Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Oh, What the Hell

How is it so hard for some to connect the dots between the States in which cases of the Plague are spiking and the States that have dropped any pretense of attempting to adhere to CDC guidance. Indeed, at least two of those States have gone as far as to ban vaccine passports altogether.

Throwing in the towel by saying, "well, we tried," is kind of like being down by 14 with a minute to go in a football game and you send in the second string. Except, you have Tom Brady, Travis Kelce, Davante Adams, Derek Henry and Stefon Diggs on your team...and you have the freakin' ball.

That's the attitude in New York City, where later this month (I actually think it should be tomorrow), the City will begin requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining, gyms, entertainment and performances.  It's clear that appealing to some people's sense of community and concern for the health (and life) of others doesn't work in this country like it once did. Taking experiences away from people that refuse to be part of the cure may be the only solution left to effectively stop this killer.

And, for those that are unvaccinated (by choice) that are gonna pitch a fit over restrictions like these, remember that this is on you.

Like That Will Have a (Positive) Impact

Not to throw shade at the head of the Hotel Association of New York City, but his recent support of Mayor Bill de Blasio's summer-long waiver of Hotel Room Taxes is perplexing, at best, and reckless, at worst.

Don't get me wrong, there are some destinations where $18 a night might influence a potential visitor to choose another city. But, honestly? This is freakin' New York City. A destination that isn't up for debate on haggling over price. It's also a City with a pandemic-induced budget hole that could use those revenues to shore up other parts of the economy or infrastructure. To forfeit an estimated $30 million of tax revenue on a feel-good gimmick that's simply not needed to jump start the hotel sector is amazingly short-sighted.

The consumer tax savings on a $300/night room is roughly $18, it's $12 on a $200/night stay and $6 on a $100/night stay. So, don't call me elitist when I say people wouldn't let $18 blur their desire. That's a drink in the hotel bar for people willing to spend $300 a night...and a hot dog for those attempting to be frugal. 

If the powers at work here really want to help, don't waive the Room Tax. Use it to subsidize a portion of theatre tickets so the theaters and their crews and companies are made whole...but that tickets are more affordable to the tight-fisted (but culturally sophisticated) consumer this summer. That will capture people's attention. Broadway on Sale for one Summer only? That will cause theatre goers that might fear an unmasked city to take a chance and return. The same with admissions to sporting events and museums. And, let's find a way to help our restaurants come back.

The Mayor deserves huge props for dedicating $30 million in recovery funding for the work of NYC & Company. But, forgiving a fee that hardly anybody notices when there are so many ways to maximize this revenue? Unforgivable.

Make it Worth It

As a "Loyalty Member" at a regional movie house chain, I annually get a Birthday e-mail offering me a random free "gift" to entice me back to the theatre. And, I got one this weekend, offering me a free fountain drink as my Birthday gift.

This may have been the offer I got last year. I really don't remember, because offering me a 16 oz. Diet Pepsi won't entice me to drive 30 minutes to see a show I wasn't already considering. And, with the 'VID, the offer would have to be substantially higher to encourage me to place myself in an enclosed space with unknown protocols and no control over potentially sick patrons in the row behind me. Indeed, part of me thinks the Marketing Department forgot to update their traditional Birthday e-mail offer to better reflect pandemic reality.

You want me to put aside my health concerns and come to your theatre again? How about a free family 4-pack of tickets for my birthday? That way, you not only get us through the doors but another couple or family members as well to re-engage with your product. You lose nothing, because your seats aren't full and you gain all the overpriced concessions we'll consume. And, if we don't get sick in the next 10 days, you'll have encouraged us to return because your protocols work.

Offering me a Diet Pepsi? You simply look tone deaf. And cheap.

For those in the hospitality space that believe that special offers can kick start your recovery...go large or go home.

The Re-Imagined Annual Meeting

One of the few positives that have emerged from the pandemic is how creative some of us have become. What started with Zoom Happy Hours in an attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy in the early days of the 'VID has blossomed into some pretty ingenious ways.

Take, for example, the ubiquitous DMO Annual Meeting. For the most part, these have been relatively staid events over the years...and we've been honored to keynote a bunch. But, in an era of physical distancing, DMOs have had to get creative, like the Greater Springfield MA CVB did last month.

Theirs was typically an event with food and drink...so Mary Kay Wydra and her team sent boxes to each registrant to the Zoom meeting, with instructions to not open said box until the event began. Once the Annual Meeting was gaveled to order, participants opened their boxes to find wine, beer and snacks for the meeting, as they listened to Mary Kay's recap of the year and her vision for the future. It was a great twist on an old theme in which I was honored to play a part.

Visit Jefferson Parish holds their Annual Meeting next week as a hybrid event. Those who feel comfortable gathering will mask up at a local theatre to mark the occasion while those who don't will be able to tune in from home.

And then, there's Visit Tulsa...which recently hosted their Annual Meeting at a local Drive-In movie theatre. Over 150 people munched on popcorn and watched the annual show from their cars at the Admiral Twin. And then were treated to a movie recently shot in Tulsa.

I love this industry and the creatives we get to work with every day.

A New Way to Halloween

As it increasingly appears that the Halloween season for some destinations will be significantly different that those they have counted upon in years past, there are options that spark the imagination.

Indeed, for communities like Salem MA that reportedly make 30% of their annual tourism revenues in October, the next 30 days will undoubtedly be a stress-filed time for the hospitality industry there. So, how to position the community as safe while delivering a unique experience that residents and visitors alike will flock to (and, of course, share on Social Media platforms)?

You think like these enterprising actors and production company in Tokyo who earlier this year staged a Drive-Through Haunted House, replete with Zombies attacking their prey, fully sealed in their car, smearing the windows with stage blood.

You got this...and I'm sure much more. Free your mind to the possibilities!

The Lack of a Coherent Strategy

The global pandemic has laid bare the absolute lack of leadership across the globe that should cause us all to re-examine whether voting for an eloquent candidate produces qualified individuals to lead us.

Here in America, a President that was unable to grasp the enormity of the growing menace passed it off as nothing to worry about in the early days of the 'VID. And, whether you support or loathe the man, the President told us not to be concerned...and the power of the office lulled many into complacency when swift action was needed. We now pay the price for that faith.

Because of that lack of leadership at the top, States were the next line of leadership. Some addressed the pandemic aggressively. Others followed their President's lead. The resulting shitshow of uneven mitigation threatens us all.

One of the leaders in shutting down the virus was Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Many of us watched as he would announce lockdowns...and Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and others would rapidly follow. In the early days, Ohio was rocking it on the nation's behalf, stepping into the leadership void at the Federal level.

But, in recent days, the protocols that Ohio has employed have a lot of people scratching their heads. There is a lack of consistency and coherency in the ever changing rules businesses must follow. A recent op ed piece by Chelsie Thompson, President of Renaissance Performing Arts, called into question the inequity of the State's standing orders.

Strip Clubs are open (essential services, apparently?) but Performing Arts Centers are not? Casinos are open..but not live theatre? Bars featuring live music with hundreds of people, shoulder to shoulder, are OK but museums are not? It's as if the State believes Arts & Culture are inconsequential.

As Chelsie so eloquently said, "What we cannot accommodate is the continued confusion on what is and is not allowed to happen across the state, the obstinate refusal to acknowledge the presence and impact of our industry on Ohio’s economy, and the egregious double standard to which the arts are being subjected under the Responsible Restart plan."

Honestly...can we have leaders that work with epidemiologists to produce a coherent strategy? Is that too much to ask?

Yeah...it obviously is.

One of the Best Theatrical Reviews Ever

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is on Broadway in a revival of  "Betrayal." He shed a tear on stage the other night...but, was it scripted?

Enjoy, if you will, one of the best theatrical reviews I've read in years.

And, an indictment of every single person so self-absorbed that they don't turn off their mobile devices during performances.

With a Little Help From My Friends

It was a song for Ringo.

Lennon and McCartney owned most of the tracks on Beatles albums. George had his tracks. And, Ringo needed one for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band...so Paul and John wrote this one as Ringo's turn on the LP.

But, when Joe Cocker made it his, that's when the brilliance of the song came home. Rearranged in a slower meter with different chords, Cocker turned the song into a soul anthem...and the rest is history.

Joe's backing band for the studio version that preceded his famous Woodstock performance included Jimmy Page on guitar, B.J. Wilson on drums and  Madeline Ball on backing vocals. Not bad for a first outing, eh? 

Well, as the new administration's budget marches forward with draconian cuts to Arts programs, Artists For The Arts and Americans for the Arts released a music video to, not just protest but, demonstrate what's at stake.

On, this Music Friday, don't just watch and listen to this sensational rendition. Contact your Federal legislators. Tell them, in no uncertain terms, that cutting arts funding doesn't make America Great Again.

It makes America stupid.

 

And, thanks to my friend George Tzougros of the Wisconsin Arts Board for the catch.

 

 

Vote

It goes without saying...

But, maybe it doesn't...as a young street urchin persuasively sang last night on Colbert.

But not as persuasively as Hamilton's Javier Muñoz.

It's an 11 minute epic...but, if you can only spare a couple, jump to the 6:30 mark.

And, then (if you haven't already) Vote.

Because history has its eyes on you.

Do Designers Actually Test Their Designs?

The number of design fails I see in my travels has gotten to the point that I'm surprised when I don't see one. And, it's not just in my travels.

Our community's newest movie theatre boasts big, cushy lounge chairs (the DreamLounger™ eXperience, no less) in which the audience can push back, kick their legs up (click image to enlarge) and enjoy the movie as they might at home.

One slight problem that the designers clearly overlooked: If everyone is in full lounge position and you want to hit the head? There's no room between the footrest and the railing for that to happen unless every single person pulls back from their recline position.

And, in today's self-absorbed world, what are the chances that, if you're in the middle of the row, you'll get everyone to retreat both ways (coming and going).

Yeah, that would be slim and none.

Love the chair...despise the design flaw.

So, we'll not be back.

Sorry, Marcus.