VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — After its sudden cancellation in September, city leaders in Virginia Beach are asking Something In The Water festival organizers for certain conditions and guarantees to prevent another last-minute cancellation.
It's one of the most anticipated events of the year. Pharrell's Something In The Water is an annual multiday event typically taking place at the oceanfront, bringing with it live music, art shows, and thousands of spectators.
“I think it's amazing too and it's bringing the level of, you know, entertainment that hasn't been done before,” local musician Michael Hansen said.
This year’s event was set to take place this weekend, but many were blindsided by the cancellation on the same day tickets went on sale in September.
This Tuesday, members will consider an ordinance that directs City Manager Patrick Duhaney to include conditions in a sponsorship agreement for the festival, next tentatively planned for spring 2025. Proposed dates for that festival are due to the city by Oct. 19.
The conditions would include increased collaboration, announcement of the lineup and ticket sales prior to Dec. 31, progress payments or liquidated damages to provide the city with assurances that deadlines will be met, and termination rights for the city if certain expectations and deadlines are not met.
The resolution would also direct the city manager to explore a longer-term agreement with Something in the Water, such as three years or five years.
D. Nachnani is the President of Coastal Edge surf shop, at the oceanfront. He hopes the conversations won’t halt any future plans for the festival.
"The creative nature of Pharrell and his team, I would hate to stifle it by asking that 'they need to do this, they need to do that'...I would love to see them go ahead and do it. I'd love to see them to do it in 2025," Nachnani said.