Local Businesses the Real Losers During ECMA Weekend

By The Editor

For many months /leading up to the event, the East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) were expected to bring millions of dol- lars into Charlottetown’s economy. This expectation, however, turned out to be the complete opposite of what really happened.

According to estimates that were released on Monday, February 12th, Charlottetown businesses were thought to have lost $1.8 mil- lion over the four days of the ECMA weekend.

These numbers have been attributed to many unforeseen

problems related to the musicians which occurred throughout the weekend.

Many hotels, which were expected to make some of the largest profits from the weekend, have lost thousands due to property damage and theft in the rooms. “We had performers trashing their hotel rooms all weekend,” said Norman MacLean, a representative for the Delta Prince Edward Hotel.

“I don’t want to name any names,” said MacLean, “but a group whose name rhymes with ‘The Dennis Misters’ checked out of their room after having put the television set in a bathtub full of water and pouring a case of cheap

wine all over the carpet, sheets, and curtains.”

“Also, a certain singer whose name rhymes with Stan Furry stole her mini-bar. And I’m not just talking about the contents. I mean the whole thing.”

The hotels, explains MacLean, must shoulder the bur- den of the damage done to the hotel rooms for fear of the repercussions they may face if they send the artists large bills.

“The problem with high- profile stars like Stan and the Misters,” said MacLean, “is that if they feel wronged, then they could use their star power to publicly humiliate us. Then nobody would come to our hotel. So for the sake of good business, we have to let them get away with it.”

Charlottetown bars have also felt the pinch after the ECMA weekend.

Steven Jewison, a bartender at Baba’s Lounge explained that there were some unexpected costs that came with having many more live performers than usual.

“Well, for one thing, we didn’t think we had to pay them,” said Jewison.

“We had about twenty bands play here over the past four

MICKEY ACORN’S FIVE TIPS TO HALLWAY SAFETY

days and every one of them expect- ed to get paid,” said Stevens.

“We thought they were coming down for the weekend any- way,” added Stevens. “We were giving them a venue. But they all expected a cut of the door.”

When asked how he felt about having to pay the bands, Jewison said, “I feel exploited! And I wouldn’t have gotten any of that money anyway!”

All of this comes as quite a shock to certain members of the community.

Mayor George MacDonald, upon hearing about the results of

the weekend, said, “I can’t believe how ignorant all these musicians are. This is appalling. Just appalling. Here we are celebrating them and they are exploiting us. Just exploiting-us.”

Indeed, exploitation seems to be the word that best describes the weekend.

“Tt seems as though nobody

-understands what this weekend is

about,” said a musician who wishes to remain anonymous (whose name rhymes with Richard Wood). “Musicians are supposed to exploit. That’s our job. That’s why there are thirty different music award shows.

1. Walk on the right side of the hallway to create two lanes.

2. Always walk down hallways at a good pace.

3. Turn widely around corners to prevent collisions.

4. Never stop suddenly in a crowded hallway.

5. Give people who use wheelchairs plenty of room.

For more handy tips, send Mickey $5 cash c/o The Cadre.