[Dixielandjazz] Raising performance fees

[Steve barbone]

Is there a lesson here for all those OKOM bands that perform free, or for
next to nothing? 

Why are comics/musicians underpaid? Because we can be underpaid and then
bend over for more, not doing a damn thing about it. Except, as below.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone


February 8, 2005 - By BEN SISARIO -NY TIMES

United For Raises, Comics Meet With Clubs

The New York Comedians Coalition is no joke.

Founded in December to increase the wages paid to performers at New York's
comedy clubs - typical pay is $60 for a 15-minute set on a weekend night -
the group has already begun to reap rewards for its efforts.

Two months ago it sent letters to the owners of 11 clubs around the city
asking for raises, and as of last week all but 4 of the clubs had acquiesced
and submitted proposals for a new pay scale. Yesterday the union made
contact with the four remaining clubs and today will meet with their
representatives.

"We're going into the meeting optimistic," said Ted Alexandro, a working
comedian and one of the two founders of the coalition. "We're hoping that
good proposals will come out of the meeting and as a board we can recommend
to our membership that this represents progress."

The union, which has more than 300 members - ranging from television stars
to the piano-tie guy who asked you with a grin last weekend where you're
from - is to meet on Thursday to discuss all the clubs' proposals.

At a meeting last week, the coalition voted to picket certain clubs this
weekend if proposals with pay increases were not received, an eventuality
that seems to have been avoided by the contact with the remaining clubs.

Comedians said that wages had begun to creep up, but nothing to tickle the
funny bone. The raises have brought weekend gigs into the $75-to-$85 range,
one said.

"It's a negotiation," Mr. Alexandro said.

Though some clubs have been slow in coming to the bargaining table, many in
the business regard the comedians' fight as reasonable.

Chris Mazzilli, who owns the Gotham Comedy Club on West 22nd Street, said he
had proposed that pay for weekend engagements rise gradually, from $85 this
year to $95 next year and $105 the year after that. M.C.'s, he said, should
get comparable raises.

"Comics deserve a raise, what can I tell you," said Cary Hoffman, who owns
Stand Up New York, on West 78th Street. "And we're going to give them a
raise."

The tradition of sweatshop wages for comedians dates to the 1960's, Mr.
Hoffman said, when the clubs were primarily a training ground for television
and the movies. Mr. Hoffman rattled off a litany of famous comedians - Paul
Reiser, Ray Romano, Brett Butler - who played New York clubs early in their
careers. So from his perspective, the comedians have a chance at a big prize
but the clubs get only a beer-soaked wad of cash.

"Business is not great," Mr. Hoffman said. "But nobody believes it. The
comics don't believe it."

Mr. Mazzilli said the only way for the clubs to pay comedians more and
remain profitable was to join most New York cultural institutions and raise
their prices.

"When you go to a comedy club on a Friday night," he said, "you're paying 15
bucks and you're seeing guys with multiple 'Tonight Show' appearances, maybe
his own sitcom."

He added, "Comedy is underpriced."

MY COMMENT TO MAZZILLI'S LAMENT ABOVE? SO RAISE THE PRICE YOU IDIOTS.