Hugh's Room Updates

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Hugh's Room Updates

Postby Marsbar » Tue Jan 17, 2017 12:39 pm

As updates about Hugh's Room become available I will post them here.....

For immediate release
January 12, 2017

Hugh’s Room Update

A committee has been struck and yesterday met to explore ways to restructure and make Hugh’s Room work in the future.

The focus is squarely on several priorities:
• Re-opening the doors as soon as possible
• Developing a business plan to ensure Hugh’s Room is successful going forward
and
• making sure that the three communities :- Staff, Artists and Audience members – who are the backbone of Hugh’s Room’s success over the past 16 years – are fairly treated

There are plans for Hugh’s Room to move forward under proposed community-ownership structure and the will is strong to make that happen sooner than later.

Spokesperson for this committee is Grit Laskin, Member of the Order of Canada, who has been one of Hugh’s Room’s strongest supporters through the years.

We will continue to inform everyone as further decisions and progress are made.
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Re: Hugh's Room Updates

Postby Marsbar » Thu Jan 19, 2017 12:46 pm

Posted 1/19/2017

The fate of Hugh's Room hangs in the balance.

Club owner Richard Carson so far has avoided filing for bankruptcy, but a clear solution to ongoing financial problems tied to operating the venue remain unresolved. “We’ve been struggling for years,” Carson tells the Globe & Mail, "but it got to the point where I couldn’t look my staff in the eyes and tell them I could pay them for their upcoming shifts. So, I shut it down.”

The daily reports that in a bid to get the venue back on its feet, a committee (including guitar maker Grit Laskin) has been struck to brainstorm ideas on how to restructure the club’s business plan and pay off the debts.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/requiem-for-hughs-room-much-loved-folkie-venue-a-victim-of-cash-flow-problems/article33637527/
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Re: Hugh's Room Updates

Postby Marsbar » Mon Jan 23, 2017 3:13 pm

Here's the latest news from Hugh's Room. This came to me via Danny Marks

We are planning to open our doors again on March 3.

Hugh’s has been open for 16 years and most of those years have been a financial struggle. That a venue which presents live music and runs a full-service restaurant is a risky venture, will not be news to anyone.

In early January, cash flow problems made closing the only option. However, since that time, a group of music lovers and music business people has come together to revive the club as soon as possible.

There are still some pretty high hurdles to jump, including fundraising, restructuring and re-thinking the whole business model. Personally, I think Hugh’s Room doesn’t need more than a few tweaks. Yes, it would be great to have a larger green room and a back-stage area, but that hasn’t prevented us from presenting excellent music for he last 16 years.

After holding off booking (and doing a little fire-fighting) for the last 3 weeks, I have been given the go-ahead to start booking shows again.

And though I talk of restructuring, most of our regular staff will be back. Anne and Dave and the rest of the tech crew are ready to go. Chef Rebecca is pondering menu revisions and Danka has threatened that she will be back pouring beer and abusing patrons.

Thanks for your patience with the recent uncertainty.
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Re: Hugh's Room Updates

Postby Marsbar » Tue Jan 24, 2017 11:41 am

Here is the official Press Release...1/24/2017

For immediate release
January 24, 2017

Hugh’s Room Update #3

The committee met again last week to give and receive updates geared toward the eventual goal of restructuring and re-opening Hugh’s Room in the future.

The immediate decision was that it would be necessary to cancel all shows scheduled for February.

The goal? To reopen as soon as possible in March, 2017. And to that end, we have initiated a call for financial support in order to make this a reality.

How much do we need? Our immediate short-term target is $150,000.

What will it be used for? That target may seem ambitious, but this is the amount needed to cover upgrades to the club, current and owed salaries and cover some ticket refunds/losses. In short, it is to pay costs of re-opening and keeping Hugh’s Room open and operating until a new viable business plan is developed.

What does the donor receive? The only return on this contribution is the satisfaction that every effort was made to find a way for Hugh’s Room to survive and prosper, and, if we are successful, recognition of the gratitude that these contributions were there at the most crucial time for Hugh’s Room.

How to support? The minimum contribution is $1,000.00
Paid to Iler Campbell in trust via etransfer or by cheque, payable to Iler Campbell in trust mailed to Iler Campbell LLP, 150 John Street, 7th floor, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3E3

Who will be overseeing the use of these funds? Pending incorporation of the new entity, all monies paid to “Iler Campbell in trust”, are to be disbursed by decision of the working group’s executive committee – Grit Laskin, Ross Robinson, Brian Litvin and Brian Iler.

What happens if enough money isn’t raised? If the working group determines that there aren’t enough resources to open the doors, that an enabling minimum of the target amount is not raised by the end date and that further donations don’t appear on the horizon, then donors will be paid back immediately. That minimum is currently being determined, but sits at approximately 40% of the target = $60,000.

The club re-opens…then what? When ownership shifts to a new, non-profit organization, a second major fundraising drive will take place primarily to cover purchase of the building and to be able to complete serious renovations. Should that second fundraising drive succeed, this will give the club the necessary long-term stability Richard has wanted from day 1.

The focus of the effort to save Hugh’s Room remains squarely on these priorities:
• Developing a business plan to ensure Hugh’s Room is successful going forward
• making sure that the three communities :- Staff, Artists and Audience members –
who are the backbone of Hugh’s Room’s success over the past 16 years – are fairly treated

The outpouring of support from so many from all over has been inspiring and so much appreciated. People from ALL genres of music share the desire and will to help Hugh’s Room reopen and continue as one of the premier music venues there is.

Spokesperson for this committee is Grit Laskin, Member of the Order of Canada, who has been one of Hugh’s Room’s strongest supporters through the years.

We will continue to inform everyone as further decisions and progress are made.
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Re: Hugh's Room Updates

Postby Marsbar » Wed Feb 01, 2017 5:38 pm

Hugh’s Room Update #4

TO ALL SUPPORTERS AND FANS OF HUGH’S ROOM…

A working group of volunteers, has assembled with the hope of reviving Hugh’s Room. The group includes lawyers, business people, accountants, music promoters publicists, venue operators and members of the community. The group has spent considerable amounts of time analyzing the viability of reviving/reinventing Hugh’s Room as a music/performing arts venue. The group has determined that if run as a not-for-profit entity, mirroring similar venues in the city, it is a viable proposition. With the right infrastructure and support, the venue can sustain itself financially. The legacy of Hugh’s Room can be continued. Toronto can continue to have a destination venue that presents the genres, variety and high quality of music that Hughes Room is renowned for across the continent. Both the long term and short term strategies are of course contingent on fundraising.

What’s the plan?

After reviewing all the tasks necessary to be able to re-open the club, stock it with supplies, organize staff, etc. it became clear that a March 3 opening, the original goal, was impractical. Our goal now is to open on March 15 with a fundraising event then begin regular club shows the very next day, March 16, with the legendary Lennie Gallant.

How will we pull this off?

We have begun asking formally for donations. A press release was issued on January 23 that outlined the amounts of money needed and the minimum amount of donation. Here are those details:

-minimum donation: $1,000.
-Funds needed:
-first $30,000 by February 20***
-second $30,000 by March 5
-final amount $90,000 by July
(grand total = 150K)

How to donate:
Cheques – payable to Iler Campbell in Trust, mailed to: Iler Campbell LLP, 150 John St., Toronto M5V 3E3, or e-transfer to: tpereira@ilercampbell.com - provide Brian Iler with the security answer via email: biler@ilercampbell.com

The high minimum donation was set to help us raise the required funds more quickly, and be able to open the club’s doors all that much sooner.

However, for those supporters who are unable to donate $1,000, a GO FUND ME site has been set up. www.gofundme.com/hughsroom Any and all amounts will be greatly appreciated.

***Raising the first $30,000 by February 20 is critical for this plan to proceed. If that amount is not reached, and we find no other option to enable the club to open, 100% of all donations given to that point will be returned to the donors.

Is Richard Carson still involved?

Yes, Richard is part of the working group, and will remain as a valued member of the forthcoming Non-Profit entity being formed. The new Non-Profit, HUGH’S ROOM PERFORMING ARTS INC., will be the new owner and administrator of the club going forward. Richard’s original company will disappear and this new company will take over any assets (sound equipment, etc,).

What about people who bought tickets to cancelled shows?

The working group is acutely aware of the financial fallout from the cancelled shows, for both audience and artists alike. Our hope is that ultimate fundraising efforts are successful enough to enable the new club to offer some form of compensation. This is an ongoing concern but we do ask for everyone’s patience as we sort through all the details of the changeover. Rest assured this aspect will not be forgotten.

Who is Behind This Initiative?
The working group came together informally, in response to the news of Hugh’s Room’s closing. All are fans of Hugh’s Room, and wanted to explore how it could re_open as a community_owned venture. It includes:

Jeremy Darby _ owner of The Canterbury Music Company studio
Howard Gladstone – businessman and musician
Jane Harbury - freelance publicist, has worked for Hugh’s Room for many years
Brian Iler, Lawyer - Chair of Northwind Folk Festival (1984_5 on Toronto Islands),
engaged with many community initiatives
Grit Laskin - Luthier, musician, Order of Canada, Bronfman Award for Excellence,
EstelleKlein Award, founder of CFMA, co-founder of Borealis Records
Judith Laskin - Retired Educator, founding Board member, CFMA, Director The Woods
Music and Dance Camp, past Board member of Mariposa Folk Festival under Estelle Klein
Brian Litvin – accountant and musician, former treasurer Music Africa
Bill McKetrick - a member of the music community on many levels
Colin Puffer _ Hugh's Room Booker
Ross Robinson - promoter of blues music events, frequently at Hugh’s Room
Frank Saunders – businessman and involved with Mariposa Folk Festival
Rob Young – advertising executive and musician
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Re: Hugh's Room Updates

Postby Marsbar » Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:25 pm

Hugh’s Room Update – March 9, 2017

What’s been happening?

A new Not-For Profit corporation has been formed to manage the club. Hugh’s Room For The Performing Arts Inc. is the formal name and the club will now be operating under the trade name of Hugh’s Room Live.

While we were negotiating in good faith with the current landlord, including a hard offer to take over the lease and cover some missing rent, the building was sold and the locks changed. We had been given no hint that a sale was in the works.

As a result, for the last weeks all our attention was focused on reaching out to the new owners and negotiating with them for occupancy. That new lease is being signed today.. The new owner takes possession April 3 and the club needs a minimum of two weeks to get everything back in shape to open the doors and begin our renewed vision. ~We are projecting that we will finally open in the week of April 19.

Personnel

We have been able to bring back the original general manager of the club, Anthony Ferrando, who is excited at the renewed mandate coming from our Working Group and the new Not-For-Profit structure.

We also have the good fortune to have Derek Andrews on board to assist us with the booking and marketing as we ramp up to a full quotient of programming. His many decades of experience in booking and artist management and sitting on numerous Arts Boards, not to mention his international reputation in the Blues, World Music and Folk Music communities, makes him a most welcome addition to our team.

A number of the original staff have been contacted and have expressed their keen support. Rehiring will happen as soon as we can confirm the precise opening date.

Paid tickets to cancelled shows

We fully intend to honour any paid tickets for shows occurring once we re-open. We will work out the mechanics of that policy as soon as we are up and running and can again access the club’s computers and records. It will be made public ASAP. In the interim patrons of cancelled shows should contact their credit card company, to obtain a refund. ~(*note this can usually only be done once the concert date has passed.)~ ~

Fundraising

We are thrilled with the support so far (as of writing 330 people have contributed almost $83,000.) but we do need to raise more. This money is needed to pay rent and utilities, pay staff, purchase kitchen and bar supplies, and see us through a ramp-up phase where there won’t yet be enough bookings to sustain the venue. We have also budgeted a reasonable cushion so that the club would not just turn around and face financial hardships again. Of necessity our goal is $250,000. The sooner we reach our target the better our chances of restoring the club to operational health. So please continue spreading the word. Here’s how:

http://www.gofundme.com/hughsroom

Or, to save the 8% (!) fee we pay GoFundMe, by cheque payable to Iler Campbell in Trust, mailed to: Iler Campbell LLP, 150 John St., Toronto M5V 3E3, or e-transfer to: tperera@ilercampbell.com - provide Brian Iler with the security answer via email: biler@ilercampbell.com

Going forward

We have a number of tasks on our plate that we’ll be public about as we work through them. Included: Establishment of the new company’s Board, its operating structures and wider membership, design of a potential subscription series, re-vamp the menu, fix the water pressure issue (the new owners have kindly offered), confirm bookings for late April and May and begin to fill in future dates, makeover of the website.

Moral obligation

The new company is not legally allowed to take on any of the financial obligations that are holdovers from Richard Carson’s company, without taking them all on, and that’s an impossibility.~ However, we have repeatedly insisted that we are unhappy that some artists have gone unpaid, some of Richard’s patrons have found their tickets worthless, and staff have not been paid the wages they were entitled to receive. Without crossing the line between what we are legally able to do, and what we can’t, we are exploring ways to address those concerns.
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