University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

All That Can Be Done

The P-K German Society
regrets the fact that Mr.
Buxton (in yesterday's letter)
is disgusted with our
performance to date. While we
are aware of the fact that
pleasing all of the students all
of the time is impossible, we
must point out that our
operations in the past two
years have brought a number
of quality performers, at low
prices, to Charlottesville.

Looking for wide variety,
P-K has been responsible in the
past year for Rod Stewart and
Faces, The Beach Boys, The
Byrds, B.B. King, Ike and Tina
Turner, Poco, Chicago, Chuck
Berry and The Kinks, whom
we are proud to have brought
to the University community.

In addition, while Taj Mahal
may not enjoy the glamorous
spotlight of "superstar"
ranking, his talent, as seen
most recently in the film
Sounder, is quite evident
and needs no defense. We
know those that attend will be
glad they did so.

Should Mr. Buxton
misunderstand the nature of
our organization, I want to
point out that this is no slick
letter of refutation. P-K
German does face certain
difficulties and requirements
that must be accepted as given
in our situation. First, our hall
seats only 6,500 people,
whereas William and Mary's
hall seats 10,700. This is of
great importance in contractual
gross potential figures and
negotiations.

Secondly, we are given
specific dates with which to
work – the "Big Weekend" in
particular – as opposed to
promoters at other schools
who are given a more free
hand. Finally, the P-K German
Society is reluctant to
subscribe to the current pricing
mania, $7.50, $6.50, $5.50, for
any show. Students deserve a
better deal.

We feel that our tentative
concert plan for the Spring will
offer entertainment that even
Mr. Buxton will appreciate. It
must be pointed out however
that these plans are forever
subject to the artist's whims
and the contracts' Act of God
clauses. Contracts are now out
on the following acts for the
following dates:

Mar. 4 – Mark-Almond, Malo

Mar. 16 – IFC Weekend –
Merry Clayton – Fifth
Dimension

Apr. 14 – Easters Weekend –
Steve Stills and Manassas

Apr. 28 – James Taylor

In short, all that can be
done is being done. We are an
open organization, desperately
interested in constructive
feedback and community
support. This, then, Mr.
Buxton, is your open invitation
to improve "the schuck" that's
been going on. I'm in the
Union office every afternoon.