August 15, 2005 at 6:49 PM

I think we're being taken advantage of.

For the last couple of years, a bunch of us have gotten together for a session at the local farmers' market. The deal was always that we could come if we liked and we'd just put a hat out for tips.

Eventually we formed a proper band, playing for occasional contradances and other gigs.

This summer, they specifically asked us to come and play, as a scheduled commitment, about once a month. We agreed.

Usually, the vendors have been very nice -- certain ones are always extremely supportive and generous. If we ask, they're willing to give us free produce, etc.

The crowd has always been stingy -- I'm not sure if they realize that we don't get paid otherwise. So it's not a surprise that we only had $12 in donations last weekend.

What was a surprise is this: I told the market manager that we really don't get properly compensated -- really, this is a gig, and while we'll play cheap for this market out of loyalty, we would like a few perqs. So I asked her to pass around a bag to the vendors just to make them aware that we're playing out of the goodness of our hearts and we'll take any charity they'd like to give.

I was hoping for a head of lettuce or a few tomatoes.

With about 12 vendors or so, I got the bag back with a total of $3 in it. No invites to come by a booth, no tomatoes.

Hey, I'll take the $3. But really, for five musicians -- good musicians, mind you, and we've been told numerous times that we vastly improve the ambience for the market -- $15 doesn't even pay for our gas to get there.

I don't think I'll commit to play there anymore. If I feel like going, great. It's still fun, it's a nice market. But I don't need the stress of having it conflict with other engagements, having to rush down there early on a Saturday, etc.

What would you do?

From Emily Grossman
Posted on August 15, 2005 at 7:24 PM

Well, Patty, you could bring your own veggies and chuck them at the vendors.

Really, it comes down to deciding whether or not your group enjoys doing it enough to volunteer. If not, consider dropping it and looking for something better. This is how you put your foot down. Do it, and do us all a favor by setting an example that we musicians aren't just in love with music. We get paid by the hour.

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on August 15, 2005 at 9:00 PM

The market manager didn't have time to or didn't want to pass the bag around. It would have taken half an hour and and she'd have been carrying three full bags around by the end. Help her out a little.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 16, 2005 at 12:46 AM

I would do just what you plan to do. Getting $3 from the vendors was an insult. They have implied that you help them get business. Maybe I wouldn't go back.

From Neil Cameron
Posted on August 16, 2005 at 4:30 AM

I agree with Pauline and do exactly what you're going to do. If the vendors are too cheap to pay you for creating an atmosphere that helps them sell more produce and thereby make more money, well scr...ummm sod 'em.

Neil

From Peggy B.
Posted on August 16, 2005 at 3:37 PM

Absolutely! You have invested years in training and more time for rehearsal and are making the effort to come. You are professionals. Never allow people to take you for granted, assuming you just play for the joy of it, or allow them to pass you a few vegetables for your time. Aargh!! If you don't value your contribution, no one else will. Would they invite a craftsperson to come with his/her wares and expect him to give them away free because he just makes them for the joy of it? There's no difference!

From Patty Rutins
Posted on August 16, 2005 at 8:54 PM

Thanks for the moral support, folks! I love Emily's solution...

It's a very small market -- ten to fifteen vendors on a very, very good day. I suggested that the manager pass the bag to one vendor and ask them to put something in it or not, but then have them pass it on to the next vendor. The stalls are close enough together that it really wouldn't be a trouble.

If she didn't have time to do it, she could have simply told me.

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August 15, 2005 at 6:49 PM

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