The Count Basie Theatre is an historic 1926 theatre in downtown Red Bank, NJ.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Count Basie Theatre #54 on the Pollstar Worldwide Theatre Chart for 2009


Dear Friends,


I am pleased to announce that Pollstar Magazine’s Year End Charts have been released, and for the third year in a row, the Count Basie Theatre has placed on the Top 100 Worldwide Theatre Venues list!


With reportable attendance of 87,964 it has earned us the #54 slot.


The attendance figures that Pollstar will accept from us are for “entertainment-oriented” events; if we were able to report our education, cultural and community events, we would place in the Top 20 worldwide!


Still, No. 54 is not bad!


The Basie is one of only 3 venues in NJ to make the list this year.


Congratulations, everyone! A job well done!


Click the chart above to see the full list.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Count Basie Theatre added to National Register of Historic Places


The Count Basie Theatre is pleased to announce that on December 24, 2009 the Director of the National Park Service announced the addition of the Count Basie Theatre to the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. A treasure trove for professional historians, scholars, and anyone curious about American history, the National Register of Historic Places lists more than 80,000 properties.

Listed under reference number 09001100, the theatre is listed on the Register as the Carlton Theatre, the third of the five names the theatre has had in its 83-year history. Construction on the Red Bank Theater was first announced in 1925. Before it even opened it was renamed the State Theater, and then the Carlton Theater, the name under which it operated from Opening Day, November 11, 1926 until 1973, when the Monmouth County Arts Council acquired the property from the estate of Walter Reade, one of the original partners in the building. The Council operated the theatre as the Monmouth Arts Center until 1984, when it was renamed in honor of Red Bank native, jazz composer, pianist and band leader William "Count" Basie following his death that year.

The Count Basie Theatre, Inc. is the nonprofit corporation that has owned, managed and programmed the theatre since 1999. The theatre has also been listed on the NJ Register, and Numa Saisselin, CEO of the Count Basie Theatre, Inc. said, "The Count Basie Theatre's listing on the State and Federal Registers of Historic Places is recognition of the theatre's statewide importance as a place where the community comes together to be entertained and exchange ideas about our common and uncommon experiences. As an organization we've been pleased to preserve this historic venue for part of the first 83 years of its history, and we look forward to at least another 83 years if not longer."

Over 200,000 people attend about 200 live performances of music, dance, theatre and film at the Count Basie Theatre each year, and more than 1,000 students a year participate in arts education classes and workshops at the theatre. The Count Basie Theatre, Inc. has performed $10 million of renovation and restoration projects on its historic buildings since 2004.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

BREAKING: N.J. Lifts Freeze on Arts Grants (plus: your comments)

December 30, 2009


A few weeks ago, we sent out a message regarding a State funding freeze, the substance of which was that the State was freezing payment on municipal and nonprofit grants it had committed to for the fiscal 2010 year.

The good news is that last Saturday the Star Ledger reported that the freeze was lifted for arts funding. You can read that short article by clicking here.


We thank you for responding to our call to action, and for letting your legislators know your opinion. Some of the responses we received here at the theatre were also really interesting, and worth sharing almost in their entirety, because they reveal some interesting things about how many of us think and feel about the arts.


Many people simply answered the call to action and let us know that they contacted their legislators. Marilyn M. said, “I think this freeze is awful and I have sent email to the Governor and called all our elected officials.” Nancy wrote, “I forwarded this message to almost everyone in my address book. Good Luck to you and all of us.” May L. wrote, “How could they think of budget cutting the arts! Thanks for forwarding this. I'll certainly get my name on the email list to oppose this.”


Some people wrote very personally about the impact the arts have had on their own lives. Barbara W. wrote: “Done - and I added my own personal message about the impact the arts had on my childhood growing up poor in a Federal Housing project.”


Some people took things a step further, and wrote with fundraising ideas for us to consider that might help make up for the lost income if the payment freeze turned into a funding cancellation. Glen and Judy T. wrote: “We have been members of the Count Basie Theatre for years now and love coming to and supporting the theatre. We hope you might consider lowering the third tier of donating from $500 to $250. We currently donate $100 a year but even in these tight economic times would consider $250 to get the next benefit. Either way we will be renewing our donation and continue to support the theatre.” Lisa and Edward from Morganville wrote: “My husband and I, both born here in Freehold, are very sad to hear this. I will definitely sign up for the legislation, but have you though of a benefit concert?” Glen and Judy, we have passed your thoughts on membership levels to our counterparts at the Count Basie Theatre Foundation, the fundraising arm of the theatre. Lisa and Edward, the short answer to your question is yes, we think about benefit concerts all the time! At any given moment, we’re actually working on one or more, but putting all the pieces in place takes longer than you would think. Stay tuned however.


A few people saw an opportunity to pitch their own businesses to us. Chet offered the services of his marketing company, and Bob B. offered to, “…work with you on ‘co-branding’ perhaps we can put some ‘items’ together to sell, make money and you can keep all the profits.” Here at the Count Basie Theatre we like to say that, “Nonprofit is a tax status, not a business plan,” and the appropriate staff members will be reaching out to each of these gentlemen to explore any possibilities that make financial sense.


Wendy C. and Leigh Anne H. saw an opportunity to pitch their own fundraiser back at us! They wrote, “We believe that the cultural arts are extremely important to our community. We will contact our legislators and ask others to do the same,” and then asked for our support of their school’s fundraiser. Heidi Leigh, our Group Sales Manager, is providing them with tickets for their auction and raffle. We do this a few hundred times a year for local charities and nonprofits. You can set something up for your own charity event or school fundraiser by contacting Heidi at hleigh@countbasietheatre.org.


A few people used this as an opportunity to settle perceived scores. Paul L. wrote, “Sorry, you didn't help me when I asked for help with tickets I purchased that my parents couldn't use. What goes around...,” and Bill N. wrote, “I have been trying to contact the theater for 2 years. I have made numerous phone calls and sent various emails to your theater seeking employment. I have NEVER received any kind of response - much less an interview! I've been desperately trying to make ends meet and nobody in your organization has ever bothered to reach out to me. And now, you expect me to help you out with your financial situation? I don't think so! Bite the bullet my friend - things are tough all over - join the club!” Bill, all I can say is that we have a policy of responding to every job applicant, and we have no record of your ever contacting us. We’re not hiring right now, but if you want, you can send a resume directly to me. My contact info is on our web site. Also, you might want to consider using an email address that sends a more positive message about your qualifications than one incorporating the words “future has been.”


Then there were people who had pertinent things to say about the politics of the situation, and not necessarily in favor of arts funding, either! Surprisingly, only one such response was too snarky and outright political to address here. This forum is, after all, about the arts, culture and entertainment, and there’s no shortage of other places to turn for political news these days.


Deirdre G. asked, “If the funding is not given to you, where will the money go?” A good question, but not one I am necessarily qualified to address, other than to speculate that it would have been used to pay the day to day bills of the State.


J. Ken wrote, in part, “It's a shame that we have gotten to this point, but I take offense to the tone of your email. This state is in bad shape. That means that we must cut back in every area including the arts. It’s time for sacrifices to be made by everyone.”


Marc M. wrote, in part, “I have happily supported the arts over the years, but don't you dare try to politicize your request by pointing blame at the incoming administration.”


Kevin G. wrote, “These are difficult times, and all organizations dependent on government grants should reduce expectations of government. I am not in favor of reducing aid to the Arts, but if government can't do even that, where does government begin reducing discretionary spending?”


In response to these three gentlemen, I would say the following:


First: we never meant to offend anyone, nor place blame. If you read again our initial message, you will see that we stated facts, without editorializing. Namely, that the incoming administration asked the outgoing administration to freeze funding in place for the moment.


Second: As a nonprofit organization, we’re here to work with whoever our duly elected officials are for the betterment of our community and the State, without regard to political affiliation.


Three: The salient point in this case was that we were not talking about a funding cancellation, or denial of an application for future funding. It was payment of funds already committed that was being stopped in place. The State had issued contracts that we signed and returned, and in reliance on these facts, we reasonably expected the State to follow through.


Those facts aside however, these gentlemen raise interesting (and potentially frightening) questions. I think most people would agree that our State’s finances are not healthy, haven’t been for some time, and won’t be for the foreseeable future. If that’s a given, how many sacrifices will have to be made, and who will make them?


Out of 15 folks who wrote in, 9 were supportive, 3 were against and 3 were not unsupportive, but more interested in their own services. Not a bad tally, but one thing is for certain: every budget cycle, arts funding, like state funding for many other municipal and nonprofit services, has gotten lower and lower, and every reduction has an impact.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Rain or Shine... (or Snow.)


This past Saturday night into Sunday morning, the Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex County area, the Count Basie Theatre’s primary market area, received anywhere from 6 to 24 inches of snow, depending on where you live. Some places received more than two feet of snow. The Glen Burtnik Xmas Extravaganza on Saturday night and the Monmouth Civic Chorus “Messiah” performance on Sunday afternoon were the adversely affected performances at the Basie.


We’ve received a few pieces of mail this Monday morning asking why we did not cancel the performances. We’ve received less email than I was expecting, but I thought I’d take a few minutes to give you a peek behind the scenes and explain exactly why it is that, “The show must go on.”

The standard rule of thumb is that if the performers are able to make it to the venue, and are ready, willing and able to perform, then the show goes on, rain or shine (or snow). If the performers are on site but the show does not go on, the performers get paid anyway, because they were on site and ready, willing and able. When you’re paying the performers one way or another, you’re going to do the show.

While the weather has generally been warm in recent winters, it is after all not unheard of to have inclement weather in the winter, and for this reason we are as up-front about the “show goes on” policy as we can be in all of our marketing, web site and box office materials.

For instance, this statement is available on our website: “Inclement weather is not a cause for cancellation. As long as the artist is able to arrive at the theatre (usually on a tour bus traveling hundreds of miles overnight) the event will proceed as scheduled. There are no refunds or exchanges because of bad weather. Plan to leave home early, and please travel carefully.”

An official state of emergency will of course stop the show. However, what frequently happens is that the media will do their usual job of scaring the pants off everyone, and an assortment of governmental authorities will recommend that people stay home and stay off the roads, but they’ll stop short of declaring an official emergency.


If everyone involved in a show are able to reschedule, we do try to reschedule. Sometimes rescheduling costs the theatre or the promoter more money, sometimes not. But more often than not, trying to find a new and mutually acceptable date for everyone involved is an insurmountable challenge.

In the case of this past weekend’s shows, although the Glen Burtnik Xmas Xtravaganza is a benefit concert, Glen himself has assembled a cast of characters from far and wide, and they can’t simply reschedule for another night. In the case of the Monmouth Civic Chorus, they have an orchestra that gets paid one way or another. There’s a significant amount of money on the line in each case.

We realize that “the show goes on” is not a universally loved policy, but there is logic and reason behind it.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

State freezes $10M promised to the arts - Join us in taking action

Dear Friends,

Below are two articles from today's Star Ledger and Asbury Park Press. Long story short, the State of NJ has frozen payment of grants to municipalities and nonprofit organizations statewide, including the arts community.

As of now, there will be an immediate hit to the Basie.

This is supposed to be just a temporary move, requested of the outgoing Corzine administration by the incoming Christie administration. However, if they're willing to suspend payment on obligations they've already made, we must assume and start preparing for the worst, that grants could be totally eliminated.

I write to you all right now to ask for your help with the issue of getting this funding released.

Art Pride NJ is the advocacy organization for the arts in NJ. Please CLICK HERE (http://bit.ly/5QR94C) to type in your name and address it will automatically find your legislators and set you up with an email to send to them right now.

If you would be so kind, please forward this on to your friends, family, colleagues and anyone else you know who enjoys the arts in NJ.

Together, we will get through this crisis.

Sincerely,
Numa C. Saisselin
CEO
Count Basie Theatre, Inc.

Asbury Park Press article: "NJ treasury officials freeze discretionary spending accounts"
Star-Ledger article: "State freezes $10M promised to the arts"

Friday, December 4, 2009

A Dream Realized

Every once in a while we get a piece of customer mail that reminds us why what we do here at the Count Basie Theatre is so uniquely important, and here is one of them, presented as a Guest Blog.

Hello,


In the 1940's my father worked as an usher at what was then known as the Carlton Theater. When I was growing up as a child, he often spoke about the famous movie stars playing on film there, and the good friends and times he had there.

Recently I came to find out that when he was about 20 years old, my father started a local dance group in Red Bank. He was a Red Bank resident, and a product of the Depression. He only achieved a sixth grade education, because to support the family financially, he became a sheet metal worker. As a child, I never witnessed him dancing at all. However, I believe that he wanted to dance freely on that stage, just as all of us Americans have the desire to express their spirit's freedom, in whatever form it may take.


My father's dream of performing on the Count Basie Theatre stage is about to be realized however by his grandson, my own son Brian. On December 6th, Brian, who is about to turn 20 in March, will perform at the Basie as part of the Rock the Basie program. The program helps adult musicians gain skills, and provides them with an opportunity to perform on stage. I am told that Brian is the youngest person to be a part of the Rock the Basie program this term.


He has been driving to the program every Tuesday night after his college classes at Burlington County College, over an hour and a half each way. He has never complained once about the drive, and he always comes home with a sense of fulfillment, the type of satisfaction you get when you know you are centered, dancing to the song of your soul. Or in his case, playing the guitar.


I believe that everything happens for a reason, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is a very talented musician. Brian had applied to the Berklee College of Music, but was denied acceptance. However, at the Basie program he was placed in the most advanced group, where he has been able to learn additional skills from a professional musician that attended the Berklee College of Music!


He has mastered 5 different instruments: drums, bass, guitar, piano and trumpet, but his desire to be free is about to be played out. Even though he isn't attending an expensive school, he is lucky to live in a country where the feeling of freedom can be achieved by all if you just stay true to yourself, develop the skill and enjoy it.


I thank the Count Basie Theatre for believing in itself and providing a place where we can all laugh, dance, and perform in our own way and style. My grandmother used to say this to me, as a child; "Be careful what you say, because voice is a wave that goes straight up to heaven and the angels can hear what you say." I'd like to think that somewhere in the shadowy archways of the Carlton Theatre (now the Basie), where the ushers stand, is a speaker that only the angels can hear, and on December 6th Brian's grandfather and the other angels will hear his grandson perform. I hope they like rock and roll.


Sincerely,

Susan Cahill


P.S. Attached are a copy of a photo of my father Walter Desouza, in his usher uniform, and his grandson, future rock star Brian Cahill.


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

It’s Only Teenage Wasteland

People imagine that I have a glamorous job, that I show up at 6:00 in the evening, sip a glass of champagne with the star of the evening’s show, shake some hands in the Carlton Lounge, and I am home by 8:30. Of course, that’s the fantasy job we all wish we had.

The truth is that I work in an office and my day is more like your day than you realize. My day is budgeting, finance, politics, human relations, raising money, spending money, and buying and selling a product. The only difference is that the product I sell is, sometimes, kind of interesting and elevating.

My days are frequently more aggravating than anyone imagines, but once in a while there’s an evening that makes up for it, that will wipe away the last several weeks of BS, and is such an emotional high that it will carry me and the staff through a few more weeks of BS.

Sometimes these are the arts and cultural events that distinguish the Basie in our community, the performances that nobody else would be making possible in our community. But sometimes the event that provides that emotional high is a concert or performance that seems too obvious. There’s a formality to an opera or a dance company or a symphony performance. Even if the performance is spectacular, there’s a printed program, so you know what’s coming, but pop music and comedy performances, often you don’t know what’s coming next, and some nights, it’s a lot of fun to watch the audience reaction when the next song starts and they begin to recognize it.

Often (not always, but often) I’ve seen a set list so I know what’s coming before the audience does, and it’s kind of fun to look the set list over and think, “Ooh, that’s interesting… Oh, they’re going to like that one…”

Last night we had Roger Daltrey. It was quite a thrill just to book that show, because really, in the history of rock and roll, how many singers are of comparable historic and artistic stature? Mick Jagger and Robert Plant of course, and even though there wasn’t just a single lead singer, the Beatles of course, but past those artists, who’s comparable? Not many.

The show was great. He played several of his own songs, a Johnny Cash medley to satisfy his own soul, a set of songs from the Who catalogue that we all wanted to hear, and several songs from the Who catalogue that, as he explained to us, the Who just doesn’t do in the context of a quote-unquote “Who show.” It was a rather magnificent and special evening.

At one point in between songs someone down front said something about Woodstock, and he turned and said, “Oh yeah? I was at Woodstock too!” and the affection in his voice was clear. It wasn’t pompous or arrogant, it was as if he understood the absurdity of Roger Daltrey saying, “Oh yeah? I was at Woodstock too.” And yet, he couldn’t help himself because it was kind of funny.

But there was Roger Daltrey on our stage. The Pinball Wizard himself, who really did provide one of the highlights of Woodstock, and the Concert for New York just a few years ago, and so many other generational turning points. Roger Daltrey! The guy who sang, “Hope I die before I get old,” 65 years old and looking more fit than anyone in the audience half his age.

There are little alcoves to the left and right of the stage, and if you position yourself just right in there in the dark, you can watch the audience with an unobstructed view of almost the entire house, orchestra and balcony, and every time a new song started, it was a lot of fun to watch people turn to each other with high fives and looks of pure pleasure. “Yes! He really IS going play this song! And right now as a matter of fact, and we’re here to see it!”

When it was time for “Baba O’Riley” he turned the microphone to the audience for the chorus: “Don’t cry, don’t raise your eye, it’s only teenage wasteland,” and of course it’s impossible not to note the absurdity of an overtly middle age audience singing those particular lines back at the singer who sang them in the first place. However, it’s now the fourth verse that carries the song for this audience: “The exodus is here, the happy ones are near, let’s get together, before we get much older.”

Music and art are how we come together, and absurd or not to be a middle aged man or woman singing about teenage wasteland, once upon a time those lines were written for that generation about that generation, and that song and a handful of others defined that generation. The only thing that could have made the evening any better would be if the songwriter himself (Pete Townshend of course) was here too. But we had the singer, and we had the song, and it happened right under our roof, in our temple of music and theatre and dance, and we were happy to bring it to you for the evening, as we will continue to do, because making it possible for the singer and the audience is the emotional high that will carry us to the next one.