pleazure

this is what I was emailed this morning: Dear Jennifer Many thanks for your very nice mail . I am so upset about what happenend ,i never fail to come to a show (appart from getting my passeport stolen & burned),this is the 1st time i've ever experienced in 15 years such an unproffesional and really stupid behaviour .Even going to play in Russia ,croatia (during the war) ,China or Vietnam was much easy. I could have come without a visa but this is where it gets tricky as the US embassy in Paris knew very well the date of my departure ,my bloody name is in bright red at the US immigration customs. I really don't want to get caught to be banned for the next 10 years in the States,i will not give them the pleasure of that . Since the beguining of the Irak problems ,you cannot immagine how many travellers got sent home to France from the US customs,they have been very heavy on us at the moment. Believe me i was really looking foward to come to Atlanta as i never ever been to the place ,my friend DJ Bone from Detroit told me last week that it is a great party town ,and i was super excited about the gig .Frankly it was the highlight of my 3 days tour. I love doing new places. You have to really make people understand that i really am not the kind of DJ that cancel shows or never turns up to gigs ,please make them understand how sorry i am. I have paid a fortune for a visa that they still won't give me yet ,but you can be sure of one thing ,we are going to do that date. I have spoken to Steve yesterday ,now we are going to try to extend the dates on the validation dates of the visa (we don't have the bloody thing but the validation dates are allready running),to make it re-start as late as we can .Then i am going to get the fucking stamp on my passeport ,we're then going to book the dates holding my visa in my hands ,and we will do that gig ........i am very, Very, VERY DETERMINED to do that gig . Again i am so sorry for the people over there ,i know exactely that it is looking really bad on both of us ,and that's one thing i cannot accept. Tell the crowd that i am more than sorry about this ridiculous situation ,please tell them not to be pissed with me,and to trust me on that :THE SHOW WILL HAPPEN Again many thanks for the support With greatest respect Laurent Garnier

hey greg, thanks as always for your kind words of support. and mrjoe, unforunately once you have applied for a visa it is noted in computers, therefore when your passport is scanned it is redflagged. If a visa had not been applied for, your idea would have probably worked. of course the downfall is, if you get busted then you are banned from entering the US from anywhere from 6-10 years so you have to ask yourself, is the risk really worth it? I doubt I would do it, you gotta always think long term.

LAURENT GARNIER DATE DATE IN ATLANTA CANCELED (From Laurent) I’m again not coming for my gig in Atlanta this weekend. Really believe me I’ve tried everything, but here is what we have to deal with now with the US embassy in Paris. After obtaining a new passport 2 weeks ago, it was sent directly to the US Embassy. Since the Iraq conflict, it is totally forbidden to access the premises. You can only send documents by special courier like “Chronopost†(our equivalent to Fedex or DHL) There is no way you can speak to anybody on the phone, free of charge, unless a matter of life or death!!!!, otherwise you have to pay via credit card 15 Euros (= 15 dollars) for a “recorded†conversation to be able to ask a question !!!!! (believe me we tried it and we got nobody on the phone). So far it is simple !!! ……. But that is nothing. It says on the Embassy’s web site that a visa takes 5 days to get done ……(this was true in the past as I already applied for about 8 visas for the past 10 years, without any trouble) After waiting for 8 days with no reply whatsoever ……(remember it’s impossible to get in touch with them) we then decided to send a fax to ask about my visa, the following day somebody got back on the phone to my agent literally insulting her, asking her who the hell did she think she was to ask things like that !!!!!…….. We finally got back my passport this afternoon ….and guess what !!!! it says that my request was incomplete ???? 01) My pictures were not conform to the new demand of the US Embassy …they were of course regular passport pictures (sounds pretty obvious doesn’t it) but these don’t work anymore for a US visa in France. They actually now request a very precise size, back drop colour, and format for the pictures, (they now give you a couple of addresses where to go and get those pictures done)………….I got my little ruler out, checked the size, everything is conform regarding size and colour, but they still refused it …..I don’t know but maybe they don’t accept people wearing tee shirts anymore on the photos !!!!! This had never been specified before to me. 02) They now asked me to fill a new form that is compulsory for people living in Iraq, Iran, Libya, Ireland, Syria, North Korea, Sudan, Cuba!!!!!!! Yes you are not dreaming ………. It looks like France is now either considered as a terrorist ,a communist or a threatening country !!!!! Here are just a few questions from this form: -Give all the names of every single country you have visited in the last 10 years, also give the years of each visit (I have roughly thought a minute about this one, each time I’ve been abroad in the past 10 years I would have to put around 900 dates and countries) -Have you ever been involved in an armed conflict…? (that’s a good one, euhhh not really other than what the television shows me every day….) -Have you got special experience with explosives, nuclear, chemical, biological weapons? (heuuu sorry I’m French, we make very good Camembert, does that count??) This form has never EVER been required before ……… So here are the facts: I have paid 3400 Dollars !!! (yes you’ve heard right 3400 Dollars) to the US embassy in December 2002 for a visa that they still won’t give me yet. They did not refuse it, it is more unclear than that, they are just making it impossible for me to receive it. ……. They were fully aware of my dates of departure ,they only waited until this morning to tell me that they needed new things that they never requested before !!!!!! Quite frankly I’m getting very sick and pissed off with the situation, and to see that we cannot access the Embassy and have tried to move mountains I’ll never get my visa before next week ……..and even that is not sure. This is what we have to go through now – is that the price that French artists have to pay because of our government’s position? Well all I can say is that I hope that one day artists will be free again to travel to the States, but until that date it doesn’t look like I am going to be able to come over and play records for you. With regret, Laurent Garnier

I literally feel sick to my stomach. I just received a call from France, in broken English, about problems with the American Embassy. Details are very sketchy and I am awaiting word from the American agent and an official press release but the date has again been canceled. All I know is that the American Embassy is making it incredibly difficult to acquire a French US Work Visa by doing FBI background checks, asking about training/education about biological/nuclear/terrorist activities and asking for additional paperwork generally reserved for people from places such as Iraq, Iran, and Afganistan. Political? I don't know. Pissed? Hell yes I am. Why are we just finding out about this? I don't know. I do have first hand knowledge about foreign US Work Visas as I was behind numerous LTJ Bukem tours in the states and know personally that most visas aren't approved until the last minute, however there are some major miscommunications here as the promoter shouldn't be told the day of the show AGAIN that the date is falling through. I know that a lot of people are pissed, rightly so, you have been cheated twice, but imagine how we feel. We have wasted time, energy and a shit load of money on promotion and advertising not ONCE but TWICE. We can't recoup that time or money, it is GONE with nothing to show for it. I have been throwing parties for 7 years now and after close to 100 shows I have only had one other artist cancel last minute (Darren Emerson) and the makeup event was scheduled for 3 weeks later. The Crescent Room mgmt (who also ran 1150 until Dec) has only had 1 other show cancel in their tenure (Jeno from pneumonia). I am saying this because unfortunately, even though this visa shit has nothing to do with us, it is our reputation on the line (AGAIN) for promoting this show. Will we schedule another makeup? I am not sure. I mean it is my understanding that Laurent is just as stressed as us as his reputation in the US in on the line and it's not like he just isn't showing up, but on the other hand... 2 cancellations in a row, if we rebooked the show, would anyone get hyped again and even talk about coming out? I spoke briefly with Byron this morning, the night will go on like last month, free entry all night and free beer for the earlier part of the night. Hopefully most local folk will find out about this in advance to avoid inconvenience, however for those who have traveled great distance for this show and are already in Atlanta, please find either myself (Jennifer) or Byron @ the show so we can work something out for you. We will be giving away some FREE passes for Deep Dish for the Saturday show all night and Greg Adamson will still be performing in his usual kick ass style. I will post more on this later, just wanted to get the word out as soon as possible. Questions or concerns, please email me at pleazure@pleazure.net

not sure if anyone is planning on driving this far but... the crescent room new website is: http://www.thecrescentroom.com/ take $5 off the door charge with an out of state ID 2 more days and counting...

only 1 week to go! please make sure if you are driving in from out of state that you get there early to ensure entry. This is hands down the most anticipated event of the year

Since we know this is a weeknight and there is so much support from out of state, we thought we would give you an extra incentive to travel to check out this show. Show your out of state ID and take $5 off the door charge. Please arrive early to ensure entry. Or if you are coming for the weekend, stay until Saturday night for an intimate night with DEEP DISH and DEAN COLEMAN also @ The Crescent Room

Thursday June 5 Atlanta, GA Pleazure and the Crescent Room present ***L A U R E N T G A R N I E R*** (F Communications / France) It just doesn't get any bigger or better than this! You must believe me when I say this is a once in a lifetime experience. LAURENT GARNIER at most only confirms 3 USA dates per year and Pleazure has been working on this date for over SIX years. I can almost guarantee that you will NEVER get this opportunity again!! VOTED BEST INTERNATIONAL DJ by the music press, this is a DJ performs eclectic sets that must be EXPERIENCED!! Laurent is considered the FIRST ambassador of House and Techno abroad and also the FIRST French DJ invited within the framework of the prestigious Radio One. His monumental productions expand over a decade including works on F Communications. He is more technically sound than Jeff Mills or Richie Hawtin, he is more elusive than Danny Tenaglia... he will leave you spellbound and breathless... He is LAURENT GARNIER !!! Check out more music, bio and videos (and bask in his hotness) on: http://www.laurentgarnier.com/ more info at www.pleazure.net $15 presale @ Satellite Records or arrive early at the door for $20 $3 brew all night long! The Crescent Room can be found 1136 Crescent Avenue in Midtown Atlanta for more info please call 404-875-5252 visit us at www.crescentroom.com or www.pleazure.net CHECK OUT the interior renovations, new soundsystem and DJ booth location, LOW drink prices ( $2 PBR draft and $3 Guinness draft all the time!) POOL TABLE in the back room

a few of our upcoming shows include: Fri May 16 - F R E A K S *LIVE* @ Crescent Room Sat May 17 - E R I C K M O R I L L O @ Club Vision Thurs June 5 - makeup for the man LAURENT GARNIER @ Crescent Sat June 7 - DEEP DISH @ Crescent Room Fri June 13 - DJ Heather @ Crescent Room 4 FREE Thurs June 19 - Disco D booty house @ Crescent Fri June 27 - Josh Wink @ Crescent also you can look forward to: Derrick Carter, Sneak, Mark Farina and many mo' sound nice enough?

the Crescent Room is an amazing intimate space. Now that they have revamped the sound it is stellar. Honestly it is the perfect place to host Laurent and I am not just saying that because I am the promoter... as for Illusions, I havent been there, its a little outside Atlanta (Marietta, the north side)

ahh, so that's his story, originally from Jersey, not cool enough to be from NYC, but wants to claim the cool points. Doesn't really know music but likes to front that he does. Obviously has no common sense, because if he had he would realize I have nothing to gain and nothing but money to lose by postponing a date that was out of my control. tell you what, prove to me that you aren't an ignorant whiny bitch with a tiny cock and I will prove to you that Lauren't courier van was stolen... deal?

Well, you should read the other responses so you realize what an idiot you sound like. I have better things to do with my time than search French newspapers to prove the story. I am simply stating what was told to me from his agent and what is provided on his website: www.laurentgarnier.com If I was a shady promoter, I wouldn't have told people the gig had canceled with 4 days advance notice, I would have taken money at the door the night of then said he couldn't show up. If I was worried I was going to lose money, I wouldn't have rescheduled the date for June 5. And how do you explain the cancellation of the other shows as well, we are all worried so we brought the artist on board to play part in the conspiracy? If he was so concerned with anti-American sentiment he wouldn't have rescheduled all his dates for 2 months later ... nothing magical is going to happen to change American feelings between now and then. Take your conspiracy theories somewhere else. And lastly, use a spellchecker, it's hard to take someone seriously who misspells 4 simple words in a paragraph while bragging about having a high profile profession.

Ok, let me slow down so even someone like YOU can understand it. Yes, most people keep their passports in their home, I know I do. But most people do not have the need to apply for approval from different countries for Work Visas. When you apply for a Work Visa it is a several week process for approval for the paperwork you submitted. Upon approved you can either travel to the (in this case) American embassy and hang out for hours to get your visa stamped or you can courier your passport to the Embassy and then have it couriered back so you don't waste an entire day on this. It is a very inconvenient process and I remember when I handled LTJ Bukem's tours it always became a factor every year You are right, it is a conspiracy and you uncovered it. You are a brilliant one you are! First of all, you don't know me and by insinuating that all people in the music business can be lumped in together is a very ignorant comment and again solidifies the opinion I have already made of you. I don't need to list my resume for someone who's idea of "making a difference" in the local scene is to spend their days online bashing things you don't even know about. Secondly, Laurent Garnier was booked in a club that held 360 people and I feel confident that there are that many people that were interested in seeing him. I expanded my promotion because I know there are people, like myself, who are willing to travel to see a DJ such as this. I didn't last as a promoter for 7 years not knowing my own market. Hooray for you and your bullshit degree, I am not impressed, although I could be if you bothered to run a spellchecker on the paragraph that you bragged about your intelligence and education. As for your "huge crew in Atlanta", obviously there are about as informed as you hence the fact they are clueless. Not that I am a career criminal, but knocking off a van which held government property would likely be a federal offense (or the equivalent over there). Perhaps, (and maybe I am reaching here) they actually STOLE the contents BEFORE they burned the EVIDENCE! Jeez, I cannot believe I have to S-P-E-L-L this out for you. just like you I assume? I have a sinking suspicion that you are one of those people who bitch about your local scene, which DJs should come and perform, but you either don't show up or spend your entire evening outside bitching that you were on the guest list and refusing to pay not even getting that it's the monetary support that keeps these events going. Get a clue.

I would recommend backstreets over riveria definitely. and the crescent room goes into the late late night

funny, I rarely visit this board unless promoting an event that most educated people would be interested in, yet your comments cease to amaze me. aren't you the one who claims to love techno but doggs out Garnier? that pretty much sums that up. and yes, the average person does keep his passport in their house, but Laurent Garnier isn't quite the average person being that he travels around the world and makes more money than most of us could imagine. But even techno superstars have to get their passports validated through embassies for work visas as such was this case. Currently advancements in technology has hindered the passport from magically arriving at his doorstep without the use of the modern day courier.