Wintergrass Greener on the Other Side of the Fence?
A story broke late yesterday that left us a little sad. The organizers of the Wintergrass festival are considering moving the festival out of Tacoma and say they will have a decision on the possibility of moving the event to Bellevue by the end of the week. The loss of the music – with the plethora of performances and spontaneous jam sessions in the lobby of the Murano – would be sad enough, but the loss of the thousands of visitors to the community along with their wallets would impact local business.
Wintergrass has always been one of our favorite weekends in Tacoma. Walking downtown and seeing the streets filled with people, hearing music floating out of Urban Grace, in the hallways of the Murano or on the street corner, for one weekend it felt like we had arrived. Once again we are asking the question, “Why is it so hard to keep a good thing in Tacoma?”
Link to The News Tribune article
Filed under: Arts, Events
17 comments
A altered Chords June 3, 2009
That question begs for specifics. WHY is this specific event considering leaving? Hotel space? That seems to be one of the main reasons the convention center is struggling.
Russell, DaVita – totally different reasons for considering relocation than Wintergrass.
J jp solyom June 3, 2009
This would be an excellent question to ask the City of Tacoma. I’m sure that they’re on the ball finding out why the organizers of popular events are leaving town.
Does anybody know where this information is published?
It can’t be a lack of hotel space since I’m sure the people who planned the Convention Center made sure that visitors would have ample places to stay while participating in a Convention Center event… Common sense… Right?
J jamie from thriceallamerican June 3, 2009
Bellevue? Bellevue??? Seriously???
Words escape me. That’s about the most un-bluegrassy place I can think of.
D dolly varden June 3, 2009
If they move to Bellevue, I won’t be heading up there — can’t think of any less bluegrassy town. And I’d want my money back for the tickets I’ve already bought for next year’s festival.
D dolly varden June 3, 2009
Jaime @3 – I promise I didn’t see your use of the word “bluegrassy” until I posted my comment — great (?) minds think alike.
S Sarah June 3, 2009
Losing Wintergrass would be terrible! That’s the best weekend of the year for our fair city. I’ve volunteered at the event before and I know there have been clashes between the Hotel Murano mgt. and the musicians wanting to play/jam all night… it’s a classy hotel. Maybe we should just find another venue, or consider more of a camping type festival in the warmer months (February is a bit cold for sleeping outdoors).
Seriously, not Bellevue. Oye.
T tom waits June 3, 2009
@2: it might be worthwhile to ask the city, but also, isn’t this something that the CVB ought to have a handle on?
afterall, they are the shop that is supposed to help event planners and are, from their website, “The official destination marketing organization for Pierce County, Washington.”
K KAC June 3, 2009
I’ve emailed the mayor and a few council members, asking them to do what they can to keep Wintergrass. I think Tacoma needs Wintergrass. It is a huge gift to our city.
T Tammy Blount June 4, 2009
Hey folks, rest assured your CVB is involved, as is the City, the Hotel community and our local facilities… we love Wintergrass too.
M Morgan June 4, 2009
If Murano has gotten too exclusive, there are other hotels downtown: the Winthrop, Olympus, Markle, Doric… hmmmm, I see.
How about using some of the empty condo buildings?
Seriously, it would be so sad to lose one of the only annual destination events Tacoma has! It would be the saddest thing since the Tortured Artist Film Festival left town.
A altered Chords June 4, 2009
I called Obama and he said it should move to a more bluegrassy state like Kentucky.
S Squid June 4, 2009
Let’s see, empty convention center with inexpensive chain hotel across the street.
J J. Cote June 5, 2009
According to the TNT article, the hotel management was a bit bent out of shape with impromptu the lobby jam sessions. Obvious a no-no in such a high-brow joint.
I find it a bit perplexing that Tacoma begs for money losers like Tall Ships and then can’t keep a winner like Bluegrass just because a hotel has it’s nose out of joint. There ARE other venues such as mentioned by Squid @ #12. C’mon people, get it together. Losing this festival would be a terrible loss.
C CA June 5, 2009
Sounds like the symbiosis that existed between Wintergrass and the Sheraton does NOT exist between Wintergrass and the Murano. However, I’m not sure how this would improve in Bellevue. Wintergrass and the Murano need to sit down and figure out a plan that works for both of them.
Z Zak Nelson June 7, 2009
For any and all who care about Wintergrass — the music, not the politics — there will be a Strum-a-thon at Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub (815 Pacific Ave, Tacoma) Monday, June 8 from 4-6 pm to show Wintergrass the love and support keeping our cultural mojo!
Bring your guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, harmonicas and sitars for a community jam/rally!
O offbroadway June 9, 2009
By (only) my point of view, the jamming at Wintergrass ’09 was not quite as restricted as has been reported and repeated by some who were not there. Very late in the evening the jammers (and listeners) were asked to move from the lobby to the meeting rooms. And around 3 a.m. they were asked to shut down. Perhaps because there was limited staff to supervise(?). The gentleman from the Murano who could have killed me with one finger ushered out the reluctant stragglers with a smile and utmost courtesy and patience. Agreed, compared to the freedom of previous years it was not the same. A few groups went to the Marriott and jammed all night with no supervision or hinderance. WWRFD? (Rob Folsom). I think part of the charm of Wintergrass is how it’s spread out all over, forcing people to get out and about, at least a little bit. However it surprises me how many Tacoma supporters have NEVER gone to Wintergrass. Ever. If another hotel offers a nice package in this day and age, one can’t blame Wintergrass for considering its options.
O offbroadway June 10, 2009
Thanks, Erik. Done with the survey in less than 5 minutes. (Still time left to stop at the 1022 again.) I hope this all has raised some awareness about this internationally-renown festival and what it means to Tacoma. And that it stays in Tacoma. And for all of you who have never been….