Road to FEST:NYC v2

Abstract

The updated Road to FEST:NYC (with new venue and reduced budget) aims to channel the energy and experience of FEST into a special event in July for the benefit of our New York City-based members (& friends).

Goals:

• Throw a highly curated, FEST-inspired party with outstanding talent and a unique venue for FWB members to gather and celebrate the music, ideas, and company of our community members and friends and get everyone excited to reunite in the mountains.

• Introduce FWB to potential members, with the added benefit of increasing awareness of FEST, which is still unknown to many.

• Note: This is NOT intended to be simply a FEST marketing tool– the synergistic branding reflects the inspiration behind the creative direction/programming; any value/attention driven to FEST is a secondary benefit, but not the primary goal.

Why isn’t this an Event Key? (Quick recap):

A larger-scale version of this event at a bigger venue was initially submitted as an Event Key, but the budget was too high for the program. Based on advice from the community council and core team, it was adapted and put to vote as a proposal to use funds from the event key program and Treasury, which did not pass due to a few members' opposition to the size of budget being asked of the Treasury.

Following community feedback, a new, more intimate venue has been secured, which has drastically reduced the budget/upfront costs, and the event was re-submitted as an event key. However, the Community Council decided that because the previous version of this event was put forward as a proposal, this updated event-key size version should also be put to vote as a proposal as well.

To the members collaborating with me and supporting this labor of love, you have my sincerest gratitude, and look forward to partying with you!

Logistics:

**UPDATED Where: Dead Letter no. 9 **UPDATED When: July 13, from 7pm-4 am

Who: Up to 250-350 attendees including FWB members and non-members

How: Public, ticketed / free for FWB Members

Who is proposing this: NYC-based artist/DJ, event promoter, and 2xFEST attendee Brendan Donovan (@brendandonovan / Brendan-Bastion) with the support and guidance from FWB core & FEST teams, the Community Council, and member-collaborators including Nia antisocialite, Senaerya, JHarmony43, Paul Devro, izgnzlz, jzstern, etc.

Brendan has produced a number of events at NYC clubs and is close with promoters who can support the marketing and media efforts alongside the artist/DJs, venue, partner orgs, local newsletters, and potential sponsors (tbc).

Key Features of Road to Fest:NYC

**NEW LOCATION: Dead Letter No.9 (300 cap).

A new “conversation parlor” with back room dancefloor equipped with an excellent sound system. Features immersive rooms designed to feel like you’re camping outdoors, on a cabin porch, etc, designed by creative director of Sleep No More, the long-running immersive theater show. It is conveniently located in Williamsburg near the Bedford Ave L train stop.

The immersive “scenic environment” rooms provide a clear and intentional connection to the vibe of FEST– Members can get down on the dancefloor, wander into the next room and “touch grass” under a starry night sky.

Programming

Schedule (subject to change, but not by much)

7pm Doors/mingling

7:30pm Panel curated by New Internet City (Nia)

8:30ish Panel ends, mingling & music

10pm DJ sets (official, ticketed event starts)

4am close

Programming will feature FWB members and prioritize diversity and inclusion across all programming.

Panel Discussion curated by New Internet City Nia (@anti.socialite)

Planned topic: Designing productions for digital communities

Logistics: As it stands, in order to boost attendance & bar sales, we plan for the Panel to be free to attend and will be curated in collaboration with Nia (@anti.socialite)’s New Internet City. We hope to feature some of our local members and the projects they’re building. Members & ticket holders will receive a wristband at the door. Non-members without tickets will have to buy a ticket or leave before 10pm (this is the current plan but is subject to change).

Music

DJ sets will include opening sets by FWB DJs and two “headline” artists one might expect to see near the top of a FEST lineup. We will aim to book at least 50% women/non-binary/POC artists across the music lineup and among the headliners.

Music Programming (subject to change)

Jubilee, *Paul Devro, *Bastion, *Senaerya, *JHarmony, etc

Other DJs: Arielle NYC (Heads Know), Hai Life (Femme House)

*=FWB member

UPDATED Budget for Road to Fest:NYC

The total funding requested for this event is $3,000, funded by the Events Key Program.

High level budget breakdown:

$6,100 Talent booking total

$250 Door person

$500 Misc Expendables (event photography, flyer design/print, talent riders)

**Upfront Costs/Deposits

$2,250 Talent booking upfront deposits

$250 Door person

$500 Misc Expendables (event photography, flyer design/print, hospitality/talent riders)

Total Upfront Costs: $3,000

• Funded by Events Key program

• I will assume any additional upfront costs myself.

• will be seeking sponsors, but do not need them.

Remaining Costs: $3,850

• Paid out from ticket revenue

**UPDATED Payout Terms:

Immediate delivery of total requested funds ($3,000) to Brendan Donovan (Event Organizer) to help cover the upfront costs. Funds may be sent in USDC, or USD (zelle/venmo). Any conversion or transfer fees will be paid for by the sender, i.e. Event Organizer must receive the full amount requested.

Venue Deal structure:

Venue guaranteed minimum bar sales: $6,500 (remainder taken from ticket sales if not reached)

Venue takes 20% of ticket sales above $6,000

Promoter takes 20% of bar sales above $6,500 (assuming zero)

Assuming we reach bar minimum & sell 250 tickets

Estimated gross revenue after venue take (ticket sales only): $7,480

Estimated Net profit: $3,630

• Subject to change based on actual revenue and any additional costs incurred

**UPDATED Profit sharing: Profit from this event will be shared among the Organizers to compensate for their time and labor. By removing guaranteed compensation, we have reduced the upfront budget and further incentivized the organizers to pull off a successful event.

Event Organizer will provide a PnL report to the DAO, the timing of which depends upon venue payout for percentage of bar sales (if any). This report will provide useful data to other members who wish to organize events of their own.

Event Schedule & Other Details

(Exact timing subject to change)

7pm - doors, digital art gallery, mingling

7:30pm - Panel / Discussion

8:30pm - Panel ends, more mingling & time to grab dinner before music.

9:30pm - DJ sets

4am - close

Tickets will be priced in 3 tiers, with most tickets sold between $30-40. FWB members get free RSVP (no +1s). There will be a limited number of guest list spots for artists and any sponsors.

Expectations of Core Team:

• referrals to potential partners, as needed, and at their discretion

• Typical Event Key marketing support including a normal amount of posts on FWB socials & newsletter

Conclusion

UPDATED** The Community Council has left this up to the community to decide because a previous, larger-scale version of this event was previously put forward as a proposal.

This new and improved Proposal will not cost the Treasury anything outside of what has already been allocated to the Event Key program for events exactly like this.**

Road to FEST:NYC is a member-led initiative that will provide value to NYC-based members and friends and to reestablish FWB as the premiere social DAO in NYC through an exceptional, thoughtfully curated event inspired by FEST. It will also help expand our reach and awareness by inviting non-members.

This event will get everyone excited to reunite in the mountains of Idyllwild, ease the FOMO of those who can’t attend FEST, and remind everyone why FWB is such a valuable community. It will also establish a new ally/host for future FWB events at Dead Letter No.9.

Thank you for supporting this initiative, and I hope to see you on the Road to FEST (and/or FEST itself)!