Wintergrass is currently working on some major improvements. As of now Wintergrass is considering moving it’s current location for a variety of reasons. Bellevue, WA is a possible location for Wintergrass 2010 and beyond. An announcement will be made here and on the website in a few days.
Some of the items that Wintergrass is trying to improve include: jamming areas, stage locations, sound, vendor locations, availablity of rooms, room rates, parking.
Wintergrass is taking into consideration the comments that have been expressed by fans from emails, comments at the festival and from the surveys completed on the website.
Hopefully we will have more info in the next few days.
Thanks from Wintergrass!!
June 9, 2009 at 11:23 pm |
I think moving the the Bellevue Hyatt is a great idea for a number of reasons.
I have attended Wintergrass every year for the last 10 years, and I have to admit the location in Tacoma has a number of downsides; the venues are spread out, the eating options are limited, the hotel rooms expensive and scarce, and the parking is not too good. The one thing (besides the lineup, and the Wintergrass staff) that made the inconveniences acceptable was the way the Sheraton management understood the festival, and their willingness to make it a great experience. The jamming suites, the lack of restrictions on when and where we could jam, and the general vibe that they welcomed us and they were glad we were there – that accommodation really made all the difference.
This year, that feeling of welcome and accommodation was completely lacking. Although they may want our money, it was obvious that the Murano does not want us in their hotel. The restrictions on time and place for jamming, the curfews, the unfriendly security personnel, etc. made it clear we were really not welcome. Since it was their second year hosting Wintergrass, it wasn’t like they were surprised and caught off-guard. They had seen Wintergrass once, and clearly did not like what they saw, and made moves to crack down. My friends and I left the festival with a strong feeling that the Murano was going to find some reason to force Wintergrass out.
The survey focused mostly on the question of Tacoma vs Bellevue. Moving from Tacoma is not the issue – moving from the Murano is the issue. Holding the festival in a suitable venue where we are welcome and the management is willing to accommodate our unique requirements is the really important consideration. This could be in Bellevue, another location in Tacoma, or another city.
I think one of the biggest challenges Wintergrass faces is the River City festival. Because of the costs, and because they are scheduled so close together, many of us have to chose one or the other. Finances, work commitments, and family obligations make it very difficult to many of us to attend both festivals. Especially those of us who come to Wintergrass without our families because we have spouses or partners who do not love Bluegrass the way we do. (this is 100% in my circle of friends.) We need time to plan a nice weekend away with our partners before we go off for another 4 day vacation alone. If Wintergrass stays at the Murano, unless the Murano management has a radical change of attitude, I believe the crowds will switch to River City and Wintergrass may not survive.
When I mention costs and financial issues, I am only referring to the hotel and lodging costs – not the tickets. I think the Wintergrass ticket prices are very reasonable and not an issue to me at all. If the move to Bellevue is made and there are significant cost savings, I don’t think you should lower the ticket prices – I would rather see the full time staff draw a salary. Putting on this festival is too much work to expect anyone to do for free year after year. They do a great job, and they deserve to be compensated.
Anyway, I think the move to the Bellevue Hyatt is a great idea. Having the festival under one roof would be a real improvement. Plus there are many more places to eat, things to do, places to park, and traffic is really not bad at all – altogether a better place for the festival.