Disappointment and dissatisfaction at new “Fat Tuesday”
Dear Editor,
As a person who has attended Hillcrest Mardi Gras for many years, I cannot express how disappointed I was with the new “Fat Tuesday.” Billed as being bigger and better than ever, it was anything but what was marketed.
I purchased a VIP ticket for $75; when I arrived the VIP section was not open. When the VIP section finally opened about a half hour after I arrived, I was disappointed to find out that the Hillcrest Business Association did not provide any food and only provided five drink tickets that amounted to about 2.5 mixed drinks. Every other time I have attended, a VIP ticket included food and free drinks for the event.
It was incumbent upon the Hillcrest Business Association to communicate such a change to VIP ticket buyers, but had they notified ticket buyers they would not have sold any VIP tickets.
While I purchased my VIP ticket to help the Hillcrest Business Association and to fund the GSDBA Charitable Foundation LGBT Scholarship Program, I will not be purchasing a ticket again. There was not even an attempt to apologize for not providing anything remotely close to VIP treatment. Shame on the Hillcrest Business Association.
Additionally, many of my friends who arrived early to watch the parade were harassed because they were already in the event and did not have wrist bands. Well, it was the responsibility of the Hillcrest Business Association to have appropriate entry control, which was just another point of disorganization.
Finally, I am a Pride cardholder and was supposed to get a free drink ticket. When I asked where I could redeem my ticket, the attendants at the gate did not know anything about the offer. I am sure that the Pride Card did not send out an email that was not approved by the Hillcrest Business Association.
I sure did not get fat on “Fat Tuesday,” but someone did because my friends and I felt cheated.
Sincerely,
STEPHEN JACOBS
SAN DIEGO
Dear Editor,
As Hillcrest residents my partner and I proudly support many events throughout the year. Mardi Gras is one of our favorites. It is indeed with no pleasure whatsoever that I write to express our utter disappointment with this year’s disastrous “festivities”.
We were dismayed from the moment we approached the festival entrance – we were told the line for prepaid ticket holders was on the left, which was 20 people deep, even though we were holding nearly $80 VIP tickets. The ticket buyers’ line on the right was empty. After an unorganized 15 minute wait in line we approached the customer service booth and presented our Pride Cards – which should have yielded us a discount drink ticket. The staff behind the table had no knowledge of any such promotion. Not a great start to the evening.
We headed in, and were surprised how few people were there and how sterile the vibe was. Considering the great time we’ve had at Fat Tuesday the last few years the change was palpable.
Then we approached the VIP Lounge. It wasn’t open. It was 7:30; the party had opened at 6. After waiting 15 minutes we were finally ushered in – and what followed was the last straw. Instead of being presented with a comfy welcoming VIP lounge we were facing a stark, bare, undecorated parking lot. It was hard to feel we were about to get our money’s worth considering we were blinded by the harsh “construction site” halogen spotlight assaulting us from above. The obviously inexperienced bartenders did their best, but the most glaring omission from years past: no food! WTF? Then they ran out of Absolut vodka. What is going on here? Where is the VIP experience of the last few years? Bring back the Mardi Gras we know and love! Bring back Wendy Ho! Bring back the food! And the drinks! And all the reasons we pay for VIP in the first place. Mardi Gras 2014 – epic fail!
BMG
HILLCREST
In support of Bill’s Briefs
Dear Editor,
Bill’s Briefs are the main reason I pick up the LGBT Weekly. I look forward to his column because Bill always makes me laugh. Comedy is an art, not a science, elephant farts are funnier to some than they are to others, and it is much easier to criticize than it is to create. Bill Hanson should be commended for his entertaining and original contributions to San Diego fabulousness, not told to go review books. Though I imagine his review of the Jungle Book would be {with apologies} a gas!
CHUCKLING DAVE DEAN
SAN DIEGO
Tiring of Nicole’s abrasive views
Dear Editor,
I’m curious as to how Nicole Murray Ramirez thinks that by signing as “Mayor of Hillcrest” gives him any validity to that title. Basically, this loud mouth Queen thinks if he writes it people will believe it; get in line and run for something yourself. You are out of touch with the gay community and your abrasive views are tiring.
RICHARD SZAKALSKI
San Diego
