Rotary – Where Leaders Meet to Serve
Welcome to our 4th meeting of the Lemmon Era.
Allison Cagley (California Musical Theatre) hosted the wine reception. Guests were greeted by new member Sylvia Ambrogio (Sacramento County Department of Airports) and by Luann Richardson (Re/Max Gold). Dick Wertz played the piano during the wine reception.
Jim Culleton (Strong & Associates) gave us the Thought for the Day, while President Lemmon (Knox, Lemmon & Anapolsky, LLP) led the pledge. Callee Setzer (Setzer Forest Products) announced two guests.
Past President Fred Teichert (Teichert Foundation) and Nancy Teichert were the meeting sponsors. Fred gave an overview of Teichert Construction’s history and its ongoing pledge to maintain its excellent track record. They also have a history of supporting the arts and Fred emphasized the importance of kids in drama. “Arts can tell us truths,” he declared. He thanked a multitude of Rotarians who also serve on many boards throughout the area supporting performing and creative arts.
Tim Pinkney paid homage to our late club member Bill Stone by presenting Bill’s widow Millie with a historical photobook depicting his life in the military and his lifelong effort of serving others. Tim recapped Bill’s career in the PTO (Pacific Theater Operation) explaining the difference between a B-25 and B-24. Bill flew a B-25 in WWII. Of the 17,000 planes made, only one remains still flying. Tim was able to check a bucket list item and flew that surviving 74-year-old plane right over the Golden Gate Bridge. Passengers included his daughter and a select few of his flight school classmates. Millie loaned him Bill’s flight jacket for that historic remembrance.
Dennis Smith (Tsakopoulos Management Company, LLC) recapped the bands playing at Sac Century Bike Ride 2017. He urged everyone to come out and volunteer. Bob Miller (First US Community Credit Union) is championing the Golf for Kids Tournament again this year. Please come out and support the event even if you are not a golfer. There is a Foundation Seminar on 8/19 focused on the question “How do I get involved?” See President Lemmon or club manager LaToya Wong for information. John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) recruited players for a softball game on Aug 7th at 8pm, a desperation move as many team regulars will be playing golf. The 5180 District Family Picnic will be August 27th, from 11-3pm.
Becki Roberts (Central Valley Community Bank) recognized Eddie Mulligan Fellows: Frank Cook (Cook Realty), Todd Andrews (Andrews Construction, Inc.), Jim Streng and John Frisch (Cornish & Carey Commercial). Paul Harris Fellow Nancy Teichert was also recognized. President Lemmon went deep into the archives for childhood photos of these generous donors.
Christie Holderegger (Volunteers of America) celebrated her recent climb of Half Dome with a donation. Kathe Nathan (The Merchants National Bank) donated in honor of her father, another member of the ‘Greatest Generation.’
Allison Cagley introduced Buck Busfield, Producing Artistic Director for the B Street Theater. Buck and his brother Tim started producing children’s plays in 1986. 31 years later, the repertoire has grown from children’s theater to adult theater and everything in between. He now awaits the coming February evening when he will unveil a $30 million Art Center on Capitol Avenue.
Buck Busfield graciously thanked Rotarians for their contributions right off the bat. He was raised in Michigan by academic parents. By 15, he joined the Young Republicans. By 17, he joined the Socialist Worker’s Party, constantly asking, “How was the Government going to screw us?” Then he got a job. Much has changed since those days. He got many laughs describing his formative years in the Midwest.
Changes in the consumer economy are affecting live theater. Hamilton raked in $231 million during its first 2.5 years and now is touring nationally. But the remaining 200 theaters nationwide are facing a steady 2% decline. Recession? Some businesses did not come out of it. Busfield cited malls, bookstores and newspapers as suffering. He expanded on the music industry. Musicians were once paid a 9 cent royalty per song, but now you can spend $15 dollars on Spotify and get every song ever made. Busfield quoted Quincy Jones on the state of the music industry: “There is no music industry.” There is a critical path to extinction and artists are scrambling to figure it out. Performing arts are no exception. Streaming services like Hulu and Netflix are pulling people away from a night out at the theater.
People are pulled by many different media sources. Not-profit theaters are being challenged by the fast-growing home market, and video game usage is growing dramatically. Busfield even watches Netflix and he’s is a theater lover. So why build a $30 million project?
The growth rate for Children’s Theater is 20.4% even as other types of theater are facing a negative growth rate. Sofia Tsakopoulos gave a large donation to the project and, as a result, the whole complex will be called the Sofia. Buck predicts 12 shows per week for kids on field trips from all over the state. The stage itself will be Broadway dimensions, but with an intimate seating area. Kids will be right on top of the action.
So how does one market events in today? Since the millennial generation does not plan social outings far ahead, blasting social media with “Come Tonight!” messaging has been effective. You must offer them an interactive experience and feature food and drink. So Buck anticipates exploring partnerships with bars and restaurants, live music, poetry and comedy.
Busfield took questions from our Rotarian audience. He disclosed a social media secret: Give $200 to an influential person who can lure 20 people to a performance – basically giving out free samples. This has been far more effective that spending $400-600 on other methods that do not produce the same results.
We are dark next week due to “Golf For Kids”. Dr. Ami Bera will be the speaker on August 15th. Parking will be tight. Please plan ahead.
Go out and be good Rotarians.
Thank you John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) for the photos!