[Dixielandjazz] attendance

[iVOR jONES]

Right on Jim,

We had exactly the same experience last night in Lagos, in the Algarve. Only 
one difference. We played in an 'upmarket' Jazz and Blues Bar,  5 euros to 
get in and outrageous prices for drinks. We finished at 1.30 and when we 
left there had to be 100/150 young people right outside. They told us that 
they could hear the music through the door and would have loved to come in, 
but it was out of their range pricewise. It was out of everybodys price 
range, except tourists and the local professionals. Crazy! Your club has got 
it right.

Ivor in Portugal




e----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Kashishian" <jim at kashprod.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 2:50 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] attendance


> Steve Barbone wrote about attendance in Europe at various functions.......
>
> In many European capital cities, there is a street life that I don't find
> present in U.S. cities in general.  In Spain there is the hour of the
> "paseo", around 5 to 7 pm, when everyone takes to their neighborhood 
> streets
> for a stroll...old & young.  (They usually drop in for a drink at a corner
> bar, also....not to be confused with a dark hole with boozers falling off
> the bar stools.  These are family affairs, where snacks (tapas) are 
> served,
> and conversation is premium.  Kids running between your legs practically,
> football on the tele, lots of noise & smoke.)
>
> Then, there is the night life, particularly present in the older parts of
> town, where many areas have been closed off to traffic & strolling is the
> word.  This happens in many cities around Europe.
>
> We left our present club date last night at 1:30 am, only to walk out the
> door of the club & not be able to move!  Honest!  The foot traffic was so
> heavy that we were jammed in at the door.  This is on a street where no
> traffic flows...only people! (My trombone case works well as a battering 
> ram
> in these situations!)  And, that was after playing two sets in a tiny 
> club.
> Not only was the standing room taken up in the club, but we had at least 
> 30
> kids (20 yr olds) sitting on the floor all around the bandstand.
>
> It's only natural if there are that many people on the street, and you 
> have
> a loud Dixieland band going all out, that they're going to fill the joint.
> Add decent prices for drinks, no cover charge, outstanding looking young
> girls (which draw in the boys!), and you have a recipe for success.
>
> Ok, we have a malls, etc., also, which do draw their own crowds, but the
> main thing is that people are on foot.  I've actually had kids in the U.S.
> drive by me while walking on a street yelling at me, taunting me for
> walking!  And, once a police car stopped me while walking in Los Angeles 
> to
> ask me what I was doing!!!
>
> What's the solution for you U.S.'ers?  Pool your savings & come over for a
> visit!  I doubt if the U.S. is going to change at this late date, so if 
> you
> want a taste of it, come on over!  Don't try to "do Europe" in a week. 
> Pick
> a couple of nice spots, and settle down, go for a stroll, stay out late at
> night........
>
> Jim (smilin') Kash
>
>
>
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