Electric Maid Community Exchange

I like the idea behind this place, but the execution is lacking.  

I've lived about a block away from this place for almost 3 years and until 3 months ago, I thought it was an electronics store.  That says something about their advertising.  I should mention that I'm a huge Takoma and moderate music fan.  But I had no idea what this place was until I found out a friend of mine was playing there.  Because my friend was playing there, I checked out their calendar and thereby found out another artist I happen to like was playing there.  I went for the other artist and was embarrassed by the turn out.  There were like 10 people there, half of whom I'd brought with me.  The advertising was ridiculous.  This artist is seriously talented and she deserved more than 10 people in the audience.  The fact that me, a fan of hers, only found out about the concert through happenstance of my friend playing there, demonstrates how bad a job they do marketing themselves.  

Not only that, but their website's homepage isn't even updated regularly.  The calendar is updated, but you have to know to go straight to the calendar, because their homepage is months behind.  The guy who runs the place doesn't seem interested in reaching out to the various listserves and websites in DC that advertise live music and cheap events.  This is a pity because the place is conveniently located and there are many people who would probably come here if they knew it existed.   I hate putting down a place like this that seems community and volunteer run, but its unfair to the people who come from out of town to play here not to do an adequate job advertising and maintaining the website.  I do volunteer work for other community organizations and it is key to have an updated website, listserve, and communications system - people need to know about things in order to partake.

I'm conflicted.  I love this space and the idea behind it, but I've now been a part of planning two events that had to cancel because these folks took my information and then stopped calling.  No confirmation on date or payment, no returned calls or emails.  What happened, Electric Maid?  Enjoy the events here, but don't try to book your own until they get organized.