Shareka D.

On December 23,2019 I made a FULL payment of $600 to Celebration Hall (cashapp:@onsightmobile) to have my first launching event. Lynn (the owner) also asked if I had a DJ already lined up. I responded " I don't have a DJ actually! I'm so glad you asked because I totally forgot! Yikes! Please tell me you know someone". She says "yes it's my house DJ. He charges $150, but you have to make a deposit of $50 to secure your date." On January 28th I told her that I'm ready to pay the DJ in full. Lynn says "it's going to be $160." I responded "I thought you said $150." She then goes on and texts back "prices went up this year." I sent $162 on January 28th at 9:48am (the extra $2 was just because cashapp deduct a certain amount). I chose this place because my great grandmother had her 100 year birthday surprise there and I thought it was a nice event space from the looks of things. My event was set for April 18th 3pm-6pm. Lynn (the owner) types up everything in the contract WITHOUT my signature. I live in Atlanta, and the event was being held in NOLA. So therefore, she could've waited for a signature or had me sign via email, but she stated to me that I can wait until the day of my event. Around February everyone around the world was over their heads about COVID 19. I still wanted to have my launching but things were getting worse by the second. I kept close contact with Lynn because I wanted to STILL have my event but the Mayor of NOLA announced that they were going back to phase one of the Coronavirus and that things needed to be shut down. I had to reset my date to a later date which was July 18th. I asked Lynn were those dates opened for me to book because we were unable to do anything in New Orleans April 18th. New Orleans was shut down. Lynn summoned "yes the entire month is opened. The floor is yours." I was excited and ready to roll, but again... another thing pops up. On July 8th the mayor of Atlanta and NOLA.com posted NO SITTING AT BARSNO INDOOR GATHERING OF MORE THAN 25 PEOPLE. I started out with 50 people at first. Attending my event with a list of 100 people whom confirmed on July 10th so I knew I had to changed something for the SAFETY of others. I asked Lynn what was her capacity, she responds 250. I asked her would it be okay if I bring those people inside and just try to social distance them. Lynn says "yeah I think you'll be fine." Closer to the date I was a bit nervous about the crowd because NOLA news stated "if there is large gatherings or any type of parties with 25 or more people please contact them." The next day mayor Cantrell announced that if there's an outdoor event it can be no more than 100 people. I hurried to contact Lynn first and stated to her the problem, and how me nor no one can fix this situation the WORLD is facing. It was totally out of anyone's hands. I told her that I needed to cancel due to safety reasons and to protect her building from getting ANY fines. BUT I did offer extra money for the DJ just for traveling 10 minutes away from the original event space. Lynn texted me and stated the DJ declined the offer and the only refund I'll be receiving back will be the $100 from the DJ only. Lynn also said to me over a call "my rules are my rules, and my husband is agreeing to not give you anything back." I politely asked "well why? I never signed any agreements contracts." She had no answer, and till this day no money was refunded. I have screenshots of EVERY TEXTS, every cashapp and every paper.