Types of Gigs Booked

We have different kinds of gigs at The Perk and each has a different set of requirements, compensation, process, etc:
Evening Gigs
Brunch Gigs
Open Mic Night
Instrumental Music Showcase

Evening Gigs

Evening Gigs are currently being booked on Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Known conflicts:

• Mondays are generally Quiet Night.
• Tuesdays are reserved for Open Mic Night.
• The first Wednesday of each month is Vegas Night.
• Every other Thursday is Standup Comedy Open Mic.
• The first Saturday of every month is the Pagan Band Jam.
• The last Sunday of every month is the Instrumental Music Showcase.

Types of Music Booked (Evening Gigs)

NOTE: This is a small space, so we tend not to book very loud acts or very large acts. Not much punk gets booked here, except outside for festivals.

• lots of singer / songwriter stuff, naturally
• jazz, swing
• jazz, bebop
• eclectic instrumental
• new age
• light prog
• experimental
• bluegrass / americana
• blues
• classic rock
• alternative rock

Process for Getting Booked & Performing (Evening Gigs)

1. We try to do everything via email; music@collegeperk.org.
2. Tell us how we can listen to your music.
3. We listen.
4. We email back some dates from which you can choose.
5. We assign dates based on your response, in first-come, first-served order if it takes a week to get back, you might lose the date you wanted).
6. We confirm the date on email. If we do not confirm, you do not have the date.
7. We write the artist name in an event book behind the counter.
8. We put the artist name, a link to the artist's web site (if there is one), and a short (one line) description of the artist on the web calendar. We do not put up pictures on the calendar; that is what your web site is for.
9. When performing, say "hi" to the counter staff, so they know who you are and so you can get drinks, etc. Remember that the counter staff is all-powerful and can make your life heaven or hell, your choice.
10. The staff marks the time when you start, along with the register total at that time.
11. When you finish, the staff notes that and the register total at that time, which they use to calculate the compensation.

Note: The counter staff reserves the right to "stop the clock" if you end up taking reallllllly looooong breaks. So far, this has never happened, but almost... Not only can the breaks be a problem for your compensation, but it is a heck of a way to lose crowd momentum.

Repeat after me: "the counter staff is all-powerful".

Compensation (Evening Gigs)

1. 10% of the register while the band plays.
2. Free non-alcoholic drinks for band members on performance night.
3. One free menu item (including entrees) for each band member on performance night.

Artists are encouraged to sell CDs, buttons, stickers, t-shirts, toy phasers, and anything else they can think of, as well as asking for tips.

Obviously, the more people an artist brings, the more they make (since people tend to buy stuff, while they listen).

Performance Times (Evening Gigs)

Start Times are 8:13pm.
End Times are flexible.
On weeknights, we like to have people play until about 11:00pm.
On Friday and Saturday nights, we are encouraging musicians to play as late as they like (1am, 2am, whatever). If the crowd is still there, feel free to keep on playing. As long as you play, the register keeps tallying in your favor.

Recommendations (Evening Gigs)

As mentioned above, this is a small place. We certainly do book bands with drums and typically enjoy the music, but volume is a problem. People need to be able to talk to the counter and wait staff to be able to order anything. If the staff cannot hear the orders, no one buys anything, and you make no money.

Since percussion often defines the minimum volume that a band can maintain, our recommendation is that you find a way to control percussion volume. One way is to try brushes and/or one of the many sets of alternative sticks available. We do not endorse any of these products, but list them here for your convenience in alphabetical order by brand:

• Promark Broom Sticks
• Promark Cool Rods
• Promark Hot Rods
• Promark Lightning Rods
• Promark Thunder Rods
• Regal Tip Blasticks
• Vater Acoustick
• Vater VBM Monster Brush
• Vater VMAS Acoustick multi-dowel sticks
• Vater VSPS Splashstick
• Vater VSPSL Splashstick Lite
• Vater VSPST Traditional Splashstick
• Vater VWHP Whip
• Vater Wood Handle Whip
• Vic Firth Rutes Rute

House Equipment (Evening Gigs)

• P.A. with sufficient mains and power
• 12-channel mixer
• Two mics and at least one stand
• no monitors
• no sound guy/gal

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Brunch Gigs

Brunch is Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 2pm. We book instrumentalists on either of those days, following the guidelines below.

Types of Music Booked (Brunch Gigs)

NOTE: This is a small space and we have a strong existing business for brunch, so we are only looking for solo or duo instrumental acts.

• acoustic guitarists (jazz, blues, etc.)
• jazz
• eclectic instrumental
• new age

Process for Getting Booked & Performing (Brunch Gigs)

1. We try to do everything via email; music@collegeperk.org.
2. Tell us how we can listen to your music.
3. We listen.
4. We email back some dates from which you can choose.
5. We assign dates based on your response, in first-come, first-served order if it takes a week to get back, you might lose the date you wanted).
6. We confirm the date on email. If we do not confirm, you do not have the date.
7. We write the artist name in an event book behind the counter.
8. We put the artist name, a link to the artist's web site (if there is one), and a short description of the artist on the web calendar. We do not put up pictures on the calendar; that is what your web site is for.
9. When performing, say "hi" to the counter staff, so they know who you are and so you can get drinks, etc. Remember that the counter staff is all-powerful and can make your life heaven or hell, your choice.
10. Play, have a good time, sell CDs.

Compensation (Brunch Gigs)

1. Free non-alcoholic drinks for instrumentalists on their performance day.
2. One free brunch menu item for each instrumentalist on his/her performance day.

Artists are encouraged to sell CDs, buttons, stickers, t-shirts, toy phasers, and anything else they can think of, as well as asking for tips.

Performance Times (Brunch Gigs)

Start Times are 10:00am.
End Times are flexible. Brunch ends at 2:00pm and instrumentalists are welcome to play right up to 2:00pm, if it seems like people are into it and the artist has that much material. Artists are also welcome to stop at Noon.

House Equipment (Brunch Gigs)

• P.A. with sufficient mains and power
• 12-channel mixer
• Two mics and at least one stand
• no monitors
• no sound guy/gal

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Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night is always Tuesday.

Types of Music Allowed (Open Mic Night)

We will have just about anything, but it must be music, not poetry or comedy, though your music can be intentionally or unintentionally funny.

Process for Getting Booked & Performing (Open Mic Night)

1. Show up ahead of time, signup starts at 7pm.
2. Signup on the sheet posted on the wall in the front hallway.
3. Wait your turn.
4. Play.

Note: We have someone organizing the whole thing, so you might want to introduce yourself to that person: Sharif. He sets guidelines on performance length, which can vary slightly based on the turn out.

Compensation (Open Mic Night)

None. Hope you weren't surprised by that, it's an open mic, after all.

Artists are encouraged to pimp their CDs, buttons, stickers, t-shirts, toy phasers, and other gigs around town.

Performance Times (Open Mic Night)

Start Time is 8:13pm.
Signup is 7:00pm.
End Times are flexible and Sharif sets that guideline, as well. Be nice to Sharif, he can crush you like a bug. [not really]

House Equipment (Open Mic Night)

• P.A. with sufficient mains and power
• 12-channel mixer
• Two mics and at least one stand
• no monitors
• Sharif runs sound, as well as organizing the thing.

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Instrumental Music Showcase

The Instrumental Music Showcase occurs on the last Sunday of every month (starting 28 January 2007) and is hosted by Cliff Art. This is not an Open Mic, nor is it a blues jam, nor is it a Real Book jam, though each of those things have their place.

The point of the Instrumental Music Showcase is to expose audiences to instrumental music; give a platform for instrumentalists to be heard; and bring instrumentalists together to share ideas and meet other interesting folks.

The Showcase brings together several different groups and/or soloists. Each performer has a chance to play their own material, but the group will also try to create some new instrumental music right there, on-the-spot.

Types of Music Booked (Instrumental Music Showcase)

NOTE: This is a small space, so we tend not to book very loud acts and we need to be able to host all the performers in the space.

We try to book compatible sounding acts to avoid any kind of horrendous train wreck.

Obviously, the most important thing is that this is instrumental music.

Process for Getting Booked & Performing (Instrumental Music Showcase)

For this event, we like to know something about your music beyond the basic myspace.com profile, but just hearing it is a good place to start.

Generally, we work out the details via email; music@collegeperk.org or stuart@cliffart.com.

The idea is to create an evening line-up with compatible musicians, who are not too crowded in the space.

All performers (groups or soloists) will be listed on the web site. We will put the artist name, a link to the artist's web site (if there is one), and a short description of the artist on the web calendar. We do not put up pictures on the calendar; that is what your web site is for.

Compensation (Instrumental Music Showcase)

This event is run as a benefit. 10% of the register is donated directly to MusicCares, an organization that "provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies." That said, we do offer:

1. Free non-alcoholic drinks for instrumentalists on performance night.
2. One free menu item (including entrees) for each instrumentalist on performance night.

Artists are encouraged to pimp your CDs, buttons, stickers, t-shirts, toy phasers, and anything else they can think of.

Performance Times (Instrumental Music Showcase)

Start Times are 8:13pm.
End Times are flexible, but we try to go until about 11:00pm

House Equipment (Instrumental Music Showcase)

• P.A. with sufficient mains and power
• 12-channel mixer
• Two mics and at least one stand
• no monitors
• stuart runs the sound, such as it is.

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