From: The Minstrel [mailto:Minstrel@folkproject.org]
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2010 6:04 PM
To: Folk Project Board
Subject: May Minstrel Report
A sort of ho-hum, not so hot month. Average attendance was only 76.3 for May, and we lost $85 for the month. The first part of the year still keeps our figures high with an average of 93.1 paid for the past 12 months, and $1240 in the black YTD. July and August are likely to be so-so months as well, but I'm expecting good crowds for the acts booked in September and October. So I'm predicting this will be a good year when it's over.
A patron has come forward to sponsor a high-powered act for next year to play both Minstrel and Swinging Tern. (If that patron says it's ok, I'll add his/her name to this report.) That act is TBD, and SnT will be taking the lead in booking it.
Upcoming month will be interesting. I'll be curious to see how many folks show up for Mark Schaffer's show this Friday. I'm predicting 100. Mark predicts 60. (Maybe he'll be closer, now that I think of it. My numbers reflect paid admission. There'll probably be lots of people there, but most of them will be on stage with Mark, and the rest will be ticks. I think it's going to be a very good show.
New bookings since last month:
July 2 opening for Mustard's Retreat, Ronstadt Generations, featuring Michael J. Ronstadt (Linda's brother) and his family. Some pretty high powered musicians, particularly for an opener. They were in town for a family affair, and were looking for fill-in work. Stephanie Ledgin put them in touch with me.
July 23: Straight Drive, the bluegrass band that played at our Spring 08 Festival
August 6: The Rowan Cunningham Band, featuring the Rowan Brothers and Sue Cunningham, the fiddler from the Hickory Project
Aug. 27: Cliff Eberhardt, high-powered songwriter.
Opening Nov. 19, and feature 1-21-11: Caleb Hawley, young singer-songwriter somewhat reminiscent of Stevie Wonder in vocals and Vance Gilbert in guitar.
Mike Agranoff
Program Chairman
The Minstrel
Morristown, NJ, USA