July 6, 2009

North Beach Jazz Fest Postponed Until 2010

NBJF benefit concerts featuring Rebirth Brass Band on July 24-25

It is with deep sadness that we pass the news to you our loyal community that the North Beach Jazz Fest has been postponed and will not take place during its normal late-July timeframe in 2009. This annual tradition, which has been enjoyed by thousands of music fans from around the world for 14 years, will be taking a one-year hiatus for financial reasons. The one-year pause will give festival organizers, Sunset Promotions, the necessary time to reorganize and re-launch the event on a more sustainable model.

To help raise money to offset losses incurred in 2008, benefit concerts will be held at Great American Music Hall on July 24-25 2009 with frequent NBJF headliners Rebirth Brass Band. (BUY TICKETS AT SUNSETTICKETS.COM).

“We looked at this from every angle and met with all stakeholders, including the Mayor’s office, Supervisor Chiu’s office, the SFPD and the Rec. and Park Department” said festival director John Miles “And despite everyone’s good-faith efforts, the numbers simply didn’t add up. We need to go back to the drawing board.”

The festival has become increasingly more costly since 2005 when the producers changed the configuration in Washington Square Park to appease a minority opposition who opposed alcohol sales. The new configuration cost an average of 40% more to produce while revenues have not kept pace. In addition, the Rec. and Park Commission has recently increased their fee requirements to meet massive budget deficits.

“It’s really heartbreaking that we couldn’t find a way to make it happen, especially because this event means so much to so many” said co-director Robert Kowal “But it’s one thing to work for two months to break even, and another to know you are going to lose. Last year the balance tipped too far to the negative and it’s time to come up with a new model. If people want to help us bring this back, the first thing they can do is to attend the benefit concerts (with Rebirth Brass Band on July 24-25)”

Affectionately referred to internationally as the "Soul of San Francisco," the 14-year old event has hosted an indoor/outdoor programming featuring over hundreds of local and international artists at over 30+ locations throughout the city. Special programs are also offered including Jazz and Heritage in the Park, two days of free jazz in Washington Square Park with attendance of over 3,000 guests per day.

Sunset Promotions has worked tirelessly to produce this wonderful San Francisco event and looks forward to turning 15 in 2010. John Miles and Robert Kowal of Sunset are currently working with Northern Station Police Department, Supervisor David Chui, and Mayor Gavin Newson to re-engineer the event for a re-launch in 2010

DO YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? (see below for FAQ's)

JULY 24 and 25 at Great American Music Hall
NORTH BEACH JAZZ FEST BENEFIT CONCERTS
featuring New Orleans own
REBIRTH BRASS BAND
plus
THE HACKENSAW BOYS (fri)
EXTRA ACTION MARCHING BAND (sat)
DJ CONCERNED (both)
TICKETS HERE

NBJFAQ's

Q: WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?
A: The most important thing people can do right now is to attend the benefit concerts on July 24 and 25. These concerts will attempt to offset the losses of the 2008 North Beach Jazz Festival and put the event on better financial ground for 2010. You can also make a donation HERE.

Q: IF THESE CONCERTS GO WELL, WILL NBJF 2009 HAPPEN?
A: No. The North Beach Jazz Fest, as it was previously configured, was unsustainable. The Festival will not happen again until a new model can be worked out and launched. We have actually made a lot of progress towards this new configuration but it was not ready for 2009. The Great American Music Hall concerts are aimed at offsetting 2008 losses and putting the event back on its feet for a relaunch in 2010.

Q: WHAT WENT WRONG?
A: The festival was a sustainable and successful event until 2005 when a vocal minority in North Beach began advocating for a ban on our beverage sales in Washington Square. With the support of Mayor Newsom's office, NBJF was able to strike a compramise that moved beverage sales onto Union Street and secured the park with more barricades and security. Unfortunately, the cost of these changes increased the event's overhead by as much as 40%. These increased costs were offset by sponsors and increased sales in 2005-7. In 2008 as the economy worsened, sponsors became scarce and two cloudy days in 2008 cut sales drastically. The festival took a massive loss last year. For the past 11 months, Sunset Promotions has been meeting with city officials, including the Rec & Park Dept, SFPD, Mayor Newsom's office and Supervisor Chiu in order to find a way to pull off NBJF 2009. Despite the best efforts of all parties, there is simply no way to make this event a reality in 2009. The focus now is to raise some money to offset 2008 losses, and continue planning for a relaunch in 2010.

Q: HOW CAN I MAKE A DONATION?
A: We are accepting donations and they will help offset out losses in 2008 and put us on firmer financial ground form 2010. You can make a donation by clicking HERE.

Q: I WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR NBJF 2010. WHO DO I CONTACT?
A: Sponsorship is the most direct and effective route towards a successful NBJF 2010 and we are actively seeking sponsors. If you are interested, please contact John Miles at info AT sunsetpromotions DOT net.

Q: I'M AN ARTIST AND WOULD LIKE TO PERFORM AT NBJF 2010
A: Thanks for your interest and support. At present, we are not accepting submissions towards NBJF 2010. Stay tuned here for updates. In the meantime, if you are interested in playing for one of Sunset's other events, or at Mojito Cafe, send an email to info AT sunsetpromotions DOT net. Make sure to include SF gig history, a bio, and links to music.