For Immediate Release Please
Probable Double Booked Venue Created Confusion at Kompa
Legends Saturday October 22.
On behalf of Kompa Guide and Creole TV-NYC, we thank our media partners, the musicians of Tabou Combo, Skah Shah & System Band, the sound engineers, and the fans who stayed to witness and dance at this historic event. But we must apologize to those who were surprised by the change of venue to the Millennium Theater instead of the Ballroom and those who were not allowed to enter by Oceana's security.
On June 9, 2011, Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC signed a rental contract with Jamie Czerniawski (Oceana Event Coordinator) to use the Oceana Hall ballroom for the total sum of $3,000, gave a deposit of $600 and made the final payment on September 29, 2011. All payments were made by checks. The contract covered use of the downstairs ballroom, security guards, bartenders, bathroom attendants, valet parking, coat check, house light system. The venue is well known for hosting events for over 1,500 patrons.
On Saturday October 15, a manager from Oceana Hall named Firma called Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC at 11am and offered them the theater to which the members rejected. In the afternoon members of Kompa Guide, Creole TV-NYC and Herman Nau of Tabou Combo (stage manager of Kompa Legends) arrived at the venue for a technical walkthrough of the ballroom to discuss the logistics for electricity, sound systems and lighting equipment. Firma who was present during the inspection decided to show the theater to the staff who automatically rejected the offer to switch and reiterated that the contract was for the ballroom for a dance. Upon leaving the Oceana Hall, Kompa Guide sent a text to Jamie Czerniawski (rep who signed the contract on behalf of Oceana) to notify her that Firma was trying to persuade them to change the event to the theater and the decision was to keep the ballroom.
On Wednesday October 19 in the afternoon, Firma called several members of Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC giving them an ultimatum to switch the event to the theater. By now Kompa Guide realized that the ballroom must have been double-booked, contacted their attorney and faxed him a copy of the fully paid contract.
Thursday morning October 20, Kompa Guide's attorney called Oceana Hall to discuss the problem and is directed to their attorney Diana Bornstein who claimed it was rumored that the event may reached over the capacity of the ballroom. Kompa Guide offered to limit the event to whatever capacity would satisfy them, but pointed out all other events which attracts over 1,500 patrons at the Oceana regularly. At 4:20pm that day, Jamie sent a text to Kompa Guide "Contract is cancelled due to the fact Kompa Guide refused to move the event to the theater."
Kompa Guide immediately forwarded the text to their attorney, who notified Kompa that there was not enough time to file a court injunction which would force Oceana Hall to fulfill the contract, and since he was leaving town for the weekend, he gave Kompa two choices: to either accept the cancellation and proceed with a lawsuit which could be a lengthy process, or work-out a solution to host the event that Saturday.
Friday October 21, at 4:16pm Oceana Hall offered a new agreement to Kompa Guide via email to host the event at the Millennium Theater which has a legal capacity of 1,470 instead of the cancellation of the ballroom. Kompa Guide & Creole TV-NYC were given until 6pm to accept the agreement. The decision to accept was made for consideration of the many fans who traveled from overseas and out-of state, those who waited a life time to witness the Legends on the same stage, the musicians who made a pack of friendship to promote unity, and the expenses that were made for the event.
Saturday October 22, the day of the event, security allowed only 900 patrons and refused admission to everyone else who came after. Sound engineers did not receive the assistance that was agreed by Oceana to load the equipments. The ballroom was being used by one of their regular promoters for a Rap Album Release party. (Shame).
Again Kompa Guide and Creole TV-NYC thank everyone who supported the event and send their deepest apologies to those who were inconvenienced. But rest assured, the public and the musicians have all requested to promote the Kompa Legends at another venue in the near future. Stay tuned for further announcements!
A press conference will be held at Brasserie Creole on Friday October 28 at 7pm. We urge you to attend in order to view all documents, contracts and payments.
This is a clear case for a law suit. Hope you got good lawyers.
ReplyDeleteI was there and not very happy. I didnt learn about the reasons for the change till toward the end. We Haitians always have to rely on other people because we don't have or cant manage our own clubs, So we always be victims. Every time we have a Haitian club, we lose it.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to two clear cases of grievances that you have (1) customers with tickets who could not come in and your loss opportunity to serve 1400 of your fans;(2) your one thousand fans came to a dancing party to get a stage show.
ReplyDeleteYou must have some cut on the revenue the drinks and food(?) which were to be consumed?
But most of all, will you give the attendees the option to buy tickets for a new event at a rebate? even if it is next year?
I stopped going to these Haitian events a long time ago. If its not one thing, it's another. I'm not saying that this was solely the fault of the Haitian promoters, but I always believe that something can be done to keep the communications open and ensure that things like this do not happen. If yo look at Haitian events in New York City, this is definitely not the firsttime a big event like this has been bungled due to contractual reasons. My Haitians, we need to do better. Until then, I will continue to avoid these types of Haitian events.
ReplyDeletePlease reschedule another similar event in the near future. You owe it to your dedicated fans.
ReplyDeleteWe had envisioned a beautiful night for our legends and the fans of those three Legends Bands. A night of laughter, dancing and camaradery. Thank you for all the support and we will definitely feature the same event (dancing) in the near future. Our obstacle is finding a ballroom to accomodate such venue. If anyone knows of any such ballroom. Please let us know. To all of our fans we understand your frustrations.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Creole Tv-NYC