FUNDRAISING FIASCO

"Jammin' on the Plaza, the free concert series held at PPL Plaza in Allentown, has been canceled for the remainder of the summer over a lack of funds, an organizer said Thursday.

Kevin Fleming, co-chairman of the Valley Vision 2015 Community Team, said the concert series, which featured local, regional and national acts from 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, had to be cut short because fundraising was unsuccessful."

- The Morning Call, 2009



There are plenty of talented bands and groups that would perform for free at the Plaza and there are vendors/sponsors that would assist in paying the City fees to do events such as this. Unfortunately, since the mindset of many people is kinda backwards when it comes to funding, events, such as this one, are cancelled due to lack of money/interest.
Self-sufficiency is the answer to do these NEEDED events in Allentown. Stop depending on the City, possible funding and grants, big name corporate sponsors, etc and just do as we did with UPWARD BOUND, ALLENTOWN II that attracted over 500 people between 6th and 7th Streets on Hamilton Street, 3 weeks ago, and had over 20 artists/groups that came from as far away as NYC and Lancaster, PA and represented a multiple array of music and talent: classical string, merengue, rap, bachata, R & B, salsa, middle eastern belly dance, gospel, and more! We are the most Official "Unofficial" Annual Event in A-town and we still had a crowd WITHOUT commercials, press conferences, etc. Go to www.lehighvalleyflavor.piczo.com for highlight pictures.
You CAN have events FOR the community that are supported BY the community. You may not get $10,000.00 from BUTZ CONSTRUCTION but $50.00 from the neighborhood corner store that has been in operation for 5 years and $100.00 from the hardware store that has operated for 8 years and countless other small businesses that are the TRUE life blood of A-town do ADD-UP! And believe me, THEY WANT POSITIVE EVENTS LIKE THIS. It may take longer and and need a little more work, but it can be done, ask Alfonso Todd, Ben Nicholson, and Christina Smith of BLURB Media/Promotion.
One last thing, please remember this is an URBAN area. Rock and alternative bands are nice (I happen to like The Ataris, Bjork, and Silverchair) , but the demographic in Center City A-town doesn't match this musical genre. Also, please stop trying to cater to PPL employees. It's been proven time and time again that they may stop and come out and eat lunch on the Plaza but for afternoon and weekend functions, it's a high risk or a no-go.
Yes, A-town has been anti-urban "anything" for years but if Alfonso can continue to do events that cater to the URBAN masses that DO spend money and dwell in Center City "without any incidents" i.e. fights, arrests, etc and they are family-oriented as well as entertaining, and educational, why can't other WELL FUNDED entities/businesses do the same to enhance the City ?

I'm just sayin',

J.BLACK

www.5minutes2shine.blogspot.com
www.lehighvalleyflavor.piczo.com