Special Events

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2020 8:56 AM

To: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Subject: Update to Special Events July Report to Board

Update to Special Events July Report to Board

Dear Board,

I discussed single-car admissions to the drive-in concert with Madison Borough's Director of Arts, Eric Hafen.Eric agreed there is room in the budget for a limited number of single-passenger admissions, meaning one car with one passenger being charged $35.

Once that limit is reached, all cars will be charged for two people, $70, at a minimum. Finances are the Borough’s responsibility, not the Folk Project’s.Therefore, the Borough will decide on the exact number of single-person cars to be admitted, not the Folk Project. Eric will let me know before midnight Sunday, today, when tickets go on sale.

Details:

There will be five to ten single-admission (one-person) cars admitted to the two shows Saturday, July 25.

Those cars will be charged $35.

Once the limit is reached, all cars will be charged the two-person minimum, $70 (even for one person).

If sales are brisk, a Sunday show will be added and

Eric will determine the number single-person cars to admitted Sunday’s concert (possibly even more than ten)

There is a window open between 12:00 midnight tonight, when sales open, and 6:30 a.m. tomorrow, when Stayaway notice goes out to 5,000 email addresses. Sales may be brisk. We don’t know. Board members may want to alert their singly-isolated Folk Project friends today about this window.

Note: The concert is posted: https://stayaway.folkproject.org Thank you, John Lamb.

Mark Schaffer, Special Events Chair

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 10:05 AM

To: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Subject: July 2020 Special Events Report to Board

Dear Board,

The Special Events Committee is doing well. This report is earlier than typical because a lot is happening.

Attendance at e-concerts is stable, despite more competition from additional streaming concert series. Performers appear to be more than very satisfied with our boost to their incomes. Six of nine August concerts are booked. We are in the process of booking a unique-to-us Special Concert featuring Jeff Daniels, a folk musician primarily noted for acting on Broadway, TV and in movies. It appears to be a pay concert on a Wednesday in August and we’ll get a small percentage.

Attendance at our Monday sing-along and Thursday songwriters Zoom meetings is stable. Jay and Dave like their numbers and are not looking for higher numbers.

Bob McNally’s Teach Your Guitar to Sing workshop on Wednesdays has run its course.Wednesday, July 1st, is the last edition of this worthwhile endeavor. Big thanks to Big Bob. If you dream of serving your community with valuable programming, 7:00 pm on Wednesday is your opportunity.

The committee continues its search for volunteers to post on web calendars.The goal is to increase income for performers out of work, so we assumed someone would be motivated to step forward

A private donor has given the Stayaway $1,000 to distribute to e-concert performers.We will be adding $46 to the donations for each e-concert starting this week until that money is spent.

Another private donor has given the Stayaway $10,000 on the condition it be spent on sponsorship announcements on WNYC radio. The purpose is to increase e-concert attendance for the Stayaway in the course of supporting WNYC. We’ve worked out a deal with the station for four announcements on Tuesdays and Fridays during July and August. For some unknown reason, spots started broadcast this morning, Wednesday, July 1st.

Early indications are that outdoor gatherings with proper distancing and masks have not precipitated new infections.On July 26th, Madison Borough is preparing to run a drive-in concert that meets social distancing safety standards. I am helping, along with Todd Dennison and Mike DelVecchio. If the final plans for this drive-in concert meet medically-sound COVID safety standards, I will make a motion for the Folk Project to co-sponsor the event. The benefits to the Project are publicity and to solidify the relationship for a Special Concerts featuring premier artists when live shows indoors are safe again safe.

Thanks to Robin, Todd, Gary, Jean, Kathi, Peg, Bob, Jay, Dave and Paul and hopefully more.

Mark Schaffer, Special Events Chair

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 10:32 AM

To: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Subject: Fwd: The "Stayaway"

Addendum to Special Events July, 2020 Report to Board

Begin forwarded message:

On Jul 8, 2020, at 9:24 AM, 'Rhoda' via Concerts Committee Chair <concertschair@folkproject.org> wrote:

Hi, there!

I'm a librarian at Rutherford Public Library and I've been to your concerts many times over the years. I also write a blog for the library and today is "What to do Wednesday." I thought you'd like to know that I featured the Folk Project Stayaway. You can see it here:

https://www.rutherfordlibrary.org/2020/07/08/what-to-do-wednesday-calling-all-folk-music-fans/

Thanks for your dedication and all the great music!

Rhoda Portugal

From: Mark Schaffer <mark.schaffer@folkproject.org>

Subject: Re: The "Stayaway"

Date: July 8, 2020 at 10:30:31 AM EDT

To: Rhoda <rhodapl@aol.com>

Cc: "Concerts @FolkProject.com" <concerts@folkproject.org>

Rhoda,

Thank you so much for helping us help the community in isolation and the performers who are suddenly and totally out of work. We here at The Folk Project are absolutely grateful, and so are the artists you’re helping.

One correction: Our Wednesday workshop, “Teach Your Guitar to Sing” is completed. The full course is now permanently on line at: https://strumstick.com/pages/tygs . Unfortunately, we’re not on Wednesdays.

The Project has a history of active librarians as volunteers, chairpeople and on the board of directors, so know that you are appreciated.

Regards,

Mark

Mark Schaffer, FP Special Events Chair

201-207-8696

MarkSchaffer@folkproject.org

From: Lois DeRitter <lderitter@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 11:37 AM

To: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Cc: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Subject: Re: July 2020 Special Events Report to Board

Appreciate the early heads-up, esp re the drive-in concert. Is this the one you’ve alluded to in some previous emails? In any case, please let us know ASAP if this is finalized, including info/link re tics if available, because apparently drive-in concerts are selling out within hours of posting. Thanks,

Lois DeRitter

From: Steven Humphreys <sh50984@gmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 9:12 PM

To: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Cc: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Subject: Re: July 2020 Special Events Report to Board

Thanks, Mark, for keeping the FP brand burning bright during this time of darkness by spearheading the Stayaway programs, scoring a huge success with an advertising program on WNYC, and arranging an innovative Special Concerts program. And kudos of course to all of the volunteers who have worked to do the same via virtual EOMs, lessons, etc.

Best,

Steve Humphreys

From: 'Evelyn Maurer' via Fullboard - Current and some former board members <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 7:36 PM

To: markschaffer100@gmail.com

Cc: fullboard@folkproject.org

Subject: Fwd: July 2020 Special Events Report to Board

Hi, Mark & Team,

I am echoing Steve's Kudos for you & your Team!

It's amazing what all you have accomplished, and so quickly!

Thanks so much!

Evelyn Maurer