Pictured: CeCe Peniston performed at this year's Northalsted Market Days on the Horseshoe Casino VIP Stage. If people wanted to see her up close, they had to pay more—which caused a lot of controversy. Photos by Jerry Nunn
Northalsted Market Days sizzled Aug. 1-2 between Belmont and Addison on Halsted Street. It is one of the Midwest's largest street festivals with an annual attendance of over 300,000 people to the two-day event. Almost 350 merchants showed their wares with tents full of food and merchandise.
However, there were some big differences this year, such as the organizers picking a theme ( Mardi Gras ) and raising the entrance fee donation to $7. The most controversial change involved a new VIP Stage area at Addison that allowed festivalgoers entrance for a $30-$50 fee; giving patrons access to private bathrooms, drink tickets and a liquor tent—as well as being closer to acts such as Jody Watley and En Vogue. ( According to the event's press release at www.ChicagoEvents.com, "If you do not want 'VIP Seating,' the remainder of the parking lot area and street is available for enjoying the stage entertainment." )
Many patrons did not react positively to having a VIP area; people aired their thoughts on online message boards, with some claiming everything from this being a rich-versus-poor issue to the development being related to hype. Nik Koele started a "Boycott Market Days VIP Section" on Facebook, which quickly grew to more than 700 followers, and encouraged people to print a voucher to hand in at the gate "VIP Section= No Donation." Koele states, "The entire thing could have been done so much better, involve a charity ( they are in dire need of money right now ) , include a meet and greet with the artists at a private club ( Circuit, Hydrate, and Minibar are all heavily involved with [ the Northalsted Business Alliance ] ) and perhaps backstage passes. Creating an air of segregation at a community event is completely contrary to everything our community should believe in."
Tony Abruscato from Chicago Events described the VIP area to Windy City Times as "20 feet deep with a couple of tables in it, a private port-o-john and a private beverage booth. The rest of the parking lot and the street are open. There is some perception that people will be all the way over on Broadway Avenue watching the show. It was designed to enhance people's experience, not to exclude anybody. We won't infringe on too much of the space and it's not at every stage." He went on to say, "Poor Horseshoe [ Casino ] is being blamed and virtually had nothing to do with it and are just sponsoring the stage. No one has even seen what this is going to look like yet. When we were selling it we mentioned that this would be an unobstructed view of the stage so people took it the other way. They would somehow be behind a tree or a semi if they were not in the VIP section. People are saying now to not donate at the entrance gate. That money goes back to the community. Let's put it in perspective: Where can you see 20 bands a day for a seven-dollar donation?"
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Jorge Valdivia from the National Museum of Mexican Art felt that "Chicago festivals are known for being accessible to everyone. It is insulting to everyone that supports this district with money already. To then turn around and ask for more money after they spent their donation to enter is upsetting. Times are tough and once again the consumer is asked to give more."
After being asked if this will continue in the future, Jean Leigh of the Leigh Gallery, a member of the Northalsted Business Alliance ( formerly known as the Northalsted Area Merchants Association ) , told Windy City Times, "It is brand-new this year so we're going to feel it out and see what the reactions are. If it's well-received, then we'll probably continue." What is the reason for having a VIP section? Leigh responded, "For special treatment for those who would like special treatment and want a guarantee to get up close and personal to the fabulous acts, two cocktails and quick access to the VIP bathroom. Also, it puts some more money into the Northalsted Business Alliance so that they can actually get some big names for Market Days. That makes everyone happy!"
Some festival attendees told Windy City Times that, after seeing the section in front of the stage, "it is not that big of a deal." Some were not happy with musical acts such as Jody Watley and En Vogue, feeling they were not strong enough to pay extra money for; those people were hopeful that the VIP section would pay for better musical performers in 2010.
While the controversy continues, next year still remains up the air.
