[Dixielandjazz] First Night

[Stephen Barbone]

I as a sideman and/or Barbone Street has played some First Night
celebrations in York, PA, Wilmington DE, Morristown NJ and most notably
First Night 2000 in New York City at the Bronx Zoo. (but that's another
story)

Usually we've booked First Nights when we don't get a more lucrative
booking. Since 2000, our New Year's Eve Bookings have been very strong
and so we have had to turn First Night Bookings down.

Currently, First Night bookings for 2 hours ending at or before midnight
are in the $300 per man range on average. We turned one such first night
offer down this year that paid $400 per man, because we were already
booked at higher rates. (I do not book New Years Eve simultaneously, but
do refer them to other bands)

Cheers,
Steve Barbone