ACTION ALERT: Say no to canned music at Lincoln Center!

802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: March 12, 2012

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Say no to canned music at Lincoln Center!

Dear Members,

It has come to the attention of Local 802 that the Paul Taylor Dance Company (PTDC) wants to present 21 performances at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center without the accompaniment of live musicians.

As president of Local 802, I met with the executive director of PTDC, John Tomlinson, in an effort to persuade the company to uphold the tradition of Lincoln Center and use live musicians, which would only enhance the worthy artistry of PTDC. This proposal was rebuffed.

As New Yorkers, we are proud that Lincoln Center continues to be recognized as the world's premiere cultural institution, offering unmatched performances each year to millions of New Yorkers and visitors who cherish the performing arts. It is unprecedented for a resident company in one of Lincoln Center's "big three" theaters to perform without live music.

We are concerned that the allure of saving money by eliminating what is an integral component of live ballet not only diminishes the quality and emotional impact of the performance, but is not in keeping Lincoln Center's core values as a champion of live music.

In an effort to preserve the highest standard of performance, and ensure that audiences continue to enjoy and support its constituent organizations, we are calling on Local 802 musicians to join us on Tuesday, March 13 at 6 p.m., on the steps of Lincoln Center, to distribute leaflets to audience members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Leafleting will conclude at 7:15 p.m. Should you have any questions, please contact my assistant K.C. Boyle by clicking here.

Thank you for your help and support.

In Solidarity,

Tino Gagliardi

p.s. Please spread the word about this action to as many of your friends as possible!

In last issue of Allegro, President Gagliardi officially announced that Local 802 will be launching a digital radio station in the summer of 2012. It is our hope that this station will help our musicians gain exposure through a modern platform that can be freely accessed by listeners around the world. Beyond gaining more recognition, the radio station will also help unite our membership, offering a more accessible way to catch up on the latest recordings from your fellow union musicians.

After several months of planning, Radio Station Committee members Pat Dougherty and Clint Sharman are ready to take submissions from you! In order to submit your music, you must meet the following requirements:

1. At least one Local 802 member must be present on the recording you submit

2. The recording must be filed under a valid union contract*

3. You may submit up to a maximum of five albums

*Please note that members interested in broadcasting music that was not recorded under a union contract will have the option to retroactively file an agreement. For more information, please contact K.C. Boyle by clicking here.

All submissions can be mailed to:

Local 802 AFM Radio

322 West 48th St, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10036

If you have any questions, click here. We look forward to your submissions!

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Musicians: do you have a legal concern? Click the link below to reach Local 802's lawyer Harvey S. Mars:

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To respond to this newsletter directly or to give any comments, click here

To reach Local 802 by phone, call (212) 245-4802. For more information on our services and departments, see www.Local802afm.org

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. E-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org for more information.

Local 802 AFM

322 West 48th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-4802

Mikael Elsila is the editor of Allegro magazine and the 802 NOTES electronic newsletter. He can be reached at: Allegro@Local802afm.org

LOST ELECTRIC VIOLIN

A unique electric violin was stolen from a Local 802 member on Friday, March 9 during a documentary video shoot at

the Harlem Tap Dance studio. This dark brown, 5-string electric violin is triangular, made of real maple wood and has no soundholes. A picture is here. If you see this instrument (including for sale on the internet or in a pawn shop), please call Leonardo at (917) 620-5539 or e-mail here. Spread the word! Thank you.

WERE YOU UNDERPAID?

Local 802 has recently become aware that some musicians were paid less than union standards and benefits at a number of important gigs at major venues in NYC. If you get called to play at a major venue (Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Symphony Space, Radio City, Carnegie Hall, the Beacon, BAM, City Center, Madison Square Garden, 92nd Street Y, etc.), please confirm that you are getting paid union standards and benefits. Make a confidential call to the union's organizing department at (212) 245-4802 or click here.

SAVE LIVE MUSIC...AGAIN!

Earlier this month, the Algonquin Hotel announced that it was closing its famous Oak Room and turning it into a lounge. For 32 years, the Oak Room was home to live cabaret music and musicians who performed there were covered by a Local 802 agreement. The loss of the Oak Room means that NYC is down to two major cabaret venues: the Café Carlyle and Feinstein's at Loews Regency. An online petition has been set up to convince the Algonquin to reverse its decision and reinstate the Oak Room. Sign it here.

ALLEGRO

CLASSIFIEDS

Classic jazz fusion LP's from the 1970's

1966 Selmer Paris MKVI Bb Tenor

Selmer Bundy Eb contra bass clarinet

Double bass and French bow for sale

FOR SALE: 1907 Hawkes concert model double bass

Yamaha YBS-62 bari sax for sale

Hand facings for clarinet and saxophone

I will buy your vinyl records

Psychotherapy for musicians

Learn circular breathing

Ear training and conducting

Acupuncture for musicians

Upright basses, cheap!

Violin for sale

...and more!

These are just some of the many classified ads featured in Allegro each month. To purchase a classified, click here.

NEED FINANCIAL AID?

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND?

The Emergency Relief Fund helps musicians in need. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a directed grant to the musician's creditors; for example, to a landlord, physician, etc. The eligibility requirements are:

a minimum of two years' membership in the union;
good standing, with all dues (annual and work dues) paid;
the musician's needs fall within the guidelines defining "dire need" as set by the fund's trustees. These include gas, electric or telephone cut-off, eviction, medical debts, costs incurred due to the theft of instruments, auto repairs vital to continued employment, and other emergencies.

To seek assistance, members must contact the Administrator and fill out an application which requires proof of need. To apply, contact the union's social worker Cindy Green by clicking here or calling (212) 245-4802, ext. 180. Cindy can also help you apply for other financial help from sources like the Actors' Fund and other relief organizations.

Click the ad above for info.

FREE HEARING TESTS!

Each month, Local 802 offers a free hearing test with a real audiologist. We'll take a baseline measurement of your hearing and more. To find out the next date and to make a reservation, contact Robin Donach by phone only at (212) 245-4802, ext. 101.

For professional hearing help, see the ad from Dr. Ellen Finkelstein elsewhere on this page, or click here.

JAZZ JAM!

There is a jazz jam on most Mondays at Local 802 (322 West 48th Street), from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Joe Petrucelli at the Jazz Foundation of America at (212) 245-3999, ext. 10, or click here.

ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH TAX?

As a musician, your employers and bandleaders are legally required to pay their fair share of your taxes. If you're paid cash for gigs, you're losing money -- possibly tens of thousands of per year. For more information, click here or call the Organizing Department at (212) 245-4802.

OUT OF WORK?

If you are a Broadway musician and your show closes, can you apply for unemployment? Yes. While you are collecting unemployment, can you sub on other Broadway shows, teach lessons, and play other freelance gigs? Yes, but your unemployment check may be reduced. For a comprehensive look at musicians and unemployment insurance, click here.

DO YOU HAVE MONEY WAITING FOR YOU?

Somtimes the union may have a check in your name, but no way to get it to you because your address is outdated. To see if there's money waiting for you, click here.

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. For more information, click here.

Click the ad above for info.