that.
The three-day music festival was scheduled for Linn Park on Friday through Sunday, with Ludacris, Angie Stone, Keyshia Cole, Chaka Khan and OverFloe. But financial woes have forced organizers Ascension Event Management to pull the plug three days before opening.
The first hint of trouble came when the organizers approached the city council for a last-minute loan of $300,000 to pay acts. The second hint came today when rapper Ludacris, billed as a performer, said he wasn’t performing, calling the festival “bogus.”
Lawrence Walker of Ascension Event Management released a statement on the Birmingham Heritage Festival site, citing a broken promise from the City of Birmingham and even blaming negative media coverage. [See statement after the jump.]
Ticket buyers can receive refunds from the original point of purchase.
Statement from the festival organizers:
For Immediate Release:
The management of the Birmingham Heritage Festival regrettably announces the cancellation of the Birmingham Heritage Festival. As it is widely known, we booked highly recognizable artists for the Birmingham Heritage Festival with a goal of providing a world-class event for the citizens of Birmingham right in their own back yard. It is in the best interest of the Birmingham Heritage Festival and its supporters to cancel the event at this time.
We were faced with many obstacles that we were not able to recover from. In light of the recent financial problems facing the community, we feel that we cannot continue at the expense of the citizens. We had hoped the that the City of Birmingham would come on board to support us as we were led to believe.
We would like for the public to know that we did have contracts on all of the artists that were advertised and we did fall into budget shortfalls due to an investor pulling out at a late hour. The loss of the festival’s city permits was the final incident that lead to the cancellation of the event. The permits were revoked because the Birmingham Heritage Festival was not able to pay the upfront $149,000 police and $16,000 fire and rescue fees (which are waived for most other events) that were not waived by the City Council.
In spite of what has been said in the media, we are thankful for the support that we received from everyday citizens. We want to send the message to them that we are very appreciative of their support in ticket purchasing, posting well wishes on our Web site, and even simply inviting a friend to join them at the festival. These are the people who were hopeful that the Birmingham Heritage Festival would survive and because of their optimism, we tried to the very end to salvage this event. We wanted to end in a fashion that would prevent us from reliving the mistakes of City Stages. We hope to recoup from this loss.
Refunds will be issued from the point of purchase
Should the City of Birmingham made the loan? Could organizers have done more before approaching the city? Or is it impossible to put on a big music festival in this economic climate or in this locale? Sound off in the comments.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 11:28 pm
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 6:05 am
Well, we kinda smelled this was coming. Thanks for posting your feedback like the true solider you are.
Even though I purchased my tickets for the event, only to see Chaka Khan (one of the great female vocalist of our time), I kind of smelled the burning flesh minutes after the City Council denined their loan request. The festival should have learned a lesson from City Stages. And to add, the 2-for-1 weekend pass was too good to be true. Usually, when it’s too good to be true, it’s not true at all. Technically, I was bamboozled. LOL.
I shall see you one day, Chaka. I’ll be checking the Black & White to see when you will belt out “Do You Love What You Feel” in Atlanta.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 10:16 pm
At least the Heritage Festival didn’t take down their vendors as City Stages did.
Friday, August 19, 2011, 5:40 am
yes….the vendors have not been refunded or given any current contact info(the management dc’d their phone).
if anyone has contact info, for refunds….pls share.
Monday, January 14, 2013, 7:14 am
As a vendor who applied 3 months prior to the deadline,I was very dissapointed! With the way the promoter responded. Once he knew he wouldn’t receive financing & permits, he had a moral & legal obligation to notify vendors & refund their booth fees. To this date, we have not received either. Yes “things” happen….. But those things should’ve still motivated them to “do the right thing.” instead they “ran.” I would encourage all vendors (especially) & patrons to research promoters(Internet,BBB,other available methods).
Sorry for us all!!!!’n