Smile Politely. Speak Directly. A Champaign-Urbana Culture Blog

AW!

This took place on city owned land, that is leased to a private company.

Twenty dollars to enter, and you wonder where they get the elitism tag?

The Urbana Park Staff on salary refused to put together an event of this size. I think $20 a car for parking would have made more than broke even on land they owned.
Did their staff pick up a few bucks putting this together? Or are they touring europe?

City of Urbana employees at the market said they had nothing to do with this event. However there were police on overtime present from set up til close. How much did this cost taxpayers who were clearly not invited?

Police at any event taking place on "city" property event in Urbana have to be paid for by the event. In this case, paid for by Fluid Motion Productions. Didn't cost the taxpayers a penny.

I can't even figure out the elitism comment above. When you put an event on with live music here's what the producer of the event has to pay for.. EVERYTHING. Talent, production, ads, staff, city permits, liquor license; any fencing, port-a-potties or other items needed for set-up and operation; and anything else that's needed for the event.

It would be great if events like this one just happened and no one had to risk any money, or worry about making any for their time. But, HELLO, this is the real world. If people want events like this in Urbana-Champaign that aren't governed by the city or park district - you gotta pay for them.

Kudos to Jeff & Perry! Hopefully this event will be back for years to come.

Well I am glad someone clarifed the costs, assuming its true.

I certainly hope the park district is willing to work with you next year.

They charged for premium seating at their Chatauqua, I don't see why a $20, beer area would be a problem. As long as others could attend the general area.

Thanks for the Kudo's we appreciate it, and it will certainly be back next year and for many more years to come.

Yes, the truth of it is...is that the City of Urbana had very very little to do with the financing of the event. In addition the Urbana Park District wasn't involved with this at all. We are not sure about why the Urbana Park District didn't want to organize an event of this size, it could have been that they don't have the time. This event has been in the works since about October of 2007 and requires multiple people to work full time just on this event to make sure it runs as smooth as it did. This is a lot of man hours for the park district to give up for one event.

This was an event that "we" at Fluid Events proposed to the city and the city council and financed about 95% of including the OT police that were present during the event, as well as all of the above mentioned expenses and even more expenses that weren't mentioned above.. The other 5% was financed on part of our amazing sponsors.

We did consider that a $20.00 ticket was to much, but when considering the caliber of the talent we had playing at the festival $20.00 was very affordable. It would have cost you $15-$20 to see any of the three main headliners alone at a club on any given night, and based on other blues festivals in the midwest we were right on par. We do hope as the years go by and we have more time to prepare and find sponsors that this event can become another free downtown event such as The Urbana Sweetcorn Festival.

As far as the European Tour... well we will have to put that off a couple of years... as the event did do very well for a first year event, but only well enough to ensure that the event will happen again next year and in future years.

We would like to thank all of our wonderful sponsors and those who did attend this years event. Without your help and patronage this event wouldn't have been the same.
Thanks,
Fluid Events

"the city of the urbana had very, very little to do with the financing " and "did'nt cost the taxpayers a penny" are two different statements. Are you both from "Fluid Events."
First of all, when taking about money the only descriptor is numbers.
How much did the city contribute?
And who were the "sponsors?"
And who in the city can verify your claim since the author is too lazy to verify it or even talk about it being a promoter himself, not being an journalist?

I am sorry to put you on the spot but I am still quite annoyed over yesterday's newsgazette claiming the Carle/Health Alliance "has a thin profit margin" again "numbers are an appropiate descriptor of funds." Thats what the texts books used to teach.
Its not jounalism if you don't ask these questions or check the facts to match the "vague gauge."
And no, "I'm not paid enough" to do my job just does not cut it on this one.

ad -
Meds. Take 'em.

Before I start, I am not affiliated with Fluid Motion Events and I was not one of the promoters of this particular event.

Seriously, "ad", i agree with "Dr. Carle" - take some meds. All the things you're talking about are not even related. What the hell does a News-Gazette article about Carle/Health Alliance and "I'm not paid enough to do my job" have anything to do with this Blues event in Urbana? I can tell you - absolutely nothing.

Seth had absolutely nothing to do with this event, so him being a promoter too has no relevance to the article - he's just shedding light on positive events in Urbana-Champaign. Part of the goal of Smile Politely, I'm pretty sure. The finances of this event are not really any of your business considering that this is a for-profit event. If you want to find out the city's specific involvement in this event, contact the city of Urbana's finance department. I could be wrong, but I think anything funded by taxpayer dollars should be public record.

I understand this is a free country, but take your idiotic commentary elsewhere. You really need to find better things to do with your time.

WOW!! Where do I start....I am one of the promoters of this particular event and am very affiliated with Fluid Events!!

If you must know the City of Urbana's contribution was that of providing the garbage cans "30" to be exact, to help keep Urbana beautiful, we provided the garbage bags, clean up crew, the dumpsters and found a company to recycle all the trash.

The City also provided the barricade that surrounded the event.. to insure safety to our bands and to our patrons and helped us work with Lincoln Square to obtain the use of a great location.

The idea was for us to put together another event for the "PEOPLE" of Urbana who are interested in having a good time with Blues, Brews and BBQ and help celebrate the 175th Birthday of Urbana.

So...like I said before the financial contribution by the city was very very little!! I am sorry that I can not give you a specific number or price on renting a used 50 gallon trash barrel, or some old bike rack we used for the event barricade.

If you would like to more about the City of Urbana's involvement or what those things cost to rent contact Urbana's public works.

As for my sponsors....Central Illinois Bank, Li'l Porgy's BBQ, Urbana Business Association, WCIA, WEFT, WWHP, News Gazette, Samuals Music, WGLT, Bunny's Tavern, Lincoln Square, 99.1 the extra, Mix 94.5, WIXY 100.3, 92.5 The Chief, ETIX, 175th Birthday Commiteee.

Thanks again to all of you!!!
Event Promoter,
Jeff Grant
Fluid Events

Being mean when you are unable to debate is not nice.

Just for the record I had a good time, bbq, dancing are nice. A higher grade of elite beer would be appreciated. Thank you for your efforts.

Perception is reality. With so many park district things being cut what the city does supports beg question.

I am sorry Fein's cryptic piece raised so many questions by answering none. You would have done better to write the piece yourselves. The nature of the event itself blurred the lines of city and private event.

And if you think I am picky, check out this letter in today's newsgazette:

We took our two small children to the Urbana Park District Neighborhood Nights Concert and made our way to the information tables to see what else was going on in Urbana.

We were handed a flier advertising the Urbana Blues, Brews and BBQ event to be held at Lincoln Square. The flier was a colorful graphic cartoon of a guitar-playing, shades-wearing alligator with a cigarette hanging out of its mouth. My 6-year-old looked at me and pointed out the cigarette. I was speechless.

The flier advertised the ticket price followed by "children under 13 free with adult," so it appeared to be geared towards families. The event is to help the city of Urbana celebrate its 175th birthday.

I am just dumbfounded that in this age of banning smoking in public places, along with the common knowledge of the health complications of smoking, the city would allow a flier like this to advertise a family event to celebrate its 175th anniversary.

JOHN MINOR

Urbana

For the record I was not being mean, just answering the questions posed.

As far as the News Gazette letter...you can't please everyone...the alligator pic was a rendition taken from an old Blues Bros. poster, cigarette and all. I know for most people they probably wouldn't have gotten the reference...but for those who did it was very much appreciated. "We sold out of the limited edition posters we had printed up so somebody must have liked it."

I am glad you had fun eating bbq and dancing. For your info as the festival grows we are planning on having a wider variety of beverages, more BBQ vendors and plan on adding more exciting talent. baby steps...it takes a lot of work to organize an event such as this and sometimes your not sure what is going to work and what will not. Eventually we would like to ad things like a bbq contest, home brew contest and more attractions for families "minus the smokin alligator of course."

regards,
Jeff Grant
Fluid Events

Sorry, I forgot to thank "ad" for pointing out the Gazette article to me. You know what they say...There's no such thing as bad publicity. As long as they spell the name right. ... Any publicity is good publicity.

thanks,
Jeff Grant
Fluid Events

Jeff - great work man. We had fun and I wish you continued success!

Mr. Jeff,
I meant Mr. Duane and Dr. Carle as should be obvious.

And for the record I intend to use the quote:

"The finances of this event are not really any of your business considering that this is a for-profit event."

Whenever a promotor in this town uses any taxpayer funds as is my right. Please thank Mr. Duane accordingly.

For the record "mr. Duane" does not work for my company, does not speak on behalf of my company and has no affiliation with my company. You can use his quote all you want.

You are correct when taxpayer funds are being used for events, you as an Urbana citizen have the right to know...these are all matters of public record. I am not sure but I think the Mayors office and the office of public works would share any information with those who demand it.

As far as my business records!! they are private! and unless you are my accountant, my lawyer or my business partners you will have zero access to them. Just like your personal business I would never expect to be able look at your bank statements, mortgage info, pay checks or any other info that you would feel is private.

regards,
Jeff Grant
Fluid Events

Well using public funds does make the public your business partner. Don't want to answer questions, get private funding. Do people really invest without asking for a basic business plan or basic questions?

Who wants your mortgage, bank, and pay check stubs?

I asked questions for clarity. Why should the public think the park district is doing its job if its not or blame them when they are not involved. Clarity.

The quote may not be yours but certainly a sign that questions should be asked with an attitude like that.

I did answer your questions, we did have private funding!! At no point did the city or the park district provide us any financial help other than lending us garbage cans and used bike rack.

You are not my partner, nor does it sound like you want to be!! The public is not an investor in this event. In fact we at "Fluid Events" donated a generous portion of this events gross receipts back to the city. This was our contribution to help fund a newly formed downtown Urbana Arts Commission. Ask the right questions if want to get the answers you are looking for.

regards,
Jeff Grant
Fluid Events