Sign Here to Get Sunset Junction's Identity Back
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LOS ANGELES - Andrew Whiteman and Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene perform at Spaceland Stage at 2008 Sunset Junction Street Festival.
A break would do the Sunset Junction Festival some good, according to a petition making the rounds.
The petition was started by two business owners, including Joe Keeper of Bar Keeper, according to LAist.
In an e-mail about the petition, Keeper said the event used to celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood, according to LAist.
"It has become, in my opinion, a music festival that excludes the majority of what we are all about. It is my hope that the festival, as it has become, will go away for a year and return in the future as an event more like it once was!"
As for the petition, it states:
"We respectfully request that you refuse to support the 'Sunset Junction Festival 2009,' organized by the Sunset Junction Neighborhood Alliance. Please do not sponsor the City Council Motion which makes this festival a special event and permits the organizers to close Sunset and Santa Monica Blvds.Sincerely,
The Undersigned"
Earlier this month, Silver Lake residents and merchants told the Board that organizers are not working closely enough with the community. They claim the poor relationship has hurt business and created parking and traffic problems.
The event has operated on a donate-at-will basis. A major part of the debate invovles a mandatory $20 cover charge.
Organizers said the fixed price was necessary because people weren't donating. Festival organizers said revenue benefits the community.
The festival is set for Aug. 22-23. Tickets are on sale, but a permit has not been issued for the event.
