LETTERS

Too Much About Money

I am writing in response to the "Streets of Gold in Halifax" article last issue by Christopher Majka. He did a fine job of describing the acts at the festival. But one subject continues to haunt this event - money.

 

The title of the article sets the tone. Majka estimates the average hat to be about $200. He was wrong. The producer of the festival spoke to the Canadian press, and street performers at the event were greeted with national headlines quoting the producer saying we were earning $700 per day. He was wrong.

 

A few points are worth making. The performers who read Juggler's World would be well advised to inquire among friends and acquaintances about this festival for a better understanding of how much you might expect to earn there.

 

The second point is less practical than the first, but far more important. A street

performer appeals to the common man for contributions at the end of a show. An ordinary working person does not make $200 per half-hour of labor, or $700 a day. When an audience sees things like this in the press I fear they might start making assumptions which ultimately will affect their generosity. They might assume we are making big money and decide not to contribute. We literally cannot afford to alienate the citizens we play to.

 

Beyond all of that, the focus of our work becomes increasingly about economics, and less about the experience the audience and performer share. Street performers exist because they play with charm, romance and risk taking.

When the charm is spent and the romance is over, the rewards for our risks will diminish and we will vanish. If you need money, get a good job. If you want to do something you love, and maybe make enough bucks to keep body and soul together, become a street performer.

 

And if you become a street performer, show some class and don't turn around after a show and count your hat in public.

Dana Smith San Francisco, California

 A Legitimate Beef

You don't see too many beefs in the Letters column, but I've got one and I'm sure I'm not alone. It's about the dues for the IJA's Juggler's World. If you look at the spring or summer issues it's $15 for renewal and $18 for new members. It's been this rate for a while. The winter rate is $20 and $25. What's going on?

 

Some of us can't afford a lifetime membership. But at this rate, I sure wish I could. I've been a member since the 1970's, and have seen the growth in not only the "newsletter" (as it used to be) but the conventions as well. I know there's a lot to putting out the magazine, but I think we, the readers, deserve an explanation.

 

Through all the rate changes, the back issues still remain at $3 each. If you don't mind waiting a few months you can save some bucks on the magazine, at least!

Teri Biller -  China, Maine

 

Kevin Delagrange, Chairman of the IJA Board of Directors,  replies...

It's always an unpleasant chore for the board to increase dues. However, our organization is currently at an awkward size. We publish an expensive, glossy magazine, but don't have enough subscribers to attract major corporate advertising. I give you my assurance that nobody is getting rich off of your dues! We remain a non-profit organization run by volunteers. All our work and revenue goes toward publication of a quality magazine, planning and promotion of a successful convention and the day-to-day expenses of our organization.