We have only booked you when you have been in the UK anyway, Dick - As in at the Lancaster Maritime festival. But seeing as we got the dates you were booked wrong we are better steering clear of that;-)

A larger venue IS an alternative but we need to look at the sums and logistics very carefuly. Yes - we can book the 466 seat theatre at the Lowry for £800. 466 x £2.50 = £1165. Less £800 for the room hire means the artists gets £365. If we only get 50 people there we are well stuffed:-(

We are no longer a folk club in that case though we are a concert. How many people do you think we can have in the ausience and still call it a folk club? Can we move from a venue we have been at for 25 years and say it is the same folk club? Don't want to sound like I am purposely finding fault but these are all issue that I, as an organiser need to consider.

From reading this thread it is getting harder and harder to do all the time we need to -

Pay the Artist a living wage
Charge a reasonable fee on the door to make folk accesible to all
Charge the same on the door regardless of what the artist charges
Make sure the artist is well looked after
Make sure the audience is catered to
Move from venue to venue to ensure the audience can fit
Ensure the folk club is part of the community and enhances that area

The list seems endless! Maybe I should just pack it all in!

Dave

PS - You know I won't;-)