Annapolis Archives | Barclar Entertainment

Gambling on the Casino Market

August 19, 2014 | By Felicia Barlow Clar | Leave a Comment

I admit it. I’ve been procrastinating writing this blog. Why? I wasn’t sure I knew enough about the specifics of the casino and cruise markets. I thought carefully and realized, I can write about these markets from an entertainment buyer’s perspective — mine — as well as marketing insight. Perhaps I can enlighten about the business of entertainment. What I’ve discovered is how very similar these two markets are, and for the sake of keeping the blogs to a reasonable length, I’ve decided to split them into two.

Viva Las Vegas!

The casino and cruise line markets have a lot in common. Both are complicated because within both markets, there is a vast variety. No two venues or corporations are exactly alike so it’s difficult to pin point what an entertainment buyer is seeking. Consider the casino market.

Entertainment Markets 101

July 22, 2014 | By Felicia Barlow Clar | Leave a Comment

Continuing from my last post, there are many markets now available to entertainers. These include college performing arts centers and festivals.

1920px-Clarice_Smith_Performing_Arts_Center

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center @ University of Maryland College Park

If you have the passion and talent, I do believe you can find an audience. There is the college market…and there is the formal college arts center market. Two completely separate markets.

Universities and colleges have discovered that if they build a performing arts center, they not only attract the community (and make money), they can also attract a specific type of student — those that become innovators, risk takers and creatives — and the school builds a unique brand and differentiates itself.

The informed and willing college president or dean is aware they can advance their institution’s mission through the arts. This is something that is being deeply researched and explored; a few major research universities and leading art funders, including the Ford Foundation and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, have joined together to form a national network “to support the integration of artists and arts practices…and have created taskforces to elevate and integrate the arts and creativity across campus.” So where do you, the entertainer, fit in?

Annapolis, An Entertainment Destination

March 10, 2014 | By Felicia Barlow Clar | Leave a Comment

My vision for Annapolis, Maryland is big… and it’s something I’ve been working on for nearly 5 years. I would like to see this charming city become an entertainment destination, much like Austin, Texas or Branson, Missouri. Both of these cities were small towns that increased their visibility and tourism by showcasing talent and the existing charm of the location.

Annapolis definitely has these elements and so much more — the Chesapeake Bay, Naval Academy, colonial history, and sailing. I know for certain we have what it takes; I have done my homework, which includes an informational interview with the folks in the know in both these locations.

For years, I’ve watched the arts and entertainment here ebb and flow.

We have experienced the coming and goings of some wonderful venues, festivals and related resources that really celebrated locals — The Whiskey, Summers at City Dock, Sharky’s/Wild Willy’s, Annapalooza, Chesapeake Music Guide, and now the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival. We’ve seen a downturn and we’re about to experience an upturn.

From the months of March through early November, Annapolis hosts some sort of festival or event; there is certainly no lack for something to do.