Annual student concert to be rescheduled later in the year
Updated Monday, Sept. 10 with information on refunds.
GBC Fest is being postponed after headline artist Ty Dolla Sign was charged with possession of drugs in Atlanta, Georgia yesterday.
Ty Dolla Sign, who was born Tyrone Griffin Jr., has been granted bail for possession of marijuana and cocaine after being arrested during a search of his vehicle by Atlanta police on Wednesday, Sept. 5. He was scheduled to be the headline artist at GBC Fest on Thursday, Sept. 13.
“He had no drugs on his person at all. It makes no sense at all,” said Drew Findling a lawyer for Griffin who spoke to Atlanta’s WSB-TV station. “Apparently there was a small amount of some drug found inside the car and they let five people walk away and they let the international superstar go into custody.”
According to records from the Atlanta Police Department, a $6,000 bond was set for Griffin who is charged with possession of marijuana (less than one ounce), possession of cocaine and possession of drug related objects.
“At 7 a.m. a student actually mentioned ‘oh did you hear about his car getting stopped and things being found?'” said Neil Cumberbatch, the senior events and marketing co-ordinator at the Student Association of George Brown College (SA) that organizes the concert, and also funds The Dialog.
“As the concert is a week from today we decided to cancel or postpone GBC Fest, so it won’t be on Sept. 13.” said Cumberbatch. “We’re going to work with the agent to find a new headliner.”
Nicholas Dorion from the Canada Border Services Agency said in an email to The Dialog they wouldn’t speculate on what might happen if an individual with drug charges tried to enter Canada.
Dorion said border services officers make the decision to allow entry on a case-by case basis and several factors are used to make the decision, including involvement in criminal activity.
Students who purchased tickets to GBC Fest will be able to get full refunds through Showpass within four to six business days depending on what bank they use. An email confirmation that the ticket has been refunded will also be sent to students who bought tickets.
WSB-TV Atlanta reported that it can be expected Ty will be released from Fulton County jail on Thursday, Sept. 6. The Atlanta TV station reported that his next court date will be on Sept. 20.
