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.

The questions about traffic are N/A. For those of us from out of town, traffic is the same in both places.

Tacoma: +The church and Rialto are great venues. The Murano has ambiance. Familiarity. -Bad jamming rules, jammers in more than one building.

Bellevue: +Relaxed jamming(?), cheaper, jammers under one roof. -Unfamiliar, does it have character like the Murano? (River City is too sterile)

Matt

I really doubt that many people (except Tacoma locals) would stop coming if the festival were no longer in Tacoma. People care about the music, the scene, and the cost. With a good lineup and reasonable costs, people will come no matter what. Look at all of the people who drive for hours on summer weekends to camp in the dirt and sometimes extreme weather.

No real downside as far as I can see to this move.

Chuck