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Roll Call: The Final W.E.M.F. (07/18/08-07/20/08) (pg. 14)
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| me@t k@tie |
I guess I might as well post the WEMF article that I wrote for the Barry's Bay This Week a couple of weeks ago:
| quote: | World Electronic Music Festival Comes to Madawaska
WEMF announces Madawaska as this year’s chosen location
By Katie Olsheskie
Thousands of music fans will flock to Madawaska, Ontario to experience the 14th annual and final World Electronic Music Festival, known to many simply as WEMF.
From July 18 to 20, a farmland in Madawaska will be transformed into a massive three-day all-ages music festival, hosted by Destiny Event Productions. An estimated of five thousand people from all over North America will pack up their tents and sleeping bags and congregate to the area to enjoy a wide variety of electronic music. The stages will showcase over 200 different performers, among which are international heavy-hitters Andy C, Christopher Lawrence, Kyau & Albert, and DJ SS. WEMF also supports local talent with many Canadian DJs such as Jelo, Ortemy, D-Syfa, and Dr. Trance sharing the spotlight. As usual, the festival offers its patrons the opportunity to set up renegade stages so that anyone with DJ equipment and a generator can spin their own music. To those that attend, there is never a shortage of music to enjoy and explore.
Ryan Krueger, president of Destiny Event Productions, explains why Madawaska, of all places was chosen to host WEMF.
“Our goal was to find a venue that allowed people to totally escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, reconnect with nature and immerse themselves in the WEMF experience. We feel that Madawaska is the ideal location for this and look forward to spending time in the community.”
Krueger also reveals how the Madawaska Valley’s economy will benefit from this three day festival.
“There is an influx of $750,000-$1,000,000 in direct and indirect spending in the local community as a result of our event each year. This comes from the obvious industries that supply tourists such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, tourist attractions, retailers and grocery stores as well as the less obvious contractors, staff and suppliers that we always source locally to produce the event. Further, with people traveling from across Canada and the US for this event, there are obvious benefits to introducing them to a community many have likely never been to in the past. A certain percentage of these people will return for travel unrelated to our event and create an additional benefit that many people overlook. As a small example, we have already booked over 75 hotel rooms in hotels, motels and resorts from Barry's Bay to Whitney for our staff and artists. On top of this, we have posted more than 50 additional accommodation options on our website so that our ticket holders can follow up on their own. We have since been told that in just a week most are almost fully sold out, many of them from people coming up for the event. ”
Destiny Event Productions are working arduously to ensure this year’s WEMF will run smoothly and be the most memorable one of all.
For more information on this festival, or to find out where to purchase tickets, visit www.wemf.com.
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| kraetzja |
I'm playing the Shangri-la stage, 2am Friday night.
Primarily HARD remixes of oldschool wemf trance anthems. I dont think anyone on here would dislike it. Please stop by!
--Exploit |
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| Jem_hadar |
Great articles BOTH!!
Wow. I cant believe its really here, and its really gonna be the last ever.
Though hearing CEMF will have a larger EDM line up is a positive, its not gonna be anywhere near the same.
This WEMF, the last WEMF, is a day of days, a day that will forever be remembered in history by me. :( |
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| me@t k@tie |
I interviewed Destiny for my article. Since what I wrote was very community-based and I couldn't use everything in the interview, I thought that you guys might enjoy reading the whole thing:
| quote: | - Why is this the last WEMF?
After 14 years we felt it was time to move on to a new challenge. WEMF was the first successful multi-day electronic event in North America and with its longevity has proven that the music we love was never just a fad but rather a way of life for a large part of our generation and those that came after. I think we've accomplished what we set out to do and now its time to focus on other projects – many of which also involve music, festivals and changing the way people perceive the world around them!
- Do you think anyone else will try to continue with WEMF (or something similar to it)?
Hard to say. Over the years there have been many attempts to emulate the event around the world but in Canada, very few have succeeded. This said however, I encourage anyone who feels a burning passion to create something special that goes beyond simple desire for financial reward to always follow those dreams and would actively support those I felt were doing it for the right reasons. If they are in it for the money they are in the wrong business!
- Do you think it's important to have something like WEMF exist in Canada?
I feel that both Destiny and WEMF have been instrumental in making Toronto, and Ontario in general, one of the most significant electronic music destinations in the world. The wide variety of top 10 producers, Juno and Grammy winners, as well as one of the most vibrant club scenes on the continent are a direct result of companies like ours pushing musical and experiential boundaries to the limit from day 1. WEMF has been a big part of that push and I hope will be remembered as significant milestone in Canadian music history for years to come.
- What can a newcomer to WEMF expect in a nutshell?
An opportunity to escape everyday life and experience something different with their friends and 1000's of other like minded individuals. With over 300 performers from around the world bringing every style of electronic music to one place, it can't get any better for a true fan. Add over the top audio-visual production, art and live performances, it's a feast for the mind, body and soul.
- Why did you decide on Madawaska for the location?
WEMF began as an outdoor event back in 1995 and some of our most memorable years since have taken place under the stars as opposed to indoor hangers and buildings. Our goal was to find a venue that allowed people to totally escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, reconnect with nature and immerse themselves in the WEMF experience. We fee that Madawaska is the ideal location for this and look forward to spending time in the community.
- How many people do you expect to come to the final wemf?
Being the final installment in what has become a very important part of many lives makes it hard to predict. The previous few years have seen crowds in the neighborhood of 4 to 5 thousand and we'd be happy to have that again!
- Why is WEMF such a popular event?
Because there is nothing else like it! The passion that goes into making it a success is shared by those who attend and that energy is electric! What other music event sees license plates from 25 states and 5 provinces? It is all about the people who love the music coming together to share in the collective enthusiasm – and dance a little, of course!
- What kind of people go to WEMF?
Pure and simple, people who love electronic dance music. While it's a real melting pot of people from a variety of backgrounds we know that statistically our clientele mainly fall into the 18-34 middle class demographic. Students, young professionals, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs seem to be drawn to EDM in droves for some reason but its certainly not limited to just those groups. The key thing about the electronic music scene is that it accepts everyone at face value, rejects violence of any kind and is a welcoming and tolerant society.
- How can such a small town handle so many people?
After 14 years of experience we are very knowledgeable on how to run the event safely and securely. From site preparation, event staff, vendors, onsite services and maintenance, medical services, security, and interaction with the various local and provincial agencies we try to ensure the best possible event for both our patrons and the community in which the event is being held. Further, people are going camping for the weekend, so are self contained and self sufficient for the most part. That said, we also encourage people to get out and explore the community where possible and as a result support that community with their tourist dollars!
- What are the benefits for the locals?
Our goal is to benefit a community rather than a single location. With a smaller community, we are able to have a major impact with regard to tourism and event spending. Our post event research has indicated that there is an influx of $750,000-$1,000,000 in direct and indirect spending in the local community as a result of our event each year. This comes from the obvious industries that supply tourists such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, tourist attractions, retailers and grocery stores as well as the less obvious contractors, staff and suppliers that we always source locally to produce the event. Spin off from all these areas creates indirect income for many members of the community long after the event is over. Further, with people traveling from across Canada and the US for this event, there is obvious benefits to introducing them to a community many have likely never been to in the past. A certain percentage of these people will return for travel unrelated to our event and create an additional benefit that many people overlook. As a small example, we have already booked over 75 hotel rooms in hotels, motels and resorts from Barry's Bay to Whitney for our staff and artists. On top of this, we have posted more than 50 additional accommodation options on our website so that our ticket holders can follow up on their own. We have since been told that in just a week most are almost fully sold out, many of them from people coming up for the event.
- What kind of problems may occur?
Once again, experience has given us the ability to prepare and avoid any major issues for a number of years and we obviously plan to continue that trend. While you cannot predict every possible issue that may arise, you can be properly prepared to deal with those issues as they occur. Security and safety planning are paramount in our preparation and it is our strong desire to ensure everyone is able to enjoy themselves in safe and secure environment.
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| ÖZmözis |
Hey guys,
I was just looking at the weather network and the Madawaska Golf Course is no where near where WEMF is taking place.
Here is the correct weather. Make sure you bring your rain gear. Setting up the tent while raining is going to sucks goat balls... I'm going to bring a tarp and some long sticks lol
It's going to be a wet one on friday :(
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| ÖZmözis |
F*** that's even worse LOL!
ugh... |
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| me@t k@tie |
| quote: | Originally posted by ÖZmözis
F*** that's even worse LOL!
ugh... |
meh, what's WEMF without a bit of rain? Also, just because it says there's a chance of showers doesn't mean it will last all day. :) |
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| ÖZmözis |
| quote: | Originally posted by me@t k@tie
meh, what's WEMF without a bit of rain? Also, just because it says there's a chance of showers doesn't mean it will last all day. :) |
I need to wear my Ganesh Hindu Shirt maybe that might scare off the rain :D |
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| Endgame |
In regards to Rogers cellphones - here's a coverage map.
Its kind of hard to make out specific areas, but it looks like walkies are gonna be the most reliable type of communication.
Set 'em to channel 6 if you've got em.
As far as weather goes - if you're checking on [URL="http://www.theweathernetwork.com]The Weather Network [/URL] do a search for Bancroft, cuz its the closest "city".
Right now the forecast looks damp...
Fri: Risk of Thunderstorms (60% POP) High 28
Sat: Mix Sun/Cloud
Sun: Light Rain (70% POP) High 21
We could be in for a muddy, muddy WEMF indeed... Someone bring the slip-and-slide! |
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| NuERA |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jem_hadar
The Newly created road "Destiny Drive"
Setup under way on one of the stages. MASSIVE!
HOLY BEAUTIFUL!!!!
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I love the teaser pics. Makes it that much more exciting! |
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