This has surely been a long and instructive thread in many respects---Greg's comments being, to me, the most well thought out and presented. Not to denigrate others.

The fact that they are refunding the money to the patrons is surely a generous act on their part. One, I feel, is totally unnecessary and ill advised but, surely, within their perogative. Sol is the purveyor of this program (aka producer/promoter). Magpie is the artist and this is its living. Sol worries about Small Claims court---won't happen and if it did it would be all to the good.

Still on the business aspect. Think a larger venue. Carnegie Hall or such---I have attended Pete Seeger, Honey in The Rock, etc; there and I saw a few people over the years walk out. One concert especially---a benefit for Angela Davis. No one asked or would have gotten their money back. You purchased a ticket--you got it--period. By the way--the Angela Davis thing. I cannot say that I faulted those folks who left since it was not billed as a benefit for her legal bills.

How about an analogy? The U S Open Tennis matches. You go there for the sport and find some people waving their Serbian flags (parents of one of the players) and it is a prominent thing on TV. Think you will get a refund because they are presenting their political views?

Aside from the business aspect of all this---house concerts vis a vis large venues. That someone has--to use the Yiddish expression--"Chutzpah" to interrupt a performance for a refund is totally unnaceptable. First, I find it hard to put myself in the place of such boors who cannot wait for an intermission to leave in a respectful manner. A larger venue would have had security oust them. That said, it seems to me that the people embarrassed themselves even more and one has to wonder how they could have such "Chutzpah" and still feel any self respect.

As to the point of these two patrons being upset about the political content one has to wonder how it is that they were attendees at Falcon Ridge. Not that the venue is a political hotbed, but, rather, not the kind of place one would expect them to find of interest.

While I do believe that if an event is to be politicized it should so be advertised. On the other hand at a "folk" concert it must be expected that some of the songs will be of some sort of political nature---even traditional ones. Unlike the pap of pop "folk" always had and still does have more to say to us. Especially those of us who will listen and not just nod our heads to Top 40. Or is smash our heads now with the new material---make me old?---Get off my lawn?

As to Magpie. While some artists who I also admire can be "right on" and, perhaps, upset some folks (i.e. Roy Zimmerman, The Foremen, and, yes, Tom Paxton) Magpie has always been subtle and poetic in their musical commentary when it touched topical issues.

It has been my honor and privilige to know them and to respect their musical talents and their humanity.

If, SOL, you need an attorney for the non-event of Small Claims may I recommend the firm that represents me----Cheatum Decievum and Billum

Bill Hahn