Whitby Festival, season tickets only

Subject: Whitby Festival, season tickets v. pay as you go
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 May 10 - 10:31 AM

I have been looking at last years programme, only the Northumbrian Ceilidh is marked Season Ticket only. But I know we are given preference for everything, and I tried to go to one event (Spiers & Boden) where a season ticket was not enough without hours queueing.

Generally my impression has been that it is easy to get into things so should be OK to pay on the door.

Does anyone know what proportion of events are full?

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 02 May 10 - 06:47 PM

If you plan on relying on door entry it would pay you to buy a programme in advance and work out how much the actual cost will be compared to a season ticket.

I well recall a lady coming into the office one year to purchase a season for the last three days having already spent one and a half times the cost of a full season in four days - she admitted foolishly listening advice from "friends" over this and did not find out until she arrived that those same friends went to very little - which she also found hard to understand.

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 04 May 10 - 04:43 AM

I would second Malcolm's advice. A season ticket costs a lot of money, but paying admission for individual events can very rapidly add up to a large total. In part it depends on what sort of events you want to see/participate in, some dances or concerts are more expensive than others, an evening in the Spa may count as multiple individual events.
Try looking through the old programme and listing the events you would (or did) go to, and then add up what it would have cost paying for each separate concert, dance or workshop. There is a point where it works out cheaper to pay for the week. A number of years back I worked out that I needed to do at least four "events" EVERY DAY, with at least one of them an "expensive" one, otherwise I was losing money on a season ticket. I don't know how current prices may have changed that break-even point.
As for finding space in concerts, most performers can usually be found at a number of different places during the week, so it is possible to catch the people you might want to see. It is usually only "one off" shows where there might not enough space for all who want to attend.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: Mo the caller
Date: 04 May 10 - 08:52 AM

I personally find that I get very good value from my (OAP booked at last years festival) ticket.

There is a lot of free stuff in the pubs, though. And not everyone can race up and down the steps between the Spa and the Middle Earth three times a day.

But looking at last years programme I see that doing 1 workshop and 1 concert or ceilidh every day would just about cover the cost of a pensioners ticket. And the beauty of a season ticket is that you can go and listen to part of a concert, then wander off to something else. Or even sit in a late night comfortable seat in the Spa theatre after a dance, and hear part of the act with eyes closed. Not needing to stay awake to avoid wasting money.

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: Mr Red
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 06:02 AM

Miss Yellow is asking about Whitby in general. She will want to take her campervan (coachbuilt). "A few days was quoted", we dance ceilidhs, a lot - last Sidmouth it was at least 2 a day and zesty contra etc.
Any advice on campsite - I do know about the out of town one used by festivaluers (sic) but not where it is. An address would be handy.

Looks like the only way to do the sums is when we are there - the website is not that specific yet.

I am not as keen - except that Max is likely to be there and it would be nice to say hello and thank him.

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: GUEST,Dave (Bridge)
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 07:27 AM

We find the Moor andf Coast site on the School ground very good. Good security, reasonable services and you can get your battery recharged if it goes flat for the price of a drop of petrol. Check out Festival site or Moor and Coast

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: Mo the caller
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 07:29 AM

There is a map on the whitby tourist website .
The campsite for season ticket holders is in square 3B at Stakesby school. Probably only for those with a weeks season. The Moor and coast site at Whitby Community College in 3C.

The ceilidhs and dance workshops are half way down the cliff in the Pavilion, other events spread from the Rugby club 2B to the East side pubs 2E & 3E

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: Mo the caller
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 08:01 AM

Last year the workshop tickets cost £5. A lot of the sessions in pubs are free. Concerts between £7 & £10 I think. An evening dancing in the Pavilion between £9 & £16 (£14 typical for an early + late ceilidh).
Paying separately means you can't be spontaneous, drop into a concert with friends, then wander somewhere else for a bit.
A full week's ticket gives excellent value.

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: mouldy
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 02:39 PM

I'd second that. I doubt I use the season ticket as much as I could, but I enjoy the freedom it gives me, without feeling duty bound to stay for a complete event which I am not enjoying, having paid up for the ticket (especially when there's another attraction on the same time of day). In 2 years' time I will be eligible for the OAP ticket, so I WILL then probably get my money's worth!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 08:05 AM

The most significant thing about a season ticket to me, is that you have absolute freedom. You can actually work it so you pick out the bits of concerts you want to see, fill in slack space with a bit of a bop, plus all of the workshops you can attend on spec when your partner doesn't want to get out of bed (or the kids do). I used to do Whitby with just the fringe benefits, paying for festivals as required – madness! I can't imagine doing that nowadays…buy a season ticket and be free!

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 08:22 AM

the OAP system of season tickets is biased towards females as they can have the concession at 60 but men have to go the full 65. this is not showing equality to all. i can travel by rail or bus to the festival at 63 but not get the benefit of an OAP ticket. should I start a campaign or run a workshop for moaning old gits LOL

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: Les from Hull
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 08:45 AM

The inequality about the age that people qualify for retirement pensions is being addressed nationally anyway. I think that a workshop for moaning old gits would be over-subscribed.

Subject: RE: Whitby Festival, season tickets only
From: mouldy
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 08:49 AM

I saw a t shirt recently with "grumpy Old Git" on.

Actually, my friend and I recognise "Gogs" and Magogs" - Grumpy old gits, and Major Grumpy old gits. It described our other halves' moods...


Andrea