Columbus Ohio: No Parking Lot Blowout in 2012

2010 Blowout

Sad news for the Columbus music community, as the Columbus Music Co-Op has announced that there won’t be a parking lot blowout in 2012. Considered by many as an alternative to Comfest, this yearly event was the highlight of many’s rock and roller summer calendar.

With some key people leaving the CMC, looks like this will be a rebuilding year for the organization. Full press release after the jump.

With the summer festival season now upon us, the Columbus Music Co-op would like to make the community aware that after six successful years, we will be taking a year off from throwing the original rock-on-the-pavement Here Comes Your Weekend! Parking Lot Blowout. As the CMC has matured and grown in scope, we have decided to dedicate the efforts of our all-volunteer staff towards bolstering our organization and pursuing our key missions of artistic support and community development. While the public face of the CMC is often associated with fun times (with the PLBO being a signature event), we are taking this hiatus to dedicate ourselves and remind our community that our role is primarily one of helping those in need and making Columbus a better city to inhabit by encouraging a supportive environment for musicians.

As life pulls people in many directions, change is inevitable and 2011 saw the departure of several key members of the CMC team. This is an opportunity for both reflection and diversification, but also leaves us without the guiding influence of founder and board president Jess Faller. Co-founder and executive director Erin Moore continues to carry the torch with the support of her board, saying “We will of course miss Jess and her insight. Her spirit will always be part of this organization, but we will solider on with a summer of workshops, partnering with other non-profits, and most importantly, issuing health care grants through our Columbus Musicians Assistance Program.” So while we will miss the PLBO this year, we feel confident that a rebuilding year is in the best interest of the organization. If you are a musician or know of a musician in Franklin county who could use assistance with medical expenses, please review the qualifications for the CMAP program and get in contact with us via www.columbusmusiccoop.org.