Low turnouts plague GirlFestival

Participants still find worth in showcasing their musical talents

April Corbin

Red Car Slow performs at Beauty Bar on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 | 1 a.m.

No love for the ladies (10-23-2009)

The first half of Las Vegas GirlFestival was marred with low turnouts, and unfortunately, that streak continued Saturday night, as one of the festival’s final shows failed to draw any real audience to Beauty Bar. Luckily, the participants of the third annual showcase of female talent still found the good in GirlFestival.

Kristin Pitman, violinist for Reno-based Red Car Slow, said she is happy with her GirlFestival experience, despite the fact that only about a dozen people witnessed her band’s performance Saturday at Beauty Bar. Getting to network with the other musicians at the festival was one benefit, she explained, and the connections made could help bring their soulful, indie rock back to Vegas – hopefully to a bigger audience.

Experimental duo Cyan Ides came from Los Angeles to participate in GirlFestival. The female half of the duo, Francis Allen also expressed no regret about being involved with the festival.

“I think it’s cool to get that message (of female empowerment) out there,” she said after her performance Saturday night. She added that the message is especially important for a town like Las Vegas, which is notorious for being male-focused with its wealth of strip clubs and reputation for prostitution.

The GirlFestival performance was Cyan Ide’s first in Las Vegas. That, in itself, was a great reason to participate, Allen says.

Similarly, Erika Welton of Daymes Rocket, said via e-mail that performing at the Platinum Hotel’s pool overlooking the Strip was a great experience for her Hollywood-based band, even if it wasn’t shared by many others.

GirlFestival organizer Sharon Ludlam admitted that turnouts at many of the shows were low. She chalks it up to potential audiences failing to hear about the events. This year was the third installment of the festival, and the first year social networking was used to promote the event.

Ludlam added that she’s committed to continuing GirlFestival for another year, but says the fourth installment will be tweaked and will probably not span 10-days like this year.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By judgesmales

10/26/09 at 4:45 a.m.

Suggest removal

April Corbin writes: "The first half of Las Vegas GirlFestival was marred with low turnouts, and unfortunately, that streak continued Saturday night ..."

"Unfortunately?" In whose opinion? It's your job to report, not advocate a position, especially one that appears to be rooting for the event's success. Be a reporter, not a shill.

If the participants want to complain about the poor attendance, report that. But don't get on the bandwagon with them. That's junior high journalism.
By short_fat_hairy

10/26/09 at 7:18 a.m.

Suggest removal

Well, if they would have added strippers it would have increased the crowd.
By Boomer111

10/26/09 at 2:41 p.m.

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I peeked in and saw a packed crowd of 14 ladies
By Boomer111

10/26/09 at 2:45 p.m.

Suggest removal

Actually it was 12. Counting the 3 wines they purchased and the cover charge of $1, the total gross take for the evening was $14.75

Band gets $10.00 take, judgesmale gets squat