It's evident: Word about the Detroit Jazz Festival is out, writes Meegan Holland in Mlive.
Every day of the 2012 festival broke attendance records. Sales for food and beverages were the best ever. And the DJF had to do two extra printings for merchandise such as T-shirts.
I don't pretend to know the politics behind mounting this festival, but incorporating more of downtown would help, rather than focusing on Hart Plaza, the Woodward corridor to Campus Martius and the Marriott at the RenCen.
Here are some more ideas:
Use the site of Ford Auditorium for more than just recycling.
Use more hotels than just the Marriott at the Renaissance Center, the official hotel for the Detroit Jazz Festival.
Extend the festival. It may be worth considering starting the festival on a Thursday, a la the New Orleans Jazz Festival.
Charge for some things.
Must everything be free? Some of the ideas above would cost money. But maybe it's time to start charging to watch acts at the JP Morgan Chase stage, or erect a new stage on the Ford Auditorium site that would charge for the privilege of a seat.
Too many people is a good problem to have. Figure it out, Detroit, because this festival is one of the best faces that you put on to the world.
