Sunset Junction Festival Canceled!

[Strider]

So it looks like no Sunset Junction this year, for the first time in 30 years.

The writing has been on the wall for some time, and to a lot of us old-timers, who had been going to the Sunset Junction since the old days in the 80s when it was free and it really did reflect the Silver Lake neighborhood, this is not exactly a shock. But it is kind of sad and says much about the city and its antagonism towards certain arts. I myself hadn't been to a Sunset Junction Festival since around 2005 or so, but after seeing some of the bands they had lined up this year, I was thinking about making a return...even after seeing the tickets were $25!

The following report is from the City Maven on huffingtonpost.com:

The 31st annual Sunset Junction music festival in Silver Lake was denied a permit today by members of the Board of Public Works, who expressed frustration and anger at the organizations inability to pay for more than $250,000 in services rendered by the city.

At issue was an outstanding tab from last years event, plus another $141,000 that would need to be paid to the city for this years event.

Two days ago, an attorney for the Sunset Junction festival told the board the organization could only offer $50,000 toward this years event. Following that meeting, Live Nation made a $100,000 donation to the group however, a review of the groups available checking balances showed the funds had yet to clear.

The annual festival was slated for this Saturday and Sunday.

This is not an indication to me of any sort that any funds are secured, that any funds will be available for issuance of a check to support this special events permit, board President Andrea Alarcon told the festivals attorney, Phillip Tate.

This is a remarkable disappointment.

Todays decision leaves the Sunset Junction festival with an uncertain future.

Clearly there are a lot of people who love this festival, Tate said. If the festival does not happen, it is very likely this organization will collapse under the litigation that will ensue.

Problems began a year ago when the city issued a permit for the event even though the estimated fees for police, sanitation and traffic crews were not paid in advance. Following the festival, the city sent organizers three invoices for $256,484. The unpaid bill was eventually forwarded to the Office of Finance, which turned it over to a collection agency, and ultimately the matter was referred to the city attorneys office.

Festival organizers, however, believe they were overcharged and question why fees shot up so dramatically over the last few years. According to Tate, the Los Angeles Police Departments bill for the 2010 festival included a police officer who claimed to work 28 hours in one day and police officers who billed for days beyond when the event was held.

They did try to question this bill from the beginning, Tate said.

[Steve Z(oso)]

So it looks like no Sunset Junction this year, for the first time in 30 years.

Then you'll just have to go see Led Zepagain at the House of Blues Sunset tomorrow night!

[ledzepfvr]

You won't be dissappointed! Having seen them a couple of times myself I can say Led Zepagain really does put on a great show.

Too bad about the fesitval. A sad sign of the times.