Come Out and Support Empty Hats

[Celtic_Fae]

Well, we lost the fight for Empty Hats to perform at BARF.
Come out and support this local FL band at these other venues:

Feb 14th  Valentines Day 2009
10am - 2pm
The Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Petersburg
We love the atmosphere of this outdoor market. It is a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

Feb 14th  Valentines Day 2009
3.30pm
Gulfport Courtyard
juvenile diabetes benefit

Mar 10th  2009
7 pm - 10pm
cover at door
Skippers Smokehouse

Mar 17th  2009
Time TBA
St Pattys Day
The Villages

April 3rd..  First Friday in Gulfport
7pm - 10pm
Java Nirvana
gulfport courtyard
2908 1/2 Beach Blvd. S,
gulfport, florida

April 12th
10am - 2pm
The Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Petersburg
We love the atmosphere of this outdoor market. It is a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

[Anna Iram]

Good call. I was just commenting to Ladyfair that I knew they played around the bay areaa dn that we should plan an outing to see them. 

For those of us who will miss these guys at faire, a chance to see them elsewhere.

[Celtic_Fae]

Good call. I was just commenting to Ladyfair that I knew they played around the bay areaa dn that we should plan an outing to see them. 

For those of us who will miss these guys at faire, a chance to see them elsewhere.

I'm glad you approve. As mod and all, I was afraid that it might get kicked out as being more a "performer" topic. However, these folks are kind of like one of our specifically LOCAL bands in the Bay Area, so this is where they would get the most exposure on the forum.

[Anna Iram]

Yep. Agreed. Even though they play at other faires and venues, I kind of think of them as part of our faire family. 

[Quiet One]

Well, it's looks like I will lose out all around.  I am flying into Tampa Mar.13th and leaving on Monday the 16th.

Even though my daughter no longer lives in Florida, I still made plans to return to BARF for the RF invasion and M'Crack gathering.  One of the highlights of this trip was the chance to see Empty Hats again.  Now it won't happen.  I wish I could afford to extend this trip by a few days.

Ok, I will stop whining now.  But I am still sad.

[Sweetwater Wilson]

it has come to our attention that empty hats was sent contracts that they are looking at now!they will most likely be at barf this year! whoopee!thanks to all that helped in the effort.they will be posting it on their website soon.

[Anna Iram]

Hi Sweetwater. Thanks for letting us know. That would be wonderful! 

[Celtic_Fae]

Well, through the grapevine only, I've heard that they will be at BARF if we, the fans, can match the deficit of the cut that Peterson has given them in pay.

[Welsh Wench]

While in theory it seems like it would work, here is the problem--

Why should WE pay so Mr. Peterson can get a first-class group at a cut-rate price?
If we do that, what will stop Mr. Peterson from cutting everyone's fee?

Isn't there enough in alcohol sales and food prices to cover the entertainment?

And I think Celtic Fae should get a big round of applause for spearheading the petition.
She really stepped up and did what she could.

[Quiet One]

Many Thanks to you, Celtic Fae!  Your efforts are much appreciated.

I just found this posted on the Empty Hats Yahoo! Groups message board from Lynda Kavy:


hello to all,it looks like something worked as we did get
contracts,however meager,from barf!we will be discussing ,signing and
sending them back as soon as we can.so......looks like we will be there
this year.thank you thank you thank you for being there for us and we
hope to see you very very soon.info will be on website as soon as it is
all sorted out for us.keep posted!

[Princess Christine 2.0]

Peterson is such an arse!
we already pay to get in there, he does not pay half  the cast, now he want to cut the performers pay. or make us pay more. what a frack-tard!

This guy just needs to be bought out and given to someone who cares about ren faires and the people who work them

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

I applaud you, Celtic Fae.  It took a lot of heart to put that petition together and drum up support.  You were spurred to action for something you believe in, and did it on behalf of others.  An admirable act.  Brava!!

On to the next bit: things are tough all over.   Everyone else is dealing with cutbacks and pay cuts.  The Hats nor anyone else should expect to be subsidised for their work.  That's why it's called contract negotiations.  You press for the best price you can get, given the current market.  Don't get me wrong.  I love the Hats!  But for the die hard fans to be asked to subsidise their appearances goes beyond the pale.  It will only embolden Peterson to low-ball any future contracts.  And who's to say he'll stop there?  The Washing Well Wenches?  Tortuga Twins?  Johnny Phoenix?  It's a bad idea, all the way around.

[Caligo]

I agree with Mad Jack, with the shape the economy and the job situation is in it's no real surprise that they are cutting back on performers. I was actually surprised that they started putting more money in to advertising this year.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

And to be fair, my treatise merely echoes points Wenchie brought out.

[Anna Iram]

As Celtic Fae said, that information came through the grapevine. It could have been said in a heated moment or perhaps never said at all. We all know how information can become distorted when passed along the chain. I doubt sincerly anyone expects us, or any other paying guests to subsidise their income.. (Though I for one will try to be more generous to all the performers this season). I'd like to see us all take a step back and let them conduct their business as they will at this point.