Comments on: The Ramble: OK, let’s see what apples to apples tells us about City Stages

By: So what’s the latest with Sustain City Stages?

So what’s the latest with Sustain City Stages? — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:51:57 +0000

[...] you’d be wrong, and that the reality is that the campaign may be just starting to heat up. Click here to get an idea of the conversations going on and here to get a taste of the comments from the town [...]

By: catalyst

catalyst — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:00:48 +0000

Here’s the rub… this NEEDS to be a city festival, NOT set of music performances. Expand the concept of “stages” to include performance art, community dance troupes, etc. Give away free booth space (since City Stages isn’t paying rent on the sidewalks) to every non-profit in Birmingham. Invite any art vendor that otherwise exhibits at Artwalk or others in town. Basically, expand the offerings beyond music… build a world-class event AROUND MUSIC. Redefine and expand.

There — I said it.

By: catalyst

catalyst — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:00:00 +0000

There — I said it.

By: Dre

Dre — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:12:54 +0000

There is not an overlap; I see though that maybe the better question would be “What would we get if we were paying $80 or $100 for the festival here?” Drawing big name acts has nothing to do with the population size, you’ll draw a crowd. Savannah is smaller than Birmingham and has drawn international acts that people pay a premium for. The big question for them is how much people are willing to pay. And people in Birmingham consistently sell themselves short and are more willing to pay for things outside because its not Birmingham.

I’m just saying that to be realistic and not always part of the we can’t do it or shouldn’t do it crowd. I’m tired of being cynical. If we can’t support it anymore, fine. Let’s think of what we can get behind. Is it a music festival, a movie festival, one of the art festivals. Let’s pick one and finally say that we’re going to go over the top with citywide support.

No one thought City Stages would work the first timne either. And for a time, it did.

By: Andre Natta

Andre Natta — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:12:00 +0000

No one thought City Stages would work the first timne either. And for a time, it did.

By: Wade

Wade — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:01:30 +0000

Let’s be honest: There’s little overlap between San Diego’s superior lineup and Birmingham’s pretty good lineup. That City Stages would compare the two is laughable, or merely sad.

I would pay more to see a stronger lineup. But it may not be a question of whether folks here can or would pay more for a killer schedule. Being realistic, it’s unlikely we can draw the same acts based on population size and probable attendance. It’s the same for touring acts and venues. That’s OK.

“We currently do not feel the need to pay more in order to see more here in Birmingham, Alabama.” That’s simply too broad to defend. I’ve been to plenty of expensive concerts in town and out of town. Plenty of Birmingham residents will pay top dollar for acts they love, whether at the BJCC or in Atlanta or at Bonnaroo.

Maybe a more accurate statement is: We currently do not feel the need to improve City Stages in order to change its fate.

By: Wade

Wade — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:01:00 +0000

Let’s be honest: There’s little overlap between San Diego’s superior lineup and Birmingham’s pretty good lineup. That City Stages would compare the two is laughable, or merely sad.

Maybe a more accurate statement is: We currently do not feel the need to improve City Stages in order to change its fate.