2011 NearFest cancelled

[NorCalKurt]

This just in ...

It is our sad duty to inform you that the 2011 edition of the North East Art Rock Festival has been cancelled due to a lack of ticket sales. This unfortunate result is likely the product of lower-than-expected interest in a transitional lineup of talented international acts combined with a slow-to-rebound U.S. economy. Despite utilizing our well-established avenues of communication and traditional revenue streams, including the annual Patron Program, it has become apparent to the five of us that ceasing operation of NEARfest 2011 is truly the only recourse.

Though enthusiasm for an experimental new direction was not sufficiently obtained, we do greatly thank those of you that had already purchased tickets for your continued support. Rest assured that all tickets purchases will be refunded in full, including the donation portion of any Patron ticket. If any Patron would like to retain their donation status with the festival to help offset any cancellation fees we may incur, please contact Jim Robinson (jim@nearfest.com)privately by email. For those who have already booked airline travel, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you can get the most value out of any non-refundable tickets. All hotel and car rental reservations should be well outside their respective penalty windows.

We also apologize to the bands that were scheduled to play in 2011. We always look forward to presenting an exciting and diverse lineup of wonderful bands from around the world, and that includes getting to know some of them personally. We are truly sorry that we cannot have you grace our stage this year.

Please note that no decisions have been made regarding the long-term future of the festival.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

Ray Loboda, Operations Coordinator
Jim Robinson, Business Director
Kevin Feeley, Production Manager

Chad Hutchinson, Co-Founder
Rob LaDuca, Co-Founder


-------------
Ray Loboda, Operations Coordinator,
www.nearfest.com

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by NorCalKurt

This just in ...

It is our sad duty to inform you that the 2011 edition of the North East Art Rock Festival has been cancelled due to a lack of ticket sales. This unfortunate result is likely the product of lower-than-expected interest in a transitional lineup of talented international acts combined with a slow-to-rebound U.S. economy. Despite utilizing our well-established avenues of communication and traditional revenue streams, including the annual Patron Program, it has become apparent to the five of us that ceasing operation of NEARfest 2011 is truly the only recourse.

OMG! This is very disconcerting news.

Seriously, I had to check that it wasn't April 1st. Were sales REALLY that off? I know the economy is poor and has kept many, who would otherwise have, from purchasing tickets, but I wouldn't have expected it to come to this.

On the bright side, this might help boost sales for this year's RoSfest.

[dangerboy]

Yeah, I was afraid this might happen. I talked to Jim last Sunday and he was pretty bummed about the lack of ticket sales.

Breaks my heart.

[Mike413]

Not sure what they mean by "experimental new direction." This lineup didn't seem much different than any other they had. It seems to have had the same formula.

Anyway, this is too bad and sad news for those planning to attend.

[cumquott]

Gotta agree with Vax: "disconcerting". I had the impression that NEARFest was one of the "big guys" in the fest world. Ouch.

Or maybe Vaxman was doing some wordplay: "dis-concerting". Again, though, ouch.

[Laudio9]

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by cumquott

Gotta agree with Vax: "disconcerting". I had the impression that NEARFest was one of the "big guys" in the fest world. Ouch.

Or maybe Vaxman was doing some wordplay: "dis-concerting". Again, though, ouch.

Double entendre.

[RogorMortis]

Grumble, grumble, grumble, grumble....f***k, s**t and b***er...the rest you can guess......

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by RogorMortis

Grumble, grumble, grumble, grumble....f***k, s**t and b***er...the rest you can guess......

I hope you didn't have your airline booked. If you did, you're welcome to come over to spend the weekend regardless. I'm sure we can find something to do.

I'm still debating on doing something special for the 25th Anniversary. I'd love a big bash vis-à-vis KeithieW's 50th birthday bash but I doubt I'll be able to find a suitable place to hold such a gathering. It would be mid-July, not mid-June though when NF was scheduled.

[pr@halfpastfour]

it's the most sad new of this year for Prog community