Latest news with #Booked
Wall Street Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Inside the $135 Million Mission to Get Your Flight to Leave on Time
Your trip may be booked, but there are hundreds of people and processes that help you travel to where you need to go. WSJ's Booked goes behind-the-scenes with the experts to peel back the curtain on the travel industry.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Saloon cuts funding for drag performers, putting some shows at risk
A lineup change is coming to The Saloon Bar, which is reducing funding for its long-running drag shows, forcing at least one of them to cancel. One of the longest-running gay bars in the Twin Cities, The Saloon is a staple in the drag community, hosting multiple shows a week ranging from competitions to variety shows. It's a proven platform for many performers and producers to break out into the drag scene and make money, with The Saloon typically paying performers for their talents. However, bar management is now paring back its investment in drag shows, only paying for performances of its Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday shows: Werk and Hot Pink. "We are at the point financially, especially with the economy downtown, where we just can't put out the kind of money that we were putting out for drag," Bobby Palmer, the Saloon's manager, said to Bring Me The News. "We still support all of our drag producers. We still support all of our shows and offer our space to everyone who wants to use it, but I need producers to come to the table now with a little more than just an idea." Previously funded shows are still welcome to perform at the Saloon and use its space, and they will not be charged for the platform. However, producers and cast will have to pay out of their pocket to put on their shows instead of being paid by the bar, and will rely on tips. The effects of this decision have already been seen with alternative drag show Ghoulfriends, which announced on May 8 that its final show would be on July 23. "Due to changes beyond our control, we are sorry to announce that July will be the final Ghoulfriends show," the story post read. "We thank you for the years of support, boos, and fun. You all made this an incredible experience for us, and we loved entertaining you all." Ghoulfriends was the first show to announce it would not be returning to the Saloon. However, the withdrawal of funds has left the future of multiple shows at risk, according to Slaymantha Fox, drag queen and producer of "Booked" and "Drag Show: The Musical." "Pretty simply, if we can't find the funding, the shows end. I can't speak for other producers, but personally, I can't afford to fund them myself, and honestly, most shows I don't make a profit other than tips," Fox said to Bring Me The News. "I created Booked because I was seeing a lot of performers coming up in the scene that weren't getting those bookings, and I just wanted to celebrate the underdogs to lift others up that otherwise wouldn't have a space." Booked has been a staple show at The Saloon since April 2022. According to Fox, Palmer had contacted them in late April to discuss the future of the bars' drag shows, and said they no longer had the funds to pay performers, with an exception for "Hot Pink," which has been the "headlining" show at The Saloon for years now, and its competition show "Werk." "You are going to start seeing a lot from me and possibly other producers asking for sponsorship... You might see GoFundMe's other forms to try and find the money to pay these performers because we don't want these shows to go away," Fox said live on Facebook on May 7. While the bar has said it is still supportive and welcomes drag performances in its space, the news of The Saloon's change spread within the community, causing many to voice their unhappiness at the situation. "I don't doubt there's a possibility of funds lacking. I just feel like this could've been done with a lot more communication,' frequent Saloon visitor, Juniper Foster said. "Seeing a drag space get relegated to one specific type of drag feels limiting and disappointing, especially in a city that has such a vibrant art scene." "I think it's easy to point the blame, and it's what humans do, right? We look for someone or something to direct our frustration, anger, and anxiety at. And until you have all the information, you'll only see it from one perspective," Fox said. "I encourage people to look deeper and do the math. Once I multiplied that across all the shows, it made more sense from a business standpoint. But I don't deny people's anger or frustration at the bar because it is upsetting." While Palmer told Bring Me The News that the bar is currently doing fine financially, the decision was made to ensure that it continues to stay afloat, saying that "the place is too important to too many people." Many have critiqued the decision, claiming that the bar profits heavily during Pride Month with its annual block party, which will take place from June 27-29. It features DJs, drag performers, and even a Ferris wheel. Tickets range from $44 for a day to $106 for a weekend pass. "I get what people think about it, but I need people to understand that Pride is very expensive to put on and it's very, very risky," Palmer said in response. "If we have bad weather, we are out of luck. I get what people think about it, but there is a large amount of anxiety and concern about it." Drag Queen Miz Diagnosis, formerly a host for Stand Up Saloon (SUS), a show cancelled months before this decision, said shows like SUS and Booked are "integral" to the local drag scene. "They were designed to push artists in a way that some shows don't. SUS always booked comedians to push themselves in front of a queer audience, and drag artists would get an opportunity to try stand up and/or comedic numbers for the first time," Diagnosis said to Bring Me The News. "Booked has monthly changing themes that allow its casts and guests to develop new numbers and work on passion projects/themes that may not be deemed 'marketable.' They were incubators for the art form of drag, and elevated it to new levels." The next Booked will be on May 23 at 8:30 p.m., and while the future remains uncertain, Fox said she has not given up yet. "I have a few leads on donors and sponsorship, but nothing confirmed or in writing yet. But I am hopeful," Fox said. "If we can stop pointing blame a bit and take a step back and come together as a community and find a positive constructive way forward we can solve this bump in the road. But people need to do the work, step up, and support each other." Upcoming shows at the Saloon can be found posted on their Instagram.
Wall Street Journal
09-05-2025
- Wall Street Journal
Why Airlines Are Betting Billions on First-Class and Trimming Economy
Your trip may be booked, but there are hundreds of people and processes that help you travel to where you need to go. WSJ's Booked goes behind-the-scenes with the experts to peel back the curtain on the travel industry.
Axios
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Silent reading club Booked launches in San Antonio
Local literary lovers are going to be booked this spring with the launch of a new silent reading club and the upcoming San Antonio Book Festival. The latest: Booked, a silent book club founded by local bookworm Gaby Castillo, blends cozy vibes with community by offering a space for readers to enjoy their books without assigned reading. The inaugural meet-up is planned for March 14 at Flower in Flour, 7-9pm. It joins a global rise of silent book clubs. How it works: Traditional book clubs often involve assigned reading, which may not suit every reader. Silent book clubs offer a more flexible approach, providing a dedicated space for readers to enjoy their own books while still engaging with a literary community. There will be time for mingling and open discussion, but the focus is on uninterrupted reading time. Tickets are $23. What's included: A ticket guarantees entry, a coffee, access to an assortment of treats, bookish-themed goodies and a raffle entry. What they're saying:"I love hosting parties as much as I love books, so I wanted to blend the two and invite San Antonio readers to join," Castillo told Axios. "I hope this can be THE event that readers can treat themselves to every month." Booked also aims to highlight local vendors, venues and coffee shops, creating a literary experience that supports small businesses. The big picture: Cities like Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Charlotte have seen similar events, inspired by the Silent Book Club movement, which began in 2012. Zoom in: With over 1,500 chapters worldwide, the trend has reached San Antonio, where a few local Silent Book Club groups have already been gathering. What's next: Castillo hopes Booked becomes a monthly must-attend event for San Antonio's book lovers. Keep an eye on the Booked Instagram page for future events.
