In light of the recent tragic events, there have been cancellations and postponements of several music events, including the annual CMJ Music Marathon and FilmFest, which was expected to bring 10,000 people to New York City for a showcase featuring 900 artists over a four-day, four-night period from September 13 through 16. CEO Robert Haber, announced on Wednesday, September 12, that the festival would be postponed until October 10 and will run until the 13. On the company’s Web site Haber posted a message: “On behalf of the entire CMJ extended family I wish to extend my most profound condolences to the families of the innocent victims of Tuesday’s vicious terrorist attacks, and my sincerest prayers for the thousands of injured.” CMJ’s Michelle Mutter, the producer of the marathon, says that there are preliminary talks with several groups to organize a benefit. The rescheduling of the marathon will cause cancellations by some artists, but they are yet unknown. Check back at www.cmj.com.
Clubs elsewhere have been putting events on hold or canceling them altogether, including last week’s Richie Hawtin gig at Centro-Fly, which remained closed through the weekend. The Touch party was suspended last week and the promoters have not yet decided whether to continue. Other cancellations included the Mutiny party last Thursday and Hamsa‘s rooftop jig atop of Speeed, which was to be held last Saturday; the Click and Drag five-year anniversary is on hold; next Matter:/Form Overboard featuring Darren Emerson on the 23rd has been called off outright.
Other promoters and clubs are taking it one step at a time: Little Louie Vega’s Dance Ritual will start back up tonight, and Filter 14 was opened in limited capacity last Thursday to give support to those who want to talk about the tragedy; Daddy, the new-Mother-related venue, reopened Thursday night, and the Plant bar resumed business last Thursday, to give refuge to those wishing “to get away from televisions and be with our friends in a more intimate atmosphere.” The first significant benefit was thrown at Guernica last Friday by the Tronic Treatment folks, featuring a world-class lineup: Richie Hawtin, Derrick Carter, Christian Smith, Joel Mull, and Alexi Delano. They raised $11,000 for families of firefighters via the Widows & Children’s Fund. You can make more donations, c/o Uniformed Firefighter’s Association, 204 East 23rd Street, NY, NY 10010.
Halcyon in Brooklyn also soldiers forward. Says co-owner Shawn, “Music has always been a force that binds people universally and has the ability to express and mirror the emotions and sentiments of a particular time and place. While I agree that no one wants to party, I don’t feel as if we should just close up shop in defeat.”
Last Minute Update:
There is a monumental benefit at Centro-Fly, featuring an equally monumental line up on Tuesday. Body & Soul’s Francois K., Liquid Sound Lounge’s Jeannie Hopper, house legends Little Louie Vega, Danny Tenaglia, Ron Trent, Junior Sanchez and Todd Terry, Centro-Fly and New York regulars Liquid Todd, Mark Ronson, Mathias Heilbronn, Melvin Moore, Peter Rauhofer, Nickodemus and Osiris, and the inimitable Moby will play from 9 p.m. until “we’ve raised $150,000,” say the Centro-Fly folks. Suggested donation is $40 dollars. Don’t try to schmooze the guest list, since you’ll be cheating the FDNY and the NYPD out of much-deserved cash. Tuesday at 9, Centro-Fly, 45 W 21st, 627-7770.