Dear list members of HARP-L, CLUBNEWS, and HARPTALK,
I have been biting my tongue for several weeks. Rumors have been circulating via this list and other media including word of mouth. That there 'may' not be a Buckeye Harmonica Festival next year. Some even passed the rumor from "reliable sources" that there would ~not~ be a BHF-2000. Well, the BUCK...eye stops here. (or, I should say the BUCK...eye starts here).
What some people don't realize is that we have to vote each year whether to hold this event or not. This year it was necessary to hold any public comment until after we voted (this is usually a foregone conclusion). We were late in getting this done because we spent a lot of time discussing reasons why we can't or shouldn't have a festival. This was largely due to some key workers dropping out of the festival committee. Recent festival chair Connie Hassler has decided to take a well deserved rest. I don't blame her - she has worked hard - and she deserves to be able to sit back and enjoy the festival and not worry about everything (I know, I've worn both hats).
Anyway - The vote took place tonight at our general meeting and it passed. No one voted against, but some just didn't vote either way. ??? There are factions in the organization who (wantonly or not?) nearly killed BHF - and very well could have sounded the death knell of the club (BSHC) as we have known it for 23 years, by allowing rumors to start and circulate. And I am just as guilty there as anyone else - I should have squelched them immediately. Well, 'nuff explainin' - back to business. (I would like to know how these rumors got started though).
I'm convinced the club is strong and will not succumb to such antics - similar situations in other clubs have caused their demise - but we weathered the storm.
I have been appointed BHF-2000 Festival Chairman. You can read my resume' by referring to BHF '76 through BHF '93 (Chairman those years and co-chair following - until '99 when I did nothing (well almost) :-)
There will be a BHF-2000 and that's a fact.
When: April 13-15, 2000
Where: Columbus, Ohio
What: 3 day festival, Concerts each night, Gala Saturday dinner/show, Seminars, Open mic, blues jam, jazz club. (Same old stuff)
Venue: Very likely we will be back at the Clarion Hotel.
* We are looking at other venues but must make a decision soon. We pursued returning to the Janis Center (popular with many prior visitors) but the new director there is difficult to work with. Well, actually he is a clueless dolt who has no idea what the Janis Center was built for and has no idea how to return it to its earlier vibrant life of being a multigenerational activity center supporting the music, performing, and cultural arts. (I wrote that so I could practice my letter of complaint to the Ohio Commission on Aging). [no smiley here]
Many folks - Harp-L and otherwise - have offered their support and help in putting on BHF. I am open to any suggestions or ideas you may have for making BHF even better. I am especially open to offers to work at our festival - manning registration tables, ushering, etc. - Due to OAA (Old Age Attrition) we have lost a lot of workers the past couple of years). We have the horses to do the advanced planning and organizing but we are a tad short on workers at the scene.
Later I will post a request for workers with a proposed schedule and times available for volunteers to work in specific areas. I plan to schedule all activities well in advance so workers can select times that don't interfere with seminars, etc., that they don't want to miss.
====survey Here's a little questionnaire:
o At BHF '99 I liked....
o At BHF '99 I didn't like...
o How was the banquet?
o My favorite seminar was...
o I would like to see a "club store" where I can place harmonica related items for sale and pay BSHC a commission.
o I would be willing to work at a club store.
o The Clarion is an adequate venue...
o You should look for a better place...
o Entertainment... Too many acts, not enough, just right
- -- I should know better than open this can of worms but here goes :-}
o Entertainers I would like to see at BHF...
o Blues jam comments...
o Jazz club comments...
o I want to help - I am good at...
o I would be willing to serve on an on-line festival committee.
o Comments...
o Questions...
o Suggestions...
====end of survey
**** Please post all replies to me personally with a subject line starting with BHF-2000 so I can filter it into my BHF folder. ****
