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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 29, 2014 9:09:52 GMT
I know it is 15 months away, but I can announce that Blues Week 2015 is ON!
The dates are > Sunday 26th July to Saturday 1st August 2015
We have started the process of setting it up and will keep everyone updated via this thread and on my website.
So far we have provisionally booked four tutors; Rick Franklin (guitar), Tom Feldmann (guitar and slide guitar), Joe Filisko (harmonica), Michael Messer (slide guitar). There will be more added to this list very soon.
Shine On Michael
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Post by DaveRed on Apr 29, 2014 10:05:51 GMT
Michael, That’s great news. I’m glad that you’ve still managed to book Tom Feldman. A big thank you to you and the team for managing to resurrect Blues Week at the last minute. This will mean a lot to so many of us.
Dave
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Post by gordon on Apr 29, 2014 11:02:38 GMT
Very good news, thanks Michael. Here's to next year.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 29, 2014 12:18:02 GMT
Thanks! We're getting there. I am hoping that we can build on the incredible work that Michael Roach did for fourteen years, and make it even better.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Ian McWee on Apr 29, 2014 12:32:28 GMT
Nice one Michael ~ BluesWeek is too good to lose! Slide On! Ian.
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Post by simonf on Apr 29, 2014 15:16:57 GMT
Nice work Michael. All looks very positive if you have provisional bookings underway already, and your choices thus far look very sound indeed :-) Should be good for people's confidence in the project to see things happening already.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 29, 2014 16:14:24 GMT
Thanks Simon. We are working on it early for that very reason. Also, by talking to the tutors this early, most people are available, and it will give us a full year or more to promote the event and make sure we get a full house.
Shine On Michael
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Post by steadyrollinman on Apr 29, 2014 16:46:32 GMT
Great news Michael, as Simon said, very positive that its underway already. Count me in.
Regards
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2014 18:08:04 GMT
Just keeping everyone updated with news.....
I have spoken with Ari Eisinger and he has accepted our invitation to be a tutor in 2015.
So the tutors list as it stands is... Rick Franklin (guitar), Tom Feldmann (guitar and slide guitar), Ari Eisinger (guitar), Joe Filisko (harmonica), Michael Messer (slide guitar).
I hope to bring news of more tutors in the coming weeks.
Shine On Michael
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Post by gordon on May 3, 2014 8:45:32 GMT
Yay ! Ari Eisinger for 2015 !
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nickg
MM Forum Member
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Post by nickg on May 6, 2014 10:41:55 GMT
Fantastic news - many many thanks Michael. And what a great list of tutors.
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Post by Michael Messer on May 7, 2014 12:03:29 GMT
Hi everyone, especially Blues Weekers!
Dennis Rigg and I are doing everything we can to ensure that BW 2015 is a great success and that it can continue to run for many years to come, with or without us.
We are currently looking at the programming of tutors and we are considering bringing in some more great and well known blues artists to make this a really special Blues Week. However, we have a dilemma and it was my suggestion to share it on here and get some feedback from Blues Week regulars and hopefully some newcomers too.
Dennis has met with the venue management at Northampton University & the Sunley Centre and we have been informed that they are going to increase the price they charge us for each participant's board & meals. In addition to this price increase we have been taking a serious look at the finances of BW in general and whether it is sustainable, or even doable, with the budget & figures as they have been in the past under the previous ownership.
It is very important at this point that I explain our position as a company running Blues Week. The new company will be a NON PROFIT MAKING COMPANY. All profits, if there are any, will go back into Blues Week to pay the tutors more, help with scholarships and generally support the event.
It is with all this in mind that we have looked at the figures and realised that we really have to consider a price increase for participants. In recent years the cost per person to come to Blues Week has been £625 (GBP). This includes £340 that the university charge for food and board. While we do not want to price ourselves out of the marketplace, we do have to look seriously at a price increase and this is where we really could do with some feedback. How would you feel about us increasing the price per participant to £695 (GBP) for the whole week?
I do hope you understand and appreciate our position, because we have stepped in and said that we will save Blues Week and keep it going, but we do have a problem when we look at the figures. At the current price per head, it really looks like we would have to sponsor the event, and that is just not sustainable.
Thanks,
Shine On Michael.
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Post by DaveRed on May 7, 2014 14:42:33 GMT
Michael, At £625 for the week, I always thought it was cheap considering it included full board with a selection of world class tutors giving lessons all day. Northampton University and Sunley Conference Centre are excellent venues. I for one would be more than happy to pay the extra £70. Prices go up, that’s a fact of life.
Dave
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laura
Serious MM Forum Member
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Post by laura on May 7, 2014 17:41:09 GMT
Hi Michael, Could you tell us if there will still be a day rate available for those who cannot attend for the whole week and/or who do not wish to stay onsite? Thanks, Laura
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Post by Michael Messer on May 7, 2014 17:56:56 GMT
Hi Laura,
I guess there will be a day rate, but at this point it is not something we have discussed. I am sure we will know the answer to your question very soon.
Thanks,
Shine On Michael
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