{"items": [{"author": "Daniel", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832142717202", "anchor": "fb-832142717202", "service": "fb", "text": "\"Watch me mess around with data and fail to answer the question!\"
I'm just really amused to see this as the lead-in to your post. :-D", "timestamp": "1481835826"}, {"author": "Ryan", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832149638332", "anchor": "fb-832149638332", "service": "fb", "text": "You're missing some data -- that I know of, Luke Donforth was booked for Footfall in 2015 and Dandelion Romp in 2014; Mary Wesley called Flurry in 2014; dJ improper was also in that first cohort in 2012 and had several weekend gigs thereafter before he hung up his headphones and headed off to see the world; Kristin Seibert has called at Arisia and several other conventions with contra pieces in them and I believe called at LEAF & NEFFA in 2014.", "timestamp": "1481837923"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832149638332&reply_comment_id=832150411782", "anchor": "fb-832149638332_832150411782", "service": "fb", "text": "→ * I only have caller data for 2016
* I didn't include dJ improper because (a) dance sites are inconsistent about listing segments like dJ improper and Rushfest and (b) the role those fill is small enough that I don't have comparables", "timestamp": "1481838389"}, {"author": "Ryan", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832149638332&reply_comment_id=832151524552", "anchor": "fb-832149638332_832151524552", "service": "fb", "text": "→ I can also tell you that at least some of the Footfall bookings were based on recommendations from scouts at Catapult, because I was who the organizers asked for at least one of them because they remembered I had said good things about some of the talent from my Catapult visits and were asking me to remind them who it was (and then I found out a couple of days later that they were booked for Footfall the following year).", "timestamp": "1481838891"}, {"author": "Andy", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832151434732", "anchor": "fb-832151434732", "service": "fb", "text": "Mary Wesley called the 2015 SF Bay Queer Camp.", "timestamp": "1481838754"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832151434732&reply_comment_id=832155416752", "anchor": "fb-832151434732_832155416752", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Sorry, I only have full caller data for 2016", "timestamp": "1481839064"}, {"author": "Andy", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832151434732&reply_comment_id=832157527522", "anchor": "fb-832151434732_832157527522", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Yes, sorry. I didn't see that until after I commented.", "timestamp": "1481839644"}, {"author": "Ryan", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832155516552", "anchor": "fb-832155516552", "service": "fb", "text": "Other potentially interesting question, if you decided to pursue the data further -- is Catapult more helpful overall for bands or callers, or is it equally helpful for both?", "timestamp": "1481839088"}, {"author": "Perry", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572", "anchor": "fb-832157003572", "service": "fb", "text": "I really am curious to know whether many of the bands and/or callers were helped by Catapult or were many of them already on an upward trajectory into being hired at dance weekends? I guess that is a piece of information that we will never know. And since I applied for Catapult twice myself and got selected for neither one, does that indicate that my calling isn't \"good enough\" for prime time? Does it hurt the careers of callers and bands who are not selected? I'm not sure these questions are answerable.", "timestamp": "1481839381"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572&reply_comment_id=832157991592", "anchor": "fb-832157003572_832157991592", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Randomizing admission would help.", "timestamp": "1481839858"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572&reply_comment_id=832158001572", "anchor": "fb-832157003572_832158001572", "service": "fb", "text": "→ But sample sizes are still very small.", "timestamp": "1481839868"}, {"author": "Perry", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572&reply_comment_id=832158086402", "anchor": "fb-832157003572_832158086402", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Randomizing admission? Can you explain what that is?", "timestamp": "1481839917"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572&reply_comment_id=832158470632", "anchor": "fb-832157003572_832158470632", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Catapult could make it's decisions for a size of 12, with six matched pairs. Then it could randomly decide which band in each pair to admit.", "timestamp": "1481840246"}, {"author": "Perry", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572&reply_comment_id=832160192182", "anchor": "fb-832157003572_832160192182", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Interesting idea. Same for callers?", "timestamp": "1481840621"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572&reply_comment_id=832212647062", "anchor": "fb-832157003572_832212647062", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Yes; nothing special about doing it with bands.
But the variance is so high that six samples per year is probably nowhere near enough", "timestamp": "1481856697"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832157003572&reply_comment_id=907470260202", "anchor": "fb-832157003572_907470260202", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Also it's hard enough to find six in each category that finding twelve would be an enormous amount of work.", "timestamp": "1509110572"}, {"author": "Sarah", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512", "anchor": "fb-832213919512", "service": "fb", "text": "Coracree got several great bookings directly through Catapult contacts, but not all were festivals or weekends. It helped us make a lot of connections for bookings throughout the south, especially Georgia and Florida. However, we're also finding that many dances favor two and three piece bands over four piece bands, so in some venues it hasn't been particularly helpful.", "timestamp": "1481857320"}, {"author": "Hollis", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832227562172", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832227562172", "service": "fb", "text": "→ We're finding that, too.", "timestamp": "1481861589"}, {"author": "Pete", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832228056182", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832228056182", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Duo: $$ Trio: $$$ Qtet: $$$$.......", "timestamp": "1481861925"}, {"author": "Hollis", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832229692902", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832229692902", "service": "fb", "text": "→ And also, if the gig pays $$$$$$$$, that comes out per person as:
duo: $$$$
trio: $$+2/3$
quartet: $$", "timestamp": "1481862565"}, {"author": "Eric", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832230845592", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832230845592", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Simple solution to that math: play as a quartet, but murder two of the performers between the end of the gig and when you get paid.", "timestamp": "1481863272"}, {"author": "Hollis", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832230970342", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832230970342", "service": "fb", "text": "→ As long as you're willing to die a little more inside each time you play, this leads to infinite payouts upon sufficient iteration.", "timestamp": "1481863383"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832288559932", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832288559932", "service": "fb", "text": "→ If a quartet can draw ~15% more dancers then from an organizer perspective it works out, if the band is half the cost of the event.", "timestamp": "1481889513"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832288609832", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832288609832", "service": "fb", "text": "→ A surprising number of non-nationally-known quartets would be about as good without one of the members.
(Examples will not be provided.)", "timestamp": "1481889592"}, {"author": "Sarah", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832289233582", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832289233582", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Whoa, that's kind of harsh. Who gets to tell their spouse they are no longer in the band so the rest can make tens of dollars more? And also we really didn't need them anyway because we're almost just as good without them?", "timestamp": "1481890220"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832289383282", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832289383282", "service": "fb", "text": "→ @Sarah: Kicking one's spouse out of a band is almost never a good idea, since most of us have motivations other than \"maximize contra income and weekend bookings\"", "timestamp": "1481890375"}, {"author": "Sarah", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832293370292", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832293370292", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Dibs on \"Sol-Fa's Choice\" for a band name.", "timestamp": "1481891249"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832363225302", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832363225302", "service": "fb", "text": "→ \"tell their spouse they are no longer in the band so the rest can make tens of dollars more?\"
So, this is still not something that makes sense with a spouse, but it does put you in a hard position with a friends. Because it's not \"make tens of dollars more\" but \"be considered by many dance weekends that can afford a trio but not a quartet\". The cost difference for a weekend, with flights, is over $1k.", "timestamp": "1481912128"}, {"author": "Sarah", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832369467792", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832369467792", "service": "fb", "text": "→ The cost difference for *some* weekends can be over $1k - most don't pay that well. The difference between a 3 and 4 piece band is closer to $800 for the weekend, with that being the only band hired. It could be less if the band drives (we often do) or if band duties are shared with another group for the weekend. When we want to make money, we play weddings!", "timestamp": "1481914200"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832391518602", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832391518602", "service": "fb", "text": "→ @Sarah: I decided to go count: http://www.jefftk.com/p/how-much-do-dance-weekends-pay", "timestamp": "1481920106"}, {"author": "Frannie", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832213919512&reply_comment_id=832398853902", "anchor": "fb-832213919512_832398853902", "service": "fb", "text": "→ I was going to ask about average pay for a weekend. Looking to see where my weekend falls and happy with the results.", "timestamp": "1481923331"}, {"author": "Damen", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832265566012", "anchor": "fb-832265566012", "service": "fb", "text": "dJ improper: too small for big data, to small for small data :-)", "timestamp": "1481875606"}, {"author": "Edward", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832289687672", "anchor": "fb-832289687672", "service": "fb", "text": "Catapult was great for La Banane Enchant\u00e9e because we raised our level of band playing in preparation for it, we had a good time, and we were asked back to play the Atlanta dance weekend. However we didn't chase other weekend bookings because day jobs.", "timestamp": "1481890639"}, {"author": "Julie", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832289687672&reply_comment_id=832357177422", "anchor": "fb-832289687672_832357177422", "service": "fb", "text": "→ And I met Jean Gibson-Gorrindo and Michael Hamilton there! And sassafras stomp.", "timestamp": "1481909710"}, {"author": "Edward", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832292536962", "anchor": "fb-832292536962", "service": "fb", "text": "Also Rachel called a few dance weekends since then.", "timestamp": "1481890749"}, {"author": "Rachel", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832292536962&reply_comment_id=832292751532", "anchor": "fb-832292536962_832292751532", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Yes, but I don't know how related that is to Catapult.", "timestamp": "1481890899"}, {"author": "Perry", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832292536962&reply_comment_id=832330560762", "anchor": "fb-832292536962_832330560762", "service": "fb", "text": "→ It would relate if an organizer at Catapult hired you, or even a dancer there recommended you to an organizer. But that is also my question, whether some of the callers and bands got weekend gigs (or just more gigs in a different region) due to their appearance at Catapult.", "timestamp": "1481901683"}, {"author": "Rachel", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832292536962&reply_comment_id=832337481892", "anchor": "fb-832292536962_832337481892", "service": "fb", "text": "→ I did - I think it helped me get to know the DC area organizers and I had a great time calling at a Florida dance because of Catapult. I'm not sure there were many ongoing or lasting (weekend calling) effects except I made some new friends and had a great time at Catapult.", "timestamp": "1481903410"}, {"author": "Perry", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832292536962&reply_comment_id=832338988872", "anchor": "fb-832292536962_832338988872", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Could be that the new gigs in DC and Florida got you weekend gigs from exposure there, or just word of mouth from those dancers got people to recommend you to certain weekend organizers. Or maybe not - you might have gotten those weekends regardless of your appearance at Catapult. I'm not sure how you could prove that.", "timestamp": "1481904057"}, {"author": "Don", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832292536962&reply_comment_id=832352796202", "anchor": "fb-832292536962_832352796202", "service": "fb", "text": "→ A good networking tip: when a new booking approaches you, always ask the question \"how did you hear of me?\"", "timestamp": "1481908496"}, {"author": "Don", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832292536962&reply_comment_id=832352955882", "anchor": "fb-832292536962_832352955882", "service": "fb", "text": "→ And always thank the person that referred you!", "timestamp": "1481908585"}, {"author": "Brian", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832323549812", "anchor": "fb-832323549812", "service": "fb", "text": "I think part of the data question is - who attended & who actually called their local organizer to book some of these folks? The one year I went, I 'went to bat' for one of the bands and emailed about a dozen organizers encouraging them to hire X band. They were hired by a few of those folks (some weekends, some local dances). Another piece to this puzzle is the local dance gigs & tours. Doing the Chicago/STL/Indy tour or the Glen Echo/Phily tour...
Neat that you've taken time to gather this though. I wonder if you have engaged Rob in the conversation at all. I bet he has some more information to share.", "timestamp": "1481900106"}, {"author": "Frannie", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832346833152", "anchor": "fb-832346833152", "service": "fb", "text": "Sassafras Stomp played at Balance the Bay in 2016.", "timestamp": "1481907441"}, {"author": "Jeff Kaufman", "source_link": "https://www.facebook.com/jefftk/posts/832141215212?comment_id=832346833152&reply_comment_id=832363020712", "anchor": "fb-832346833152_832363020712", "service": "fb", "text": "→ Thanks, fixed! I had that on my spreadsheet but missed it in writing this post.", "timestamp": "1481911990"}]}