Category Archives: music

General Music

Rehearse Your Planned Event Elements

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Recently I attended a food-tasting event. In addition to sampling a variety of entries of the type being highlighted, the paying attendees were handed a paper ballot and instructed to vote for their favorite food sample. The organizers assigned each presenter a number so all we had to do was write the number on the ballot. As the first wave of tasters passed through the hall an announcer reminded us to vote, and also to write our name on the back of the ballot to enter for door prizes.

There was one major problem (as well as a couple minor ones) with this scenario:

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Friday Faves: Contests and Kickstarter Projects I Like

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Here’s another roundup of projects I’m supporting and contests I’m entering:

Kickstarter:

Do you look through the Mens and Boys clothing sections hoping to find items that vaguely fit your female figure? Get custom-fit shirts, vests, and blazers from this project:

 

Get some cool cigar box instruments:

 

Turn your iPod touch into a wifi hotspot with 500MB of free data per month (check their coverage map first to see if you are in it):

 

Still time to get a Ninja Standing Desk!

 

Contests:

Enter Engadget’s back to school givaway to win a bag full of electronic goodies – comment daily on each new post that appears at noon ET (see linked page for links to each post when they are live) through August.

Win a violin, bow, case, strings and accessories from D’Addario – enter once daily now through October 1st.

The Korg MicroKorg giveaway is still running through December – enter once daily.

What Should I Charge For A Special Event Gig?

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So one night after your band plays a set at the local club, a fan comes up to you and says: “Hey – I love you guys! I’m having a BBQ/birthday party/wedding and I want to hire you to play – what’s your rate?”

If you are not making a living playing GB (“General Business”) gigs you probably have no idea what musicians-for-hire in your local area are charging. Here’s a quick way to get a rough idea:

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Produce Your Own Music Show (part 1)

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Aside from weddings, people who do not work in an entertainment business rarely think about booking live musicians. But arranging to have a small house or gallery concert can be easier and more affordable than you may think, as well as more enjoyable.

All you need for space is a living room or dining room whose furniture can be arranged to have room for 1-3 people and their instruments at one end/side, and for your audience to sit in folding chairs/ on pillows, etc. Alternatively, you may find an art gallery, store, or other space that will rent its use to you for a reasonable fee – for instance, Outpost 186 in Cambridge is available for $75 an evening.

Next choose your performer(s). A solo acoustic singer/songwriter/performance artist will be easiest to fit into a residential space, but I’ve performed with 4-5 piece bands at house parties. The questions to ask a band who will perform in your residence include:

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