[Imc] Re: Thursday CABARET!

[Darrin Drda]

>i would like to continue to pursue Global Revolution by means of
>community-based performance, as i have been doing in Urbana for 8 years
>now. in other words, we want some of the same things.  so we should talk
>some so that we get them.
>
>it's for this reason that i say this:  i liked Cabaret better when it took
>place in the room which i still refer to as the "CABARET LOUNGE," i.e. the
>orange room, the ante-room, the art opening room, the room with the wood
>floors. Why?  Because the Grand Ballroom is cold and impersonal and too
>dark and the stage is too high and it smells like kerosene.
>
>also, I liked Cabaret better when it was on Fridays.  Why? because i work
>on thursdays until 7:45PM.  and because most people want to go out and
>relax and hear music and make music on Friday night, not Thursday night.
>
>so i won't be at a Thursday night Grand Ballroom Cabaret anytime in the
>forseeable.  and, maybe it's none of my business, but i'd be willing to
>bet a nickel that many non-participants are non-participating for some of
>the same reasons i am non-participating.
>
>perhaps designing to accomodate people's desires makes more sense than
>begging people to show up to an event they don't want.  sorry if the
>previous sentence sounds like a cold dis.
>
>if and only if it would be an event that people want, therefore, i offer
>to accompany and facilitate a sing-along in the Orange Room some Friday
>before the Big Show or instead of the Big Show.  for this, i would need to
>be invited and/or co-ordinated. i would work without fancy lights or P.A.
>system, and i would encourage people to make music together.

Thanks, Paul K., for your response. I tend to agree that the Cabaret has 
felt much more impersonal in the Grand Ballroom, although I'm not sure 
whether that's because of the space itself or because of fewer people 
showing up. These factors may, as you suggest, be related, but it remains 
uncertain whether they are (ie whether the Grand Ballroom is scaring people 
away).
I myself assume that there are probably a whole variety of reasons why the 
Cabaret hasn't really remained vital, although I'm not sure exactly what 
they are, and would be interested in other constructive critiques or input.
I actually doubt that the Thursday factor plays too great a part, given that 
attendance had been thinning well before the recent switch of days. I might 
even contend that Thursday is a bit better, given that many folks 
(especially in the community-at-large?) often set aside Fridays for more 
high-caliber recreation (ie bars and/or bands). In any case, it appears that 
we're stuck with Thursdays, as Fridays are being reserved for shows. (PS to 
Paul: If you get off work at 7:45 and the Cabaret goes from 8 to 10, it 
would seem the conflict is not really in terms of time, but in terms of 
desire....?)
I have heard a few suggestions that the Cabaret be not a weekly but a monthy 
event. This might make it seem more "special" and allow people more time to 
make plans, prepare new material, get revvved up, etc. This format would 
also fit in well with Clint's idea to organize a potluck before the Cabaret 
(which he's prepared to do once a month, even if the Cabaret remains 
weekly), with perhaps a singalong afterwards (ie 7-8 potluck, 8-9:30ish 
Cabaret & coffee, 9:30-10:30ish singalong). This idea seems good at a 
glance, but it's certainly not guaranteed to increase the participation 
level - it's a bit like the question of whether the public i should switch 
to bi-monthly to help improve the quality of its content; it just ain't 
gonna happen unless the commitment or at least desire is there.
Given that the IMC seems to be undergoing a kind of "spring cleaning", why 
not take this opportunity to assess the Cabaret? I still see it as a 
potentially wonderful thing for our community and for the IMC, but perhaps 
it needs to be revisited and revised.
Humbly,
-Darrin

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