Alceste
Vagabond
Oh, and I do love these discussions that lead to justification of the vast majority of people in an entire demographic that are starving, homeless, without access to medicine outside of the E.R.....that they really don't deserve it unless they do "real work."
And then assume that people like me who wish to change the system are just a bunch of Commies who don't believe in a free market and want to give a paycheck from tax revenue to any schmuck who can "shuffle off to buffalo." The assumption is that I want to reward poor people by stealing from everybody else and give to dancers who deserve to be poor. And the cognitive dissonance that exists is that people in my profession are being stolen FROM and being given to the rich.
I posted an article not too long ago that said, "If dancers didn't sometimes sleep with rich people, the industry would cease to exist." And there's a lot of truth to that statement.
Anybody been to fundraiser galas? I have. How many people are aware of the hookups that happen when you mix people with a lot of money who are looking for a good time with people who physically display a tremendous athleticism and refinement?
I'm not saying that hookups should be banned. Heck, some fond memories have come out of these very galas.....of politicians, deacons, doctors, attorneys.....
I think people of a certain mindset vastly underestimate the value of the arts, and the public's appetite for them. Every event I organize draws a crowd. I don't know where the people come from, but if I put on a do, they show up. My folk club is full every month. Even last month when I booked an accordion player.
It enriches the community, puts money in the pockets of local artists, and helps keep the doors open in the community art centers where I put shows on. There is basically no down side, except that I don't pay myself for this. I have to cancel a monthly film showcase because it's too much work. The folk club I'm going to keep running because I can book myself for it.
I don't think it's unreasonable for me to want to be paid a living wage, and I do think it's unreasonable to start charging higher ticket prices that would exclude all but the well-to-do from my events.
So, we have applied for grants. That's how this stuff works. Boo hoo, taxpayers. Sometimes your money is going to support to things you don't personally appreciate or support. I don't like paying for police and weapons, but you don't hear me kvetching about how it's a violation of my "sacred" right not to have to contribute to support my country's operating costs.