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View a Photo Gallery of the 2007 Vancouver DixieFest View a Photo Gallery of the 2008 Vancouver DixieFest |
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At its meeting on October 30 the VDJS Board made the decision to cancel the 2011 festival. Although it was an emotionally difficult decision, from a strictly business point of view, it was an obvious one. The decision was the result of a double whammy to our finances: rising costs and reduced income. A change in Government policy eliminated our annual grant of $20,000; there is no indication that this funding will be restored and, as it represents about 25% of our festival budget, it leaves a hole which we cannot see any reasonable way of filling. Our major source of income comes from the sale of badges. Attendance has been declining steadily, but apart from the obvious loss in income, when we lose out-of-town visitors, there are other associated losses as well. When trends in declining attendance and rising costs were analyzed it became clear that a festival in 2011 could easily put our financial position in the red. Without a festival we face the question Now what? For the coming year, at least, the Board has decided to carry on with its local program of monthly dances, a Spring DixieFest, and perhaps a one-day Fall DixieFest. The VDJS will also continue with its mission to support young musicians learning to play traditional forms of jazz. |
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