Last Minute Submissions

I guess I was supposed to blog yesterday – but I got home VERY late from a family trip to Disneyland. Even a festival director has to make time for his family on occasion .

Working the Festival from the Happiest Place On Earth was surreal.

I was walking through Disneyland fielding calls about posters, sponsors, speakers, last minute stuff. Looking out on the small winter crowds, we noted there were a lot of other Jewish families running around because LA Jewish schools are on break this week.

But why couldn’t I put down the phone for a few hours and enjoy Mickey and Friends in full force? It is inevitable.

We always get tons of requests to be involved in the final weeks leading up to the festival.

And some of these are legitimately cool folks that want to be involved. So we juggle and dance around, and see if there is somewhat to get them involved. Sometimes we can make it happen and sometimes not.

Then there are the bands. Bands and more bands. They all start calling and emailing us before the fest wanting in.

The only problem is that we start booking bands up to six months in advance. Six Months!

And while there are last minute substitutions, we can’t fit in any unknown acts at the last minute.

Someday we will be able to have a whole stage just for up-and-coming Jewish artists. That is my dream.  However in our current venue, it is really unlikely.

We are signing up with Sonicbids to handle band submissions for future Festivals. I hope that this will streamline the process of band submissions etc.

And as far as last minute other folks, it can be easier to stick them on an existing program, salon, workshop.

Talk to you soon!