The Major Events Coordinators (MEC) in charge of this year’s Culture Shock are cutting costs by moving the main stage indoors, saving $35,000. The side stage, which is usually in Whitson’s, will be outside.
“The Culture Shock budget is the same as it was last year,” said MEC Kathryn Wilson. Culture Shock has a budget of $40,000 for artists and $45,000 for staging management. The festival is funded by the Purchase Student Government Association through the Mandatory Student Activities Fee.
Kathryn Wilson and Aidan Diekmann, both MECs, confirmed that this decision accounts for both bad weather predicted for this weekend as well for the overspending on the event last year.
“Last year the MEC’s went over the budget limit,” said Wilson. “So this year we are trying to save money or at least break even. Every year the MEC’s go over their budget, so we decided to come up with a different way of doing things this year.”
According to Wilson, other attractions that will be at Culture Shock include a ferris wheel, the Sizzler, food vendors, carnival games and an inflatable 30-foot TV that will be streaming the main stage.
The side stage, according to Wilson, is managed by WPSR as well as by General Programming Coordinators Raymond Chalmé and David Grimaldi.
“Weather is one of the main reasons for the side stage under a tent,” said Raymond Chalmé when asked about the side stage’s convenience. “There are quite a few acts on main stage, but the side stage will run from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on both days, and will give people a chance to check out an alternative to what’s going on during that time on the Main Stage.”
Chalmé also said that a pamphlet showcasing the side stage bands will be circulating soon before this weekend so that students know where each band is performing.
“It was basically free to set up,” said David Grimaldi commenting on the side stage’s budgetary convenience. “We didn’t need to rent anything to do it. The side stage is going to be just outside in a tent, set up with some of the Stood’s equipment.”