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Not a bad month in terms of attendance. But surprisingly, not a good month money-wise. We averaged 85.3 for regular shows in August; 72.8 if we count the Open Stage. However we came out $25 in the red for the month, mostly due to higher than usual expenses. Our opening acts were all duos and trios (and hence higher paid than solos), and we incurred a $90 expense for sound board repair. Our average attendance for the month is about 10 higher than last August, and our average of 91.7 over the past 12 months is 9 higher than that of the previous 12 months.
There are some doings with MUF. Maggie Chilton, the Administrator with whom I had been dealing left the Fellowship at the end of spring, to be replaced by a temp. They now have a permanent replacement, Deneise Murad. I've been in touch with her, and everything seems to be on an even course. However, there has been one complaint, which is going to cost us some money. Despite the best of our efforts, we have not always left the room in pristine condition. Nothing egregious, but occasional carpet smudges, papers, broken strings, etc have been found often enough so as to make them feel that the room really needs a going-over with a vacuum and general pickup. So they are going to charge us an extra $20 per show for one hour's custodial work the following morning. I cannot argue with that. I will discuss this with Sandie, and it may result in a higher door price, depending upon our finances.
The new procedure of having the attendees help with the kitchen cleanup seems to be working out well. Sandie will report more fully on that.
I made some very nice bookings this past month.
The big coup was getting Bill Staines (who is scheduled for a regular concert on Sept 3) to come back on December 3 to be part of the panel for Chorus Song Night. Hardly a better candidate for chorus songs. The others on the panel are Toby Fagenson, Mara Levine, and myself.
On January 28, I booked the new collaboration of John Roberts, the great English traditional singer and Debra Cowan, the American traditional singer. Two fine voices. And to open for them, I've booked Millstone River Morris, a Morris Dance troupe (of which Amy Livingston is a member). So it will be a night of traditional song and traditional English ritual dance demonstration.
February 4 brings us the return of vocal harmony trio Gathering Time.
And March 4 jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli returns.
While not fully worked out yet, Andy Koening will be producing an all-Folk Project April Fools Show on (you guessed it) April 1.
And upcoming of note in September, is Bill Staines on the 3rd (He will have already performed by the time of the meeting) and outstanding harmonies from Finest Kind on the 24th.
Mike Agranoff
Program Chairman
The Minstrel
Morristown, NJ USA
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