Summer Songs
From: mitch Radler <mitchradler@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2019 6:02 PM
To: fullboard@folkproject.org
Subject: SummerSongs 2019 Financials
Attached are the financial for SummerSongs 2019 (temp.jpg). Approximately 100 generated $903.00 in revenue for an after expenses net of $500.00.
In addition to revenue, approximately 15 new members joined the Folk Project and took advantage of the Special New Member Offer. Unfortunately, and against my instructions, the tip jar and donations buckets were removed erroneously resulting in an unfortunate lost opportunity for an estimated additional revenue of between
$200 - $500.
The evening was a huge success thanks to over twenty volunteers and of course, the Bunk Bed Band with special guest Dave Kliner.
--
Mitch Radler
From: Bob McNally <bmcnally@strumstick.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2019 10:39 PM
To: FP Board <fullboard@folkproject.org>
Cc: john.hone1@gmail.com; Dave Kleiner <daveythek@aol.com>
Subject: Summer Songs Reflections
The Folk Project Summer Songs event at the Troubadour, managed by Mitch Radler, was a great event, and epitomized an important aspect of why we started the Folk Project in the first place. This is not an official report on the event, it’s a “gestalt” observation, the flavor of the thing.
The setup was this; it was intended as a sing-and-play-along night. The audience was invited to bring instruments and play along with the songs. About 15 people signed up ahead of time to be song leaders. They each chose a song (the theme was Summer of Love /Songs of the 60’s), and played it on stage, backed up by the Bunk Bed Band. Many of the song leaders participated in a one evening rehearsal with the band prior to the evening.
To start the evening and in-between each prepared presentation, Mitch led the audience in unrehearsed, all-in songs, having handed out 60 sets of words and chords to the audience (which was like 80 people or more). The Bunk Bed Band played on all the Mitch-led songs too.
The Song-Leader songs ranged from Who’ll Stop the Rain and Somebody to Love to Van Morrison’s Domino, and included a surprise performance by Sonny and Cher with their seminal hit I Got You Babe. The unrehearsed audience songs included Sittin’ on a Dock of the Bay, California Dreaming, Brown Eyed Girl, and 6 people from the audience coming on stage to lead Me and Bobbie McGee. All told there were about 30 songs.
The audience was in full voice, and came to play. If you have ever heard 50,000 British soccer fanatics intoning their team’s anthem, that’s the level of enthusiasm we are talking about here. Multiple Ukes, Guitars, Hand-percussion, even a Cello were right in the audience mix. People sang on everything, the band provided drive and energy and the audience sent it right back doubled, it was that kind of night. The 27th repeat of Na, na na... at the end of Hey Jude closed the night, and nobody really wanted it to end.
The Folk Project has always encompassed both high skills players and players early in their learning curve. It takes intention and attention to blend these two in one evening, but that’s a key part of what the FP does, and it was done to perfection at Summer Songs.
This format: rehearsed performances interspersed with unrehearsed led songs, backed up by band but with focus on the performers and audience, is a special combination. Besides nailing a great approach to the annual Summer Songs events, it could work with a Beatles theme, a 70’s theme, a Singer-Songwriter theme...the mind boggles. Kudos to the great volunteer team that made it work, to Mitch for vision and hardwork (and a lot of printer ink!) and the band for spontaneity and dedication. All in all, a full classic Folk Project evening. And did I mention 16 new memberships? The mission abides...
Bob McNally
From: Patricia Brangs <pbrangs18@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2019 11:07 PM
To: Bob McNally <bmcnally@strumstick.com>
Cc: FP Board <fullboard@folkproject.org>; john.hone1@gmail.com; Dave Kleiner <daveythek@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Summer Songs Reflections
Wow. It sounds amazing. Pics of Sonny and Cher were great.
I call times like these Folk Project musical magic. We are an extraordinary group - very special.
Thanks Mitch and Bunk Bed Boys.
You make it happen.
Pat
From: mitch Radler <mitchradler@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2019 11:36 PM
To: Patricia Brangs <pbrangs18@gmail.com>
Cc: Bob McNally <bmcnally@strumstick.com>; FP Board <fullboard@folkproject.org>; john hone <john.hone1@gmail.com>; Dave Kleiner <daveythek@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Summer Songs Reflections
Thanks Bob. Kudos to you as well. You're an awesome person. MItch