Live Gig For Charity!
Claire Duncan
The Old Mill in Northfield is holding a 12 hour gig during the BBC's Music
Live Week.
There will be 10 bands playing throughout the day - Saturday 27th May,
headlined by The Trevor Burton Band & After the Flood.
It's £2.00 admission which will be donated to the Birmingham Air Ambulance
(also the bands are donating their earnings).
More info: www.music-at-the-mill.co.uk
David Galbraith
Claire Duncan wrote in message <8gb243$rhv$1...@supernews.com>...
(SNIP)
I've read all of this post with interest. I work full time for a charity as
it's salaried officer but that particular organisation is so rich from a
legacy donated in 1917 and which was invested on the stock market that we
don't fund raise AT ALL.
I do voluntary work for two other charities, however, which do actively fund
raise, We put on events, naturally, and, touch wood, have always both made
money and had an excellent relationship with the "acts" that have appeared.
As an organiser I have found that what tends to happen is that allowing the
band/s time and space to do what they need to do before they perform in
terms of soundchecks and adequate changeover time reaps dividends. No less
important is treating the bands with respect - as integral parts of the
function and not as hired lackeys to be bossed about. "Treat others as I
would expect to be treated" - easy for me to say as someone who also gigs, I
suppose, but too many worthies involved in their good causes have no idea
what's involved in putting a show on and your demands as musicians are
incomprehensible and are therefore simply "awkward or difficult".
We always agree fees with the bands that we book, obviously, but we have
learned that in all but a very few circumstances making the night run
smoothly for the band leads to an "event" which is also running smoothly. It
also leads to, in 90% of the cases that I have dealt with, the band donating
back a good part of their fee to the charity. On a couple of events over the
last couple of years a very well run night has actually seen the bands have
a little conference and then give their entire fee back to the charity.
All it needs is a little respect (from both parties) and both the event
organisers and the bands benefit.
Dave.