Learning from the MBA Program
Read it
June 4, 2009
May 27, 2009
Exploring Chicago...
This past weekend the man friend and I headed out to the suburbs. We had a few things on our to-do list - looking at appliances and kitchens. We were pretty successful on both items.
For those Chicago people, we went to Abt Electronics in Glenview. WOW. There were a lot of things to look at. Including a fountain. Their appliance selection was pretty amazing. I had no idea how far dishwashers have come.
We also headed to a home store for kitchen cabinets and counter tops in Aurora. Houses are expensive, but it still beats renting in my book!
On our way out to Glenview we took Milwaukee north from Irving Park, which was an interesting drive. There were lots of Polish delis and other neighborhood spots that you could go for years without knowing.
On our way back from Aurora we accidentally ended up on 290. Per usual, the traffic was horrendous on the way into the city. So, we hopped off 290 at 25th and headed north into Maywood.
View Larger Map
Hopping on to Washington, we headed east toward the city. Maywood proved an interesting community to drive through. Brick bungalows lined the street in a community that seemed quiet. We passed through a brief forest/park and crossed over a river and were suddenly in Oak Park. It was interesting to see the difference a river makes.
Oak Park had beautiful homes that were much larger than the homes we had just seen in Maywood. Each house was on a larger lot as well. With CTA buses and trains in Oak Park, this is one of the few suburbs that I have an interest in living in.
Oak Park's eastern border is the city of Chicago's Austin neighborhood. We decided to take Chicago Ave into the city and discovered a part of Chicago that reminded us of third world countries. I would not make the drive alone or at night.
The street was lined with empty store fronts. The stores you did see were liquor, dollar stores, and the occasional cheap cell phone place. On occasion you would see a fast food style restaurant or a beauty salon. The one thing this stretch of the city has is plenty of churches. There was a store front operation on every other block.
We took this all the way to Western, traveling between Humboldt Park and Garfield Park.
Turning up Western we made our way to Bluebird in Bucktown, our default and one of our favorite restaurants in that area.
Ahh Chicago, you gave us an interesting tour.
For those Chicago people, we went to Abt Electronics in Glenview. WOW. There were a lot of things to look at. Including a fountain. Their appliance selection was pretty amazing. I had no idea how far dishwashers have come.
We also headed to a home store for kitchen cabinets and counter tops in Aurora. Houses are expensive, but it still beats renting in my book!
On our way out to Glenview we took Milwaukee north from Irving Park, which was an interesting drive. There were lots of Polish delis and other neighborhood spots that you could go for years without knowing.
On our way back from Aurora we accidentally ended up on 290. Per usual, the traffic was horrendous on the way into the city. So, we hopped off 290 at 25th and headed north into Maywood.
View Larger Map
Hopping on to Washington, we headed east toward the city. Maywood proved an interesting community to drive through. Brick bungalows lined the street in a community that seemed quiet. We passed through a brief forest/park and crossed over a river and were suddenly in Oak Park. It was interesting to see the difference a river makes.
Oak Park had beautiful homes that were much larger than the homes we had just seen in Maywood. Each house was on a larger lot as well. With CTA buses and trains in Oak Park, this is one of the few suburbs that I have an interest in living in.
Oak Park's eastern border is the city of Chicago's Austin neighborhood. We decided to take Chicago Ave into the city and discovered a part of Chicago that reminded us of third world countries. I would not make the drive alone or at night.
The street was lined with empty store fronts. The stores you did see were liquor, dollar stores, and the occasional cheap cell phone place. On occasion you would see a fast food style restaurant or a beauty salon. The one thing this stretch of the city has is plenty of churches. There was a store front operation on every other block.
We took this all the way to Western, traveling between Humboldt Park and Garfield Park.
Turning up Western we made our way to Bluebird in Bucktown, our default and one of our favorite restaurants in that area.
Ahh Chicago, you gave us an interesting tour.
May 20, 2009
For all those Arts Administrators
Great post from Adam Thurman... His point regarding taking a year is a valid one.
May 5, 2009
The other thing I've been up to...
So about 6 - 7 weeks ago the man-friend and I were cooking dinner and he started talking about these houses in Albany Park that were selling for $150,000. In short, we determined that we should investigate. When again were we going to get the legitimate opportunity to buy a single family home in Chicago at a price we can afford on the brown line?
For the last month and a half we have learned a whole lot about buying a home.
The first weekend we drove around just looking at the outsides of buildings and the areas they were in. Were these places we would be happy with? As it turns out, they were. So then we looked on the insides (luckily we have a friend - Jeremy Segal with @ Properties to show us the ropes). There was one really terrible place and a few others that we could actually see ourselves living in, with enough work.
So then it became about financing, which is when I learned the two biggest take aways I have found thus far.
1. Your credit score is not as bad as you think it is. Ok, that may not be true for some. But for me, I was totally scared that the random times I got caught up with work and forgot to pay my utility bills had ruined my credit score. Not true at all. There are other factors involved, such as assets to debt. I have always maintained low balances on my credit cards and consistently paid them off, this certainly helped. There are things you can do to improve your score, now is the time to do that. Especially with credit cards increasing interest rates and tightening their lending.
2. The myth of "pre-approval." Jeremy hooked us up with a few brokers and we filled out a form. What we then got back from that is a Good Faith Estimate. That means that a broker thinks they can secure you financing at that interest rate. After you decide to make an offer, your broker can provide you with a pre-approval letter.
I guess there could be a third, your offer is just a starting point especially with bank owned properties.
At this point we have made an offer on one property and were asked for our best and final offer due to their being multiple offers. Now we play the waiting game. Either way I'm having a panic attack when we hear.
For the last month and a half we have learned a whole lot about buying a home.
The first weekend we drove around just looking at the outsides of buildings and the areas they were in. Were these places we would be happy with? As it turns out, they were. So then we looked on the insides (luckily we have a friend - Jeremy Segal with @ Properties to show us the ropes). There was one really terrible place and a few others that we could actually see ourselves living in, with enough work.
So then it became about financing, which is when I learned the two biggest take aways I have found thus far.
1. Your credit score is not as bad as you think it is. Ok, that may not be true for some. But for me, I was totally scared that the random times I got caught up with work and forgot to pay my utility bills had ruined my credit score. Not true at all. There are other factors involved, such as assets to debt. I have always maintained low balances on my credit cards and consistently paid them off, this certainly helped. There are things you can do to improve your score, now is the time to do that. Especially with credit cards increasing interest rates and tightening their lending.
2. The myth of "pre-approval." Jeremy hooked us up with a few brokers and we filled out a form. What we then got back from that is a Good Faith Estimate. That means that a broker thinks they can secure you financing at that interest rate. After you decide to make an offer, your broker can provide you with a pre-approval letter.
I guess there could be a third, your offer is just a starting point especially with bank owned properties.
At this point we have made an offer on one property and were asked for our best and final offer due to their being multiple offers. Now we play the waiting game. Either way I'm having a panic attack when we hear.
Long time coming...
Ok, it has been a few weeks to say the least. And I have been busy!
Recently the man-friend and I traveled to outside of Detroit to visit his family. We played with little kids and laughed along with his family. On our way back we stopped in Ann Arbor for lunch at the Arbor Brewing Company. Having so much fun over lunch, we decided to stay the night. We got a room for cheap at the Lamp Post Inn and re-lived the college life for a day. Luckily we timed it on a Monday, during which many of the bars that the man-friend frequented in his college days were holding all day happy hours. Umm, $3 beers? Score. Weather was crappy, but boy did we have fun.
I've been working a bunch for Chicago Sailing. The season started April 11th and it has been a crazy ship to keep running. At the end of each day I crash hard on the couch, as the roommate can attest.
Boomer has a new roommate as well. The roommate's dog arrived this past Saturday. Per usual, Boomer is proving that he is not an alpha dog. It has been awhile since he has voluntarily climbed on my lap without seeking attention. He's done that a couple of times in the last few days. It's fun to watch these two figure out how to play with each other and sort out personalities.
Recently the man-friend and I traveled to outside of Detroit to visit his family. We played with little kids and laughed along with his family. On our way back we stopped in Ann Arbor for lunch at the Arbor Brewing Company. Having so much fun over lunch, we decided to stay the night. We got a room for cheap at the Lamp Post Inn and re-lived the college life for a day. Luckily we timed it on a Monday, during which many of the bars that the man-friend frequented in his college days were holding all day happy hours. Umm, $3 beers? Score. Weather was crappy, but boy did we have fun.
I've been working a bunch for Chicago Sailing. The season started April 11th and it has been a crazy ship to keep running. At the end of each day I crash hard on the couch, as the roommate can attest.
Boomer has a new roommate as well. The roommate's dog arrived this past Saturday. Per usual, Boomer is proving that he is not an alpha dog. It has been awhile since he has voluntarily climbed on my lap without seeking attention. He's done that a couple of times in the last few days. It's fun to watch these two figure out how to play with each other and sort out personalities.
April 14, 2009
A must read
For everyone starting a theater company... Courtesy of The Mission Paradox.
One thing that theater companies also fail to discuss is when they will stop producing work. If you remain a small ensemble, focused on doing work that showcases your ensemble members, eventually you will reach a point where that is no longer possible.
One thing that theater companies also fail to discuss is when they will stop producing work. If you remain a small ensemble, focused on doing work that showcases your ensemble members, eventually you will reach a point where that is no longer possible.
April 13, 2009
A difference of scale
In my past life as a theater marketer and fundraiser I worked really hard to get two nickels to rub together. A good day at my last place of employment was $500 in ticket sales. An amazing day was $1,000. We had a capacity problem when we brought in over $1,500 - our staff of 1 couldn't support that many calls!
Today, a rainy and unseasonably cold Monday, my new job brought in over $2,000. That translates into 4 new clients. To achieve that same sales goal, without ticketing fees, you need 100 new clients for most small theaters.
I sent out a team of 3 to the Addison el stop today, handing out brochures to people on their way to work in the morning and on their way to the Cubs game in the middle of the day. Cost = $125 (brochures were printed last year)
If I get 2 new customers out of that effort, I've made a huge return. And the beauty with sailing is that once people are taught the basics, they can handle our small boats. We keep making money off of them because they keep wanting to go out.
Often theater people talk about how small an audience there is for your work. It is rare for me to go see a show and not run into someone I know, they are usually in the industry. I'd guess this is true for other industries as well.
More theaters should think about ways to create their own industry audience. How do you give patrons a participatory element in your programming, that will keep them coming back for more?
There isn't really a thorough line to this post, I'm talking about a couple of different ideas.
1. how much effort it takes to get patrons in the door of theaters
2. ways to create an 'industry' member mentality within your audience
Run with these ideas where you want!
Today, a rainy and unseasonably cold Monday, my new job brought in over $2,000. That translates into 4 new clients. To achieve that same sales goal, without ticketing fees, you need 100 new clients for most small theaters.
I sent out a team of 3 to the Addison el stop today, handing out brochures to people on their way to work in the morning and on their way to the Cubs game in the middle of the day. Cost = $125 (brochures were printed last year)
If I get 2 new customers out of that effort, I've made a huge return. And the beauty with sailing is that once people are taught the basics, they can handle our small boats. We keep making money off of them because they keep wanting to go out.
Often theater people talk about how small an audience there is for your work. It is rare for me to go see a show and not run into someone I know, they are usually in the industry. I'd guess this is true for other industries as well.
More theaters should think about ways to create their own industry audience. How do you give patrons a participatory element in your programming, that will keep them coming back for more?
There isn't really a thorough line to this post, I'm talking about a couple of different ideas.
1. how much effort it takes to get patrons in the door of theaters
2. ways to create an 'industry' member mentality within your audience
Run with these ideas where you want!
Where I have been blogging...
So I've been a little slow on the blog updating recently. That's because my day job has been quite exciting recently. The sailing season officially opened this past Saturday in Belmont Harbor. My office is a house boat. Yup! I look out my window and see ducks a lot of the time. It's a very different setting from the number of window-less theater offices I have worked out of.
My job as the Marketing and Events Manager takes many different forms. I've been twittering away since I joined the company and am proud to have 130 followers in just under 2 months! Another of my job duties is maintaining the company's blog. Now that the season has gotten going, I expect that I will have a lot more posts over there!
My job as the Marketing and Events Manager takes many different forms. I've been twittering away since I joined the company and am proud to have 130 followers in just under 2 months! Another of my job duties is maintaining the company's blog. Now that the season has gotten going, I expect that I will have a lot more posts over there!
April 6, 2009
12th Night
Yesterday I went to see 12th Night at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. It was actually quite enjoyable. Could have moved a little bit quicker and used the full stage better, but the director interpreted the text very well. And what's not to like in a Shakespeare mistaken identity love story?
It has been a few weeks since I've made it to the theater. On my current list of must-see's is The Tempest at Steppenwolf and God's Ear at the Viaduct. The House's Rose and the Rime has been extended, using the slot they had originally planned for Alan Infinitum.
Apparently the Chopin just got its liquor license. Fantastic news for this Chicago mainstay.
It has been a few weeks since I've made it to the theater. On my current list of must-see's is The Tempest at Steppenwolf and God's Ear at the Viaduct. The House's Rose and the Rime has been extended, using the slot they had originally planned for Alan Infinitum.
Apparently the Chopin just got its liquor license. Fantastic news for this Chicago mainstay.
March 26, 2009
World Theater Day
Is tomorrow!
I've seen some folks twitter about e-mails they have received from theater companies, specifically Chicago's experimental theater power-house The Neo-Futurists. Sadly, I haven't seen a whole lot in Chicago's press. Chris Jones' blog has not mentioned anything. Time Out featured Abraham Levitan's collaboration with Dog & Pony. (Kudos to D & P who I worked with in the past.)
What's going on? I know the League hosted a meeting to organize and secured Daley's support - tomorrow is World Theatre Day in Chicago. The last I heard from them was 2 weeks ago.
My two cents: We are missing out on a major collective marketing opportunity, to reach out to people who might not know about Chicago's role in the international theater community.
A friend of mine who now lives in Madrid, commented on the emphasis on World Theatre Day in the city. She sent me one of the posters posted all over the city. When she lived in Chicago she was dragged to all sorts of obligation theater, now she is excited to be in a city celebrating it's theatrical opportunities all month long and especially tomorrow night.
So, in short, if you don't have plans for tomorrow night... Go see some theater! And if you're in Chicago, order a round in honor of being the best theater city in the country. Make sure those around you hear what you're celebrating!
I've seen some folks twitter about e-mails they have received from theater companies, specifically Chicago's experimental theater power-house The Neo-Futurists. Sadly, I haven't seen a whole lot in Chicago's press. Chris Jones' blog has not mentioned anything. Time Out featured Abraham Levitan's collaboration with Dog & Pony. (Kudos to D & P who I worked with in the past.)
What's going on? I know the League hosted a meeting to organize and secured Daley's support - tomorrow is World Theatre Day in Chicago. The last I heard from them was 2 weeks ago.
My two cents: We are missing out on a major collective marketing opportunity, to reach out to people who might not know about Chicago's role in the international theater community.
A friend of mine who now lives in Madrid, commented on the emphasis on World Theatre Day in the city. She sent me one of the posters posted all over the city. When she lived in Chicago she was dragged to all sorts of obligation theater, now she is excited to be in a city celebrating it's theatrical opportunities all month long and especially tomorrow night.
So, in short, if you don't have plans for tomorrow night... Go see some theater! And if you're in Chicago, order a round in honor of being the best theater city in the country. Make sure those around you hear what you're celebrating!
March 10, 2009
Don't run after the dog...
This is my own version of a PSA: If you ever get a dog in your life, for whatever reason - companionship, children want one (Obama), accidentally, etc. please remember this.
When your dog gets loose, and it will, don't run after it. Because your dog will think you're playing a game and continue to run around. Or your dog will get scared that it's going to get in trouble and not want to get caught.
Instead very calmly crouch down and call it over with your sweetest "here puppy" voice. Alternately, if that doesn't work, run in the opposite direction calling your dog's name so you know they'll notice you're doing something. I've done both to recapture my dog at different points.
Boomer and I have captured a few runaway dogs in our days walking around Chicago. Yesterday was a puppy, who very nearly got flattened on Addison just west of Western.
When your dog gets loose, and it will, don't run after it. Because your dog will think you're playing a game and continue to run around. Or your dog will get scared that it's going to get in trouble and not want to get caught.
Instead very calmly crouch down and call it over with your sweetest "here puppy" voice. Alternately, if that doesn't work, run in the opposite direction calling your dog's name so you know they'll notice you're doing something. I've done both to recapture my dog at different points.
Boomer and I have captured a few runaway dogs in our days walking around Chicago. Yesterday was a puppy, who very nearly got flattened on Addison just west of Western.
I love stuff like this
This video was forwarded to me by my father yesterday. The e-mail seems to have originated with a friend of his from his trade group, i.e. someone my father's age.
Who isn't going to smile after watching that video? And they totally tied it in to T-Mobile, because they understood that people seeing a random dance party were going to take out their phones and take a picture. T-Modile went to a lot of trouble to make this an international campaign, hiding cameras in order to create a commercial and Youtube video.
This is similar to a local campaign that occurred in Chicago. Meijer is apparently a midwest version of Target. I'd never heard of them until I read a blog about their headless horseman campaign in Chicago.
Meijer wasn't concerned with making a commercial, so they didn't use a lot of cameras to capture reactions. They were concerned with capturing phone numbers and raising awareness. I think they succeeded in that goal.
Who isn't going to smile after watching that video? And they totally tied it in to T-Mobile, because they understood that people seeing a random dance party were going to take out their phones and take a picture. T-Modile went to a lot of trouble to make this an international campaign, hiding cameras in order to create a commercial and Youtube video.
This is similar to a local campaign that occurred in Chicago. Meijer is apparently a midwest version of Target. I'd never heard of them until I read a blog about their headless horseman campaign in Chicago.
Meijer wasn't concerned with making a commercial, so they didn't use a lot of cameras to capture reactions. They were concerned with capturing phone numbers and raising awareness. I think they succeeded in that goal.
March 2, 2009
A great post from Seth Godin
An awesome post from Seth regarding trade guilds.
I have felt similarly regarding the League of Chicago Theaters for many years. The League's most popular program for its members is discounted ad rates. Without fail these have been print ads in Chicago's dying papers. Last year, they finally got radio ad discounts beyond NPR... though I don't think that the radio industry is doing that much better. What about the many blogs that people now use for their news and events? How about Facebook? Or, the CTA (most people still notice ads on buses and trains as long as they are riding them)?
In January the League blogged about Web 2.0. Deb posed a lot of questions and eventually ended with, "Did it sell any tickets?" Can you ever attribute one single part of your marketing campaign as being the pivotal driver for a single ticket purchase? Or do theaters often measure the last impression prior to a ticket purchase, instead of the achievement of the marketing campaign as a whole?
Last week Thomas Cott alerted me to this article from Adage. The largest age group on Facebook is 35-45, even I was shocked! Not only that, the fastest growing age group is 55+. Denying the importance of Facebook and other social networking sites in any sort of community, audience-based industry is going to put you out of touch with your audience. In Kris Vire's words - You Will Die.
I have felt similarly regarding the League of Chicago Theaters for many years. The League's most popular program for its members is discounted ad rates. Without fail these have been print ads in Chicago's dying papers. Last year, they finally got radio ad discounts beyond NPR... though I don't think that the radio industry is doing that much better. What about the many blogs that people now use for their news and events? How about Facebook? Or, the CTA (most people still notice ads on buses and trains as long as they are riding them)?
In January the League blogged about Web 2.0. Deb posed a lot of questions and eventually ended with, "Did it sell any tickets?" Can you ever attribute one single part of your marketing campaign as being the pivotal driver for a single ticket purchase? Or do theaters often measure the last impression prior to a ticket purchase, instead of the achievement of the marketing campaign as a whole?
Last week Thomas Cott alerted me to this article from Adage. The largest age group on Facebook is 35-45, even I was shocked! Not only that, the fastest growing age group is 55+. Denying the importance of Facebook and other social networking sites in any sort of community, audience-based industry is going to put you out of touch with your audience. In Kris Vire's words - You Will Die.
February 26, 2009
Some unrelated things
As I mentioned this morning, About Face is in dire straights. When I signed on to Facebook this afternoon, I saw a video of one impassioned plea for support. There is a call out for videos on About Face's website as well. They should be applauded for using the best that the web has to offer for stating their case. I'm curious to see what develops and how they use this work further.
This morning I caught up on Kris Vire's blog and noticed that Kelly Kleiman had received a call from Bob Falls. Kelly's take on the conversation is on her blog at WBEZ's website, very interesting.
Rob Kozlowski made an excellent observation regarding the discussion on his blog. Check it out here.
As you were.
This morning I caught up on Kris Vire's blog and noticed that Kelly Kleiman had received a call from Bob Falls. Kelly's take on the conversation is on her blog at WBEZ's website, very interesting.
Rob Kozlowski made an excellent observation regarding the discussion on his blog. Check it out here.
As you were.
Shows to See...
There's a lot of theater going on right now. I have been bad about going out to see it, February was a busy month. And who wants to go out in January? It's too bad, given that I am a regular theater consumer, what about those that are not as avid fans?
So here's my list of shows to see:
Beer
The Neo's with Metropolitan Brewing
Closes this weekend, so if you're interested go see it soon (I'm going Saturday)
More info here.
Rose and the Rime
The House Theatre's show at the Chopin
Last November and December the House got a lot of bloggers going with their save theater end of year campaigns. Kris Vire discussed it here.
Regardless, they do good work and need support of the community that they helped create. Even if, in my opinion, they aren't doing a great job marketing the show right now.
Seeing it Sunday, get your tickets.
Stupid Kids
About Face Theatre became the first Equity company in Chicago to have massive budget problems. Yesterday they launched a $300,000 "Save the Theater" campaign, after canceling their last show of the season. I suspect the community, especially the LGBTQ section of it, won't let them fold. But just in case, go see the currently running show before it closes!
Get tickets and read more about the appeal.
So here's my list of shows to see:
Beer
The Neo's with Metropolitan Brewing
Closes this weekend, so if you're interested go see it soon (I'm going Saturday)
More info here.
Rose and the Rime
The House Theatre's show at the Chopin
Last November and December the House got a lot of bloggers going with their save theater end of year campaigns. Kris Vire discussed it here.
Regardless, they do good work and need support of the community that they helped create. Even if, in my opinion, they aren't doing a great job marketing the show right now.
Seeing it Sunday, get your tickets.
Stupid Kids
About Face Theatre became the first Equity company in Chicago to have massive budget problems. Yesterday they launched a $300,000 "Save the Theater" campaign, after canceling their last show of the season. I suspect the community, especially the LGBTQ section of it, won't let them fold. But just in case, go see the currently running show before it closes!
Get tickets and read more about the appeal.
February 19, 2009
The arts won, sorta
Check out these articles for ongoing debate regarding the NEA stimulus money.
Wall Street Journal: The Arts Need Better Arguments
NY Times: Count the Arts In
Of course, there are still people saying that the theater industry did a good job. See the League's blog. I'd hazard a guess that the letter writing campaigns did not elevate the NEA above the other issues. It is more the personal contacts that were used in the last week that actually had sway. That's slightly similar to what lobbyists do, right?
If you encountered someone in the business world that refused to use e-mail, is that an excusable idiosyncrasy? Doubtful.
What about a PR professional who didn't read blogs?
You have to stay relevant in relation to the world you engage in. Is letter writing, even if delivered through e-mail, consistent with what other people lobbying our national government are doing? I don't think so.
It's time to re-evaluate our engagement with our audience, including the government.
Wall Street Journal: The Arts Need Better Arguments
NY Times: Count the Arts In
Of course, there are still people saying that the theater industry did a good job. See the League's blog. I'd hazard a guess that the letter writing campaigns did not elevate the NEA above the other issues. It is more the personal contacts that were used in the last week that actually had sway. That's slightly similar to what lobbyists do, right?
If you encountered someone in the business world that refused to use e-mail, is that an excusable idiosyncrasy? Doubtful.
What about a PR professional who didn't read blogs?
You have to stay relevant in relation to the world you engage in. Is letter writing, even if delivered through e-mail, consistent with what other people lobbying our national government are doing? I don't think so.
It's time to re-evaluate our engagement with our audience, including the government.
Making art like soup
As a child, like most children, I refused to eat cauliflower. It was weird. Vegetables weren't meant to be white. I doubt that I was unique, especially given that my roommate still doesn't eat cauliflower.
In the last few years I have learned to like a lot of edible things including cauliflower. Especially cauliflower soup. So when the man-friend got a couple heads of cauliflower I determined I would make some soup.
On epicurious.com I found a recipe for cauliflower soup with cumin and lime. Interesting enough as it is, but there was one additional hook. The cauliflower was purple.
I'm not sure if this head of cauliflower is like the varicolored carnations you see, in which the carnations are just put in a solution of dye and change colors or if there is a natural variety of cauliflower that happens to be purple. There are purple carrots and potatoes so I guess it is possible.
The long and short of this metaphor is that my soup turned out bright purple.
I think that purple soup might entice a number of people to try cauliflower. It was quite exciting. And if you trick someone to eat something that actually is a mild vegetable that is just a little off-putting on one level is that a bad thing?
Food is something enjoyed on many different sensory levels; taste, texture, smell, and look. Art is enjoyed in the same ways.
Why not camouflage serious art with a little color to introduce people who are scared to it? Kind of like the gateway drug that high school musicals and Broadway in Chicago does for theater?
In the last few years I have learned to like a lot of edible things including cauliflower. Especially cauliflower soup. So when the man-friend got a couple heads of cauliflower I determined I would make some soup.
On epicurious.com I found a recipe for cauliflower soup with cumin and lime. Interesting enough as it is, but there was one additional hook. The cauliflower was purple.
I'm not sure if this head of cauliflower is like the varicolored carnations you see, in which the carnations are just put in a solution of dye and change colors or if there is a natural variety of cauliflower that happens to be purple. There are purple carrots and potatoes so I guess it is possible.
The long and short of this metaphor is that my soup turned out bright purple.
I think that purple soup might entice a number of people to try cauliflower. It was quite exciting. And if you trick someone to eat something that actually is a mild vegetable that is just a little off-putting on one level is that a bad thing?
Food is something enjoyed on many different sensory levels; taste, texture, smell, and look. Art is enjoyed in the same ways.
Why not camouflage serious art with a little color to introduce people who are scared to it? Kind of like the gateway drug that high school musicals and Broadway in Chicago does for theater?
February 12, 2009
The debate rages on
Are arts professionals - artists, fundraisers, janitors, ushers, and the list goes on - actually employed? Are those 'real' jobs? That is the question raised by the $50 million allocated for the NEA in the stimulus plan.
The latest report from the NY Times is that a deal has been reached on a $789 billion dollar stimulus plan, read the article here. Leaving out the proposed NEA funding.
Chris Jones' article has sparked an ongoing debate with two pages of very interesting comments. Check it out again and read through what has been said. I believe that Luke is being sarcastic, unfortunately his comments do nothing to further the argument that the arts have a relevant argument for receiving stimulus money.
Andrew Taylor had a great view on the argument, read it here.
LA's Culture Monster blog had an interesting post regarding Senator Tom Coburn which sparked debate regarding 'artistes' and navel gazing.
The can of worms that has been opened with this debate is at the core of the issues debated during the National Performing Arts Convention. We will not increase federal funding or support if we cannot collectively advocate for $50 million to stave off incredible job losses (at the heart of what the stimulus plan is supposed to do).
As arts professionals continue to debate this issue, I don't see anyone raising more effective tools for galvanizing support other than writing letters. I guess there are those wonderful Americans for the Arts ads... In times like these, are letter writing campaigns effective?
The auto industry poured millions into lobbying for a bail-out. I'd be curious to see if the total spent lobbying comes relatively close to the $50 million earmarked for the NEA.
Who is lobbying for the arts? How are our advocacy organization - American for the Arts, TCG, etc. - furthering our cause in the national press and with law makers?
There is a lot of traffic right now regarding the role of government funding in the arts and its role in society. Over the next few posts I am going to take some time framing my own arguments for support.
The latest report from the NY Times is that a deal has been reached on a $789 billion dollar stimulus plan, read the article here. Leaving out the proposed NEA funding.
Chris Jones' article has sparked an ongoing debate with two pages of very interesting comments. Check it out again and read through what has been said. I believe that Luke is being sarcastic, unfortunately his comments do nothing to further the argument that the arts have a relevant argument for receiving stimulus money.
Andrew Taylor had a great view on the argument, read it here.
LA's Culture Monster blog had an interesting post regarding Senator Tom Coburn which sparked debate regarding 'artistes' and navel gazing.
The can of worms that has been opened with this debate is at the core of the issues debated during the National Performing Arts Convention. We will not increase federal funding or support if we cannot collectively advocate for $50 million to stave off incredible job losses (at the heart of what the stimulus plan is supposed to do).
As arts professionals continue to debate this issue, I don't see anyone raising more effective tools for galvanizing support other than writing letters. I guess there are those wonderful Americans for the Arts ads... In times like these, are letter writing campaigns effective?
The auto industry poured millions into lobbying for a bail-out. I'd be curious to see if the total spent lobbying comes relatively close to the $50 million earmarked for the NEA.
Who is lobbying for the arts? How are our advocacy organization - American for the Arts, TCG, etc. - furthering our cause in the national press and with law makers?
There is a lot of traffic right now regarding the role of government funding in the arts and its role in society. Over the next few posts I am going to take some time framing my own arguments for support.
February 11, 2009
Google Reader
Ok, I was out last night with a friend who works in the marketing and communication field. She admitted to not knowing what Google Reader is.
Access Google's getting started guide here and start using it! The Reader is a brilliant way to organize all of the blogs you are reading or should be reading. It allows you to keep updated in a very short period of time.
Do it.
Access Google's getting started guide here and start using it! The Reader is a brilliant way to organize all of the blogs you are reading or should be reading. It allows you to keep updated in a very short period of time.
Do it.
The perverse incentive
This is something I've been ruminating over for the last week and a half, based on a post from Andrew Taylor. Read his post here.
Andrew defines a perverse incentive as 'a policy that is intended to promote one outcome, but that instead creates the opposite, or fosters a countervailing negative effect.' Immediately the applications for this phrase within marketing departments and budgets for theaters came to mind, which I commented on when I first read the blog and want to elaborate further.
Marketing is the under-appreciated sidekick of theater. I have seen many organizations with marketing budgets so minuscule that they can barely mail to all of their mailing list. And those budgets keep getting trimmed in deference to the art. Unfortunately that is a downward spiral, as most companies don't then trim income projections for ticketed income and individual giving. Marketing directly contributes to those bottom line numbers.
So a case study:
Problem, you can't balance your budget. You're a theater company and the prevailing attitude is to protect the art at all costs. So you trim from the marketing budget, because for some reason the a large portion of the theater profession does not embrace the connection between marketing and a ticket buying audience. It's the art that brings people in the door, right?
Your marketing director creates a plan for utilizing whatever meager budget they have and praying for enough media coverage to make up the difference.
Marketing is the game of hitting a receptive audience with multiple messages and reminders, driving them to eventually purchase tickets or donate money (when coupled with a fundraising ask). Adam Thurman posted a great case study of the White Sox's season ticket campaign here.
Now of course, some of your existing audience can be classified as a fanatic consumer. They will get that season brochure piece and purchase tickets immediately, filling in their calendar at once. That's a small segment of your audience. The rest will put that on the table or in a pile and forget about it, because everyone receives hundreds of marketing messages a day - even the fans.
To attract the rest you need to hit them with reminders. One way you do this is through press. Though at this point, print is shrinking. You can't count on getting your show reviewed any more, let alone getting that preview article to goose early ticket sales.
Without any money for advertising, what's a good marketing professional to do? Well you turn to e-mail and social networking - aka "free marketing tools." Which are free in the monetary sense for the most part, but extremely time sensitive (aka $$). Not only are they time sensitive, if you haven't laid the ground work you aren't going to get a ton of success.
Seth Godin blogged about the saturation point of the internet a little while ago. I can't find the post right now, but his point was this: Although the internet is unlimited in scope, your audience has a limited ability to take in new messages. To combat their saturation of content you have to provide year-round relevant and interesting content. As a theater consumer, interesting content is not that your tickets are on sale. I stop reading those messages there are too many of them.
Ultimately, what ends up happening is you do not bring back as many of your past ticket buyers as you should. Not because they aren't interested in your work, but they simply miss your message in the hundreds of other messages they have received. You also, without advertising, press, and targeted street marketing efforts, don't attract as many new audience members.
This effects your ticket income. And unfortunately your individual contributed income as well, as the development ask at the end of the year is only effective if these individuals have received relevant and interesting messages throughout the year. In the coming year you face even lower income projections and often you trim your marketing budget again.
See the cycle?
Now, how do you break it? As a company, you choose shows that are well known and bring in a lot of new audience members and you trim other budgets in order to maintain a level earned income.
Andrew defines a perverse incentive as 'a policy that is intended to promote one outcome, but that instead creates the opposite, or fosters a countervailing negative effect.' Immediately the applications for this phrase within marketing departments and budgets for theaters came to mind, which I commented on when I first read the blog and want to elaborate further.
Marketing is the under-appreciated sidekick of theater. I have seen many organizations with marketing budgets so minuscule that they can barely mail to all of their mailing list. And those budgets keep getting trimmed in deference to the art. Unfortunately that is a downward spiral, as most companies don't then trim income projections for ticketed income and individual giving. Marketing directly contributes to those bottom line numbers.
So a case study:
Problem, you can't balance your budget. You're a theater company and the prevailing attitude is to protect the art at all costs. So you trim from the marketing budget, because for some reason the a large portion of the theater profession does not embrace the connection between marketing and a ticket buying audience. It's the art that brings people in the door, right?
Your marketing director creates a plan for utilizing whatever meager budget they have and praying for enough media coverage to make up the difference.
Marketing is the game of hitting a receptive audience with multiple messages and reminders, driving them to eventually purchase tickets or donate money (when coupled with a fundraising ask). Adam Thurman posted a great case study of the White Sox's season ticket campaign here.
Now of course, some of your existing audience can be classified as a fanatic consumer. They will get that season brochure piece and purchase tickets immediately, filling in their calendar at once. That's a small segment of your audience. The rest will put that on the table or in a pile and forget about it, because everyone receives hundreds of marketing messages a day - even the fans.
To attract the rest you need to hit them with reminders. One way you do this is through press. Though at this point, print is shrinking. You can't count on getting your show reviewed any more, let alone getting that preview article to goose early ticket sales.
Without any money for advertising, what's a good marketing professional to do? Well you turn to e-mail and social networking - aka "free marketing tools." Which are free in the monetary sense for the most part, but extremely time sensitive (aka $$). Not only are they time sensitive, if you haven't laid the ground work you aren't going to get a ton of success.
Seth Godin blogged about the saturation point of the internet a little while ago. I can't find the post right now, but his point was this: Although the internet is unlimited in scope, your audience has a limited ability to take in new messages. To combat their saturation of content you have to provide year-round relevant and interesting content. As a theater consumer, interesting content is not that your tickets are on sale. I stop reading those messages there are too many of them.
Ultimately, what ends up happening is you do not bring back as many of your past ticket buyers as you should. Not because they aren't interested in your work, but they simply miss your message in the hundreds of other messages they have received. You also, without advertising, press, and targeted street marketing efforts, don't attract as many new audience members.
This effects your ticket income. And unfortunately your individual contributed income as well, as the development ask at the end of the year is only effective if these individuals have received relevant and interesting messages throughout the year. In the coming year you face even lower income projections and often you trim your marketing budget again.
See the cycle?
Now, how do you break it? As a company, you choose shows that are well known and bring in a lot of new audience members and you trim other budgets in order to maintain a level earned income.
February 9, 2009
YES!
The Chicago theater critics have a disproportionate number of Chris's. Time Out Chicago has two, Christopher Piatt (editor) and Kris Vire (his own blog is Storefront Rebellion). The Tribune has the impressive Chris Jones, who I don't always agree with but commands an impressive ability to sell out shows in Chicago.
Mr. Vire had a great post on Time Out's theater blog here.
Mr. Jones has joined the debate over the $50 million stimulus aid for the NEA. Read his article and join in on the great debate here. His thoughts are similar to what I said a little over a week ago.
Mr. Vire had a great post on Time Out's theater blog here.
Mr. Jones has joined the debate over the $50 million stimulus aid for the NEA. Read his article and join in on the great debate here. His thoughts are similar to what I said a little over a week ago.
Catching up...
So, I was berated last week for not posting. I apologize. There have been a lot of things I've been thinking about, so I will try to get caught up with the stuff in my inbox today and post a lot.
(For those wondering, I had 2 job interviews and applied for 4 more jobs last week.)
Seth Godin had an interesting blog over the weekend. He posted in regards to Learning all the time (read it here). It seems as though those reading this blog fall into the category of life-long learners - way to go! Seth included a link to a new book out, The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. Sounds like a great read to me! I'm going to see if the library is getting it and try to get my hands on a copy.
On Friday I came across a book store going out of business located at 309 W Washington, most of the paperbacks were $6.50. I picked up a couple of new fiction books to read and a non-fiction book titled "How To Talk So People Listen." Thus far it has been an interesting read. The first two chapters are dedicated to generational and ethnic differences in addition to discussing the effects of the television and technology revolutions on the way we communicate and absorb messages.
"Click" an internet marketing book that Oriana read and told me about came in to the library on Friday, I also have a book at Barnes and Noble that I ordered that has come in. More about those once I start reading them!
Maybe I shouldn't get a job until I finish all my reading...
(For those wondering, I had 2 job interviews and applied for 4 more jobs last week.)
Seth Godin had an interesting blog over the weekend. He posted in regards to Learning all the time (read it here). It seems as though those reading this blog fall into the category of life-long learners - way to go! Seth included a link to a new book out, The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. Sounds like a great read to me! I'm going to see if the library is getting it and try to get my hands on a copy.
On Friday I came across a book store going out of business located at 309 W Washington, most of the paperbacks were $6.50. I picked up a couple of new fiction books to read and a non-fiction book titled "How To Talk So People Listen." Thus far it has been an interesting read. The first two chapters are dedicated to generational and ethnic differences in addition to discussing the effects of the television and technology revolutions on the way we communicate and absorb messages.
"Click" an internet marketing book that Oriana read and told me about came in to the library on Friday, I also have a book at Barnes and Noble that I ordered that has come in. More about those once I start reading them!
Maybe I shouldn't get a job until I finish all my reading...
January 30, 2009
Two minutes
Just a reminder to take two minutes today to contact your U.S. Senator regarding inclusion of a $50 million package to the NEA in the stimulus plan.
Americans for the Arts make it easy, just click here.
The arts are still a long ways away from the auto industry and others in terms of lobby power and that continues to create issues for us. For instance, Backstage's blog pulled a quote from an NPR interview with Brian Riedl of the Heritage Foundation: "Government policies that make people and workers more productive will increase productivity. But simply borrowing money out of the economy in order to transfer it to some artists doesn't increase the economy's productivity rate. It doesn't help workers create more goods and services, and it won't create economic growth."
So for one, the NEA is incredibly hard to get funding from. Organizations go through a very impressive vetting process to obtain funding. Out of all of the 'stimulus' spending that is going on, the NEA may be one of the more fiscally cautious organizations out there. My other issue is the 'some artists' comment. I'm appalled and am going to send the Foundation an e-mail. And I fiscally believe in many of the same principles that the Foundation supports on their website.
Americans for the Arts make it easy, just click here.
The arts are still a long ways away from the auto industry and others in terms of lobby power and that continues to create issues for us. For instance, Backstage's blog pulled a quote from an NPR interview with Brian Riedl of the Heritage Foundation: "Government policies that make people and workers more productive will increase productivity. But simply borrowing money out of the economy in order to transfer it to some artists doesn't increase the economy's productivity rate. It doesn't help workers create more goods and services, and it won't create economic growth."
So for one, the NEA is incredibly hard to get funding from. Organizations go through a very impressive vetting process to obtain funding. Out of all of the 'stimulus' spending that is going on, the NEA may be one of the more fiscally cautious organizations out there. My other issue is the 'some artists' comment. I'm appalled and am going to send the Foundation an e-mail. And I fiscally believe in many of the same principles that the Foundation supports on their website.
January 29, 2009
NBC ad rejection
This is hilarious. It seems NBC rejected an ad for the superbowl that PETA made, because of sexual content. With broccoli.
Watch the ad here.
Now PETA doesn't have to pay for air time and they're getting a done of free marketing from the internet.
Watch the ad here.
Now PETA doesn't have to pay for air time and they're getting a done of free marketing from the internet.
January 28, 2009
Lessons in IM through bacon
This article just popped up on a friend's Gmail Chat, I saw bacon in the title and figured I'd check it out. Read the article here.
Warning - if you keep kosher you will be totally grossed out. In fact, if you don't keep kosher you will probably also be grossed out.
So aside from the combination of that many calories and lots of bacon, I find the viral campaign they created exemplary of the possibilities for marketing now. The groundwork was already in place for this recipe to go viral, it is not dumb luck and not something you can just decide to replicate.
1. They already had a website with active traffic.
2. 1,200 active Twitter followers is a pretty large audience to communicate with.
3. It was an outrageous post. Of course, we all see and do outrageous things. Might as well use them to build our brand.
4. They used the tools that are out there to increase traffic and expand to new audiences: StumbleUpon, Digg, Del.icio.us, etc.
This is a great read for all you marketing buffs. It also makes you think about how you could create even more hits for an internet marketing campaign. HARO's advertisers regularly get 1,000's of hits after advertising. Facebook is an avenue. Are there groups that are bbq enthusiasts already set up? Google Reader isn't just for blogs, you can set up a feed so people can subscribe to your website and get updates when you post new content (increasing the number of people who regularly visit your website and know what you're up to).
Anyone else have any ideas?
Warning - if you keep kosher you will be totally grossed out. In fact, if you don't keep kosher you will probably also be grossed out.
So aside from the combination of that many calories and lots of bacon, I find the viral campaign they created exemplary of the possibilities for marketing now. The groundwork was already in place for this recipe to go viral, it is not dumb luck and not something you can just decide to replicate.
1. They already had a website with active traffic.
2. 1,200 active Twitter followers is a pretty large audience to communicate with.
3. It was an outrageous post. Of course, we all see and do outrageous things. Might as well use them to build our brand.
4. They used the tools that are out there to increase traffic and expand to new audiences: StumbleUpon, Digg, Del.icio.us, etc.
This is a great read for all you marketing buffs. It also makes you think about how you could create even more hits for an internet marketing campaign. HARO's advertisers regularly get 1,000's of hits after advertising. Facebook is an avenue. Are there groups that are bbq enthusiasts already set up? Google Reader isn't just for blogs, you can set up a feed so people can subscribe to your website and get updates when you post new content (increasing the number of people who regularly visit your website and know what you're up to).
Anyone else have any ideas?
January 26, 2009
See it through
I went to see Macbeth at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Friday night. Often this play is referred to as "The Scottish play," as tales of accidents and death have become a theatrical urban legend (Wikipedia)
In the theater world I had heard more than a few people say that this version was not very good. Chris Jones of the Tribune gave the show 3 out of 4 stars and created quite the discussion in the comments section of his review, with most refuting the 3 star review. Christopher Piatt gave the show 3 of 6 stars in Time Out and is generally more in line with my own opinions of the show.
In short, there was a lot of shock value but no consistent development of story. If you have a great projection designer (in this case Mike Tutaj) then use them throughout. Don't haphazardly use his skills to underscore items that don't need to be underscored and fail to use projections in points where it makes sense to have them. For instance, the famous dagger scene did not have a dagger projected though we did have a ring of haze incorporated for some weird reason. When Lady M goes crazy and starts sleepwalking, instead of projecting MacDuff's dead family some gruesome prop dead family was flown in from the ceiling.
I generally appreciate my Shakespeare on the minimalist side, preferring to focus on the language and story. When Bob Falls directed a recent, revisionist King Lear I hated it. It was very high concept to say the least, but he saw his ideas through to completion. I'm not sure what ideas Barbara Gaines actually had with this show.
Although I didn't like the show, I had 2 1/2 hours to think through a better way of staging it.
In the theater world I had heard more than a few people say that this version was not very good. Chris Jones of the Tribune gave the show 3 out of 4 stars and created quite the discussion in the comments section of his review, with most refuting the 3 star review. Christopher Piatt gave the show 3 of 6 stars in Time Out and is generally more in line with my own opinions of the show.
In short, there was a lot of shock value but no consistent development of story. If you have a great projection designer (in this case Mike Tutaj) then use them throughout. Don't haphazardly use his skills to underscore items that don't need to be underscored and fail to use projections in points where it makes sense to have them. For instance, the famous dagger scene did not have a dagger projected though we did have a ring of haze incorporated for some weird reason. When Lady M goes crazy and starts sleepwalking, instead of projecting MacDuff's dead family some gruesome prop dead family was flown in from the ceiling.
I generally appreciate my Shakespeare on the minimalist side, preferring to focus on the language and story. When Bob Falls directed a recent, revisionist King Lear I hated it. It was very high concept to say the least, but he saw his ideas through to completion. I'm not sure what ideas Barbara Gaines actually had with this show.
Although I didn't like the show, I had 2 1/2 hours to think through a better way of staging it.
A guide for being happy...
I just happened across Andy Sernovitz's blog and found this post incredibly apt. Read it here.
He quoted from an NPR interview and boiled it down to 4 points for happiness:
1. Satisfying work
2. The experience of being good at something
3. Time spent with people we like
4. The chance to be a part of something bigger
I have never seen this written simpler. Four items that are the formula for living a fulfilling and happy life. What happens when you aren't achieving those things?
For me, I wasn't happy (kind of a no brainer). So you take steps to correct the things that are not working and bring things back into line.
Seth Godin many months ago blogged about making money doing what you love. Sometimes it doesn't quite work out that way. But often you can find satisfying work that gives you the time to follow your passions outside of the office.
He quoted from an NPR interview and boiled it down to 4 points for happiness:
1. Satisfying work
2. The experience of being good at something
3. Time spent with people we like
4. The chance to be a part of something bigger
I have never seen this written simpler. Four items that are the formula for living a fulfilling and happy life. What happens when you aren't achieving those things?
For me, I wasn't happy (kind of a no brainer). So you take steps to correct the things that are not working and bring things back into line.
Seth Godin many months ago blogged about making money doing what you love. Sometimes it doesn't quite work out that way. But often you can find satisfying work that gives you the time to follow your passions outside of the office.
January 23, 2009
20%
Last night I brought the latest edition of Advancing Philanthropy (published by AFP) with me to the bar. Obviously I've got some issues to work out. The very first item I read has seriously stuck in my head.
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation recently issued a report called Intentional Innovation: How Getting More Systematic About Innovation Could Improve Philanthropy and Increase Social Impact. Within the synopsis of the report AFP highlighted a figure that astounded me, apparently Google sets 20% of employees time for exploring pet projects.
20%
In my working past I have never had that much time to think creatively, let alone on a pet project. The study is not referencing the odd hour of time you take to think about the focus of your next direct mail piece, it's talking about time out to think up new ways of doing things.
The article cites further methods for instilling a culture of innovation - collaborate, create a support system, create change agents, and use new technology.
You can download the executive summary here.
Andrew Taylor's weekly summary came out today and he had a post that was relevant to this same discussion. Taking a clue from the medical industry he focuses on the analysis that occurs after events or the lack there of. Yet another practice from alternate industries that we should really put in place in the theater world. Read the post here.
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation recently issued a report called Intentional Innovation: How Getting More Systematic About Innovation Could Improve Philanthropy and Increase Social Impact. Within the synopsis of the report AFP highlighted a figure that astounded me, apparently Google sets 20% of employees time for exploring pet projects.
20%
In my working past I have never had that much time to think creatively, let alone on a pet project. The study is not referencing the odd hour of time you take to think about the focus of your next direct mail piece, it's talking about time out to think up new ways of doing things.
The article cites further methods for instilling a culture of innovation - collaborate, create a support system, create change agents, and use new technology.
You can download the executive summary here.
Andrew Taylor's weekly summary came out today and he had a post that was relevant to this same discussion. Taking a clue from the medical industry he focuses on the analysis that occurs after events or the lack there of. Yet another practice from alternate industries that we should really put in place in the theater world. Read the post here.
January 21, 2009
Lil Green patch, social networking, and the Nature Conservancy
Interesting post on using Facebook to raise $109,000.
Check it out on the Diva Marketing Blog.
I don't actively read this blog, but was directed to it through Drew McClellan's blog.
Recently I have been pondering Web 2.0 developments and their implementation for the non-profit world. More on that later.
Check it out on the Diva Marketing Blog.
I don't actively read this blog, but was directed to it through Drew McClellan's blog.
Recently I have been pondering Web 2.0 developments and their implementation for the non-profit world. More on that later.
The Cheese Cupid
This morning HARO (Help a Reporter Out) had a fascinating advertiser. The Wisconsin cheese board got together and created an amazing website, that fits what they're trying to sell (cheese) in a way that helps their audience. Brilliant!
Called the Cheese Cupid, this site lets you put in what you are drinking and it tells you what cheeses to pair with it. Say you're drinking a pilsner, apparently havarti is a good pairing. The site even goes a step further and suggests what food items could be paired with the cheese.
I adore cheese. This website just makes it even easier to consume.
Critics might say that the consumer has to take the additional step of going out and buying the cheese in a supermarket. And that there's no way to compel the consumer to purchase Wisconsin cheese. So what? The Cheese Cupid is building a larger group of educated cheese consumers. If they're successful, more people will buy cheese at the grocery store and more shelf space will be found.
We have gone through the wine trend and that has become an integral part of Chicago's foodie scene. We're definitely in the midst of a beer trend, with bars expanding their beer list and people seeking out those bars that have always curated their draft and bottle lists with extra care (Edgewater Lounge, Jakes Pub, Long Room are just a few).
Could the cheese revolution be next? Are we already in the midst of it? There are already a few stores dedicated to cheese (Pastoral is a favorite) and many have opened and closed in recent years. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods certainly dedicate a lot of shelf space to quality cheeses. One of my favorite places to get regionally produced cheese is Paulina Meat Market. If there are even more quality places for cheese purchasing, I may end up with a serious imbalance in my diet.
Are there ways that we can market theater in the same way? Could a collective group like the League of Chicago Theater's make a website that is highly interactive and takes an audience's preference into account when recommending shows? Maybe even take it a step further and give direct links to reviews and the box office website for purchasing tickets. Add in maps and restaurant recommendations (I smell sponsorship opportunities) and you have a one stop place for planning on evening out on the town enjoying theater.
Of course, a website this robust is a massive undertaking of time, research, and money. Can we afford to not make an investment of this kind? Will we remain relevant if we fail to find ways of communicating and building our audience on the internet?
Called the Cheese Cupid, this site lets you put in what you are drinking and it tells you what cheeses to pair with it. Say you're drinking a pilsner, apparently havarti is a good pairing. The site even goes a step further and suggests what food items could be paired with the cheese.
I adore cheese. This website just makes it even easier to consume.
Critics might say that the consumer has to take the additional step of going out and buying the cheese in a supermarket. And that there's no way to compel the consumer to purchase Wisconsin cheese. So what? The Cheese Cupid is building a larger group of educated cheese consumers. If they're successful, more people will buy cheese at the grocery store and more shelf space will be found.
We have gone through the wine trend and that has become an integral part of Chicago's foodie scene. We're definitely in the midst of a beer trend, with bars expanding their beer list and people seeking out those bars that have always curated their draft and bottle lists with extra care (Edgewater Lounge, Jakes Pub, Long Room are just a few).
Could the cheese revolution be next? Are we already in the midst of it? There are already a few stores dedicated to cheese (Pastoral is a favorite) and many have opened and closed in recent years. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods certainly dedicate a lot of shelf space to quality cheeses. One of my favorite places to get regionally produced cheese is Paulina Meat Market. If there are even more quality places for cheese purchasing, I may end up with a serious imbalance in my diet.
Are there ways that we can market theater in the same way? Could a collective group like the League of Chicago Theater's make a website that is highly interactive and takes an audience's preference into account when recommending shows? Maybe even take it a step further and give direct links to reviews and the box office website for purchasing tickets. Add in maps and restaurant recommendations (I smell sponsorship opportunities) and you have a one stop place for planning on evening out on the town enjoying theater.
Of course, a website this robust is a massive undertaking of time, research, and money. Can we afford to not make an investment of this kind? Will we remain relevant if we fail to find ways of communicating and building our audience on the internet?
January 15, 2009
Drip, drip, drip
It's cold in Chicago. I'm wearing long underwear and wool socks and my feet are still cold. The last thing I want to do is leave the house. Except there's a perpetual dripping sound because the pipes in my unheated basement might freeze - necessitating the running of water in my bathroom.
So I'm making plans!
This Friday I'm catching American Theater Company's True West, which is apparently running in repertory with topdog/underdog (for the non-theater people that means the same actors are doing both shows with performances of the scripts alternating). I have been slightly tuned out of all things theater, but have literally not heard a thing about this project that ATC and Congo Square Theater have put together. Tickets are a little pricey at $40/person, but it looks like you can get them on Goldstar.
Saturday will find me at Matilda's celebrating with a friend. Despite the economy, she took the brave step of quitting her job for greener pastures and I'm happy to join her at this Lincoln Park bar that isn't too Lincoln Park. Martinis are $11, but it appears the old standby of PBR is on tap for $3.50.
Sunday is a toss-up. Laying low, reading the paper, and making brunch might be the plan. Or, if I'm motivated I'll try to get down to see the Exquisite City in the Chicago Tourism Center. Exhibits there are free. The man-friend and I tried to see this city made of cardboard when it was at the Viaduct last year. Maybe we'll actually make it this time.
As for tonight, I have a date with my hair dresser (Virginia @ Strange Beauty Show). Stay warm!
So I'm making plans!
This Friday I'm catching American Theater Company's True West, which is apparently running in repertory with topdog/underdog (for the non-theater people that means the same actors are doing both shows with performances of the scripts alternating). I have been slightly tuned out of all things theater, but have literally not heard a thing about this project that ATC and Congo Square Theater have put together. Tickets are a little pricey at $40/person, but it looks like you can get them on Goldstar.
Saturday will find me at Matilda's celebrating with a friend. Despite the economy, she took the brave step of quitting her job for greener pastures and I'm happy to join her at this Lincoln Park bar that isn't too Lincoln Park. Martinis are $11, but it appears the old standby of PBR is on tap for $3.50.
Sunday is a toss-up. Laying low, reading the paper, and making brunch might be the plan. Or, if I'm motivated I'll try to get down to see the Exquisite City in the Chicago Tourism Center. Exhibits there are free. The man-friend and I tried to see this city made of cardboard when it was at the Viaduct last year. Maybe we'll actually make it this time.
As for tonight, I have a date with my hair dresser (Virginia @ Strange Beauty Show). Stay warm!
Gruel
One summer while I was in high school and one while in college I lived with my aunt and uncle. I have many stories from living with them, one of which is regarding the concocting of gruel.
My aunt and uncle are not proficient in the kitchen. At the same time, they are somewhat fanatical about calorie intake and balanced diets (with very little will power). The assortment of food in their pantry was always a mystery to me. If I ever bought ice cream it had to be eaten immediately or I would come home to find an empty container in the freezer.
One of my uncle's go-to meals was gruel. His recipe consisted of a box of cous cous, can of tomato paste, frozen vegetables, and often a can of tuna fish. I unfortunately ate a lot of this as well and don't remember it all that fondly.
Skip ahead to a couple years ago and an artist I know was talking about experimenting in the kitchen - combining lentils with an onion, garlic, tomatoes, curry powder, and plain yogurt. Yum. I tried out my own combination and have made it ever since.
The other day, pre-trip to Trader Joe's I took stock of the pantry and determined I should make lentils. It was the perfect warm lunch for today.
My recipe goes roughly like this:
Sautee an onion and a couple cloves of garlic until they soften. Add a can of diced tomatoes and roughly a cup of lentils (my recipes are all approximations). Add water and simmer until lentils are soft, continuing to add water to the pan when it runs low. Add curry powder until smell is consistent with your preference. Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt on top (for the un-initiated; plain yogurt is similar to sour cream and a great topping for soups and all sorts of other things).
I happened to have a bag of frozen green vegetables that I tossed in too, figuring that would up the healthy index of what happened to be in my pan.
It was at this point that I realized I had updated my uncle's gruel recipe.
My aunt and uncle are not proficient in the kitchen. At the same time, they are somewhat fanatical about calorie intake and balanced diets (with very little will power). The assortment of food in their pantry was always a mystery to me. If I ever bought ice cream it had to be eaten immediately or I would come home to find an empty container in the freezer.
One of my uncle's go-to meals was gruel. His recipe consisted of a box of cous cous, can of tomato paste, frozen vegetables, and often a can of tuna fish. I unfortunately ate a lot of this as well and don't remember it all that fondly.
Skip ahead to a couple years ago and an artist I know was talking about experimenting in the kitchen - combining lentils with an onion, garlic, tomatoes, curry powder, and plain yogurt. Yum. I tried out my own combination and have made it ever since.
The other day, pre-trip to Trader Joe's I took stock of the pantry and determined I should make lentils. It was the perfect warm lunch for today.
My recipe goes roughly like this:
Sautee an onion and a couple cloves of garlic until they soften. Add a can of diced tomatoes and roughly a cup of lentils (my recipes are all approximations). Add water and simmer until lentils are soft, continuing to add water to the pan when it runs low. Add curry powder until smell is consistent with your preference. Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt on top (for the un-initiated; plain yogurt is similar to sour cream and a great topping for soups and all sorts of other things).
I happened to have a bag of frozen green vegetables that I tossed in too, figuring that would up the healthy index of what happened to be in my pan.
It was at this point that I realized I had updated my uncle's gruel recipe.
January 13, 2009
The title
This past Saturday I met up with a good friend for a coffee date. Every other month or so we get together and talk about life, work, and theater. I look forward to these immensely, despite the usually early hour they occur at to accommodate both of our busy schedules.
As I was hurrying to the Grind on this snowy day, I was as usual distracted and thinking about other things.
Those who know me well understand that I am a klutz. I regularly trip over sidewalks, spill coffee and other food items on myself, and in general do something embarrassing daily.
I hopped over a puddle of slush in preparation for crossing the street as an oncoming car speeded up to make it through a light. In my distracted state, I wasn't thinking about the amount of slush that happened to be on the roads per the usual Chicago combination of salt and bad drainage. Before I knew it, I was coated from shoulder to toe with slush - mittens, coat, jeans, and all.
As I made my way to the Grind I tried my best to brush off the drops of slush that had aimed higher and gotten on my face. Of course, things worked out. I had a wonderful 2+ hours conversation with one of my best friends while my coat and clothes dried out. And I found a title for my blog.
As I was hurrying to the Grind on this snowy day, I was as usual distracted and thinking about other things.
Those who know me well understand that I am a klutz. I regularly trip over sidewalks, spill coffee and other food items on myself, and in general do something embarrassing daily.
I hopped over a puddle of slush in preparation for crossing the street as an oncoming car speeded up to make it through a light. In my distracted state, I wasn't thinking about the amount of slush that happened to be on the roads per the usual Chicago combination of salt and bad drainage. Before I knew it, I was coated from shoulder to toe with slush - mittens, coat, jeans, and all.
As I made my way to the Grind I tried my best to brush off the drops of slush that had aimed higher and gotten on my face. Of course, things worked out. I had a wonderful 2+ hours conversation with one of my best friends while my coat and clothes dried out. And I found a title for my blog.
Thinking about a blog
Recently, I've been thinking about starting a blog.
I have ideas and know that a blog will be a good way to get me writing on a regular basis. Writing has always been one of those challenging aspects of my job - it's a key part of what I do and yet I rarely have the time to sit down and think creatively. When I do stare at a blank word document it can be difficult to start the process.
As I thought about this blog I couldn't determine what type of content to include. Would I feature cheap or frugal ways to enjoy Chicago? I googled "cheap chicago" and came up with a few different sites to choose from. Cheap Chicago is interesting content, but I didn't want to focus just on that.
And what about the arts? I've dedicated the last 10 years or so to the arts, through high school, college, and into my professional career. You should write about what you know, right?
Ok, so this had to be a forum where I could cover a wide-range of topics. Now to come up with a title.
I have ideas and know that a blog will be a good way to get me writing on a regular basis. Writing has always been one of those challenging aspects of my job - it's a key part of what I do and yet I rarely have the time to sit down and think creatively. When I do stare at a blank word document it can be difficult to start the process.
As I thought about this blog I couldn't determine what type of content to include. Would I feature cheap or frugal ways to enjoy Chicago? I googled "cheap chicago" and came up with a few different sites to choose from. Cheap Chicago is interesting content, but I didn't want to focus just on that.
And what about the arts? I've dedicated the last 10 years or so to the arts, through high school, college, and into my professional career. You should write about what you know, right?
Ok, so this had to be a forum where I could cover a wide-range of topics. Now to come up with a title.
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