Pros
- They are the premier concert producers/ promoters in the Bay Area, CA and have arguably the best shows and venues. As an usher, you get to see the show for free. - There are some nice people that work there.; - The Fox Theatre in Oakland is a joy to behold.
Cons
- Yeah. It's THE Con that ruins it all. They are the only one of the big Bay Area concert promoters (the others are Golden Voice/ AEG for the Warfield and the Regency, Live Nation for the Fillmore, the Masonic, Concord Pavillion and the Shoreline Ampitheatre) who do not pay their ushering staff. They claim that it is a throwback to their mentor, Bill Graham, the legendary concert promoter that practically defined the business in the 1960s. But hey! There is a big difference ushering a concert of today than a concert of the late '60s, and it's called work. In the 60's, the volunteers were taking acid, hanging with friends and generally not bothered to assist the customers. Today we must wear an unattractive "uniform" of a collared white shirt, in order to be see easily and you are expected to constantly assist customers in need. If you are positioned to tear tickets, you are paired up with someone from the security company, and both of you are scanning the tickets as they come in the door. Only one worker is being paid a decent, hourly salary to do this position, while the other is a volunteer usher, doing the same job for free. - A couple of positions where the usher does get paid, but is expected to work a shift over 10 hours, with the barest of bathroom breaks. - A competitive work environment, where ushers all strive to be one of the "favorites" who regularly gets put in one of the paid positions. These paid spots can be in places where you are not able to watch the concert. - And we have never met CEO Gregg Perloff. One time we met President Sherry Wasserman at an "usher appreciation and training session." Usually only see the manager of whichever venue the show is being held. They are all straight, white guys. Diversity, people!