Minstrel Report

OK. As anticipated, September was a good month for us. A couple of favorites of the Minstrel Regulars, Bill Staines and Finest Kind, boosted our numbers nicely. We averaged 125 paid for the month's regular shows, and

94.1 over the past 12 months, a full 10 more than the previous 12 months. Both those acts joined the "Comma Club", taking more that $1,000 if performer fees. Performers as a rule have been doing well with us, too.

Over the past 12 months, the average take has been almost $700. And since I've started keeping records in February, the average headliner has sold $416 in merchandise, while the average opener has sold $101. Money-wise, it's been a good month as well. We made $483 in profits for the month, and we're $2343 in the black year to date.

We are still awaiting word as to when the $20/show custodial fee for MUF will kick in. If it happens as expected, that would result in a $960 additional yearly expense. (Our ASCAP fees would go up slightly as well, since they are based on a percentage of ticket revenue.) We will probably boost our admission price to $8.00 as of January 1.

Speaking of ASCAP, our fees since April 1 when we registered with them have totalled $108, or approximately $4.15 per show. We can handle that.

New bookings made in September:

* Feb 18: Dave Kleiner & Liz Pagan, with David Kleiner opening. (Yes, Mike Agranoff is not the only Folk Project member with a doppelganger.)

* March 25: The Short Sisters harmony trio, back after a 7 year absence.

* April 15: The Kennedys return

* April 22: Butch Ross, who had opened for Bill Staines to enormous acclaim will get a feature slot.

And highlights of the October Schedule: They're all highlights this month!

* Oct 1: The Steel Wheels: killer bluegrass group

* Oct 15 Brian McNeill (Agranoff Imperative) with The Geezer & the Kid (Mike Agranoff & Connor Dugan) opening

* Oct 22: Jez Lowe from England

* Oct 29: Treasa Levasseur, who was a close runner-up for the Agranoff Imperative rating. I just couldn't see two in one month.

Mark 'em all down in your calendars!

Mike Agranoff

Program Chairman

The Minstrel

Morristown, NJ USA

www.FolkProject.org