Just wanting to add a couple of things from experience....which is in line with JFunky's comments. These events cost money to put together, and if its for a cause, then the goal is to come out with a surplus, not a loss. With that said, a fee needs to be assessed in order to regain the initial investment AND bring back additional funds. Its hard to do this cuz you don't want to price yourself out of the market, but at the same time you need to recoup artst fees, airfare, hotel, backline rentals, venue space, and whatever else you need. In some cases, you may figure, you cannot come out ahead, but try anyway, because you want to give back etc.
$25 may be a bit much to swallow, but at the same time, this is probably the lowest they could assess without knowingly getting into a financial disaster. It may also be a supply and demand thng. There may be a lot of demand in the area for this. But maybe Spank may need to write into his contracts that there be minimal amounts if any recording permitted in these so not to water down this revenue stream.
But I do encourage you guys....if you are able, support ventures like this, whether it be to support a building fund, and educational venture...if its a worthy cause make an effort, especially if its something you are interested in, and if its your craft, then definitely. Even if the dude does not teach well, you can still learn......Even if its what not to do. I believe Yogi Berra once said, "You can observe a lot by looking"