Minstrel Booking
From: mike.agranoff@folkproject.org <mike.agranoff@folkproject.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 12:55 PM
To: fullboard@folkproject.org
Subject: Minstrel Booking report May 2018
April was OK at the Minstrel, but not up to my hopes. For the two shows we held we averaged 79.5 paid attendees, (100 total attendees), and made a $198 profit. I was hoping for a higher attendance for Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman than the 75 paid that did attend. Year to date, we're still in the red to the tune of $296, but we're approaching profitability with some anticipated high attendance some shows in June. Please note that all profit or loss figures in these reports account for all expenses, including rent, and pro-rated ASCAP, BMI, and insurance costs, as well as miscellaneous Minstrel-related expenses such as repairs, office supplies, etc.
On April 26 I attended a meeting at MUF with Kathi Caccavale, John Mahon, and two representatives of MUF to discuss ways of improving the acoustics of the Meeting Room. MUF evidently recognizes the deterioration of the sound quality after the removal of the sound panels we had installed when we first moved into the building, and they are exploring various paths to remedy that. Reinstallation of the panels is one possibility. I don't expect any action soon on a solution. Kathi will provide a full report of the meeting.
A new computer was installed by MUF to handle the video transfer to Concert Window. We have offered to reimburse MUF half the cost of the new equipment, but as yet have not received an invoice from them to my knowledge. As it turned out, both of the headline acts in April had opted out of having their shows webcast, so the Minstrel saw no benefit. But the new equipment was in use for the Doolin' Special Concert. There was an issue of our Concert Window password not being remembered by the new computer. (Or the by sound techs, who had been relying on that memorized password getting us logged in without our entering it manually with the old one.) But once that had been overcome, the connection to Concert Window went smoothly with the new equipment. We may have finally gotten over that hurdle. We'll see next week.
I have heard unsubstantiated reports that the building permit for the parking lot and other improvements to MUF's facilities has been approved. That raises the issue of our being displaced from the building while the parking lot is reconstructed. No firm schedule or any details yet. I may have further information by the time of the meeting.
One of our shows in June will be on a Saturday, the 16th, rather than Friday the 15th. That was made necessary by various schedule conflicts with the headline act the Frank Vignola Trio, and the Opener, Windborne. I am anticipating that show may very well sell out, as this will be Frank's first show in our area since his injury last year. And Frank has been a very high draw as a rule in the past. I will look into the possibility of setting up an overflow room where patrons may watch the show on Concert Window during the first half, and then perhaps fill any vacated seats in the Meeting Room during the 2nd half. Also, I want to alert everyone to keep an eye on the opening act, Windborne. This is a quartet of 20-somethings doing harmony-centric songs, mostly traditional, and largely acapella. They seem to channel the late lamented Canadian group, Finest Kind. I will be offering the audience the opportunity to vote them into a headline act in the Fall, similar to the way I did for Butch Ross when he opened for Tom Chapin last year.
New bookings since last month:
• September 21: Folk Project members (Todd) Dennison, (Carrie) Cantor, & (Mitch) Radler opening for Bill Staines
• October 19: Harmony-oriented trio He Bird, She Bird opening for Abbie Gardner
• November 2: Rescheduled appearance of Magpie after their weather-cancelled show in March
• April 26, 2019: RPR, a high-powered quartet from Canada, three of whose members are alumni of the late lamented Tanglefoot.
Highlights in June:
• June 1: Toby Walker
• June 16: The aforementioned Frank Vignola Trio with Windborne opening.
Mike Agranoff
Program Chair
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ. USA
www.Minstrel.FolkProject.org
From: mike.agranoff@folkproject.org <mike.agranoff@folkproject.org>
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2018 9:22 AM
To: fullboard@folkproject.org
Subject: Minstrel Booking report, May 2018 -- Addendum
Regarding the parking lot situation at MUF, I got the following response from the interrim Administrator:
Mike Agranoff
Program Chair
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ. USA
www.Minstrel.FolkProject.org
From: Katy Julich <accounting@muuf.org>
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2018 8:53 AM
To: Matt Rath <mgrath@optonline.net>; mike.agranoff@folkproject.org
Cc: Kathi Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>; Gabor Kiss <gabork1@yahoo.com>; Tim Davis <tdavisvda@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Parking lot
Hi Mike,
The lawsuit against the development has been settled. As of late last week, there were no definite plans regarding construction of the parking lot.
As soon as there is a tentative timeframe, I will pass it along to all renters.
thanks,
Katy