Tag Archive - 3pm

Fiery Rumba Flamenco duo performance No. 2 for Architectural Institute of BC

May 28, 2011 in Behind the scene at the Gigs, Guitar Slinger with 4 Comments

The new Vancouver Convention Centre

Today is day 2 performing at the new Vancouver Convention Center for the Architectural Institute of BC.

For this gig we’ll be performing once again as a rumba flamenco duo however today Lyndon is in Vegas so this evening Emad Armoush will be filling in on percussion.

Once again I’ve taken my “Gig Cam”
with me so you can join me
behind the scenes today
on the gig.

Here’s today’s Gig Cam video…

If you would like to share my little reality Gig Cast you can do so my clicking the “f” or “t” button. (facebook & twitter)

Or you can click the <> button to copy the code to your clip board and post the video in your own blog or website.

So this gig will begin at 6pm so I’ll leave at 3pm for downtown Vancouver. I’ll be bringing enough gear to fill a room with 500 people. The gig today is also a short one, only a one hour performance. So it kind of breaks down as…

  • 2 hours driving
  • 1 hour setup and sound check
  • 1 hour performance
  • 30 minutes tear down
  • 2 hours loading out and driving

I love the work that I do however 90% is “the work” and 10% is actual guitar playing.

I think I’m really enjoying doing these live “Gig Cam” video’s as you really get a good feel for what it’s like as a working independent musician. (at least on the gigs)

It might also be fun to do a “working musician cam video” as well however I think the business side could bore you to tears.

Currently I’m building my new web site, trying to write for my next cd, always working my social media and creating new lesson material for YourGuitarSchool.com.

Anyways, enjoy the video and please send me feedback.

Next up… I’ll be back at Taverna Gorgona for a solo rumba flamenco guitar gig.

Stay tuned…

Performing solo guitar at the Sheriton Wall Centre for the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute

May 18, 2011 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 0 Comments

Today is a pretty busy day! I’ll be teaching private guitar lessons from 3pm to 7pm. Then I’ll jump in my truck and head to Vancouver to play a solo latin jazz guitar performance for the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute at the Sheriton Wall Centre.

I spent this morning rounding up all the sound gear that I’ll need for tonight’s gig. I’ll have my performance clothes and truck all packed and ready to roll.

Once I’m finished with my lessons I’ll quickly get changed, grab my guitar and hit the road to Vancouver. The tip to downtown should take an hour. I’ll leave at 7:30pm and arrive no later than 9pm. (My contracted set up time)

My performance this evening will begin at 10pm and end at 12:30am. I haven’t played a gig this late since my 80′s rock and roll dates!

Wow, Absolutely no traffic driving into the gig tonight. Everyone is watching the Vancouver Canuck’s hockey game.

I left Langley at 7:30 and arrived at the Sheraton Wall Centre at 8:15pm! I wish the drive was always this quick.

Now finding a room in the Wall Centre can be crazy. Two towers and elevators everywhere with a massive parking garage. Fortunately tonight I got lucky and pick the right tower and elevator! I was in the south tower in the Pavilion Ballroom D.

The set up for this gig was easy. There was a small stage and the room was a nice size. I was set up and ready to play by 9:30pm with lot’s of time to relax, tune and warm up.

At 9:30 the ballroom was beginning to fill up so I played a cd then began my performance 10 or 15 minutes earlier. At 11pm I quickly plugged in a mic for a raffle then I continued playing until everyone had left at 12:15am.

I then packed up as quick as possible and arrived home at 1:30am. I’ll then be up at 7am for a morning gig back in Vancouver! Zzzzzzzzz…

Stay tuned…

What is it like playing solo guitar for a wedding reception – The Vancouver Club

May 14, 2011 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 0 Comments

The entrance to the Vancouver Club

Today I’m back at the Vancouver Club to perform for a wedding reception. I’ll be playing in the Georgian Room where I have performed in the past for other weddings. So I know exactly what to bring for a sound system for this event.

The parkade elevator entrance

I am to arrive at 3pm to set up today. I’ve been instructed to have everything ready to go at 3:45pm. Then I can go relax elsewhere until the downbeat at 4:30 pm. (the downbeat is my official start time)

My performance today is from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

So, here’s the best part about playing guitar at the Vancouver Club on a Saturday, parking is only $7.

My solo guitar set up in the Georgian Room

Now here’s the worst part, the elevator in the parking garage is only available until 5:30 pm and my gig ends at 6:30 pm. What’s worse is that I had to park on the 4th level.

My solo guitar set up in the Georgian Room

The good news is that it’s all down hill to get to my truck on level four and I truly welcome the exercise!

I began by setting up my sound system for the reception in the Georgian room. Once I was set up I had time to listen in to the Lebanese band from Michigan that is here to perform this evening in the Georgian Ballroom.

The Georgian Ballroom for the wedding dinner and dance

Also here to perform for the wedding ceremony will be a local string trio. So the event will begin with the string trio playing as guests arrive and then again for the ceremony at 4 pm.

The room adjoining mine where the wedding will take place

At 4:30 pm-ish the wedding will end and that’s were I’ll come in performing solo guitar for the reception from 4:30 until 6:15 pm-ish. I’ll keep it very soft and in the background as instructed by the wedding coordinator.

Once I’m finish I have been invited to a bite to eat upstairs.

Btw, another nice thing about playing these events is meeting other musicians. Today I met Fin, a guitarist that plays friend of mine in a group called Van Django. (Well worth a listen) Fin was playing in the string trio and although we knew each other we never officially met.

The behind the scene view of the gear storage room

So now it’s 4:15 and I’m hanging out in the stairway next to the room listening for the wedding ceremony to begin. Then I’ll sneak into the back of the room to be seated and ready to begin playing when cued be the wedding coordinator.

My view of the wedding

I quietly entered the room were I was to play at 4:25pm, the wedding began and once it was finished that was my cue to begin. I performed from 4:45ish until everyone left for the dinner down the hall in the main ballroom. (about 6:30pm)

When I was done my performance space became the kids room and I quickly packed up to leave.

Leaving the Vancouver Club rear loading bay

Once I arrived at the parking garage I found that I could take the elevator from inside to the lower level where my truck was parked. So much for that wonderful exercise I was anticipating!

From there I loaded the truck and off I went.

Next up I’ll be playing an event for the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute.

Stay tuned…

 

What is it like to perform Two Christmas Gigs in One Day?

December 18, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 0 Comments

You read it right! It’s going to be a busy one today. My first gig will be performing solo guitar for an office party for TimberWest in downtown Vancouver then I’ll rush off to perform again at the Willowbrook mall.

I’m leaving my place at 9:30am to get into downtown Vancouver at 11am. That will give me lots of time to find a great place to park and load in.

I’ll set up at TimberWest at 11:30am and begin my first solo guitar performance at 12:30pm.

I arrived downtown at 10:45am (traffic was light) and called the client to find the best parking location. Looks like parking at the Vancouver Library may be a great choice however I found a great spot at an office building across the street. Only $10 for the day. A great bargain for downtown.

Once I arrived I met with my onsite contact who showed me both rooms were I’ll be performing. (Yikes!, 2 rooms??) As normal I’m prepared for most anything. I used my yamaha sound system in the main room and was able to use my behringer B212 monitor as a PA in the smaller board room so the two rooms were easy to accommodate. I began performing early (12:10pm) as I was ready and people had started to arrive. At 1pm everyone made there way to the second room so I unplugged my bose mixer, grabbed my guitar and followed every one to the second room. Within 15 minutes I was back to playing again. This was a small group (aprox 30) who were really fantastic to play for. At 2:30 I was done and quickly packed up and headed off to Langley to perform at Willowbrook.

I was scheduled to perform at Willowbrook for 4pm and I was already driving out of downtown Vancouver by 3pm however the traffic on the freeway to Langley was very slow so I wound up at Willowbrook right at 4pm. Fortunately my Dad was already there with our merchandise table all set up and ready for business.

My Willowbrook performances are very casual. I provide entertainment for their customers and they allow me to sell cd’s and dvd’s. It’s a great arrangement and most years I’ve been extremely successful. However this year (and the last), with the economy the way it is and with most people buying music from itunes. We don’t sell as many cd’s as in the past however, the gig is still very, very important as every year hundreds of people see me here and it’s now all about everyone getting to know us. From here some buy a disc, or go on line to download my tunes, maybe sign up for guitar lessons, they may also join my mailing list and come out to a live performance or possibly hire me for their own private event. So the gig has now become a great marketing vehicle.

Today I began performing at 4:30pm and wrapped up at 8pm. It was nice to get home and relax after this one as I really didn’t get much of a break all day.

Tomorrow it’s off to Surrey for a performance for Merit Consultants. Stay tuned…

Page 1 of 3123»
lite 1.4email listsadd sitesubmit website