802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: Aug. 27, 2014

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Show your union pride! At this time in history, it's more important than ever to march together as union members. The New York Central Labor Council announces its annual labor rally on Saturday, Sept. 6. Local 802 members will meet at 44th and Vanderbilt, eventually marching up Fifth Avenue. We start marching at 10 a.m.; get there early! See you there.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, musicians, activists and workers from the labor movement will march side-by-side with tens of thousands of others from all over. Together, we will demand a global agreement to reduce pollution, increase economic justice and create greener jobs. Join us! For more information, click here.

MUSICIAN ALERTS: BEFORE YOU TAKE THESE GIGS,
GET THE FACTS!

1. If you get called to play with recording artist Jackie Evancho, please click here!

2. If you get called to play with the Miami Symphony Orchestra, please click here!

3. If you get called to play with the South Florida Symphony (formerly the Key West Symphony), please click here!

HOW DO YOU GET GIGS? NETWORK!

Local 802 invites you to our annual MEET & GREET. Professionals from all areas of the theatre community will be guest speakers. If you've been to one of these events before, you know that it's not to be missed. Put it on your calendar now!

SAVE THE DATE NOW!

WHO: Musicians participating in New York theatre festivals

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Local 802

RSVP AND MORE INFO: Call (212) 245-4802 and ask for a theatre rep, or click here.

Refreshments will be served!

Will you help the Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund continue its work on your behalf?

Dear musician,

Your donation to the Local 802 Musicians' ERF supports a unique & dedicated safety net, coming to the aid of your brother and sister members in their times of dire need. The ERF was created for musicians and funded by musicians. We are taking care of our own!

Whether the problem is one of serious illness, homelessness, addiction, alcoholism, family & relationship crises, or the sustained loss of income, the ERF and the office of our Musicians' Assistance Program (MAP) are ready to help.

Completely confidential services for members and their families are available at MAP without charge. Money to directly pay doctors, landlords, utilities, and other creditors comes in the form of grants from the ERF.

It takes a lot of cash to make this all happen and the need has never been greater!

Your tax-deductible donation is critical to our mission.

Any amount you may choose is deeply appreciated. Your generous gift to the ERF will be recognized on our list of supporters (with your permission, of course) on the new ERF website.

Please support us now by clicking here. (Or click on this button below:)

You may also send your check, payable to "Local 802 Musicians' ERF" to: Emergency Relief Fund, Attention: Andy Schwartz, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036

Thank you,

Andy Schwartz, Fundraising Coordinator

Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund

P.S. Are you planning your estate? Will you please consider the ERF in those plans? Contact us to discuss this important legacy gift!

Any other questions on donating to the ERF? Click here to send us an e-mail.

FREE PILATES CLASSES FOR

MUSICIANS!

Local 802 offers free, ongoing Pilates classes for musicians. These techniques to build core strength and de-stress the body. Being physically fit is key to a long, pain-free performance career.

Whether you stand or sit to perform, your body takes a beating over time. Do you experience a chronically sore back, "stuck" shoulders, a stiff neck, or maybe shooting pains running down a leg? These are among the most common complaints of hard working musicians. These types of conditions tend to get worse, unless you do something. Join us to get a better body, week by week. You'll start feeling the benefits from the first class.

To learn more and register, click here. (We'll give you the times, dates and locations once you register.)

Hearing services for musicians: www.EastSideHearing.com

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Musicians: do you have a legal concern? Click the link below to reach Local 802's lawyer Harvey S. Mars:

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

To respond to this newsletter directly or to give any comments, click here

To reach Local 802 by phone, call (212) 245-4802. For more information on our services and departments, see www.Local802afm.org

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. E-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org for more information.

Local 802 AFM

322 West 48th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-4802

Mikael Elsila is the editor of Allegro magazine and the 802 NOTES electronic newsletter. He can be reached at: Allegro@Local802afm.org

Local 802 mourns the tragic loss of the accomplished and talented violinist Mary E. Whitaker (1952-2014), a Local 802 member since 1976. Please see our Facebook tribute page to Mary here, where you can share memories and condolences.

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES FOR FRANKIE DUNLOP
AND JOE WILDER

Local 802 members Frankie Dunlop and Joe Wilder both passed away this summer.

Frankie Dunlop's tribute is TONIGHT (Wednesday, Aug. 27) at 7 p.m. at St. Peter's Church.

Joe Wilder's tribute is Monday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m., also at St. Peter's.

THE UNFAIR LIST: DO NOT PERFORM FOR THESE EMPLOYERS!

The current AFM UNFAIR LIST can be found here. AFM musicians are prohibited from working for these employers.

THE JULY/AUGUST ISSUE OF ALLEGRO IS ONLINE NOW

Great news: Allegro is number one! Our publication won first place for general excellence in its circulation class among all other labor publications in New York City! The annual labor journalism contest is sponsored by the Metropolitan Labor Communications Association.

TAX TIPS FOR MUSICIANS
How do you "depreciate" your instrument to reduce your taxable income? Click here!

This is a graphic of the symbol for health care

LOCAL 802 ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ITS HEALTH PLAN

MUSICIANS: GET HEALTH INSURANCE UNDER OBAMACARE?

$30K SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR LABOR STUDIES

The Murphy Institute has launched a new scholarship in labor studies. The scholarship is substantial: up to $30,000 for graduate students and up to $20,000 for undergraduates. Apply now! For more information, click here. (Also, information on a diversity scholarship is available here.)

DO YOU CONTRACT MUSICIANS? IF SO, YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT LOCAL 802'S BRAND-NEW...

CONTRACTOR'S CHECKLIST

Click here to read it now.

CLICK HERE
IF YOU WANT TO HELP KEEP THE UNION STRONG

HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

Have you ever lost a gig because your client or bandleader thought you were too old? What can you do about it? Click here to read the article that everyone is talking about, from the February 2013 issue of our union magazine Allegro. Let's blow the lid wide open on one of the most taboo subjects in the music industry: age discrimination. Tell us your story of age discrimination -- or give us feedback -- by sending us a confidential e-mail here .

Have you visited the Local 802 FACEBOOK PAGE yet?

If not, you've missed out on exclusive stories and announcements.

Get special tips, and network with other musicians on our Facebook page. Click here to get started.

ALLEGRO CLASSIFIEDS

Do you want to see the BEST DEALS on used instruments and other services for musicians? Click here to check out the Allegro classifieds. To purchase a classified, click here.

LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

Did you know that there's a housing project for musicians where the rent is only $635 a month? Click here to learn more!

CAN MUSICIANS GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

If you are a Broadway musician and your show closes, can you apply for unemployment? Yes. While you are collectingunemployment, can you sub on other Broadway shows, teach lessons, and play other freelance gigs? Yes, but your unemployment check may be reduced.

What if you're a club date musician and your leader or office hasn't booked you on a wedding gig in months? Can you apply for unemployment in that case?

For the answer to that question and more information on musicians and unemployment benefits, click here to read a story written by Local 802's counsel Harvey Mars with the Workers Defense Fund.

WANT TO HELP MUSICIANS, MAKE CONNECTIONS AND HAVE FUN?

Interns at Local 802 make a tremendous impact on the lives of musicians while gaining valuable experience and connections. You or someone you know can help us make a big difference. The union is now accepting applications for interns. Spread the word and click here for more information!

NEED FINANCIAL AID?

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND?

The Emergency Relief Fund helps musicians in need. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a directed grant to the musician's creditors; for example, to a landlord, physician, etc. The eligibility requirements are:

A minimum of two years' membership in the union;
Union membership in good standing, with all dues paid;
"Dire need" as defined by the fund's trustees. This can include: threat of gas, electric or telephone cutoff; eviction; medical debts; costs incurred due to the theft of instruments; auto repairs vital to continued employment; and other emergencies.

To apply, contact the union's social worker Siena Shundi by clicking here or calling (212) 245-4802, ext. 180. Siena can also help you apply for other financial help from sources like the Actors' Fund and other relief organizations.

Click the ad above for info.

JAZZ JAM!

There is a jazz jam on most Mondays at Local 802 (322 West 48th Street), from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Joe Petrucelli at the Jazz Foundation of America at (212) 245-3999, ext. 10, or click here.

DO YOU HAVE MONEY WAITING FOR YOU?

Somtimes the union may have a check in your name, but no way to get it to you because your address is outdated. To see if there's money waiting for you, click here.

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. For more information, click here.

Click the ad above for info.