Concerts

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Sent: Saturday, February 29, 2020 2:04 PM

To: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Subject: Amended Special Concerts Report for March, 2020

Special Concerts Committee Report to Board:

UKE FEST:

Nobody from the board, membership, or ukulele community has stepped forward to take over the NJ Uke Fest event.

Uke Fest is a subcommittee of the Special Concerts Committee. Instead of canceling this significant, worthy, meaningful, and beloved event, Mark will run it until somebody volunteers to lead it.

We look forward to hearing from the next chairperson.

SPECIAL CONCERTS AT THE TROUBADOUR:

• We have a detailed written agreement with Dar Williams for 7/31/20. It is unsigned because of a few rider details of the blue M&Ms variety, but we are sure enough to tell the board A significant benefit of these concerts is giving our better-performing members a lifetime opportunity to open a show for their heroes and a Troubadour full house. Andrew Dunn is opening for Dar Williams.

• We have a verbal agreement with Peter Yarrow for 2/26/21 and are sure enough to tell the board. Signed papers will follow soon.

SPECIAL CONCERTS - THE ORIGINAL MISSION FULFILLED:

Background:

Some of us remember Brandon Collins starting The Folk Project’s Special Concerts Committee in spectacular fashion back in the ‘80s - premier artists in large auditoriums filled to capacity. That era was followed by successful, yet different efforts by Patrick Reagan, Pam Robinson, and Scooter Ferguson.

The Opportunity:

With the help of Mike DelVecchio, we are developing a high-profile concert series with Madison Borough. Significant planning and negotiations were accomplished this week and last. Final contracts will be reviewed by professionals. The concert hall is triple the size of The Troubadour, so the opportunities are substantial.

The Special Concert Committee’s interest is multi-fold:

• Revive a beloved Project series to its former glory.

• Increase the Folk Project’s name recognition for tens of thousands in our area.

• Increase our membership and dues substantially.

• Increase attendance and volunteering at The Troubadour, Getaway, Uke Fest, etc.

• Fill a hole in the local market for a high-level acoustic music series.

• Produce revenues that can be used to enhance Getaway, Uke Fest, Special Concerts, etc.

The Borough’s interests are primarily to:

• Promote the arts

• Bring people downtown

• At least break even or better financially

• Increase the Borough’s prestige

• Experience the joy of presenting and attending great concerts.

The Deal:

No contracts are signed, but the deal under discussion looks totally awesome.

• The Borough will finance the endeavor, and provide the facilities and related services, i.e., the auditorium, janitorial, marketing, police, etc.

• The Special Concerts Committee will produce the events, hire the acts, staff in-concert personnel, supervise in-concert personnel, and share in a portion of the profits after expenses.

The working name of the series will be “Madison presents One Sunday Concerts - a Folk Project Production” with Madison’s name being very large and first. The concerts will be held one Sunday a month, starting in October, 2020, and will be held preferably the first Sunday of each month, unless opportunity or Getaway dictate otherwise.

In Conclusion:

The risks are nil, the benefits generous, and the fun and music will be a pure joy. This activity falls within the original Special Committee’s objectives that were proposed and approved by the board long ago. We will ask for the board’s support for this endeavor at the meeting.

Mark Schaffer,

Chairman, Special Concerts Committee