Why Cityfolk Does What It Does Where It Does

Over the past couple of seasons, questions have come from some of our Celtic Series buyers, along the lines of "Why isn't the Celtic Series at the Victoria Theatre anymore?" Good question. And not an answer that lends it self to "sound bites" and quick explanations. A few things have happened at the same time that are all part of the answer.

The Celtic Series arrived at a near perfect time in 1980s. Interest in traditional Irish music was growing, fueled later by the Riverdance phenomenon and interest in all things Ireland that helped feed a healthy interest in the music. Cityfolk was ideally set to introduce bands like Ireland's Altan into the market and at over 1100 seats, the Victoria Theatre was an ideal setting. But gradually, numbers on Celtic Series shows came down as interest in the music waned from its peak years. And when total seats sold get below 700 in the Victoria, you are not only looking unsuccessful, because of the costs involved with utilizing the venue—rental fees, stagehand payroll, equipment rental and other variables—you ARE unsuccessful.

The challenge then became identifying a smaller venue that would still create an ideal experience for the buyer, allow us to bring new bands into the mix, accommodate some favorite ensembles, and be balanced by more reasonable venue costs. Bigger name acts will still be put into a larger venue.

After last year's series experience at the Dayton Art Institute, we feel that the new Centennial Hall at Stivers School for the Arts offers an ideal solution. Finished in 2010, it's intimate and comfortable with great sight lines, near downtown with plenty of safe parking options and situated in close proximity to superb eateries such as Coco's and the Dublin Pub. You can take a look here.

Beyond Cityfolk's basic financial challenges to exist in a market the size of Dayton, being a venue-less presenter poses its own set of difficulties. Booking any concert means matching an ideal routing date from an artist with the schedule of a venue that is often already fully scheduled. We try to take into consideration the feedback we receive from our audience. Some want to see new bands, some want tried and true favorites, and sometimes we have the advantage of introducing audiences to new bands at the Cityfolk Festival prior to booking them on our annual Season of Events. An ideal Celtic Series might include all of these elements.

In the process of booking concerts, we work hard to keep not just Celtic Series buyers, but all segments of our audience, interested in attending concerts and supporting the work of Cityfolk.