Embedded Files
A good start to 2015 for the Minstrel. Not quite up to what I had hoped, but pretty respectable, nonetheless. We averaged 90.7 paid attendees for regular shows in January, 80.2 including a rather poorly attended Open Stage. The past 12 months averaged 85.6 for regular shows, 74.6 including Open Stages. Marginally better than the previous 12 months. We made a profit of $864 in January.
MUF RENOVATIONS AND TEMPORARY MOVE TO PCCT
We heard from MUF that the renovations to the parking lot, which were to have commenced June 15 have been postponed for some indeterminate period due to pending litigation by some of their neighbors opposed to the changes, and to regulatory issues. When I asked when this was likely to be resolved, they couldn't say whether it would be a month or a year. If the delay extends to the winter months, they will postpone any work until the following spring. This is disruptive, but not disastrous to our operations. We will need to do a strong publicity outreach when we learn the new move date. Fortunately the people at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT) are willing to be flexible in when we can occupy their facilities during the time we're displaced from MUF. I am continuing to book as if we will not be moving, on the assumption that we can move whatever shows will be displaced to PCCT. The possibility exists that when we discover we have to move, a show with an expected high attendance will fall on a date when the larger room is unavailable at PCCT. But there's nothing we can do about it in advance, so we will simply deal with that eventuality when and if it crops up.
Mike Del Vecchio and I met with Ceri Gilpin, the administrator of PCCT to finalize the terms of our agreement. We would be moving for a period of 10 to 12 weeks. We would have the use of any of 3 facilities within the church, depending upon availability:
· Halterson Hall, 80-120 seats $300
· Mulford Hall, 250 seats, $400 (poor acoustics)
· Sanctuary, 400 seats: 500
In addition, there would be a $75 charge if we were to use the air conditioning. The fact that we may be pushed into the Fall makes that a good news / bad news situation. This is compared with the $319 cost at MUF. Halterson Hall is rarely used on Friday nights, so the small room will almost certainly always be available. There is very limited storage available, but they would be receptive to our moving the storage boxes currently in the lobby at MUF to a similar location at PCCT. We would not need to move our sound gear, as Sanctuary Concerts has graciously offered us the use of their equipment.
40TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
We've started planning of specifics for the 40th anniversary Minstrel concert with Tom Paxton. I met with Mike Del Vecchio his capacity of Sanctuary Concerts Chairman. The eventual arrangement is not yet finalized, but the gist of our understanding is as follows:
· The concert will take place as previously announced on July 25, 2015 (the actual 40th anniversary to the day) at PCCT.
· The concert will be a joint production of the Folk Project and the Sanctuary Concert Series. It will be presented by both organizations as a concert featuring Tom Paxton to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Minstrel. It's Sanctuary's birthday present to the Minstrel. Specific arrangement as to which organization takes responsibility for what are still to be finalized, but the following is generally agreed upon:
· The concert will use Sanctuary's sound equipment, run by Mike Del Vecchio and assistant(s) he will designate.
· Up to 150 tickets will be reserved for FP volunteers at the regular Minstrel price of $9.00, and the rest at market price of $30.00. The volunteer tickets will be offered to specific individuals by invitation, and not transferrable. A meeting was held with Barrett Wilson, Mark Schaffer, Amy Livingston, and myself to determine the criteria by which those invitees would be chosen. We decided upon the following:
1. People historically involved with the running of the Minstrel throughout its history
2. All who served as either Volunteer Chairs or Head Staff
3. All FP Board Members for the years 2014 and 2015.
4. Everyone who has ever volunteered at Minstrel, sorted for preference in order of the number of times they have volunteered
Thus far, a preliminary count of those in categories 1, 2, and 3 total about 50, leaving 100 available to category 4.
· Volunteer tickets will be sold first over some time period. Probably about 2 weeks. Then general sales would be announced through FP outlets (Minstrel-Gram, Newsletter, etc.) Then some period of time later (2 weeks again?), they would be announced to the Sanctuary mailing list and to the general public. General tickets will be offered for sale on March 9, per our contract with Paxton.
Estimated finances:
INCOME:
150 tickets @ $9.00 ................................. $1350.00
275 tickets @ $30.00................................ $8250.00
Total income:.......................................... $9600.00
EXPENSES:
Paxton's fee............................................ $6800.00
Additional FP expenses............................. $1400.00
Total expenses....................................... $8200.00
NET EXPECTED PROFIT:............................ $1670.00
I am anticipating a sellout, based upon the fact that Paxton has sold out Sanctuary in the past, the will be publicized to Sanctuary's mailing list. The additional FP expenses include rent, insurance, hospitality for Paxton, and publicity.
I have initiated a request of the Webmaster for appropriate pages to go up on our website on March 9, and to Publicity for a press release.
DONATION:
An anonymous donor approached me at the April Verch concert with an offer of $10,000 to be used for improvements to the Minstrel. Between Sound Chairman Mike Del Vecchio, President / Volunteer Chair Barrett Wilson, and myself, we have determined that the way we can best utilize this money would be to contribute towards MUF's room improvements to install a built-in sound system, acoustic treatments to the room, and lighting. In addition to better sound reinforcement, the fact that we will no longer have to set up and take down sound equipment will ease the volunteer load significantly, and may even reduce the number of sound volunteers necessary from two per show to one. We do this with full realization that if for any reason we leave MUF in the future, those improvements stay with MUF. We have received the check. We do not anticipate using the money for at least a year, until MUF is ready to do the improvements to the room.
NEW BOOKINGS SINCE LAST MONTH:
· March 20: Rick Ilowite opening for Silk City. Blues guitarist & past president of the Project.
· March 27: Arlon Bennett opening for Small Potatoes. Singer-songwriter
· June 19: Joe Giacoio opening for and husband to Carla Ulbrich.
· September 25: Tom Chapin
· October 2: Geoff Muldaur Guitarist, dulcimer player, and icon of the 60's folk scene
· October 16: Pat Donohue Brilliant fingerstyle guitarist, songwriter, and humorist, late of the Prairie Home Companion Band
· November 27: Frank Vignola & Vinnie Raniolo Monster gypsy jazz guitar duo and great entertainers.
· January 22, 2016: Beppe Gambetta FP favorite flatpicking guitarist
HIGHLIGHTS IN FEBRUARY
· Feb. 6: Valentine's Day Extravaganza
· Feb. 20: Loose Cannons Humorous a Capella group sold out the Minstrel in 2014.
Respectfully submitted:
Mike Agranoff
Program Chair
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
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