Concert?

[FrankFromGermany]

Hi,
will there be a concert this year?

Frank

[FlyingRon]

Still a victim of COVID, I believe.

[keen9]

COVID indirectly through the sponsors financial situation maybe.

[FlyinAdamBadger]

Theresa Eaman and Ladies for Liberty will be performing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022.


But, the opening concerts are a thing in the past as EAA has said it is not returning. If you got the money to bring the concerts back, then they might return.

[N3kf]

Just saw another post that said Ford, who sponsored the concert has completely pulled out of non auto events. They saying Boeing will be where the Ford Pavilion was. So no concert going forward.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

[turtle]

I guess $20 million in admissions isn't enough for a third rate band from the 70's.

At some point the EAA needs to take ownership of the event and do what's good for the members and public. Yes, it's a fundraiser, but losing the concert is just another reason for people not to go. When the rest of your family or friends are not complete propeller heads, the list of enticements keeps getting shorter. The concert was a reason to go early. The night airshow is a reason to stay until thursday. If it's going to be just a trade show of stuff you've seen before and can't afford, no point in sticking around for more than a day or two.

[Auburntsts]

I guess $20 million in admissions isn't enough for a third rate band from the 70's.

At some point the EAA needs to take ownership of the event and do what's good for the members and public. Yes, it's a fundraiser, but losing the concert is just another reason for people not to go. When the rest of your family or friends are not complete propeller heads, the list of enticements keeps getting shorter. The concert was a reason to go early. The night airshow is a reason to stay until thursday. If it's going to be just a trade show of stuff you've seen before and can't afford, no point in sticking around for more than a day or two.

Hmmm, I guess there's always differing viewpoints. Our problem is the opposite of yours-- there's so many events that we've got schedule conflicts and can't go to every evening activity that we'd like to-- first world problems I suppose. We have enjoyed the concerts in the past, but their demise has zero impact on our decision to go or not and I'd personally prefer that EAA not spend any money on it in the event a future sponsor doesn't materialize. When we first started coming to Osh, it was all about the airshow, looking at potential stuff to buy for our project, and of course looking at planes. It's still about looking at planes, but now a decade later and with the plane flying, it's mainly about seeing old friends (and making new ones) from across the country and the social interactions that take place. Heck we even flew in during 2020 when the show itself was canceled and still found a ton of stuff to do in the local area. We're also going to volunteer for the first time. So I guess my point is, the experience is what you make out of it.

[FlyingRon]

I've never been a fan of the band. It's not much of an interest to me at an airshow. It was an attempt to draw some of the local non-aviation crowd in early in the week.

[Joda]

I've never been a fan of the band. It's not much of an interest to me at an airshow. It was an attempt to draw some of the local non-aviation crowd in early in the week.

I agree Ron. I don't think there was a huge bump in attendance just because of the concert. I was going to the convention long before they had opening-day concerts, and I'll continue going now that the concert is defunct. Won't miss it a bit. I'm guessing most of the other long-time attendees feel the same way.

See ya in a few weeks!!

[turtle]

It's not just the local crowd. There are lots of posts asking "what else" is there for my wife or kids to do. Not everyone has a family that wants to be force fed airplanes 24/7. You're left with a choice of separate vacations or not going. Non-aviation things keeps families from getting bored.

The hardcore members (real members, not the >50% who join just to camp or get cheap tickets) are not the target audience of concerts and other fluff.

[Auburntsts]

It's not just the local crowd. There are lots of posts asking "what else" is there for my wife or kids to do. Not everyone has a family that wants to be force fed airplanes 24/7. You're left with a choice of separate vacations or not going. Non-aviation things keeps families from getting bored.

The hardcore members (real members, not the >50% who join just to camp or get cheap tickets) are not the target audience of concerts and other fluff.

I don’t see how any of this is EAA’s problem. They aren’t responsible for providing non-aviation oriented entertainment. It’s up to you to figure it out for your situation.

[CHICAGORANDY]

I don’t see how any of this is EAA’s problem. They aren’t responsible for providing non-aviation oriented entertainment. It’s up to you to figure it out for your situation.

There are a myriad of non-aviation vacation fun things to do in that area of Wisconsin within an hour's drive or so of the airfield. I would not expect a single-purpose event like AirVenture to cater to things beyond that single purpose. Here's a good place to start -

https://www.visitoshkosh.com/plan/visitor-guides/

[keen9]

I guess $20 million in admissions isn't enough for a third rate band from the 70's.If the goal was to support third rate bands I would agree. If EAA spent our member dollars on a third rate band instead of numerous other things that are aviation or directly convention related, I'd be upset with the organization.

[Joda]

It's not just the local crowd. There are lots of posts asking "what else" is there for my wife or kids to do. Not everyone has a family that wants to be force fed airplanes 24/7. You're left with a choice of separate vacations or not going. Non-aviation things keeps families from getting bored.

I can't believe that one lousy 2 hour concert is going to make the difference for the people you are describing. If they ain't havin' fun at convention, then the concert isn't going to suddenly make them believers. Ford isn't going to be there with ANY of their "attractions", so the concert is just one piece of that puzzle. Other things come or go each year. I am pretty sure EAA and the convention will survive. If no concert is the deal breaker for someone, I think they're missing something (or maybe everything!)

[Auburntsts]

If you are unwilling to take ownership of your problem and seek entertainment enjoyable for your entire family in the local area, not sure that anyone here can help. I’m not a lonely old guy nor do I care to exclude anyone from the event. We initially came as a family and car camped until our plane was finished and then camped with it. Now my kids are grown and it’s just me and my wife, and we still fly in but not stay in a rented RV in Sleepy Hollow. I simply see no need for EAA to cater to anyone that isn’t satisfied with what AirVenture offers. Again that’s your problem not ours or EAA’s. Don’t like like it, don’t come or find a way to make it work—pretty simple actually.

[CHICAGORANDY]

Well 'Turtle', I'm assuming you won't be in attendance this year owing to the many negative factors you have ably detailed. There may well be many others of the same opinion as yours who also will find other amusements for the last week of July rather than being in Oshkosh. Life is a series of choices, and everyone gets to make their own. Just as I am assuming that there will still be tens of thousands of others who wouldn't miss it for the World, high motel bills, expensive gas and all. I personally anticipate my trams will be full every day with many smiling faces, mine included.

[Jeremy S]

Bummer about the concert, though neither myself or any of my friends have ever attended. Usually that late in the evening we're exhausted from walking around all day and sitting at a restaurant somewhere enjoying some Spotted Cows.
I'm sure there won't be any shortage of entertaining activities at AirVenture this year :P

Don't forgot the excellent movie lineup at the Fly-in Theater!

[PaulDow]

Just saw another post that said Ford, who sponsored the concert has completely pulled out of non auto events.

I didn’t see that post, but that’s disappointing. They had some of the best SWAG too.
A big item for EAA and Young Eagles is they provided the custom car for the Gathering of Eagles auction which regularly brought in 6 figures, and over $4 million since the first one in 2008. They’re still listed on the web site as a gold sponsor, but there’s no date on that page so it may not be current.

i see at https://www.expocadweb.com/22eaa/ec/forms/attendee/index5.aspx#fpPanel
that Boeing / Jeppesen have taken over Ford’s old location, and their former location is empty.
You can change the 22 in that web address to 21 to see last year’s site layout.

[Airmutt]

I saw the 2022 YE Mustang just last weekend. From what I understand they will have no physical presence at AV but are still doing some sponsorship but on a “limited” basis. Nothing against EAA just a change in Ford’s policy.

[FlyingRon]

I suggested Margy attend the "What's new in notions" forum once. The results were not pleasant.

[keen9]

Well, we heard from the lonely old guys that want to keep Airventure, err, sorry, "Oshkosh" or "The Show", pure. Maybe you lot would be happier if people were required to show their pilots license to get through the gate? Keep out the riffraff that doesn't know the difference between a cub and a champ? No wonder GA is dying.

Airventure is a fundraiser. The EAA is not "spending member dollars". If they did a cooking show, they'd be making more than they put in. All on the backs of free labor, too. If you can keep people on the grounds instead of sending them an hour away for entertainment, that's more $10 hamburgers and $40 t-shirts you can sell. A concert or theater keeps people there when the exhibits close for the day. It also make it more tolerable to families, who buy more than one guy roughing it. The EAA makes Vegas casinos look like amateurs. The free bottled water fiasco was enough to prove the show hasn't been a grassroots aviation fly-in for a long time.

And let's be honest here. How many "members" are only members because they were forced into it? Two people for just two days is all it takes to make a membership worthwhile. If you want to stay overnight your choices are a $400/night hotel (booked almost a year in advance) or with a mandatory membership you can camp in a field. No need to care about the "spirit of aviation", just want to see loud planes do loops. Membership numbers are grossly inflated by one-offs during the show. If you're worried about spending member dollars, maybe look into the full color renewal packages they keep harassing people with. How much of your dues went into multiple mailings to those one timers?I guess personal attacks on our forum is welcoming to potential new aviators? I'm out.

[steve]

I also play guitar and bass so I really enjoyed all the performances over the years, especially the jam sessions down by the Red Barn. Remember when Gary Sinese's Lt. Dan Band played down at Theater in the Woods? Then that year when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy played Aeroshell Square midweek.