Ask the Blogger Time

As I wait for my palatial abode to dry out from a busted pipe and subsequent flooding, I thought it would be fun to answer questions we often hear at the Narrows. Please feel free to post more questions.

Q. Why don't you book so-and-so. He/she is great!
A. Yes, so-and-so is great, but he/she is:

--Too expensive. We don't want to sell tickets for $100 apiece. Remember we have a few hundred or so seats. We have to cover the cost of the artist, remember.

--If we never heard of them, chances are a lot of people never heard of them, which means few people will show up. However, if they're really good and are working to build a career, we might be able to use them to open a show. But if we do, you've got to promise to attend and bring your friends and family!

--We have booked them and they'll be coming back next year, or they're booked later this year.

Q. Why don't you get an elevator? We're sure tired of walking up the steps.
A. We agree. Would you like to buy us one? It will cost about $100,000 to get it. And aside from your being tired, we want everybody to come to the Narrows. If you have walking issues, it can be a problem. We'd like to change that!

Q. Can I reserve a table in advance?
A. We're open seating. Occasionally we'll reserve a table for various reasons--perhaps the family of an artist--but usually it's first come, first served.

Q. Why don't you sell booze?
A. Because we don't have a license. We're not sure if we want one, anyway. We're an arts center, not a bar. We're more of a listening room, instead of social gathering spot--at least during our concerts.

Q. The guy nearby talked all through the show. It was irritating.
A. We try to keep people reasonably quiet. But let us know if someone is getting out of hand. Some people think we're a bar. We have to respectfully and lovingly educate them otherwise.

Q. Do you have paid staff?
A. No. We're an all-volunteer non-profit. We'd like to pay some staff eventually. But we can't right now.

Q. Why do you folks volunteer? It seems like a lot of work.
A. Volunteering is fun. We love music and the other arts, and it's fun to be part of a "scene," as they used to say in the 1960s.

Q. Is the Narrows part of the government?
A. We are totally independent. Occasionally we'll get a government grant.

Q. Are you just a bunch of lefty, folky radicals who can't get over that the 1960s are over?
A. No. We're not on any sort of mission. This is not some sort of "holy venture. " We just want to have fun! And as far as the 1960s are concerned, we're not a nostalgic showplace for old burnouts. Most of our performers are very young. The Duhks, the Slip, Grace Potter, Sarah Borges and many others probably aren't even 30 years old yet. We think the 1960s were great musically, but we like the current music heard at the Narrows best! We also consider it an honor to have Roger McGuinn, Graham Parker, Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, John Sebastian and others who have been around awhile--not to relive past glories, but because they are still vital artists who are still creating. We want to hear their new stuff!

Thanks for reading this. Please post your question!