Festival on lookout for bogus tickets

By Michael Picarellapic@theacorn.com

Counterfeiters made approximately $1,500 by selling fake tickets for last year’s California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) summer solstice festival in Calabasas, a spokesperson said. But this year, organizers for the annual folk music, dance and storytelling festival have developed hologram tickets to prevent the problem from happening again.

The Music Society is a nonprofit organization that relies on the ticket sales to cover expenses, said Chris Warber, CTMS executive director.

“Those innocent victims who purchased the counterfeit tickets were given free admission, simply because it didn’t seem fair to them to have to pay twice,” Warber said. “But for us, the loss was huge.”

CTMS, which was founded in 1978 as a small amateur folk music club and incorporated in 1983, is dedicated to the preservation of traditional folk music, art and dance as a part of America’s diverse cultural heritage.

The 23rd annual festival, which will take place from June 24 to June 26 at the Soka University Calabasas campus, will include concerts, dances, jams and more than 300 workshops in everything from dulcimers to contra dance.

The festival attracts thousands of families throughout the weekend. About 5,000 people are expected this year.

Friday admission for the dance and storytelling concert is $10. Jam sessions are free. The event runs from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.