Call for donations
Date: August 22, 1968
Credit: unknown
Courtesy of Rodney (drummer of band Mozart Group that played at the August 25th New Penelope benefit concert)
Here is a letter sent to The New Penelope membership owners in August 1968 announcing a call for donations and a benefit concert to support The New Penelope.
Transcription:
New Penelope,
378 Sherbrooke West,
Montreal, Quebec.
August 22, 1968.
Dear Member:
THE NEW PENELOPE IS $22,000. IN DEBT. THIS MEANS THAT OUR CREDITORS CAN CLOSE THE DOOR ANYTIME:
In the past year, the New Penelope has presented such great artists as Butterfield Blues Band, who are currently appearing, Ian & Sylvia, Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Gordon Lightfoot, Jesse Winchester, Lin County Blues Band and many others, too numerous to mention.
A group of sympathetic creditors and interested parties formed the “Society for the Preservation of the New Penelope” (SPNP). Through a public subscription campaign launched by CFOX Radio for the next three weeks, as well as a Benefit Concert to be held on Sunday, August 25th, which will include a live broadcast from the Club with Bob Ancell of CFOX, the club hopes to raise enough money to pay its debts, and to continue to bring top great artists such as Odetta, Richie Havens, Jonie Mitchell, the Fugs, etc. As the Club does not serve alcohol, it relies solely on a small admission price to keep it alive.
On Sunday, August 25th, the Benefit Concert will be held at the Now Penelope at 6 p.m. until 3 a.m.. Included in the Concert are – Albert Failey Blues Band, Steven J. Quartet, Willie Dunn, Jesse Winchester, Mozart Group, Eric Randolph Trio, Canna Bellie and many more performers. Also, such personalities as Alfie Wade, Sam Gesser, Shimon Ash (Montreal’s first Coffee House owner, Dave Patrick – CJAD, Bob Ancell – CFOX, Michel Trahan – CJMS and Marc Latraverse – North American Artists will be on hand to be announcers. The admission will be $2.00.
Please remember the New Penelope depends solely on you for your patronage and your donations. Donations may be sent to SPNP, 378 Sherbrooke West, Montreal. Please include your name and address with donations.
Yours sincerely,
NEW PENELOPE
(signature)
Gary Eisenkraft
Director