#1
Posted: 9/27/05 at 1:51pm
Scott Barbarino, MAC BOD VP & 1 of the producers of the controversial ALL MAC JAZZ has written: "This is the time for you to hear the MAC Board of Directors, and to be heard. We look forward to seeing you there."
This is the same Scott Barbarino MAC BOD VP who disingenuously invited concerned mbrs of the cabaret community (& that was Barbarino's language. The invitation was not directed to MAC mbrs only.) to convey their thoughts & concerns to the MAC BOD. [BTW, it’s now 86 days & counting w/o a response to my email to the MAC BOD.] Mr Barbarino who, along w/the rest of his fellow MAC BOD's, voted UNANIMOUSLY to shove new rules for the MAC Awards down the throat of the mbrs of MAC, refusing to hold a mtg wherein MAC mbrs would be permitted to have a genuine discussion on these issues, & vote on these changes BEFORE they were a fait accomplis. This disenfranchised MAC mbrs of their right to vote. The MAC BOD conveninently FORGOT to list this very important change to the MAC awards on the announced mtg agenda. Indeed, Stu Hamstra contacted MAC to get a listing of the agenda to announce in his newsltr & MAC conveniently left the overhauling to the MAC Awards off the agenda. The MAC BOD made a lame apology for not having announced the change to the MAC AWARDS. When this point was clearly brought to their attention by MAC mbrs, the press and mbrs of the cabaret community, the MAC BOD stubbornly refused to rectify their mistake & refused to call a meeting of the mbrshp to allow full discussion, voting, etc. on this very important topic. Remember this when considering joining MAC. Remember this if you think your voice will be heard by the MAC BOD for more than 3 monutes, at any other time other than a mtg that they feel like calling in order to get your mbrshp dues. Remember this if you think your mbrshp fee is seriously going to do anything to help your careers in cabaret or do anything effective to help the cabaret community.
Even after the major cabaret press (Barbara & Scott Siegel, Stu Hamstra and David Finkle) objected, and an emergency mtg was held by the MAC BOD, they still voted unanimously to disregard what the MAC mbrshp might feel about their highly controversial plan to overhaul the way MAC has been awarding MAC awards.
Here's what the MAC BOD did/didn't do:
MAC's so-called "Advocacy" is a sham. MAC essentially did nothing to reinstate the cabaret listings in the Sunday NY Times;
MAC does no PR or marketing rsrch, etc. in the effort to find a better way to market cabaret to the public as a viable entertainment alternative;
MAC's "Concierge Program" is a sham. Nothing is done on a regular basis to increase concierge awareness;
MAC's "Performers' Seminars" is a sham. No seminars are given on a regular basis;
What the MAC BOD DOES DO, however, is operate under the veil of secrecy WITHOUT allowing mbrshp input. A perfect example of this is the so-called clandestine "Nominating Cte" who will work under a veil of secrecy to chose those performers they decide, not the mbrshp, is worthy of being on the MAC Awards ballot. Stu Hamstra of Cabaret Hotline wrote condemning this administration for their pattern of consistent secrecy.
Most everything this BOD does smacks of arrogance & elitism. This BOD behaves as tho they know better than the mbrs what should be done & further more IGNORES communications that they insincerely invite fr the cabaret community, in order to pay lip service. To paraphrase what cabaret critic David Finkle wrote: While cabaret burns, MAC fiddles....and referring to MAC "A lot of good this outfit is."
Remember these things when deciding as to whether or not you will attend the next MAC Annual Mtg tonight and/or join. Your voice essentially means nothing.
Milla
This is the same Scott Barbarino MAC BOD VP who disingenuously invited concerned mbrs of the cabaret community (& that was Barbarino's language. The invitation was not directed to MAC mbrs only.) to convey their thoughts & concerns to the MAC BOD. [BTW, it’s now 86 days & counting w/o a response to my email to the MAC BOD.] Mr Barbarino who, along w/the rest of his fellow MAC BOD's, voted UNANIMOUSLY to shove new rules for the MAC Awards down the throat of the mbrs of MAC, refusing to hold a mtg wherein MAC mbrs would be permitted to have a genuine discussion on these issues, & vote on these changes BEFORE they were a fait accomplis. This disenfranchised MAC mbrs of their right to vote. The MAC BOD conveninently FORGOT to list this very important change to the MAC awards on the announced mtg agenda. Indeed, Stu Hamstra contacted MAC to get a listing of the agenda to announce in his newsltr & MAC conveniently left the overhauling to the MAC Awards off the agenda. The MAC BOD made a lame apology for not having announced the change to the MAC AWARDS. When this point was clearly brought to their attention by MAC mbrs, the press and mbrs of the cabaret community, the MAC BOD stubbornly refused to rectify their mistake & refused to call a meeting of the mbrshp to allow full discussion, voting, etc. on this very important topic. Remember this when considering joining MAC. Remember this if you think your voice will be heard by the MAC BOD for more than 3 monutes, at any other time other than a mtg that they feel like calling in order to get your mbrshp dues. Remember this if you think your mbrshp fee is seriously going to do anything to help your careers in cabaret or do anything effective to help the cabaret community.
Even after the major cabaret press (Barbara & Scott Siegel, Stu Hamstra and David Finkle) objected, and an emergency mtg was held by the MAC BOD, they still voted unanimously to disregard what the MAC mbrshp might feel about their highly controversial plan to overhaul the way MAC has been awarding MAC awards.
Here's what the MAC BOD did/didn't do:
MAC's so-called "Advocacy" is a sham. MAC essentially did nothing to reinstate the cabaret listings in the Sunday NY Times;
MAC does no PR or marketing rsrch, etc. in the effort to find a better way to market cabaret to the public as a viable entertainment alternative;
MAC's "Concierge Program" is a sham. Nothing is done on a regular basis to increase concierge awareness;
MAC's "Performers' Seminars" is a sham. No seminars are given on a regular basis;
What the MAC BOD DOES DO, however, is operate under the veil of secrecy WITHOUT allowing mbrshp input. A perfect example of this is the so-called clandestine "Nominating Cte" who will work under a veil of secrecy to chose those performers they decide, not the mbrshp, is worthy of being on the MAC Awards ballot. Stu Hamstra of Cabaret Hotline wrote condemning this administration for their pattern of consistent secrecy.
Most everything this BOD does smacks of arrogance & elitism. This BOD behaves as tho they know better than the mbrs what should be done & further more IGNORES communications that they insincerely invite fr the cabaret community, in order to pay lip service. To paraphrase what cabaret critic David Finkle wrote: While cabaret burns, MAC fiddles....and referring to MAC "A lot of good this outfit is."
Remember these things when deciding as to whether or not you will attend the next MAC Annual Mtg tonight and/or join. Your voice essentially means nothing.
Milla
Updated On: 9/27/05 at 01:51 PM
