Pyramid concert is step in right direction
I would like to take the opportunity to thank
everyone who was involved with Beach Blast 99.
Toby Sexton
One of the reasons I ran for president
was to accomplish this concert.
I was tired of hearing previous Associated
Students Inc. administrations promise to put on a seemingly easy event.
Soon it became evident as to why it had
taken over five years to coordinate and been so difficult.
First and foremost, there exists a great
deal of ego within the entertainment industry.
None of the major promotion companies were
willing to take on this event.
Golden Voice, House of Blues, Universal
and Bill Silva Presents had all been approached.
After realizing that the "professionals"
were not interested, we decided it was going to have to be overseen by
A.S.I.
We collaborated with Jesse Ervin, a student
who has assisted with the Blues Fest, and went to work.
Our objective was to put on an event that
would attract the attention of the "professionals" and interest them in
subsidizing future events, which would minimize the financial liability
of the Associated Students and capitalize on their marketing resources.
As for the production itself, I couldn't
have asked for better.
I can't even explain the sensation
of crowd surfing on top of 700 fellow students, and yes, I even found myself
instigating the pit.
The Black Eyed Peas, Reel Big Fish and
Smashmouth all lured differing populations, including members of The Long
Beach Dub All Stars.
I strongly believe that the diversity of
students in attendance made the event even that much more exciting.
There was, however, a downside to the concert.
First we did not break even.
The tour manager for Smashmouth explained
it clearly, "not every day is a pay day," and I agreed.
I believe that this event was more of an
investment toward putting on events more consistently.
And, quite frankly we could have easily
profited from it.
The intent was simple: To put on a dynamic,
affordable concert in The Pyramid and we did.
Toby Sexton is the A.S.I. president
and a criminal justice major at Cal State Long Beach. |
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