Anger growing over shortened Shoreline festival
Last Updated: Friday, July 28, 2006 | 11:23 AM AT
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The organizer of the Shoreline Music Festival is trying to cool the tempers of hundreds of angry ticket holders who want to know why last weekend's concert was cut short.
'We still have to pay all of our bills'-Dave Christian
Festival organizer Dave Christian said he had no choice but to cancel the last day of the festival — which focuses on young, up-and-coming performers — because of heavy rains, power outages and safety concerns. Angry ticket holders are posting online messages, saying they paid $100 for a show that was supposed to be rain or shine.
Christian said he is considering refunds.
"I will certainly take a look at it," he told CBC News Tuesday.
"We have a lot of things to work out, obviously, but I certainly would never dream of discounting people's opinions about refunds. I'll take a look at what I'm dealing with, and we'll make some decisions in that regard."
Some bands have also not been paid.
"I'm puzzled as to what made the organizers call it quits," said Alec O'Hanley of Two Hours Traffic, whose band was supposed to play Sunday.
"All this speculation that's happening isn't really helping anybody and we just kind of need an answer."
Security guards went around Rollo Bay on Sunday morning, telling soggy campers the show was cancelled. O'Hanley said his band was never told why.
Christian said he's not trying to cut and run.
Vows to pay bills
"There's absolutely no financial benefit to us to cancel the show on Sunday," he said.
"We still have to pay all of our bills and we have every intention of doing so. We always have, so that won't change."
He promised the bands will be paid, whether they played or not.
O'Hanley believes the money will come, but he's disappointed that one of the East Coast's most groundbreaking music festivals had to be cut short.
Christian's troubles weren't limited to the weather. He said counterfeit bracelets also cut into his revenues.
"We did have some difficulties with people here on the Island bootlegging our bracelets and selling them at local establishments here in Charlottetown and in Souris," said Christian.
"They were pretty high-tech about it. We actually changed our bracelets about three times over the course of the weekend and they kept up with us every time."
Police didn't return phone calls from CBC regarding an investigation.
Christian said he will soon post information on his website regarding refunds.
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