HOLIDAY PARTY!

Members and friends are invited to Local 802’s annual holiday party on Wednesday, Dec. 15, starting at 5 p.m. at the union. Join us for refreshments, live music and holiday cheer from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.!

But there’s more to this party than having a good time. Local 802 is collecting toys, clothes and food for charity.

Here’s what’s needed: canned fruit, canned vegetables, peanut butter in plastic jars, packages of mac and cheese, large boxes of hot and cold cereal (family sized, if possible), and any new toys and clothes. (Some suggestions: ethnic dolls, cars, trucks, basketballs, board games, new hardcover books, art supplies, puzzles, action figures, sports equipment, craft sets, Legos, blocks and sports team shirts.)

The charities are City Harvest and the Federation of Protestant Welfare Charities. Bring your donations in advance to Kimeo Lee on the third floor of the union building, or bring them directly to Local 802’s holiday party on Dec. 15.

For more information on donating, call (212) 245-4802, ext. 142 or e-mail Klee@Local802afm.org.

‘BEATLES’ COVER BAND JOINS LOCAL 802 AT A DISCOUNT

The tribute show to the Beatles, “RAIN,” opened on Broadway on Oct. 19. But before even getting to New York, the band took advantage of an offer that appears in the AFM bylaws.

Our union rules allow a local to waive its initiation fee when a self-contained band or musical unit – consisting of two or more musicians – applies together to join.

The “RAIN” musicians joined as a group: Joey Curatolo (“Paul”), Steve Landes (“John”), Joe Bithorn (“George”) and Ralph Castelli (“Ringo”). A fifth member, Mark Beyer, plays off stage.

They have been performing live together for more than two decades.

According to Marketwire 2010, “RAIN has distinguished itself by focusing on details, always being faithful to the Beatles. All of the music is performed live, with no pre-recorded tapes or sequences. RAIN approaches the Beatles music with the same respect a classical musician treats Mozart.”

“RAIN” is scheduled to run at the Neil Simon Theatre through Jan. 4.

NEED A SCHOLARSHIP?

Local 802 members and their spouses and dependents are eligible to apply for the Union Plus Scholarship Program. Last year, 121 students were awarded a total of $150,000 in college scholarships.

In addition to demonstrating academic ability, applicants are required to submit essays of no more than 500 words describing their career goals, detailing their relationship with the union movement and explaining why they are deserving of a union scholarship.

Individuals must be accepted into an accredited college or university, community college or recognized technical or trade school at the time the award is issued. Graduate school students are also eligible for Union Plus Scholarships.

To download the application, visit UnionPlus.org/Scholarships. The application deadline is Jan. 31.

PLAY FOR HEALTH CARE

Did you know that you can trade music for hospitalization coverage in New York City? Play your instrument in exchange for health credits. For all the information, see www.TinyURL.com/ArtistAccess

WE WANT YOUR IDEAS AND INPUT!

Want to share the passion of live music with the public? The Broadway Musicians Communications Subcommittee has a mission: to raise public awareness of the role of live music on Broadway, and to find no-cost/low-cost ways to increase the visibility of Broadway Musicians. If you would like to get involved, have ideas to share, or would like to sign up for our e-mail updates, please contact us at: BroadwayMusiciansCSC@gmail.com

ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH TAX?

As a musician, your employer is legally required to pay their fair share of your taxes. If you’re paid cash for gigs, you’re losing money. Usually, employers cover 7.65 percent of your taxes. The taxes are called FICA, and are made up of 12.4 percent of your wages for Social Security and 2.9 percent for Medicare. The total is 15.3 percent. It’s supposed to be split between employer and employee. When you are misclassified as an independent contractor, you are losing 7.65 percent of your wages. If you make $30,000 per year as a musician, you are losing $2,295 in taxes out of your own pocket that your employer should be paying for you! For more information, contact the Organizing Department at (212) 245-4802.