MINSTREL BOOKING
Minstrel Booking Report
September 2014
August was OK. We averaged 85.3 paid for the 3 regular shows; 78.3 if we include the Open Stage. 29% and 24% better than last August's figures respectively. We're averaging 90 paid over the past 12 months for regular shows, and 78.3 for all shows. That's about 14% better than the previous 12 months.
Thus far, I've been doing all my figuring on the paid attendance. However, I wanted to take a look at the non-paying attendees, so I collected the following data from the August shows.
I was a little surprised to find that over 30% of our attendance is unpaid. Even if you don't count working volunteers, it's almost 20%. Something to think about. We should think twice about adding freebies. FYI, the ticks redeemed, the 2nd-Timer Passes redeemed and the Fill-A-Seat tickets all count towards the calculation of the feature performer's attendance bonus.
As you can see, we continue to get a smattering of Fill-A-Seat attendees. The jury's still out as to whether it's worth the effort. I'll try to contact them in a few months and find out if any of them came back to a paying show. (We only offer those tickets when the paid attendance is predicted to be 80 or fewer. I'd like to see if any come to the higher profile shows they have to pay for.)
We have a signed contract for the Tom Paxton show for the Minstrel's 40th next year.
New Bookings
Oct 17: Matt Arons: brilliant 16-year old guitar prodigy to open for Woody Mann
Nov. 28: Ken & Pat Rolston (perhaps with the rest of WSGNBSCALRME) to open for Mike Agranoff
Jan 9 Ted Yoder Award-winning hammered dulcimer player, originally scheduled to open for Woody Mann, now opening for April Verch.
Jan. 30 Gerry & Olga, FP harmony couple to open for Bill Staines.
Apr. 10 Owen Danoff singer-songwriter to open for Joe Crookston.
May 15 Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman Astonishing Celtic harp & guitar duet.
June 5 East River Chinese Ensemble. Beijing Conservatory-trained ensemble doing authentic Chinese folk music on native instruments.
Upcoming highlights
The schedule for fall, and especially starting the end of December through the spring is unusually strong. I am especially proud of the lineup. See the attached upcoming schedule. Specifically for September, look for Finest Kind (Vocal harmony trio) on the 12th and Modern Man (comedic folk) on the 19th. But I would not have you ignore the lesser known Cosy Sheridan on the 26th. Great songs interspersed with brilliant stories that connect them.
Respectfully Submitted
Mike Agranoff
Program Chair
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ 07960, USA