Re: [Organizers] cancellation policy

As a performer, I generally think "guarantee" means that the dance will pay out even if it gets cancelled through no fault of the performer. Particularly for musicians who make a living playing music, taking a gig means that you might have to give up another opportunity, and offering an alternative date doesn't adequately compensate for the missed pay for a dance. I'd advise organizers to pay guarantees if they cancel the dance (unless, of course, the performers are the ones who couldn't make the drive or whatnot), or if that's absolutely not possible, have a policy ahead of time that involves no discretion on the parts of organizers (such as cancelling when the subway isn't running or when the city declares a weather-related emergency) and telling every performer the policy before booking. I would be quite offended if a dance that I was booked to play cancelled and told me they wouldn't pay out the guarantee. That said, I'd also be happy to donate the guarantee back to any dance that didn't happen if they needed it and asked. I think the second approach is a much better way to foster good relations with performers than the first; it makes them part of the community, and gives them the option of what to do with their guarantee. -Dave -- David Casserly (cell) 781 258-2761