On Center Groves site in the schedule it has something about Chicago on March 27. It would be great to see them attend this competition. I know it has TBD in the listing and they are going to Florida but who knows. Maybe someone from CG could clarify this..........
QUOTE(Mr. Jennings @ Dec 31 2007, 10:41 PM) [snapback]410154[/snapback]
I can imagine needing revenue like that to run a year round business off of events occuring primarily over the course of two months. They still have to pay their bills for those other ten months. I don't know what their business model looks like, but I think the majority of their business occurs in March and April.
Fame is part of a larger tour company. I believe it is called Capital Management Group in Mesa AZ.
So they do other types of tours. Besides that, I just want to know how many kids they put in a room for $499(per person) for three nights? I know this includes a show,a meal,and a dance also.
Man, I have to go watch this competition!
Can I have more details? When is the exact date? How do I get tickets? How much?
Who else besides North Central, Burroughs, and Clinton is going??
South Jones "Company" will also make their way to FAME Chicago this year, making that 2 groups from Mississippi that'll be there. Anyone else from the Southern region going?
Its probably time for someone from FAME to speak up, but it is a business and they are trying to make money.
The festival only fee is probably set as high as it is to encourage participants to purchase the whole package. When you break the package down, it seems like a much better deal.
I can imagine needing revenue like that to run a year round business off of events occuring primarily over the course of two months. They still have to pay their bills for those other ten months. I don't know what their business model looks like, but I think the majority of their business occurs in March and April.
People have long discussed a sort of National show choir Association to tackle issues like this. BUT...we are all very busy and very far apart so the idea never seems to build much steam. There has to be something in it for people and nobody has quite figured out what that would be.
So, the exact dates of FAME Chicago are March 28-30th?
And if this is a 3 day competition, what exactly happens on each of the 3 individual days?
I will still be on Spring Break then and am DEFINITELY considering tripping to this competition to watch!
Especially with Clinton, Burroughs, and North Central going!
I wasn't sure if stage crew, etcetera would be considered part of the "competitors," I couldn't imagine volunteering for stage crew or combo and paying $200 just to walk on stage and set-up risers.
I realize there is overhead involved with using the facility, adjudicators, and so forth; but it still just doesn't add up.
What about all the other shows at these venues the rest of the year? Do they make the performers pay to put on a show, AND keep all the admission income?
QUOTE(TCSinger @ Dec 28 2007, 03:06 PM) [snapback]410012[/snapback]
Thanks for clarifying, Ana.
I do have a stupid question, though...
Is the accurate that it's $250/just for competing? Does this include lodging or anything else?
So, assuming there are 40 singer/dancers and combo, that'd be $10,000 per group just to compete. Assuming there are 35 groups, that's well over a quarter of a million dollars just in contest fees ($350,000). Not to mention I heard admission for spectators was $30+ a piece.
Surely I'm missing something here... I know nothing about "national contests", I think I'm too old. " border="0" alt="ph34r.gif" />
I think you've underestimated the potential gross. If we brought our group it would be 50 singer/dancers, 14 combo members, and 10 crew. We also usually allow any upperclassmen that are in our prep group to come on national trips, so you can usually add another 5-10 people for that. So we're talking about 80 people total or $20,000 just from one group. You can probably tack on 3 directors and 5-10 chaperones.
I'm guessing they're more likely to gross in the neighborhood of $500,000 if they pulled 30+ groups. And all of that is before all the parents and show choir fanatics pay $30-$50 in admission.
They still have to pay for the hall, promotions, judges, full time Fame staff, event staff, transportation/expenses for all of those folks, etc., etc., so that's not all profit. Even half of it in profit would be pretty good though if they can duplcate it at just three or four of their events (Chicago, Branson, Orlando, NYC).
QUOTE(TCSinger @ Dec 28 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]410012[/snapback]
Thanks for clarifying, Ana.
I do have a stupid question, though...
Is the accurate that it's $250/just for competing? Does this include lodging or anything else?
So, assuming there are 40 singer/dancers and combo, that'd be $10,000 per group just to compete. Assuming there are 35 groups, that's well over a quarter of a million dollars just in contest fees ($350,000). Not to mention I heard admission for spectators was $30+ a piece.
Surely I'm missing something here... I know nothing about "national contests", I think I'm too old. " border="0" alt="ph34r.gif" />
Yes, it is accurate- when we went to New York in 2006, I think it was $200 per person- it included the entry fee and a meal- and sort of a dance afterwards. Obviously it also goes towards any facility and staffing costs, as well as judges' fees.
FAME has the prices listed for their 2008 competitions on their website- festival only is available for FAME Los Angeles or Branson at $199.00, and FAME Chicago, San Antonio or New York at $249.00.
the lowest possible cost for the competition is $250 per person just to compete.
Is the accurate that it's $250/just for competing? Does this include lodging or anything else?
So, assuming there are 40 singer/dancers and combo, that'd be $10,000 per group just to compete. Assuming there are 35 groups, that's well over a quarter of a million dollars just in contest fees ($350,000). Not to mention I heard admission for spectators was $30+ a piece.
Surely I'm missing something here... I know nothing about "national contests", I think I'm too old. " border="0" alt="ph34r.gif" />
QUOTE(lowbass @ Dec 26 2007, 03:52 PM) [snapback]409969[/snapback]
It IS a nice place, and I thought it handled the contest very well last year. It's just NOWHERE near Chicago, that's all. It took me a good hour to drive up there, and there wasn't much as far as food options around there either. But parking was dirt cheap, so it was easy to drive elsewhere to eat away from the crowd.
The major problem I suspect with hosting it IN Chicago itself would be cost. I can't even imagine how expensive the numerous theaters downtown would be for a days event like this. I guess nothing is perfect, but having Clinton, Burroughs and North Central in one place is about as close as I'll probably get this coming season!
Yeah... Showstoppers Chicago 2004 cost an arm, a leg, and a kidney.
QUOTE(gilligandbs @ Dec 26 2007, 02:24 PM) [snapback]409967[/snapback]
Is FAME=CHICAGO AT THE GENESEE THEATER AGAIN ???
Nice Place!
It IS a nice place, and I thought it handled the contest very well last year. It's just NOWHERE near Chicago, that's all. It took me a good hour to drive up there, and there wasn't much as far as food options around there either. But parking was dirt cheap, so it was easy to drive elsewhere to eat away from the crowd.
The major problem I suspect with hosting it IN Chicago itself would be cost. I can't even imagine how expensive the numerous theaters downtown would be for a days event like this. I guess nothing is perfect, but having Clinton, Burroughs and North Central in one place is about as close as I'll probably get this coming season!
I feel your pain Ana...if it weren't rolled into the cost of a much more expensive trip, we wouldn't be able to do it either.
The theater location isn't as big of a deal to me...but we're going to spend 4 days staying in Chicago so that makes sense too. I would just rather have a quality facility than anything else. Hopefully Waukegan will provide that.
This should be a very fun trip for us. I can't wait to see all of you!
QUOTE(ana @ Dec 24 2007, 11:44 PM) [snapback]409925[/snapback]
Oh, and btw, I was simply clarifying information for Dru, who posted that the theater was in Chicago. I wasn't trying to ruin Christmas Alex- please forgive me.
ha. Ana, the show choir grinch - i don't know, it sounds pretty accurate to me.
QUOTE(Sparky1 @ Dec 24 2007, 06:04 AM) [snapback]409891[/snapback]
ana, get over it, move on. old news.
" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />
Tell you what Alex- I'll get over this when you get over Showstoppers. Deal?
;)
Alex, humor me and try to understand it from my perspective- I have a lot of respect for what FAME does, we've enjoyed many of the FAME events that we've attended, and we enjoy working with Bert, Chad, and the rest of the FAME team whenever we get the chance. But I just can't get behind a FAME Chicago that doesn't give students the opportunity to perform in a theater IN Chicago- it may not mean as much to other groups- in or outside our area- but with Chicago as close as it is to us, the opportunity to perform IN the city is very different from an opportunity to perform in a city like Waukegan- especially when the lowest possible cost for the competition is $250 per person just to compete. We can't ask our parents to do that, when we could just as easily compete at a place like Chicagoland and make a weekend out of it, where the entry fee for the entire group is $275.
It's disappointing when we'd love to take the group to Chicago, but can't justify the cost for the experience to our parents and students. It isn't simply about "news", old or new. It's a legitimate frustration- I believe we're still allowed to voice those on here?
Oh, and btw, I was simply clarifying information for Dru, who posted that the theater was in Chicago. I wasn't trying to ruin Christmas Alex- please forgive me.
QUOTE(Sparky1 @ Dec 24 2007, 11:50 AM) [snapback]409899[/snapback]
hey jorge. how bout you get a hobby other than showchoir.com and not take personal offense to a post on a PUBLIC forum that didnt involve you at all. just sayin.....
I have plenty of hobbies other than showchoir.com... but what is more fun than reading all of your hilariously foolish and lame posts?
I'll tell you...
Nothing is.
Life just isn't complete without them. They keep me going... I feed off them. I'm like, a showchoir.com / "Sparky's posts" junky.
God Bless you Alex Sparks! (and Merry Christmas), Adam Peters
FAME Chicago 2008
" border="0" alt="ph34r.gif" />
" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> 