I’m just posing the question, someone in the know emailed me this today;
Three Directors (at the Pavilion) have “moved on” and I think at least five or six key members of the staff have quit or been canned in just the past month.
Anybody heard deets about this? I was actually surprised that I had not heard anything in the media about it. Of course, layoffs these days are like trips to the bathroom in SF.
That is exactly one problem with the modern mainstream media – even here in fly over country – they do not live in the same world, the same sphere of events in which the rest of us live.
They are in planning mode. They have a consulting firm advising them on what to do over the next few years to update the spaces, particularly the Science center.
I sent them my idea from Wal Mart..uh, I mean Sioux Falls Next and they liked it enough to forward it on to their consultants. Here’s what I sent in:
Dear Mr. Wood.
Here’s an idea I have submitted to the Argus Leader for their Sioux Falls Next project. To me this would be a perfect addition to the Pavilion:
4. Take a chunk of the Washington Pavilion upper floor space, and make it into an interactive music museum that also houses the SD Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Make it a miniature version of the Experience Music Project in Seattle. Make half of it Museum space with historical summaries of all the inductees, including video & audio track people can sit and watch or listen to. Make the other half an interactive music room where people can touch, feel and play various instruments and be electronically tutored in the basics of each. From the actual instruments to the recording, mixing, production, etc. Make it for a fee a person or group can go in and record a CD or a video of their efforts. Charge a small admission fee ($2 adults, $1 kids) and also offer access as part of membership. Make an area geared towards children to spark their musical curiosity.
Over time this will be a unique draw to the Pavilion and also would be a natural fit. You could hold an annual fund raiser/induction concert right there and also host school music classes from around the region to come in and experience it.
Here’s the link for Seattle’s facility: http://www.empsfm.org
Please steal this idea..;) I love the facility and will continue to be a supporter.
Great idea Sy, and tying it in with music laser shows at the Cinedome would add to the experience.
I hate to be the cynic about your idea, problem though, the Pavilion hates R & R. Until that perception ends your idea would not fly.
You may be right, but I think they are getting sick of being labeled as a white elephant (even if it somewhat fitting) and my guess is something high-tech, interactive and unique to the region may draw enough folks to get them in the black.
They can still certainly be a place for Arts and Science, especially when you consider music as an art form and give people a chance to experience the science behind the production of it.
I couldn’t agree more. I like the place, just don’t like how it is managed. I suggested when I worked there that they do laser light shows of classic rockers and they scoffed at it. It would be gangbusters. there seems to be this mentality that 1) they don’t want to make money 2) they don’t want to appeal to the masses.
Maybe they’re afraid of being accused of “selling out” by the symphony and wine crowd.
To me, it seems like the Collective Soul concert traumatized them into running away from anything that would appeal to a large audience. Their selection of music acts since then seems to bear this out.
I dunno, Dudereeno. They have been doing the Comedy club routine for a bit and I would guess they are experiencing some success with that, and that certainly doesn’t mesh with the Grey Poupon crowd.
The facility was sold on the idea that it would be for all walks of life, I think the more they broaden their reach the more money they will pull in and the less flack they will take.
Everyone who leaves there becomes a “disgruntled x-employeeâ€!
That is so true, I loved working there and supporting the place when I started, but I figured out quickly the politics of the place would be it’s demise. I was one of the first to speak out and demonized by the insiders, but now-a-days I run into more and more people who are x-employees who agree with me. It is just too bad that no one is listening at that place.
Why should they want to make money, when the city keeps supporting them?
So they can build an endowment.