A Classical Cabaret and Gatekeepers

In September I attended Arts Midwest in Indianapolis and heard an inspirational talk on the uses of the Internet for promoting concerts. A blog and social media guru named Chris Brogan was mentioned. In my usual "damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead" style, I went out and bought his books. http://www.chrisbrogan.com/

In Trust Agents and in Social Medai 101 Chris Brogan mentions people called "Gatekeepers." Gatekeepers are the people and organizations who guard the people who really matter - for me, presenters and arts managers.

It used to be that there was the telephone. Important people had unlisted numbers. Now E-mail has mostly replaced the telephone as the preferred means of communication. But E-mail communication can be blocked by the gatekeepers.

For instance, my long-suffering wife and collaborator, Dulce has been trying to communicate by E-mail with a concert series called the Algoma Festival  http://algomafallfestival.com/, a perfect fit for Voice Afire's new show A Classical Cabaret. But, in spite of having met the people who run this series, in spite of also finding their e-mail publicized by the Canada Council, she finds it impossible to get an e-mail through. Even a simple text bounces back. What's more, the so-called contact info on their website pertains only to their box office. The Algoma Festival has made itself completely impermeable to anyone but their close friends and relatives, as far as we can surmise. In Algoma the good old boy network reigns supreme.

Here is what I would like them to see:

Is that so offensive? Am I trying to sell Algoma viagra or fake Rollex watches? Am I telling them a rich, inknown relative has left them millions? No, I'm just trying to get them to consider a show that they might find useful.

Comments, advice, commiseration?