Photo Credit: Tampabay.com
After being given a conditional permit to hold the second edition of his festival, Monterey Music Summit, at Laguna Seca Recreation Area, presenter Joe Fletcher has decided that the conditions are just a bit too costly (or unnecessary). According to a release from the festival's PR firm, Fletcher plans to relocate the festival to an unknown Monterey, CA-area location in October of this year.
The reason for the costly permit is everybody's favorite Southern Californian rapper-entrepreneur, Snoop Dogg. Appeals from local residents, who cited Snoop's violent lyrics and suggested that his connections with various gangs would be strong enough to attract a critical mass of opposing factions to the festival, led one member of Monterey County's Board of Supervisors to vote against the permit and the four other members to attach a security proviso before allowing it.
The proviso, according to the Salinas Californian, mandates the following measures to be taken in order for the festival to go on as planned, with Snoop at Laguna Seca: presence of undercover Monterey County Sheriff's deputies at the festival, a ban on all firearms except for those used by on-duty law enforcement, extra searches for Snoop Dogg, his entourage and vehicles; last, but not least, metal detectors for everyone going into the venue. The press release mentions "heightened security demands... noise restrictions (and) production costs" as major factors for the rescheduling, along with "minimal demand for camping."
In response, Fletcher has decided not to do any more festivals on land controlled by Monterey County. Understandably so (my apologies if you thought that this was going to be a standard un-biased news item). The events that have Fletcher and the festival is pure lunacy, and I feel like I almost shouldn't explain why it is, for it might be insulting to your intelligence.
Snoop was an active member of the large L.A. street gang the Crips in high school (the late 80's) and has faced numerous recent charges for gun and drug possessions. However, he's also a 20 million album-selling father of three and has done a track with the Game, who has an affiliation with the Bloods, who have a major historical rivalry with the Crips.
In addition, Snoop is the only performer at the festival with any ties to a major street gang like the Crips whatsoever, so its doubtful that many members of any gang would show up in the first place. Laguna Seca is pretty well removed from the San Francisco and L.A. metro areas, so it doesn't seem like a good place for some major showdown to occur, no matter who would perform there.
Let's just hope that the griot of the L.B.C. maintains his wits and opts to play in October.
No word on how the lineup will be impacted by the announcement.
Ticketholders will be contacted by inticketing.com for refunds.
-- Ross Moody
16 comments:
What about the people who already purchased tickets to a cancelled event?? I still have not received my refund and now Joe Fletcher (promoter) won't answer his phone!!
I also have not recieved a refund and the phones are not being answered!!!
I may have to take this to better business bureau....
yeah, Let's take this FLETCHER TO THE BANK...contact Better Business Bureau, the County Board of Supervisors, the City of Monterey Police Department, the City of Monterey Public Officials, and any and all newpapers in the Santa Cruz, Salinas, and Monterey areas.
Write to everyone...let's do it now, because the ___ has everyone's money and is making interest on that money...singed. pissed off
Has anyone received a ticket refund?
I've spoken with them twice and both times been told, "the check will be in the mail by the end of the week". That was over a month ago. Now they won't return e-mails or voicemails.
I am also furious about the lack of availability with these people.
I've mailed in my confirmations per their instructions, "return to sender", now they won't answer their phone or emails.
Everyone, please go to the
BBB website and click on "consumers" then proceed to fill out their complaint form.
This is BS!
I have also contacted them in every way they required for a refund. (Letter, email, phone)
I even called InTicketing.com and they said they were going to call "Christine@montereymusicsummit.com" and get back to me. I will reply again when i hear about my refund.
I also contacted my local news station that does investigations for the community. So hopefully the people will get their refund soon!
I just got a response from the Better Business Bureau. After trying to contact them many times no response. What a shocker. These people are criminals. Has anyone had any luck or any suggestions?
We are a vendor that signed up for the 2008 Monterey Music Summit, after having such a great experience in the 2007 Summit. After the Fletcher's cancelled the event, we were told (after we contacted them) that there would be a rescheduled date for the 2008 Summit Festival and we would get some correspondence on this. Nothing ever came. After weeks, and months of calling, I finally got through to Christine on 10/31/08, who said she would process our refund the following week, as she was busy getting ready for the Barock the Peninsula Concert on 11/01/08. Two weeks have passed and we are back at no answered phone calls. I have contacted our attorney and the County and City officials. Very unprofessional and very dishonest!
A really great article was written about Christine recently in our local paper. I intend to contact the newspaper about how "wonderful" these people really are!
I admit I've only read a few of your comments...but didn't need to read anymore. As much as you can do to expose JFPresents unethical business practices I would.
He is being sued by a group of investors (who fronted money for MMS) for not refunding any part of their $350K. They are not the first group of investors whom he has suddenly stopped answering the phone on. There is well over $500K being sought from him.
It is deeply saddening but also amazing that someone has built such a business and does this to music fans.
Press, Politics, whatever you can do..do it. The people are being heard these days. We have the power!
Suprise I wanted my refund right away. When I found out the concert was cancelled, I called and e-mailed. They told me about the later date that ended up not happening. I still have yet to get a refund for my tickets. This is absolutely ridiculous & very unprofessional. I've done shows in the past, and would never expect this from them.
I still don't have my refund either and am not wanting to give up on it since I had purchased 3 tickets. Does any one know if there was a lawsuit filed or where we can get a hold of someone??
I too, was totally ripped off. I spent $150.00 on advance tickets and NEVER got a refund or any form of credit. I called, I wrote letters, I emailed…all to no avail. Of course, now the numbers are all disconnected. Worst concert promotion EVER.
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Consumer Watchdog is a non-profit consumer advocate group. Here’s their online complaint form:
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/complaints/
Here’s link to the California Attorney General’s office’s page on consumer issues/complaints as well:
http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php
One or both of these agencies may offer assistance in investigating your issue, and/or point you in the right direction in terms of hiring a lawyer if necessary. I think it’s a good place to start as opposed to diving right in to a law firm.
Let's work on getting our refunds and not give up so easily. I've waited much to long for my refund its time we get our money back!
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