Allegro

In Brief

Volume CIX, No. 5May, 2009

‘HIGHLIGHTS IN JAZZ’ CONTINUES TO SHINE

Despite the difficult time faced by all independent arts organizations, “Highlights in Jazz” impresario Jack Kleinsinger has renewed his commitment to musicians by signing a successor agreement with 802. Kleinsinger, who has produced the long running series in Manhattan since 1973, was profiled in the April issue of Allegro. The new contract maintains a competitive $200 per concert wage rate with provisions for overscale and a separate rate for big bands. Pension remained steady at 8 percent. The one-year contract has provisos for third party contractors; union access; broadcast and recording; artist non-exclusivity; and a standard grievance and arbitration procedure.

DID YOU GET A SURVEY? 

If you live in Queens, Brooklyn or Long Island, you will be receiving a survey in the mail from the Center for Performing Arts at the Long Island Jewish North Shore Hospital. Local 802 asks that you fill out the survey and return it to the hospital. Thanks for your cooperation.

NEW VOTING SITE

It’s an election year at Local 802, and this fall members will have a new voting site in addition to the Local 802 headquarters on 48th Street and the union’s Long Island office in Plainview. On March 10, the Executive Board passed a bylaw proposal submitted by the chairs of the Lincoln Center Orchestra committees and presented to the Feb.11 membership meeting proposing a voting site at a location “within or adjacent to Lincoln Center.” Since there was no quorum at the membership meeting, the proposal became subject to action by the board, which approved it unanimously. The board has set the Local 802 elections for Tuesday, Dec. 1. The official notice of election will be printed in Allegro starting in the July/August issue.

MUSICIANS, ORGANIZE!

Music and art can be powerful tools for motivation, education, agitation, and inspiration. Art has the power to connect people together, inspire action, and most importantly, transform fear and despair into hope and determination. Check out www.CultureWorksCollective.com for a new Web site that brings together art and activism.

CORRECTION

In last month’s Allego, we incorrectly reported that Local 47 president Vince Trombetta had been vice president of Local 47 for 14 years. The actual number was 4 years. We also said that Trombetta joined Local 802 in 1966. The actual year was 1960.

EARN HEALTH CARE BY PLAYING YOUR HORN!

Do you want to earn health care by giving volunteer concerts? An innovative program called Artist Access allows you to play your horn (or any instrument) in exchange for health care credits. See www.TinyURL.com/HealthCareHorn or e-mail Frank Wagner at Frank.Wagner@woodhullhc.nychhc.org and ask about Artist Access.

WOMEN: GET HEALTHY!

National Women’s Health Week is May 11 to 15 and during that week, the Betances Health Center on the Lower East Side is offering to women free or low-cost mammograms, bone density screenings, HIV and STD testing, blood pressure screenings, pap smears, birth control management and glucose testing. The center is also offering lectures with such topics as “Osteoporosis and the Hidden Truth behind Nail Salons,” and more. Betances Health Center is located at 280 Henry Street, near where East Broadway and Grand come together. The Web site is www.Betances.org. For more information, e-mail Kisha Acevedo at kacevedo@betances.org or call (212) 227-8401, ext. 148.

A BETTER CREDIT CARD

If you need a credit card, check out the options offered by the Actors Federal Credit Union. Any musician can join the credit union, which has a branch on the fourth floor of the Local 802 building. See www.ActorsFund.com for more information and click on “Loans and Credit Cards” from the menu bar.

WATCH OUT FOR ‘SWISH’

Producers for a new film with the working title of “Swish” may try to hire musicians in New York City. These producers may have not paid musicians they hired in Philadelphia and elsewhere. If you get called for a recording date, it’s always a good idea to ask about the project. If it’s for a film, try to get the name. If it’s “Swish,” get the details of the session and please call the Recording Department right away, at (212) 245-4802. Your call will be treated confidentially.

LOOKING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE?

If you don’t play enough union gigs to get on the Local 802 health plan, you may still have some options for health insurance:

  • Call our Musicians’ Assistance Program at (212) 245-4802, ext. 180. 
  • Visit the new and improved Web site of the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center at www.ahirc.org.

We’d like to hear about your efforts to get health insurance. E-mail your stories to Allegro editor Mikael Elsila at Allegro@Local802afm.org.