Many of the clubs (at least here in NYC), to save/make money, are now requiring that a performer have a minimum number of reservations or the show will be cancelled and the performer will forfeit the deposit or have to pay a minimum room charge or both. In one room the number is 30 reservation or either the show is cancelled or the performer has to pay the club a per/person fee for the difference between the number of seats filled and the minimum number.
If you intend to see a show be sure to make a reservation in advance. It can help assure that there is a show to see and will save the performer considerable expense (musicians need to be paid, show or now show, etc.)
That's CABARET ETIQUETTE!
WISHING YOU A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
HUGS
STU
Showing posts with label reservations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reservations. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday, December 7, 2008
WOW - SOME SHOWS DO SELL OUT! (SORT OF)
I had an interesting experience last night - turned away at the door of a cabaret show! The performer promised to put me "on the list" but there apparently was a mixup somewhere. The line was out the door when I got there, and I patiently waited in line until I got to the host station only to be told that the show was completely sold out with a waiting list! My reservation was no where to be found. So, rather than pull a "diva act" and end up taking the seat of someone on the waiting list, I apologized to the rather harried reservations' gal and went back home.
So, maybe cabaret is not in such dire straits after all - or was I watching another phenomena take place? There appeared to be several people in the line in front of mr with what looked like one of those familiar "free pass" or "special discount" printouts clutched in their hands. Were ready-to-pay-full-cover customers but who hadn't made reservations placed on the waiting list while free-bees were being seated? No one would answer that question. And no one would even confirm that seats were offered on AE, TDF, or other organizations that help performers fill empty seats.
I always feel sorry for folks that pay the full cover to see their friends perform, who get seated next to folks who get a free ride and oft times have no interest in either the artist or the art. Could this practice be a turn-off to regular cabaret-goers? Can this be the reason many cabaret fans are abandoning the clubs and performers? I'm going to dig some more on this.
Unfortunately, this particular show only has one more performance left this year - and is on a night when I am already promised elsewhere. But if the performer can attract this big a crowd (even the deadbeats who won't pay a cover) I am sure the performer will be rebooked at a later date.
HUGS
STU
So, maybe cabaret is not in such dire straits after all - or was I watching another phenomena take place? There appeared to be several people in the line in front of mr with what looked like one of those familiar "free pass" or "special discount" printouts clutched in their hands. Were ready-to-pay-full-cover customers but who hadn't made reservations placed on the waiting list while free-bees were being seated? No one would answer that question. And no one would even confirm that seats were offered on AE, TDF, or other organizations that help performers fill empty seats.
I always feel sorry for folks that pay the full cover to see their friends perform, who get seated next to folks who get a free ride and oft times have no interest in either the artist or the art. Could this practice be a turn-off to regular cabaret-goers? Can this be the reason many cabaret fans are abandoning the clubs and performers? I'm going to dig some more on this.
Unfortunately, this particular show only has one more performance left this year - and is on a night when I am already promised elsewhere. But if the performer can attract this big a crowd (even the deadbeats who won't pay a cover) I am sure the performer will be rebooked at a later date.
HUGS
STU
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