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PARTY WEIRDO UPDATE: ‘IF SUPPORT CONTINUES TO BE NON-EXISTENT, IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE LOSE THIS OPPORTUNITY’

Ellen GrileyWed. November 18
 

Yesterday, I checked in with the Academy Store’s Mike De La Vega and Albert Samreth and the Basement Lounge’s Markus D. Manley about last weekend’s Party Weirdo Festival. My original feature on the festival—which was held at the Basement Nov. 14—can be read here. In it, I posited that, if successful, it might be an indicator that things were finally turning around in the East Village.

So, how did it go? According to Manley, pretty good, actually: “Overall I think of the event as a success in that the Academy brought a stellar lineup of talent that mostly hadn’t performed in Long Beach,” said Manley. “The show did attract people that normally wouldn’t drive up/down/over to Long Beach and brought folks that had long written-off the Basement as a venue to see shows at.”

Still, Manley is disappointed in who didn’t show up: locals.

“But I’m a bit saddened by the lack of local support, since the Academy and the Basement produced a show to bring something different for Long Beach locals to enjoy,” Manley continued. “I spoke with a lot of people the week prior to the show that said they were excited about the show and planned to support, but just didn’t come out. Some people mentioned that the $10 door charge was too steep, but my reply was that made no sense with a combined five-digit production cost event that featured over 18 legitimate performing artists on two separate stages with over 12 hours of entertainment.”

Bummer. Manley, who with De La Vega and Samreth (plus Charlie Rose and Chris Ziegler from L.A. RECORD) invested much time in planning the event, sees nothing but potential in the Basement Lounge, especially given that this potential has been pretty much bottled up underground since shortly after the club opened in 2005. “The Basement started off well, but it got kind of that dude-bro kind of stigma behind it. Saying it went south is nice—it just straight went to a black hole,” said Manley in an interview for the Nov. 11 feature. “It was everything that Long Beach wasn’t, but they had great intentions—and now that [owner Jim Najah] is involved, he wants it to be a Long Beach venue—he wants it to be something that Long Beach people appreciate. And I’m excited about it. Even just his ideas and suggestions are amazing—it’s kind of sad to think he wasn’t as involved before.”

But while Saturday’s festival was in part meant to showcase the realization of this potential—and the Basement’s commitment to servicing its surrounding neighbors—for all the people it did bring out, Manley wishes there were more—and, what’s more, needs more.

“I can say most people, myself included, are happy about the city we live in. But it’s also widely expressed that people wish there were more events and things to do in the city,” says Manley. “We, the Basement, are going to continue with our mission to produce shows with both local artists as well as bring regional and touring talent. But if support continues to be non-existent, then it’s only a matter of time before we lose the opportunity of having a new quality performance venue. This will also be the case with event producers willing to put in months of work to produce unique shows that diversify the entertainment in the city to only receive no support.”

In other words, Long Beach flaked again—and this time we have no one to blame but ourselves.

“Mike, Albert and I aren’t doing this for popularity,” said Manley. “It’s a mixture of both a desire for something different to enjoy in the city we all call home and to give something back to all the friends we’ve made over many years in the city that have expressed this very same desire.”

Tomorrow night, Manley and the Basement will host DJ Lithuanian Prince and the ever-adorable Lili de la Mora behind the decks at Big Audio’s 45 Flavors of Funk. It’s free if you are one of the first 50 to RSVP to bigaudioparty@basementloungelb.com and just $5 if you’re not. If you missed Party Weirdo—or have found yourself complaining there’s nothing to do in this city—now might be a good chance to try something new and show your support.

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  • Yeah I know the feeling... I have been doing events in Long Beach for quite a few years now and it is always very up and down with attendance. Much like the Academy, I just like doing shows that are different and outside the box for the fun of doing them, to mix things up and try to give people a chance to experience something they normally don't. I stopped by that day to check things out around 4pm and there were not many people around. I liked the concept, but I keep up with most that goes on in the city and I only got word of this event a day before it happened. I just wish we could all work together to produce great events instead of being so segregated and clicky with things of this nature. www.LBPP.net
  • ThePrimeSpotcom
    For some reason I didn't know there was music until I walked around that night - and I own EastVillageArtsDistrict.org There is SO much going on, hard to keep things straight.
  • Like Shea and ThePrimeSpot, I also was unaware of the event until Friday night. It seems to present a need in identifying new ways of spreading the word and advertising, especially in a city that, as Shea commented, is somewhat segregated into cultural districts (some of whom famously don't like to play with each other...). But what shocks me the most about this article is the promoters receiving complaints about $10 being too steep an entry fee. As an event producer I am familiar with the concept of the public not realizing just how expensive events can be (rental of venue, licensing fees, talent split, etc.), but how can someone not give immediate credence to the scope of this thing - half a day of live music, almost 20 bands... I can't imagine how much that cost to put on. And TEN DOLLARS is too steep? Ridiculous. Yes, the economy is rough, but if someone would happily slam $5 down for a three-act night at Alex's or Prospector, how does $10 for 18 acts not make sense? Actually, how's that not a total STEAL??
  • I have a one word answer for you Logan... BOOZE! lol And funny this was an ALL AGES event until 10, when i stopped by I didnt see anyone that seemed to fit that category. I would have gladly helped promote this show if I was only asked...
  • Dave in Alamitos Beach
    I feel for these guys, I really do, but my taste in music is quite square and old fashioned (even when I was a kid). When someone does a Bossa Nova night, let me know. ;-)

    But the comments from people about getting the word out early and often is definitely true. I thought everyone today was supposed to be so wired in to technology?
  • Bossa Nova night it is! Lets do it man! In regards to everyone being wired in... hmmm i think that there are lots of poor people or broke ass people that dont have a computer or internet... im poor and without a job, and i gave up all my goodies to just have internet access, sux... but that is the MAJORITY in Long Beach, people living below the poverty level. Keep that in mind suckas...
  • Ellen_Griley
    Quick question: I wrote a 3,500 word story about this event. It was on our cover. So does no one read the paper until Wednesday or did no one read my story?
  • Hi Ellen!!

    I don't think anyone's saying District Weekly doesn't do its job in spreading the word about what's going on in Long Beach; you guys work hard to stay connected and spread the word. As a matter of fact, here I am on your site following up on old news stories, checking out the calendar, etc. It's just a point of fact that even fans of your magazine - ANY magazine, site, etc. - will sometimes miss an issue, or catch up late. And ultimately, not reading your article in time shouldn't have sealed the deal for someone finding out about the event.

    I think what's lacking is more of the word-of-mouth buzz that surrounds some events; what the solution is, I have no idea. Even though Long Beach has a thriving arts and music scene and, for the most part, there seems to be a great spirit of collaboration, I find that there are only a handful of people like Shea/LBPP.net, 562CityLife, District Weekly, and myself who are as committed to spreading the word about community events outside of their own. When I lived up in Silver Lake, you almost couldn't escape the "Are you going to Junction?"/"Are you going to Fuck Yeah Fest?"/etc. - even the haters would pronounce that they "wouldn't be caught dead at..." Point is, there was always buzz, and whether it was a Street Carnival or a small art walk in Echo Park, there were flyers everywhere and people were talking and you couldn't help but be aware of the event for weeks in advance.

    Again, not sure what the answer is. Keep doing what you're doing though, DW - you're definitely one voice dedicated to getting the word out and supporting those of us who are struggling to bring art, music and film to Long Beach.
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