Final Report for Passaic County Grant THANK YOU!

The 2008 Music at the Market season, generously funded by the PCCHC program, hosted 15 performances of professional and amateur musicians. The music was diverse, featuring some unusual instruments, some traditional sounds, and a variety of musical styles. The musicians were extremely professional, most offered their CDs for sale and brought sign up sheets for their mailing lists. The events were held at the Ringwood Farmers’ Market at 30 Canicci Drive between May 15th and November 1st from 10 till12pm. Performers were paid $150 and were provided a canopy, a rug, an electrical hook up, a table for displaying their own products, and technical support when needed.
To improve the audience experience over the 2007 season, the directors of the Farmers’ Market built four large, portable, shaded benches for audience seating. The benches improved the experience of the music and the market. Visitors sipped coffee and munched on apples as they enjoyed the music with their families. Naturally, some rainy weather caused the rescheduling of several performances, but visitors have come to understand the consequences of inclement weather on the outdoor music program.

Music Performers at the Music at the Market program included:
Rebel Red
The Gravikord Duo
Almost Jazz
St Catherine’s Performing Arts Guild Ensemble
Loretta Hagen
The Billies
Renee Lando
Gene Giordano
The Mission Band
Samantha Scully
Dub Sound Distortion
The Daltonnaires
The Paganotti Family
West Milford Players

The publicity efforts by Eat Local to promote the music involved regular newspaper advertisements, frequent mention in weekly email newsblasts, and coverage in the monthly newsletter.
As a result of our new benches this year, market visitors had a much more positive experience of the music. Many audience members stayed for the complete performance, while others enjoyed a single set before moving off on their business. The motion of the audience kept the energy of the performance high. As a result of the music program, Saturday mornings have become a hub of community activity. The farmers’ market is a place where an average of 650 community members gather to share food, friends, and to listen to a high quality musical performance. The benches have made it possible for seniors to enjoy the music comfortably.
Perhaps the most supportive audience members are the market vendors themselves. They enjoy the lively, professional music, and communicate quickly if a performer is not up to their expectations of quality or style. In one case, a performer was edgier than previous performances, drawing some disparaging remarks from the vendors. However, our music coordinator defended her choice explaining that the musicianship of the performers was extremely high and that variety is a healthy way to stretch the tastes of a community. Indeed, this edgy performer was contacted by audience members for two additional performances as a result of his performance at the market.