Thanks Pollstar!

No one brings all the players of the entertainment industry together like Pollstar. If you are not familiar with this company, just take a look at their website and sift through the news, calendars, and galleries. For a fee, a professional can invest in a Pollstar Pro account, opening up a world of contact and venue information that can be very important to talent buyers, managers, and any number of people who bring productions to the public.


What else does Pollstar do? They hold an incomparably critical summit every year, and let people like me come. 


I had the opportunity to tell the Arthouse Co-op's story to one of the most important people in the entertainment industry, Barbara "Mother" Hubbard. I was there for one purpose--to find a compass. As everyone knows, Eric put us to the next level by making things happen. He opened his iPhone contacts list and put us in the same room as people who make a living putting on shows and putting out records. But the Perkins Foundation put me in the same room as the person commonly regarded as the cultivator of college talent. I listened to seven successful people testify to the mentorship of Mother Hubbard. I heard the realism and certainty of her commentary. They spoke about college students learning the ropes by putting on shows during college. I didn't see how I was going to find anyone better to talk to about us. When they opened it up to questions, I listened to representatives from UCLA, UC Riverside, University of Montana, Syracuse University, Johnson and Wales University, and University New Hampshire. They asked questions about marketing and buying, just as I expected. They talked about venue management and attracting artists. I listened and learned, and then asked for help just as any student should. The response was astounding. 


I had been quite nervous about how I would be received. I'm an outsider. A novice. But I am also an educator, and I could tell that people understood this. They responded overwhelmingly with enthusiastic tips and suggestions. But most of all, they followed up by introducing me to people and passing on my info. Mother Hubbard and I touched base a few more times. I can tell that she understands how important it is to catch kids in high school so that they can find their way into colleges and internships, and not fall into the trap of misguided, short term jobs that will ultimately leave them needing more. I can tell her heart is in the same place as mine. This bodes well for us as I learn where to point this program.


My ultimate question was, is this happening somewhere else? I'd love to make a phone call and trade ideas. As far as anyone could say, probably not.