Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, what do you think is a fair amount? Given that it will have to cover the costs of paying the musicians, parking attendants, concession stand workers, ticket takers, janitorial staff, insurance, electricity, marketing, and so on. Plus I'm sure they have to pay for the rights to air the movie itself. It cost me $12 the other day to buy a sandwich and soda for lunch downtown. $40 for a live event is very reasonable and I guarantee does not reflect even the true cost of putting on the event. That's why the NSO has to fundraise from wealthy donors.

Yes $40 is not expensive but when you multiply that by 3 or 4 it becomes to much for the average family to spend on entertainment.

What exactly do you think you should pay to see a live orchestra and movie at WolfTrap?

I understand they are probably charging what they need to stay afloat, but that doesn't change the fact that $120-$160 is for most families an awful lot of money for a night of entertainment. You really don't see how that's a lot for "real" middle class families? Not the $250,000+ ones that DCUM considers to be middle class?

The fact is that this country does not typically consider that the arts is an important public good that should be subsidized so that all can enjoy it. Other cultures do. But the NEA barely gets anything, and is always on the hit list of things to cut. The fact that the arts are at all accessible to middle-class or working class folks is due entirely to some rich people deciding that THEY think it's a public good (or wanting the rich-people-street-cred of their name on a KC event). The Millenial Stage stuff at the KC is ALL FREE, which is absolutely astounding, and thanks to generous donors (including Target -- thanks, Target!). There are other programs that are reduced price as well -- some of the kids' programs are pretty cheap and include pre-show meet and greets with the musicians. Also Strathmore has a program where kids are free to a lot of their performances. They have free summer performances outside as well.

Also, if you sign up for things like Certifikid, sometimes the KC will release extra tickets through that, or through their email system. I have gotten tickets to shows 1/2 price that way. People love those movies at Wolf Trap, though, so you're not likely to see 1/2 price tickets there. I don't blame the NSO for charging what the market will bear for those shows -- I'm sure they are not the musicians' favorite, and they are so hard pressed to make $$ elsewhere, that I can't blame them for charging $40/pp to see a movie with live orchestra (especially when Arclight charges $14 for a regular old movie, before you add the overpriced candy). If the rich folks are willing to pay $40/pp to see E.T., and that helps subsidize some of the NSO's other activities, isn't that a good thing?

PS,If I had a wish for the NSO and KC, it would be more activities friendly to teens and older kids. THey've got great programs for little kids, but it's hard to keep them interested as they age.

I find Wolf Trap to be too hot, honestly - but they get some fantastic shows. Live entertainment is more expensive than going to the movies. Yes, it is out of reach of many people, but it doesn't really change how much it costs to put on a performance.

There are many venues in the area that have low cost or free events so that more people can experience live theatre and music - Kennedy Center has something daily, Imagination Stage in Bethesda has a handful of $10 tickets to all shows, Olney Theatre often sometimes sends out coupon codes for performances, etc.

Jeez Louise. No one is saying it doesn't add up. It does. But unfortunately, like a lot of things in life, there are going to be things outside of individual's budgets. I mean, the price is fair given the market ( perhaps underpriced).

Your inability to afford it has nothing to do with whether or not the price is fair

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, what do you think is a fair amount? Given that it will have to cover the costs of paying the musicians, parking attendants, concession stand workers, ticket takers, janitorial staff, insurance, electricity, marketing, and so on. Plus I'm sure they have to pay for the rights to air the movie itself. It cost me $12 the other day to buy a sandwich and soda for lunch downtown. $40 for a live event is very reasonable and I guarantee does not reflect even the true cost of putting on the event. That's why the NSO has to fundraise from wealthy donors.

Yes $40 is not expensive but when you multiply that by 3 or 4 it becomes to much for the average family to spend on entertainment.

What exactly do you think you should pay to see a live orchestra and movie at WolfTrap?

I understand they are probably charging what they need to stay afloat, but that doesn't change the fact that $120-$160 is for most families an awful lot of money for a night of entertainment. You really don't see how that's a lot for "real" middle class families? Not the $250,000+ ones that DCUM considers to be middle class?

Anonymous wrote:It prices out people who shouldn't be attending. Sorry if that's harsh!

Don't be sorry, at least you're upfront with your discriminatory feelings against people of a lower socioeconomic status.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, what do you think is a fair amount? Given that it will have to cover the costs of paying the musicians, parking attendants, concession stand workers, ticket takers, janitorial staff, insurance, electricity, marketing, and so on. Plus I'm sure they have to pay for the rights to air the movie itself. It cost me $12 the other day to buy a sandwich and soda for lunch downtown. $40 for a live event is very reasonable and I guarantee does not reflect even the true cost of putting on the event. That's why the NSO has to fundraise from wealthy donors.

Yes $40 is not expensive but when you multiply that by 3 or 4 it becomes to much for the average family to spend on entertainment.

What exactly do you think you should pay to see a live orchestra and movie at WolfTrap?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't think that's too expensive. You will be hearing a full orchestra perform for two hours.

Really you don't consider $160 for a family of four to be expensive?

Expensive yes. Expensivenfor an orchestra no.

This is why more people don't go to the orchestra

Anonymous wrote:Well, what do you think is a fair amount? Given that it will have to cover the costs of paying the musicians, parking attendants, concession stand workers, ticket takers, janitorial staff, insurance, electricity, marketing, and so on. Plus I'm sure they have to pay for the rights to air the movie itself. It cost me $12 the other day to buy a sandwich and soda for lunch downtown. $40 for a live event is very reasonable and I guarantee does not reflect even the true cost of putting on the event. That's why the NSO has to fundraise from wealthy donors.

Yes $40 is not expensive but when you multiply that by 3 or 4 it becomes to much for the average family to spend on entertainment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't think that's too expensive. You will be hearing a full orchestra perform for two hours.

Really you don't consider $160 for a family of four to be expensive?

Expensive yes. Expensivenfor an orchestra no.

Well, what do you think is a fair amount? Given that it will have to cover the costs of paying the musicians, parking attendants, concession stand workers, ticket takers, janitorial staff, insurance, electricity, marketing, and so on. Plus I'm sure they have to pay for the rights to air the movie itself. It cost me $12 the other day to buy a sandwich and soda for lunch downtown. $40 for a live event is very reasonable and I guarantee does not reflect even the true cost of putting on the event. That's why the NSO has to fundraise from wealthy donors.

JoJo siwa

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't think that's too expensive. You will be hearing a full orchestra perform for two hours.

Really you don't consider $160 for a family of four to be expensive?

NP, of course it is expensive, but not for what you're getting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't think that's too expensive. You will be hearing a full orchestra perform for two hours.

Really you don't consider $160 for a family of four to be expensive?

NP, but I pay half that to go see a movie with my family of 4, so no, I don't consider that expensive. WolfTrap is one of the more affordable options out there to enjoy the performing arts.

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't think that's too expensive. You will be hearing a full orchestra perform for two hours.

Really you don't consider $160 for a family of four to be expensive?

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, they are barely making enough to pay the incredibly talented symphony orchestra members a decent wage. These people work for the love of the music —they deserve so much more than what they are paid.
But I agree that it adds up quickly at that price, and I would go a lot more if it were cheaper. I think in other countries they subsidize this sort of thing in a way that Americans do not.

I haven't been, but the Kenbedy Center offers free shows. Here's a link that lists some free opportunities in the DC area.

https://washington.org/visit-dc/free-things-to-do-theater-and-performing-arts

I agree that $40 would be too steep for ET, even with symphonic accompaniment.