start booking your hotels for demf !!!
Saunderson gives local promoter techno blessing
Adam Graham / The Detroit News
Detroit techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson has endorsed Jason Huvaere, director of operations for Ferndale-based electronic music event promoters Paxahau, to produce this year's Memorial Day techno fest.
"He's one of the community, so he understands the scene. He understands the music," said Saunderson by phone from a tour stop in Holland.
"I think if he takes over the festival, he will definitely keep the integrity of it."
Huvaere has been in discussions with city officials trying to work out logistics of putting together a festival on Hart Plaza May 27-29.
Detroit city officials say they are talking to several groups and expect to make a decision on who will helm this year's event as early as this week.
Lucius Vassar, Detroit's chief administrative officer, told The News last week the city is working on an "aggressive timetable" to set the festival in motion.
Saunderson produced last year's event, dubbed FUSE-in, but announced last month he would not return to produce this year's festival. Saunderson still owes around $250,000 to vendors and to the city from last year's event.
FUSE-in, which drew around 40,000 fans, marked the first time an accurate attendance count was taken at the festival, and Saunderson said he's talked with Huvaere about the logistics of following up and producing this year's event.
"I told Jason, 'You know the numbers, so make a budget off those real numbers. If you do that, you should be safe,'" Saunderson said.
Saunderson said he'd prefer to see the festival in the hands of someone who's affiliated with the Detroit techno community rather than an outside entity.
"A tier one artist might cut their price (for someone involved in the scene)," Saunderson said. "If you get a big company, you're going to see prices skyrocket, and it won't be the same."
You can reach Adam Graham at (313) 222-2284 or agraham@det news.com.
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15.3.2006, 8:05 pm
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