Canceled Festival, No Refunds: How Ticket Buyers Say They Were Left Holding the Bag

Published Oct. 1, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

On Sept. 29, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a civil lawsuit against Evolutions Festival and organizers Michael and Justin Brown, alleging they canceled a three-day electronic dance music festival 10 days before it was to begin and failed to refund ticket holders and vendors [1]. The state’s petition names Evolutions Festival LLC, 845 Vibrations LLC, Michael G. Brown, and Justin J. Brown [2].

Important: This is a civil enforcement action with allegations that have not been adjudicated. The Browns and their companies are presumed not to have violated the law unless and until a court finds otherwise.

How the alleged scheme worked

1. Sell the weekend. Evolutions Festival 2025 was scheduled for Sept. 5–7, 2025, at the Sugar Mountain Performing Arts Center in Caneadea, Allegany County. Organizers promoted A-list headliners, “glamping,” immersive experiences, and international food. Tickets went on sale March 20, 2025, at prices from around $200 to more than $700, plus camping and other add-ons [1].
2. Collect the money. The Attorney General says organizers collected $243,158.04 through 1,157 tickets purchased by 521 people, plus $21,662.75 in advance vendor fees from 28 small businesses [1].
3. Cancel late. On Aug. 26, 2025—10 days before the event—Evolutions announced on social media that the festival was being “postponed,” claiming the venue had not secured necessary permitting [1]. TicketNews reported that the venue’s owner disputed that explanation, saying Sugar Mountain held a standing special-use permit and alleging Evolutions failed to provide contracts, funding, insurance, and other materials [2].
4. No refunds from the festival. The AG says Evolutions did not offer refunds. Only 11 of 521 ticket purchasers recovered money—totaling $5,005.97—and those refunds came from credit-card chargebacks, not the promoters. Some other buyers were already outside dispute windows [1][2].
5. Vendors stranded. One Rochester-area small business owner paid over $1,200 for a booth, was told six days before the date that the event was canceled, and was told refund requests would be processed quickly—a promise the AG says was not kept [1].

The Attorney General alleges the organizers violated New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law by failing to keep advance ticket-sale funds in escrow or otherwise provide required financial protection. Under that law, ticket purchasers are entitled to a refund when a performance is canceled or rescheduled [1]. TicketNews reported the petition says promoters told investigators advance funds had been used to pay performers, and that refunds would issue only if they prevailed in litigation against the venue [2].

“Concertgoers and vendors who spend their hard-earned money in New York should know that my office has their back,” James said. “My office will never allow unsavory promoters to ruin that experience and take advantage of consumers or small business owners.” [1]

The people and companies sued

The Office of the Attorney General launched an investigation into Evolutions Festival LLC and 845 Vibrations LLC after multiple consumer complaints. Reporting identifies the organizers as Michael G. Brown and Justin J. Brown; both companies are described as New Paltz-based [1][2]. Evolutions was first held in 2024; organizers claimed the 2025 edition would be larger [1].

The case is People of the State of New York v. 845 Vibrations LLC, Evolutions Festival LLC, Michael G. Brown and Justin J. Brown, Index No. EF2026-3520, in New York Supreme Court, Ulster County [2]. The state seeks full restitution for ticketholders and vendors, civil penalties of $5,000 for each of 1,185 alleged General Business Law violations, and an order barring the organizers from hosting cultural events in New York unless they first post a $500,000 performance bond [1].

Red flags

• Event sites that say tickets are “nonrefundable” even if the show is canceled (state law may still require refunds).
• Late “postponement” announcements with no clear refund process or escrow proof.
• Buy-now-pay-later financing for festival tickets that keeps charging after cancellation [2].
• Vendors asked for large advance booth fees with thin contracts.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Dispute the charge quickly with your credit card issuer; windows can close.
2. File a complaint with the New York Attorney General at ag.ny.gov or your state AG if the event was elsewhere.
3. Keep confirmation emails, FAQ screenshots, and social posts announcing the cancellation.
4. Report consumer fraud patterns to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
5. Prefer major ticketing platforms that hold funds or have clear cancellation refund rules.

Case status (as of Oct. 1, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 1, 2026	Source
Michael G. Brown	N.Y. Supreme Court, Ulster County (EF2026-3520)	Civil defendant; allegations unadjudicated	[1], [2]
Justin J. Brown	N.Y. Supreme Court, Ulster County (EF2026-3520)	Civil defendant; allegations unadjudicated	[1], [2]
Evolutions Festival LLC; 845 Vibrations LLC	Same	Civil defendants	[1], [2]

Civil allegations are not criminal convictions. Statuses can change.

Sources

1. Office of the New York Attorney General, “Attorney General James Sues Festival Promoters for Scamming Ticket Buyers,” Sept. 29, 2026. https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-sues-festival-promoters-scamming-ticket-buyers
2. Alton Beall, “New York AG Sues Evolutions Festival Promoters for Allegedly Scamming Ticket Buyers,” TicketNews, Sept. 30, 2026 (page dated relative to fetch). https://www.ticketnews.com/2026/09/new-york-ag-sues-evolutions-festival-promoters-for-allegedly-scamming-ticket-buyers/

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