Entertaining the Masses:

It's cliché to even suggest that timing is everything, but in some aspects of life, it's just plain true. Take for instance the job of Jim Nauls, CMC's director of student activities and residential director for apartment housing. As the first half of his title might indicate, Nauls has the annual task of lining up entertainment for the College's student population, whether it's running the film series at Pickford Auditorium on weekend nights, or booking the next music concert, entertainer, or special guest. In this regard, timing is everything since selecting entertainment for a small, liberal arts college levels restrictions on what is feasible, and what is pie in the sky. But along with that, certain skills rate high on this job description, such as having good hunches, paying mind to the youth culture, and knowing when to call someone's bluff, if you think you might be able to get someone on campus for less than their going rate.

That's where the timing comes in. A year ago last spring, when singer John Mayer was sandwiched somewhere between rising star and household name status, Nauls booked him for a show at Bridges Auditorium. The April 2002 act would co-star a talented, young opener by the name of Norah Jones, who hadn't yet taken the world by storm. Mayer's price tag: somewhere between $10,000 and $12,000, Nauls recalls. And Jones—a laughable steal in retrospect, given her claim to eight Grammies less than a year later: $250—mere pocket change for an emerging artist.

Today, says Nauls, the going rate for Mayer is $250,000. And anonymous no longer, "Jones is now a little on the expensive side, too," he says.

Nauls has been booking acts at CMC since 1994, and calls it a 24/7 job. "It's a lot of effort and work," he says. "The more money you're given to run the programs, the more work you have. But I'll gladly take it."

His interests in activity planning date back to his undergraduate years in college, when he submitted an idea for a Tournament of Roses Parade float contest and won. "That was cool," Nauls says. "And so I got involved. I knew then that this was what I wanted to do. I worked in housing for a little while and pursued it after I graduated. I just enjoy student centers and student activities."

Coming from the huge campuses of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the University of California, San Diego, Nauls says what he especially enjoys about CMC programming is that, here, "I get to touch and reach every student. If I do a great show, a student will e-mail, or come by with a note saying how great the show was. I know they really appreciate it. At a larger school, I don't know if the reactions would be as obvious."

Some things Nauls has learned over the years:

• Know what students are listening to: "It's like you almost have to be a music expert. You have to know what students like, and you have to know what's going on. Often times I will get a call or an e-mail from a student saying, 'Hey Jim, what about this group? What about that group?'"



• Be persistent: "Sometimes we have to present four or five offers before we get a 'yes.'"



• Forget outdoor venues: "You'll pay $10,000 to $15,000 for an outdoor event, and five minutes later it gets shut down. And the performers don't say, 'Sorry Jim, here's your money back.' So I don't even mess with the outside stuff."



• Big program equals big help: "Planning events such as going to Los Angeles, or to the theater, are relatively simple. But the bigger programs take a concerted effort. There are times when I have to partner with Pomona College, ASCMC, and/or Bridges Auditorium. And for each program that I do, I always have a student assist me. I really also appreciate Bridges director Tim Morrison and his staff. Basically, I come up with a concept and they make it happen."



• Never say never: "We're 40 minutes from downtown L.A. and we can take advantage of that. For instance, if a group is playing the House of Blues on Saturday and Sunday, and on Thursday they're in Arizona, we can sometimes call the booking agent and ask, 'Are they available on Friday?' And if they don't already have a gig, we might get them."



• Always remember: "It's a nerve-wracking job, but it's also a lot of fun."



• Next up: "The Ataris, co-sponsored by Pomona and Bridges, are confirmed for Homecoming weekend. We've also made an offer to Jason Mraz for November."

Back to Inside CMC

CMC sold 300 tickets to Michael Moore's planned appearance at Bridges Auditorium within the first three hours that tickets to the Thursday, Oct. 16 event went on sale. Pomona College reported selling 600 tickets the first morning, then went back for more. "The Michael Moore event is definitely more popular than most expected," said Cleta Garcia, an employee in the CMC Dean of Students office.

Moore, a documentarian and former editor and columnist for Mother Jones magazine, is known for his unapologetic attacks on right-wing politics and social issues. His visit is sponsored by Pomona, Pitzer, and CMC colleges.

Guster

Musician John Mayer visited CMC in April 2002, shortly after his Room for Squares debuted to critical acclaim. His newest album, Heavier Things, went on sale Sept. 9.