After the shocking move that left Ultra Music Festival kicked out of its Bayfront Park home, we are getting our first official glimpse into what moves are being made to work around the problem. There has been a TON of speculation on possible venues both in and out of Miami, but it turns out Ultra has been in talks for a move only a short bit away.
UPDATE: PRESS RELEASE FROM ULTRA
November 2, 2018
For Immediate Release
The Miami City Commission has scheduled a public hearing on November 15th, 2018 to consider a partnership with Event Entertainment Group, Inc., who has proposed launching an innovative production concept that envisions the in-tandem staging of Ultra Music Festival at both the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, as well as, at Miami Marine Stadium Flex Park, to form a single event site for patrons. This new production concept, which would be a natural progression into the next chapter of Ultra’s story, would be truly transformative.
“While we are, of course, excited about the current proposal, this potential partnership represents so much more than Ultra’s impact on either South Florida or on the development of innovative production elements…” says Russell Faibisch, Ultra’s Co-Founder and CEO.
Under the current proposal, operating funds are to clear a path to building Miami-Dade County’s first African-American Museum on the Historic Virginia Key Beach and Ultra is honored to help pay tribute to that very important legacy.
“This particular proposal was driven equally by our sense of corporate social responsibility” says Faibisch. “Our vision, with the assistance of environmentalists and other stakeholders, is to become the standard bearer in reducing environmental impact in the festival space” added an Ultra Spokesperson.
The Ultra family would be privileged to be entrusted with, and is committed to, both safeguarding and showcasing one of Miami’s historic and cultural treasures, its natural environment, critical wildlife and other sacred elements on the island.
“We want the beach to be used. It is another activity going to Virginia Key Beach and we love that” according to community activist Irby McKnight. Plus, “it is an out of the way location, there are no condos, no residents…”” As to the current proposal, Mr. McKnight stated that, “it will bring revenue to help cherish the historic nature and we will have something to keep it going.” Mr. McKnight is a longtime community activist in Overtown who was appointed by Commissioner Audrey Edmonson to serve on the Miami-Dade Oversight Board representing the Overtown constituents.
Currently, Ultra invites to the City of Miami, local attendees as well as, those from over 100 other countries. Ultra-branded music festivals are also produced in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America with home base always being our very own City of Miami.
For us, Miami is home.
Ultra’s 2019 event is scheduled to be staged on March 29, 30th, and 31st.
Ultra organizers and city officials confirmed that negotiations are underway to move Ultra near Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key. Apparently, since the vote went down city officials have been quietly discussing terms to hold the festival on the Rickenbacker Causeway where the Miami International Boat Show has been held for the past 2 years.
Ultra says they want to host the festival in two “in-tandem” spaces on the island: a park next to the Miami Marine Stadium and Historic Virgina Key Beach Park. While this venue is actually gorgeous and even closer to the beach that Bayfront, it means the festival would be split into 2 distinct areas. Virginia Beach Historic Park actually hosted the Rapture Electronic Music Festival during Miami Music Week for the past many years on Thursdays. As of now it is still scheduled this year for March 29 and 30.
“While we are, of course, excited about the current proposal, this potential partnership represents so much more than Ultra’s impact on either South Florida or on the development of innovative production elements” – Russ Faibisch
A vote has been scheduled for November 15 and City Manager has placed the item on the meeting agenda, as required under notice requirements. He is confident the contract will be finalized prior to the meeting. The proposed deal includes money for the construction of an African American Museum at the beach park. Ultra will also work with authorities to avoid any environmental problems such as those created by the boat show. At this point the value of the contract is unknown, but we will keep you posted on breaking details.
