The vote, based upon eight review criteria including how the events would impact the community, completed the second in a three-step approvals process and came on the heels of last week’s 4-1 vote by the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission to make Town Park available on the nights of Aug. 9 and 10, and extending the park’s traditional 10 p.m. curfew to 11 p.m. in the process.
“I’m worried,” admitted Craig Ferguson, promoter of the mid-June, three-decades-plus Telluride Bluegrass Festival, who will co-produce the as-of-yet-unconfirmed but breathlessly awaited concerts with AEG Live, if they indeed happen.
“This is a big thing,” he continued, his face sober with the realization of someone fully understanding the expression “be careful what you wish for.”
“I’m feeling a little hyper-responsible,” he said.
Before the commission approvals process began the Telluride Society for Jazz, which already had Town Park booked on the proposed Phish dates for cleanup of its longstanding annual festival, had to first give its blessing because of concern that its event and dedicated patrons could be overwhelmed by a flashy two-night-stand.
But fast-paced negations that began a few weeks ago and will doubtlessly continue well into the future resulted in the Jazz board of directors’ conditional approval of the concerts.
“Obviously this is a pretty unique dynamic and not one, I don’t think, we’ve ever had to deal with before,” TSJ Board President Terry Tice told CCAASE.
But after some “open and honest discussions” that are still ongoing, Tice said he believes the result can be a win-win for both parties.
Phish, the heir-apparent to the Grateful Dead legacy, is known for its multitude of followers on the road when on tour, and concerns have been raised that teeny, tiny Telluride simply won’t be able to accommodate the masses that could inundate the town.
If the Hotel Columbia’s Scott Matthews experience is an indication, the worry may not be wholly farfetched.
“I’m already sold out 70 percent at festival rates,” for the unconfirmed Phish dates, he said.
“The Town not going to have a problem selling all its rooms.”
Indeed, the opposite scenario is what is most worrisome to TSJ Executive Director Paul Machado.
“Lodging is going to be key,” he said.
“We just want to be really confident that our Jazz people get in,” he said. Otherwise, “It would be devastating for Jazz.”
Still, if the lodging community will agree to set aside enough rooms for Jazz patrons – and Machado is confident it will, “I think lodging will work out,” he said.
A smaller worry is that Jazz may find itself up against a volunteer shortage if people forgo working that festival to ensure they get in to see Phish.
“We’re working on getting our volunteers Phish tickets,” Machado said.
The Telluride Town Council will complete a final review of the proposed concerts when it meets next Tuesday, March 9.
Post a Comment