City Council
MEETING DATE: 2/8/2017
TITLE:
Title
Caribbean Music Festival
End
FROM:
Chris Parman, Communications / Events Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the approval of Special Use Permit #17-004.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Hans Mullins of HM Events Group, LLC has created several prosperous events over the last five years in Florida, Dominican Republic, and most recently in Huntington Beach, California. They want to bring a Caribbean Music Festival to the greater Palm Springs on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28, 2017. They heard about Cathedral City's Festival Lawn, toured it and the downtown, and decided this was the place to be. Other festivals they have produced include: BRT (Beach Road Trip) Weekend: California - 3 Day Caribbean Music Festival, BRT Weekend: Dominican Republic - 3 Day Caribbean Music Festival, Miami Jouvert "Wynwood" Festival of Paint!, and SOLO MIAMI!
DISCUSSION:
The Caribbean Music Festival would be the ultimate destination for a day and night party series in Downtown Cathedral City that offers six uniquely themed events, all-inclusive with free drinks and food, over a three-day span. The theme is based on the Caribbean culture, but also has infused events like a Hawaiian Beach BBQ, White Party, and Sunday Breakfast Paint Party (using washable paint much like the Glow Run).
According to the organizer, forty percent of the attendees will come from California, the rest will come from across the United States. Because of the super busy Memorial Day Weekend, I have connected the organizer with the new Staybridge Suites Hotel as a viable hotel option.
Their initial plans include a Friday night opening BBQ and music party until 10 pm, Saturday day-time event at Wet n' Wild in Palm Springs, Saturday night party at the Festival Lawn until 10 pm, Sunday morning breakfast Paint Party in the lawn in front of Desert Cinemas, and a Sunday evening White Party at Town Square Park until 9 pm. Expected attendance for the Music Festival is 2,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact to the City is minimal - mainly closing off the perimeter of the festival to traffic. The festival organizers supply all aspects of the event including stages, light, sound, fencing (none that would interfere with the public's access to tenants in Desert Cinema building), trash, portable toilets, security, insurance, and clean-up. They will also pay for police and ambulance presence during peak events at the festival. The organizer will also agree to pay a $510 application fee and $600 clean-up deposit.
ATTACHMENTS:
SUP #17-004
Caribbean Music Festival Site Plan