AETHERPHON, global theremin family

Yes, it seems like Etherfest is hurting a bit, and they're considering 
cancelling by June 30 if the number of people registered falls short 
of their goal ( what that goal is they've never speificed ).

I contrast their enrollment difficulties with a festival I've just 
participated in -- Electro-Music 2006 that took place just outside of 
Philadelphia on June 2, 3, and 4th. This is also only their second 
year and it was a phenomenal success with over 200 participants, 36 
hours of concerts that were audio-streamed worldwide, scheduled demos, 
scheduled panel discussion on composing, talks on performance 
technique and all kinds of other subjects, open free-for-all jam 
sessions. All three days for just $60.00. All musicians pay their own 
way -- it's like an investment in the festival and EVERYONE performed! 
There are catered meals available -- you could buy meal tickets on a 
per meal, per day, or full three-day basis. Tee shirts, all the 
artists (dozens of them) were selling their CDs. Trevor Pinch, who's 
going to be the keynote speaker at Etherfest was even there selling 
and signing copies of his book!

The fesitval was put together by a realtive handful of extremely 
dedicated people, and to be fair they don't have a company to run 
simultaneously like the folks at Moog. Still, it was a model for how 
amazing an event of the sort can be. Granted, this was for a wider 
base of musician: ANYTHING electronic, and did they ever have a 
variety -- everything from electronic trumpets played with double 
reeds to voerhwelmingly complex arrys of keyboards, synths, 
sequencers, and more. Last year I was the only thereminist there. This 
year, there were four. Accomodations are many times arranged by poeple 
in the area putting up folks from far away. Everybody helps out. The 
sense of true community and generosity really make for a wonderful 
atmosphere.

One of the largest demos was given by musician Mark Mahoney, and guess 
what he was demonstrating? ... ALL MOOG PRODUCTS -- about nine effects 
pedals, mizers, and the Voyager! MArk and Michael Peck's performance 
at 11:00pm on Saturday night featured ALL Moog products, including a 
standard Etherwave. Even Moog Music itself was a huge presence at this 
festival! Ironic in a way.

The subject of diversity was mentioned and this was definitely a 
diverse crowd, tremendous variation in styles of music and sonic 
bizarreness, but everyone united under the banner of ELECTRO.

The event is also open to the general public and a;though some folks 
do show up, that's the area where they hope to improve. There's a fan 
base out there for this sort of music, but organizing publicity is a 
big undertaking. Either way, It's an event not to be missed.

Everyone's just coming down off the instense weekend, but gradually, 
photos, possibly some video, and definitely audio will soon be 
available on the site: www.electro-music.com. There is also a theremin 
forum there, started at the request of Hypnotique.

I hope Etherfest is able to happen, and I'm still trying to see if 
there's any way at all I can afford to go --but with registration fee, 
4 days of hotel, four days of meals, travel expenses driving to and 
from, I'm looking at around $900, possibly a bit more.

Moog's hoping for more enrollment and I'm hoping for a windfall.