In my previous Mel’s Musings, I commented on the Corn Palace Shows and the need for reform. Some have taken that as a criticism of the Corn Palace Committee and the Mayor has suggested that critics should get on that committee. I have a few additional thoughts.
First of all, my previous column was not a criticism of the Corn Palace Committee. They are well meaning, hard working citizens doing their best to bring quality entertainment to our community. However, they remind me of characters from World History. I taught Ancient World History at the high school for more than three decades and in ancient kingdoms eunuchs were often valued advisors. There was a phrase to describe these people; “Those with responsibility but without power.” The Mayor suggests joining the Corn Palace Committee as a way to effect change, nothing could be further from the truth. The Corn Palace Committee currently has responsibility but no real power to bring about significant change. Their proverbial hands are tied.
The City Council decrees policy. They lay out the budget. They dictate expectations. The Corn Palace Committee operates in a straight jacket. It’s akin to someone saying, “You can do anything you want to, as long as you do it at 4:30pm on a Thursday in Mitchell for less than $10.” They said you could do anything you want to but the parameters are such that the possible outcomes are very restricted. The City says put on four shows with ancillary entertainment for a set budget, with a limited ticket price and then acts surprised when Doug Greenway and the Corn Palace Committee fall short of financial expectations.
There are things that could have been done better. The publicity campaign was ill thought out. More than a one-day announcement at the beginning of the festival is required. There should a concerted effort to get the word out in June via all kinds of media, not just social media. I can understand going dark in July both for budgetary reasons and because of other events in July, Rodeo Week for example. A big push was made later in August this year but at the last moment and a bit last gasp. An earlier effort needs to be made and across media platforms. For example, I remember the days of television commercials for the Corn Palace shows. Again, budget is an issue but after the actual “name” of the performer, publicity is key to selling seats for a concert.
If the City is going to put on the Corn Palace Festival and the associated shows simply as a way to continue a century of tradition, so be it. If the City is going to make the conscious decision to offer Corn Palace week and its entertainment as a civic amenity regardless of cost, well and good but then get off Doug Greenway’s and the Corn Palace Committee’s back about attendance and revenue. However, if the City desires to break even or make money on the festival then changes have to be made.
The budget needs to be upped both for the actual shows and for their publicity. That can be done either with an actual increase in dollars or by limiting the “name” shows to just Friday and Saturday night. If the City wants to continue to micromanage the Corn Palace Committee and the Festival then perhaps everything should be done in City Hall with the responsibility lying squarely there and disbanding the committee itself.
I’m for letting the Corn Palace Committee actually manage the shows. Undoubtedly tax dollars have to be allocated by the duly elected representatives of the people via the City Council and obviously there are not limitless funds. Right now membership on the Corn Palace Committee means only making decisions on whom we can get for the pittance allocated. The Committee should be allowed to see who we can get for four nights as is current practice but also have the flexibility to see what can be done if only two shows (Friday and Saturday) of “professional” entertainment is offered. Again, as I said in my previous article, there are plenty of local and regional “amateur” entertainers who are top notch and would make good Thursday and Sunday shows during Corn Palace Week if the Friday/Saturday concept was adopted.
I talked to old-timers who have been going to shows for years and who enjoyed the performances but were appalled by the poor attendance. They also missed the programs and ushers of the past saying that their absence diminished the Corn Palace Festival concert experience.
The Corn Palace Committee does yeoman’s work. They make entertainment decisions, squire the performers around, arrange security and do a myriad of behind the scenes gopher jobs. They do the best they can with the budget, conditions and dictates they operate under. If meaningful change is to occur it will not happen merely with new, additional or different committee members as long as the directives and edicts from the City remain the same. It is up to the Mayor and City Council to either take over the responsibility for the concerts and entertainment in its entirety or instead give the Corn Palace Committee the flexibility and decision making ability so they have the power to try something new and different for next year.
What’s it going to be?
