I have been fired from the Elk Grove Park District. Message me at RCRMark if you'd like details.

Future shows at Hattendorf Center are questionable.

The few that were scheduled, I booked but had not yet told Laura about, so she has no idea that any were scheduled.

Laura likes being involved with the bands but she doesn't want to book or run shows. She hates having to be at shows for 5-6 hours all night long. She only used to stop in every few shows for a few minutes just so she can tell her boss she was there if she asks.

Hattendorf people really don't want the band program there.

Hattendorf is an old school, converted to a senior citizen's center / preschool.

They are afraid 'kids' will be rowdy there and damage / vandalize the place.

Both Laura and my old boss Jackie argued against that.

So Hattendorf was letting us in, reluctantly.

Shows were also going to start later, 7pm, eliminating having a 6th band on the bill.

I'm guessing there will be no more Elk Grove Park District shows until Summer, 2006, when the new water park / teen center are built.

Reward shows are history. The park district was looking for more and more money from the bands...increasing fees from $200 to $300 to $400, about to take a percentage of concessions and wondering why the bands weren't making the park district more money. So there was no way they'd continue to give away $100 prizes every six weeks. That was my idea, now dead.

I worked at Elk Grove Park District, running the teen band program for 16 months.

I built the program up when it was ready to be cancelled.

I used to brag that Elk Grove paid bands better than any other venue in the Chicagoland area. Although my last show there drew 450 people and the bands got paid very well, that was the last show they will be.

Elk Grove increasingly wants more and more money from their programs to help balance their budget and pay for their new water park. Smaller shows with high school bands of 100 paid, bands would not get paid. (100 x $5 = $500 - 400 elk grove - 100 sound leaves $0 for bands.) Shows with 150 pd, bands would get $50 each, with 5 bands playing....but this doesn't take into account the fact that Elk Grove is looking for still more money from the band program. I shouldn't say 'Elk Grove'. I should say 'Noreen'. She is the one constantly pushing for more money.

That said, I think any band that has contributed to the 'p.a.' fund there should ask for their money back. There's no telling if or when the remaining $880 will be raised for the p.a. It could easily be another couple years...or Noreen could just say, 'no p.a....the park district needs that money because we didn't make enough off the bands this year'. I seriously believe the money will just be merged in with the general income and never be used for a p.a. Again, the p.a. idea was mine and I'm gone now.

Lastly, over 16 months, I've gotten to know some 25-30 Elk Grove and Schaumburg bands. I know when I was setting up the Gazebo shows, I counted 16 Elk Grove bands alone. Even if Hattendorf continues to have shows, that's only 5 bands each week that can play there. Where else is there to play in the Northwest burbs for you guys? Clearwater out in West Dundee and Knights Of Columbus in Arlington Heights and both are difficult to get shows at as they cater more to bigger bands or bands that can draw well.

So I will be looking for venues in the Elk Grove / Schaumburg area. I have a few in mind. There's just way too many bands in the Northwest burbs...not just Elk Grove & Schaumburg, to ignore the need for another venue. I know many of you guys are always, desperately looking for places to play, so I'm gonna take a shot at finding you one....or having one built.

VFW's, KOC's cost too much. $400-500 and thats just rent...no employees/security or sound...that's $300-350 more. Leaving little or nothing for bands playing smaller shows there. 

Some churches will help but typically only one show a month...or less.

Bars are Sunday only all-ages which don't always draw well cuz it's a school night.

I'm just a little tired of dealing with restrictions.

So I'm looking to try something near impossible...Extreme Makeover: Teen Center Bands Edition.

If these venues I'm thinkin of don't pan out...I'm looking for a place I can book every Friday, with few hassles, more cooperation...then I'm gonna try the impossible and look for community support. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, architects, lawyers, rich guys who want to help and aren't afraid to lose money for a good cause...and we'll build our own damn concert hall / teen center. It will be THE place to go, to play shows, to chill with your friends for the night. Not some damn cold VFW Hall or grade school gymnasium...

It's a longshot but I'm up for it. If you guys really want it, you'll find ways to help get it done.

So there ya go. If you have ideas or can help...message me and let me know.

Thanks.

Mark

AIM: RCR Mark