Hello, Fans of POPAsheville.  Thanks for your support of the festival over the last several years.  We've had a great time, haven't we?     And not only that... the countless gig-swaps (one band plays for another's crowd in their town, and vice-versa) are still happening, Asheville is much more firmly planted in the circuit of touring indie pop/rock bands, folks who can help with the business of starving bands are beginning to give more attention into Asheville, and for the first time (to my knowledge), three of Asheville's premiere music venues shared one cause for the weekend:  bringing great area indie pop/rock bands to the eyes and ears of the community, who might otherwise turn outside Asheville for their musical menu.  And bands were (we hope fairly) paid for their performances.     Alas, we knew the "Save POPA" campaign was a longshot; since so many in the community were interested in having the festival continue, I thought we'd put out a beacon to see if we could raise the needed funds (see below for explanation).  We were unable to secure the funding needed, and so we will not put on the festival in 2010.   This is not to say that the fest will not continue again at some point; only that we have determined that continuing it this year, and doing it well, would stress the resources of the organizers a little too much, and we always want to be providing something that we can be really happy about.  So we'll see about the future.  For now, feel free to follow us on Twitter or sign up for our email list (at left) and we'll keep you posted with any updates.   In "parting", I'd like to encourage you to support and enjoy live, original music whenever possible.  Believe it or not, musical artists don't make a lot of money (even bands you've heard of, even some in big places), and fans mean everything to us.    :) stephanie

From the Director:   Hi POPAsheville Lovers & Supporters, Hope you're all well, and the spring/summer weather and your corner of the economy has been kind to you. Remember how great POPA 2009 was? If not (or if so), watch the sweet 10-min. video, created by Studio South and funded by Advantage West: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whE2PbbmIfA Aahhhh... good times. June is the month I usually begin to gear up for POPA band submissions.... but this year things have changed.  We are currently in the middle of a campaign I'm calling "Save POPA in 30 Days". What has changed?  After much consideration, I have decided not to be the Director of POPA for the foreseeable future. This is a bittersweet decision for me, mostly based on the desire for more time with stephaniesid (my band) and my garden and life in general (you mover/shakers know... it's no joke running a big brewhaha!). In any case, it's the right choice.  The good news: I have chosen a competent and creative successor who has agreed to become Director in the event that POPA continues.    The challenge:  POPA does not have the funds to compensate a new Director at this time.  I have been Director on a volunteer basis since the beginning of the festival; given the amount of time and energy needed to run POPA, working on a volunteer basis has shown itself to be unsustainable.  POPA has not yet grown to the point funding this position, or any staff stipends, on its own... that point is in sight, but we need a boost right now.  POPA already takes care of its overhead expenses (paying bands, venue rentals, printing, posters, etc.) from ticket sales, so we just need to get this piece in place, and POPA will be able to fully focus on rolling up its sleeves and securing income for its sustainable future.  What is the bottom line for the future of POPA?POPAsheville needs $15,000 in grant or sponsorship in order to continue, and if the festival is to happen again, the funding (or an initial installment) must be in place by July 15. It's a tall order, but if this boost is obtained now, it's likely that POPA will be well on the road to sustainability.  To clarify... In a nutshell, there are two possible scenarios for the future of POPAsheville: 1) the festival will not take place this year (Jan. 2010), and we'll bask in our fond memories, knowing that POPA has brightened Asheville's beacon on the national touring map for indie pop/rock musicians thru sheer awesomeness and countless after-fest gig-swaps, great partnerships, great press, etc. etc. ... I'll think about maybe putting on the fest in a future year. -OR- 2) the fest will receive $15,000 (or an ironclad plan for that amount to be delivered) by July 15, 2009, and again fly its banners this January, with a new Director.   What can I do before July 15 if I want to help POPA continue? Know where to find some money for a great festival? Ask that business or person to be our funder! Maybe that person is... YOU? (Note that, although all offers for support are highly appreciated, we're looking for one or two large gifts and/or sponsorships at the moment. Smaller offers, I assure you, will be lusted after and relished in the fall). There is no better testimony to the vitality of POPAsheville than the video created at this year's event, funded by the Creative Commerce Coalition of Advantage West!   Please play the video for others: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whE2PbbmIfA   If you feel you have creative funding ideas to help POPAsheville continue,  I am open to emails and communication about how we can make the funder-festival relationship mutually beneficial.     Is it the end of the world if POPA doesn't continue, or continue this year? No. But it is apparent (especially from the flood of emails I have received lately) that there is tremendous desire for POPA to continue, that the ball is rolling wonderfully, that POPA embodies the very nature of the Asheville spirit, and that it is vital as a triumphant beacon for Western North Carolina and its thriving arts scene, so I would like to find a way for it to POP again this January. I realize, however, that "Save POPA in 30 Days" is a big challenge. POPA may not continue.  But given the love people like you have expressed for POPA, I believe that it deserves this effort.  I've enjoyed meeting and working with all of you during the past several years, and feel blessed with the growth of POPAsheville. I'm confident that things will work out the way they're supposed to, and I trust that you know yourselves and whether or not "Save POPA in 30 Days" has resonance for you... if it does, I'm all ears.... Sincerely,Stephanie Morgan, Owner/Directorpopasheville@gmail.com 

Thanks to staff & volunteers for working to create another great festival.  Thanks to the music industry folks who traveled and gave their time to share with us.  Thanks to the bands for rockin' the house, to the LaZoom bus, to our partners, and to the venues, who provided the perfect settings. Thanks to the fans, whose financial and emotional investment in the fest is most important of all.   Thanks to our dogs and cats for being so patient with us over the weekend. Until we meet again, POPA

Asheville may be chilly this weekend.... but POPA Venues are WARM and ENERGETIC... including the LaZoom Shuttle Bus. :)