How 'bout making quality music getting you into the festival instead of whether you have volunteered at the festival in the past?

Is "Michelle S." so excited to "preform" at ComFest that she is volunteering some shifts? Oh, wait. You said she "reduced her fee drastically." Well, that oughtta do it then.

just reduce ur fee man

or volunteer

maybe he could try to catch on as a roadie for michelle shocked.

Sure, but ya know what? It's true. As much as I hate to say it, them politics is involved. There are a veritable shit-ton of good, hard-working people on the Comfest committee, and they are all trying to plan a party that everyone wants to attend. Believe me, it is not easy. I've been to every Community Festival (that's what it used to be called) for probably 25 years. Every time, there's about 90% of "acts" that I'm just not interested in. That doesn't make 'em bad. That just means that the committee is there to make sure that every facet of our community is represented. And it's a big community. Also, I've been playing in Columbus-based bands continuously since 1994. I first set foot on a Comfest stage in 2001, I think. Years and years were spent applying, to no avail. In the meantime, I volunteered (what else was I going to do that weekend? I wasn't playing). My point is - and I'm sorry if this sounds cynical, because it really isn't- I love Comfest, play or no play: If you really want to play, play the game. Volunteer. Trust me, they'll remember you next year. And if they don't, big fucking deal. It's just a party. You're not getting paid. Also, if you don't get picked, just do what I'm gonna do. I'll be wandering around with my guitar and beltbuckle amp singing Journey and Fugees songs all weekend (except on Saturday at 5:00. I'm gonna be watching Starship). Yeah, there's politics. But it's just a party.

Do they still do that thing on the application where you have to describe your act in three words? The third (I think) and last time I Have Mass applied to play at Comfest, we chose the words "Dick, Dick, Pussy." We did not get a slot. But I still think our description was apt.

As a band that has members that not only volunteer at the fest and host annual community events I find this thread extremely important. Every year people vent their displeasure that the "band selection committee" works very hard to disseminate who gets to play and who doesn't. Where as we pulled a hat trick the last couple years, I was less than shocked that we did not garner an invite. But that flat, false, form letter that was mailed was as if a back-handed slap had extended out from my computer screen. A slightly more undignified response than supposed 'confirmation rumors' that came out of multiple committee members mouths in previous weeks. As someone whose schedule has freed up completely (I did have a gig with the Columbus Symphony), I do empathize with musicians that put their month of June on hold awaiting a PROPER and PROFESSIONAL response from Comfest. I hope the snarky nit-picking and elitist selection process both evolve into a more transparent process for the sake of the reputation of the festival and the reputation of members like you, Heidi, that obviously have no empathy as demonstrated in your above response. Let me be very clear about my adoration for the festival, for it's continual evolution and my sincere gratitude for past performances and all the volunteers who work so hard for its success. See you in the park and I hope the bumper stickers are a hit!

-Drew (MORS)

The Comfest is very selective over the volunteers that they accept. This is a partial list of who they are looking for as volunteers.

*Vigilante (The Comfest provides the mask- you damage it- you buy it)
*Adult male Juggalo (The Comfest will paint your face and braid your hair)
*Adult female Juggalo
*Person of questionable sex (The Comfest cannot help you here)
*13-year-old on acid for the first time ( The Comfest provides the acid)
*Corpse (The Comfest is not to be held responsible for this)
*Person(s) who should not be naked for any reason
*Mr/ Ms/ Mrs Bad Tattoo (Usually too many applicants here)
*Mr/Ms of questionable age (no r. kelly-ing it) aka jailbait
*Narc (There are many Narcs at The Comfest)
*Recent divorcee trying too hard (ditto)
*(G)ravers (actually The Comfest tries to keep them away)
*Conjoined twins
*Person Who Bought The New Alanis Morissette (The Comfest can't find you)
*Person(s) suffering from heatstroke
*Person(s) trying to get testicles painted like those titties (Any takers?)

i played many times before volunteering.

i know for a fact that no invaders ever volunteered, and we played multiple times, and closed out offramp on saturday one year . . .

but honestly, playing the fest IS volunteering, technically.

crying about not playing Comfest...that's the best! That letter seems odd, I'd be interested to see it.

Some of you (or one) really think you have some licorice flavored shit don't ya?!

I have guys in my band that have been asked to play without even applying! People from the festival approached THEM and asked if they wanted to play. Nothing was said about volunteering.

But your point is well-made. If our skill is making music, the best use of our volunteerism is to put us on a stage!

I completely agree, that email was brutal. I was under the impression that the content from the flier, which is what I posted to start this thread was what was going to be emailed only. Never saw the email until a musician emailed it to me. I am sorry that people were offended by it, I am too. Whether you got in or not, it really was inappropriate.

This whole idea was started by a local musician who spent a lot of time volunteering last year, who was hoping to encourage other musicians to volunteer as well.

I stand by the original concept. It was just handled poorly.

As far as the "process" and transparency goes, anyone can join any committee.

For the record, I also told them the bumper sticker idea was lame and they should go with free booze.

For the record (2), I believe that playing is volunteering too.

For the record (3), volunteering does increase your chances of playing.

Ramirez:
Who's crying about not playing ComFest? My complaint was the "pay to play" mentality of the volunteer letter.

Exactly which "one" thinks they have "licorice-flavored shit"? Speak directly to that person. If you have a legitimate criticism of something someone says, be adult enough to address them.

Red Rabbit:
Your "For the record (3)" is an acknowledgement of politics in the selection process?

Granted this will only be my second ComFest experience so I don't claim to know much about it. However, I DO have experience with many other music festivals across the country. If the organizers of ComFest are only concerned with rewarding their friends and people who will volunteer to work (read: physical labor) to help them staff their festival as the entertainment, I have no interest in participating.

I'm not here to promote the aroma or taste of my feces but I DO respect my art enough to know that it should stand on its own merit. If I'm to play ComFest it should be because the organizers recognize that attendees would appreciate what I do and find it entertaining. Such a decision should NOT be made based on whether I have picked up trash or hauled gear for a band they deemed worthy to grace their stage. That's "pay to play" with a different currency and I do not support it.

I applied a couple of months ago to perform at this year's ComFest. I never received an acknowledgement of receipt of my application nor did I receive any correspondence informing me of my inclusion or exclusion from this year's list of performers. Instead, I got the following letter which tells me that if I haven't been told I'm performing, I'm not - BUT I can volunteer and I can "mention" that on my application next year!

*****************************************************

"Ask not what the Community Festival can do for you. Ask what you you can do for the Community Festival." For nearly four decades, the Community Festival has provided Columbus musicians with a stage to share their talents with their community. As our capacity to showcase musical acts has grown from one stage in 1972 to six in 2006, so has our need for volunteers. Please join us Thursday, June 12th for happy hour ,5-9PM, at The Carabar, 115 Parsons Ave., for an informal meeting about how you and your band can help Community Festival survive and thrive.

One of Columbus' most unique bands, Couch Forts, will provide entertainment.

The first 100 musicians that volunteer to work Comfest will receive a "Columbus Musicians For Comfest" bumper sticker! If you are already a musician who has volunteered, you can get one also. See attached.

By the way, if you haven't been confirmed to perform at Comfest 2008, that means we weren't able to schedule your act. The full schedule should come out early next week at comfest,com. We apologize for how long it always takes us to get that out. Scheduling and confirming over 200 acts is a tough job. We thank all of you who applied and if you didn't get in we hope you will still consider volunteering to help out. If you do, it will be something you can mention on next year's application. If you have any questions about the process we go through to make the decisions, you can get some answers at this event.

*****************************************************

For the record, I added the emphasis on the callous "by the way..." notice.

Dude, if it were based on merit, Comfest would consist of 4 bands playing on Friday afternoon.

Lotta faith in the local scene, eh?

I decided to see what all the fuss was about. late last night I emailed, and my band, my bloody valentine, has already been slotted...plus, all the feces we can eat.

should be neat!

No. Not at all, but if your band is on the bubble, it would give you an edge over another band on the bubble.

And not to sound preachy but comfest is actually a Community Festival. Community in the largest sense of the world. It is really not just a music festival, people tend to forget that, including me sometimes.

What does "on the bubble" mean? How does a band get "on the bubble?"

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/on-the-bubble.html

By the way, check your private messages. Thanks.

Looks like I'm spending Sunday at the Offramp

Why aren't you willing to have this conversation in public?

Because it isn't my place to do so. If Hayseed would like to share it, it is fine with me.

You're on the committee that decides who plays Comfest, and it's not your place to speak publicly about it?

HULK SMASH PUNY COMFEST

Can't say I've ever even heard of these bands. Any in particular I should take notice of?