We’re the residents and we’re here to help Cape May
That’s my message today. Usually this blog takes the high road and remains upbeat and positive. Today I hope it turns out that way. I’m puzzled however about the lack of promotion concerning events sponsored by tax payer dollars. Tourism utility dollars irresponsibly used would be just as bad.
Whats the rub? For starters with St Patrick’s Day a little over two weeks away, someone booked a band called the Quiet Men to play convention hall. They are an acoustic celtic band composed of New Jersey and Pennsylvania musicians. You might recall when the City booked Mick Moloney from Philadelphia I felt it was a major coup for Irish Music in Cape May.
So why is my Irish up this time? With less than a week to go I have seen absolutely no advertising about the Quiet Men Saturday March 7th at Convention Hall. Apparently when I blogged about the Seafood festival last year, many people had no idea it would be that large.
The Quiet Men are on the Marquis of convention hall in bright red LED lights. They are listed on the band’s website. And the band has confirmed to me via twitter that they are indeed hired to perform on Saturday night. Where’s the promotion from the City of Cape May? It’s not on the City’s website. It’s not on Discover Cape May website. Is it a free concert?
Looking further down the calendar Deanna Martin is scheduled to perform in April. She is listed on the buy tickets page after three clicks to find her. In May the country-pop star Crystal Gayle is playing Memorial Day weekend in Cape May. Again it’s on Crystal’s website. Presuming that she is almost as expensive as Peter Nero, shouldn’t we be selling tickets to that concert by now?
I get that the city is in transition with a new city council. I get that the city is advertising for two different job positions regarding convention hall and marketing.
What I can’t figure out is, what-is-the-fly-in-the-ointment that prevents the flow of information and communication. There is so much talent in the town of Cape May. With social media alone announcements about these events could go viral in seconds. A phone call to Cape May dot-com or Exit Zero magazine could launch a media blitz in minutes. We’re the residents and we’re here to help Cape May.
So tell me-who knew that the Quiet Men were playing Convention Hall on March 7th? Now you know. As for the rest of events in the City hopefully the marketing will increase in time. In the mean time maybe the city should look into getting some outside help. It wouldn’t be the first time.
I am passionate about promoting this town-maybe to a fault. I’d love to know if I am the only one who feels this way.
No John, I didn’t know about this band ,thanks for the heads up.I agree that the convention hall concerts should be made more aware to the folks who would go,The citizens of Cape May!!!Especially on a March saturday night when we are still in our hibernating mode.Maybe we need a volunteer group to tout our own concert hall.For goodness sake we all have quite a monetary stake in it.
My husband and I are careful readers of the Star and Wave and the Herald Dispatch plus various websites. We try to find venues to support and encourage by attending. Your message came as a disappointing surprise. And I do not believe that being newly elected is an excuse. If taxpayer money is involved, then it should be supported in the best way possible. I hope you will follow up on this and continue reporting.
Author
Shirley,Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I will keep updating this and other events going on in Cape May thanks for sharing.
The talent, energy, and professionalism of the cultural arts organizations and non-profits in Cape May is nothing short of amazing. Each of those organizations do an incredible job of engaging volunteers in order to promote and produce excellent, high quality events that enrich the lives of Cape Mayans and our visitors.
That same talent, energy and professionalism is available to the City of Cape May. It needs to be tapped without delay. Non-profit organizations and business owners have all expressed their willingness to do what ever is needed to ensure the success of Cape May Convention Hall and stand ready to give of their talent, time and energy. The City needs to find a way to ask for and effectively use the resources of its citizens. We all have skin in the game when it comes to ensuring Convention Hall is successful.
Ditto Michael Kline’s comments. Could not agree more.