THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 30, 1996 TAG: 9603300009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Norfolk just doesn't get it. Is there any undertaking this city won't attempt?
In the spring of 1997, Norfolk will embark on another ambitious project, a two-weeks-long international arts festival.
How many festivals does this city need? With Harborfest, the Azalea Festival, the Ghent Arts Festival, the Jazz Festival, Afr'am, the list goes on, there is rarely a weekend from spring through fall when something isn't going on at Town Point Park. These events are fun and are an asset to Norfolk's unique urban setting.
In light of the million a year that will be spent to subsidize Nauticus and the recent firing of staff members at the Chrysler Museum, for lack of adequate funding, why would Norfolk launch another major program that will be competing with the extremely successful Boardwalk International Arts Festival in Virginia Beach?
The boardwalk show is now a 10-day festival of the arts celebrating its 41st anniversary and is ranked in the top 20 outdoor shows in the country. This event is attended by visitors from all over Hampton Roads and artists from the entire country.
Norfolk should consider breathing new life into events that it is already committed to instead of risking money on a questionable new venture. Events of this magnitude rarely make money in the first few years; is Norfolk willing to subsidize this project as well?
This is a chance for Norfolk to show a commitment to regional cooperation and cancel this festival that could compromise the success of Virginia Beach's show, currently an asset for all of Hampton Roads.
EDWARD R. ROEHM
Virginia Beach, March 20, 1996 by CNB