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Lady Ann
Pioneer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 20 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - June 05 2003 : 11:47:38 AM
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As a compulsive orgainizer, I feel it is never too early to begin booking talent, particularly for events as important as the 2004 Gathering! The String Beings, who were previously scheduled to perform for us at the 2003 Mohican Games, are already on board for Saturday, June 26, 2004 at the 2004 Games. My question is: Do we also want to book a performer to entertain us at our Spirits On the River dinner, scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 22, 2004? An extra performer will add to the cost of the Gathering, but for those of you who attended the Bill Miller Spirits On the River concert as part of the 2002 Gathering...well, the night was magical and the additional cost, in my opinion, well worth it. This is the way it works: dinner at SOTR is ala carte for each Gatherer, with each paying his or her own tab. The cost of the performer is extra, and paid for in advance as part of the Gathering registration costs. At this point in time, not having contacted any potential performers and not knowing what are numbers will be, I can't give you an exact estimate except to say that I try to keep costs at no more than $20.00 per person. On the other hand, we could just do a group dinner at SOTR, with no additional entertainment and no added cost. SOTR is a beautiful venue and offers a wonderful dining experience even if there is no live entertainment.
As for the type of performer to be booked, I was thinking that since we will be having a full day at Cherokee, with Native American entertainers, and since our past Gatherings (and the String Beings) covered a fair amount of Colonial American music with Celtic and English roots, we might honor General Montcalm for this event and book performers who can entertain and educate us from the French perspective. There are many talented French-American folk artists out there, and I'm sure we could put together an excellent program keeping within the rule of Mohican Six Degrees that would fit our limited budget. What do you all think about this idea? Your suggestions and comments are welcome...and solicited. And if you have other ideas as to entertainment, please express them. It is still early...but I'd like to do some active selection and negotiating as soon as possible so we can fix costs for 2004.
Thanks!
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 05 2003 : 1:44:25 PM
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| You never cease to amaze me, Ann. The only suggestion I have to offer is should we book entertainment for SOTR, I would like for us to have the choice seating...unless, of course, it rains. |
Theresa |
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Cherie
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 02 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 05 2003 : 6:47:22 PM
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| Theresa I agree, I could'nt even see Bill Miller last year. He sounded great though!!! LOL... |
Support our Country, our President and our Troops |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - June 05 2003 : 7:00:26 PM
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All I can say, Ann, is that I'm glad you're on our side! 
It all comes down to bang for the buck. So far, I think, we're on the right track - 7 full & rich & active days and the cost is really very reasonable, especially when one considers that there's over a year for all to save. So, an extra $20 ought not to impoverish anyone all that much. It'd be worth it, particularly if it's quality entertainment as we were treated to back in 2002 with Bill Miller.
So, I would say leave it as just an informal Gathering dinner unless entertainment of excellent value can be had - Mohicans-related, of course! So, start ye seeking ... if the price is right for the right performer ... book 'em!
Two of my all-time favorite Gathering moments were contained within that 2002 Gathering ... dinner/Bill Miller Concert at Spirits on the River and riding the whitewater on Steph's favorite river, the Hellichucky! Wouldn't mind doing either of them again!
That's my opinion on the subject ... and, I echo Theresa's sentiments. |
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Lady Ann
Pioneer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 20 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 06 2003 : 09:21:36 AM
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Hmmm...go for it as long as the entertainment is as good as Bill Miller...that is a hard call, as Bill is one of the best in the business and we plain lucked out that he had an opening for that evening and agreed to perform for what we were able to pay him (and we wouldn't have been able to afford him if we had not sold all those other seats to non-Gatherers). Finding a comparable performer would be difficult, if not impossible, although there are certainly good entertainers out there. Thing is, you just never know what the show is going to be like until it happens. Sometimes it is great; sometimes it is not. And much of that depends on the listener. If the criteria for booking an entertainer at SOTR is "he or she must be as good as Bill Miller" then I am not sure I'm willing to take the risk of doing that booking!
As to the seating at SOTR, well, it is limited and cramped, particulaly when large crowds are involved. The seating in 2002 was actually arranged to benefit our Gatherers...as it turned out, there was more than a 50% chance of rain that night (remember the showers that preceded the dinner?) so the Gatherers seats were placed under the covered portion of the patio with non-Gathers placed out in the open. As it turned out, the rain did not happen. But if it had, as predicted, those seats would have been the only dry ones in the house. And we had to more-or-less put the Gatherers all in one place because we preordered our dinners...the servers had to be able to find and attend to us first.
Heck, I think I'll just ask Flip to play the recording of the 2002 concert during the 2004 dinner! That'll solve a lot of problems! |
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Adele
The Huggy Merchant
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 06 2003 : 1:00:49 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Lady Ann
Hmmm...go for it as long as the entertainment is as good as Bill Miller...that is a hard call, as Bill is one of the best in the business and we plain lucked out that he had an opening for that evening and agreed to perform for what we were able to pay him (and we wouldn't have been able to afford him if we had not sold all those other seats to non-Gatherers). Finding a comparable performer would be difficult, if not impossible, although there are certainly good entertainers out there. Thing is, you just never know what the show is going to be like until it happens. Sometimes it is great; sometimes it is not. And much of that depends on the listener. If the criteria for booking an entertainer at SOTR is "he or she must be as good as Bill Miller" then I am not sure I'm willing to take the risk of doing that booking!
As to the seating at SOTR, well, it is limited and cramped, particulaly when large crowds are involved. The seating in 2002 was actually arranged to benefit our Gatherers...as it turned out, there was more than a 50% chance of rain that night (remember the showers that preceded the dinner?) so the Gatherers seats were placed under the covered portion of the patio with non-Gathers placed out in the open. As it turned out, the rain did not happen. But if it had, as predicted, those seats would have been the only dry ones in the house. And we had to more-or-less put the Gatherers all in one place because we preordered our dinners...the servers had to be able to find and attend to us first.
Heck, I think I'll just ask Flip to play the recording of the 2002 concert during the 2004 dinner! That'll solve a lot of problems!
Bring Bill BACCCCCKKKKKKK!!!! I missed him last year...and that is one of my biggest regrets about missing Gathering 2002! 
Adele |
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Lady Ann
Pioneer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 20 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 06 2003 : 2:14:39 PM
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| Now there is an idea, Huggy. Anyone else in favor of asking Bill Miller to make a return engagement? Keep in mind that this will require a ticket price in excess of $20.00 per person...I can't imagine he would do the gig for less...or even the same price...than he gave us in 2002! |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - June 06 2003 : 7:47:08 PM
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I'm all for a repeat performance, if he's game. It couldn't be any better.
Lady Ann, I think you may have misinterpreted what I was trying to say up above. I certainly don't expect you to top, or even match, the 2002 show. That was real magic that night. Don't forget, we had, unexpectedly, the excellent singers & dancers from Cherokee pop in. It doesn't have to be Bill Miller, though he certainly fills the bill nicely, and the show's caliber is not in your hands. Even the very best have off nights. I'm just saying that to book music just for the sake of having music [in light of the fact that we already have the String Beings lined up for Sunday] would not be a good choice. A cozy dinner there would suffice. But, if the right performer comes along - someone who can really make a difference in the quality of the Gathering - then I'm all for it! That's just my opinion. In the end, it's your call - you're good! Do what you do well! Nothing but the utmost confidence in you from this end! |
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Kaylynn44
Mohicanite
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 13 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - June 06 2003 : 10:12:54 PM
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Hi Ann,
I wish that I could help you out, but 2004 will be my first time being at the Gathering. I can tell you that I wouldn't mind paying a little more for entertainment, especially if it is as good as everybody says that Bill Miller is. I wish that I could be of more help!!!
Kay |
~ An Infinite Zephyr~
Some things never end
As long as goodness exists
Winds shall always soothe
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - June 16 2003 : 2:37:51 PM
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Here's the deal folks, quite simply -
Booking Bill Miller at Spirits on the River for the 2004 Gathering will cost $35 per head - that covers the booking, transportation, and hotel, and is based on 84 persons in attendance. Whether those would all be Gatherers is yet to be determined, but I can tell you that we could easily book the place to capacity, and then some, without a single Gatherer. We, however, are not show organizers. We are, in fact, Gatherers, too! We're doing this - if we do - for the Gathering, and will rely on others to fill the place [read: pay the bill] only if necessary.
So, consider that cost. Check out the full itinerary for the 2004 Gathering, and re-read the account of the Miller show at the 2002 Gathering. Both of those pages, I believe, have links to Bill's own site, as well.
2002 Great Mohican Gathering || 2004 Great Mohican Gathering
Decide, is the cost worth it to you.
Then - FEEDBACK! We need FEEDBACK!
You may be wondering why it is that after this past experience of not enough numbers to pay the bills for the "postponed" 2003 Gathering, why it is that we're putting together an even more elaborate affair? Reasons abound, and among them are that I'm crazy, I feel that to an extent this was an aberration not to be repeated, and, if truth be told, had it not been for the severe illnesses of my daughter, I probably - with help - would have found a way to make it work this year.
Bottom line for this, and any Gathering, is that we need a certain level of commitment from you before we can commit to all the expenses involved.
So commit, already. I was committed a long time ago ...  Right, Securemann?
To date - as I write - 42 people have signed up. Not too shabby, a full year in advance!! [That's for the Gathering, not necessarily a Bill Miller booking!] |
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kgwhitney
Pathfinder
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 26 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 17 2003 : 09:11:09 AM
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| Hello to all, we are as committed as we can be to the Gathering 2004, considering it is a year away. The concert is a bit pricey I think especially since we have to pay for dinner as well. Just my opinion, hope it doesn't upset anyone. |
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powerdude
Pathfinder
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 05 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - June 17 2003 : 11:20:38 AM
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How much was the Bill Miller concert in 2002? I cannot remember specifically. Anyways, I loved the concert, I have purchased almost all of his music. I will be there no matter what?
Patrick |
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Lady Ann
Pioneer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 20 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 17 2003 : 12:21:22 PM
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For comparison purposes, the ticket price for the Bill Miller concert in 2002 was $20.00. The proposed increase in ticket prices is due to the fact that Mr. Miller's fees have increased substantially...by $1,500 over what we paid in 2002. And we also have to account for increased transportation and travel fees as well (we pay these...gas and hotel prices have increaded since 2002).
As Rich pointed out, I can sell the tickets at $35.00 each and fill the restaurant, as there are quite a few Bill Miller fans out there. But this is a Gathering event...and if it is too pricey for the Gathering, then there is no point in having it at all, as far as I am concerned.
Or we can go with Option 2...entertainment on a lesser scale than Mr. Miller. Or no entertainment at all, just a nice dinner at Spirits On the River for those who want to come.
You all decide, and I will act accordingly.
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Adele
The Huggy Merchant
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - June 17 2003 : 3:16:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Lady Ann
For comparison purposes, the ticket price for the Bill Miller concert in 2002 was $20.00. The proposed increase in ticket prices is due to the fact that Mr. Miller's fees have increased substantially...by $1,500 over what we paid in 2002. And we also have to account for increased transportation and travel fees as well (we pay these...gas and hotel prices have increaded since 2002).
As Rich pointed out, I can sell the tickets at $35.00 each and fill the restaurant, as there are quite a few Bill Miller fans out there. But this is a Gathering event...and if it is too pricey for the Gathering, then there is no point in having it at all, as far as I am concerned.
Or we can go with Option 2...entertainment on a lesser scale than Mr. Miller. Or no entertainment at all, just a nice dinner at Spirits On the River for those who want to come.
You all decide, and I will act accordingly.
If I can be there...I will consider $35 a bargain purchase!!
HM |
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