Afm | JOHN GILLIAT

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Performing at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort

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

Today I’m playing solo guitar at the Fairmont Chateau Resort Hotel in beautiful Whistler BC. The photo on your left is taken from my car for you to see what the drive is like. It’s a beautiful 1 hour drive through the mountains following the ocean to Squamish then on to Whistler. (another 45 minutes of wonderful scenery)

The image on the right is of my honda, guitar and the sound system all packed on my cart ready to push up to the Chateau. The worst part of this gig is that parking at the hotel will cost me at least $40! So I opted to park in the Whistler day lot for free and walk, with my gear and sound system on a cart, to the hotel.

Now the worst thing about parking in the day lot is that T wants me to use an end parking spot which puts me at the wrong end of the lot. The 2nd worse thing about the lot is it’s all up hill to set to the Chateau.

Now here’s the good parts… I save $40, I get a great work out and it’s all down hill after the gig!

I arrived at the Chateau at 4pm to begin setting up for a 5:30 start. I was playing in the Frontinac Ballroom C were I met the Banquet Captain to get my exact performance location. This was a very small group that I was playing for maybe 50 to 60 people. Also, this was the very first gig that I performed where someone asked if I was an AFM member. (Part of the musicians union) I’ve been a member for years and always wondered when someone would check up on me. I’m not to sure who I was playing for as I was booked through an agency and the client that hired me was the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort however, I was asked if I was an AFM member as the clients company was somehow affiliated with the AFM. You have to be a member to play certain venues and to play with other AFM members. They also have a good pension plan for musicians so it’s worth looking into if you want to be a working professional musician.

The gig went very well, a real nice group of people. I had a lot of great feedback. I began as the client entered at 5:10pm and played until 6:30pm then took a break. After my break I played until 8:15pm. Then it was time to pack up, push the gear back to my car and drive home. It’s always great when leaving Whistler and it’s still light out. It makes the drive a little better when your tired.

Check back Saturday when we play as a trio for a wedding and reception in a Vancouver mansion…

Performing at the top of the Hyatt Regency

July 27, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 0 Comments

Today I’m performing solo guitar on the 34th floor of the Hyatt Regency and it looks like I’m playing for the Culinary Olympics in the Sky.

I believe this is an event put on by the hotel to wine and dine the top destination management companies from around the world. It’s the hotels way to showcase their facility to the people that big corporations hire to create a getaway corporate event, seminar, retreat, awards gala or trade show in Vancouver.

Once again, performing on the top floor of a Vancouver high rise is a wonderful experience because of the spectacular view of this beautiful city I live in.

The unfortunate part of this gig was the ambient noise in the room. It’s so loud from the volume of everyone networking that I sometime leave these events with my ears ringing.

So my performance began with me in place, ready to play at 5:30pm and to finish my first set at 7:30pm. I began playing as soon as I saw the first guest arrive at around 5:50pm. After my 7:30 break I was to play from 7:45 to 8:15 then 8:30 to 9pm.

During my breaks I had an opportunity to check out the view and watch the other group performing in another ballroom for the same event.

Once it got to 9pm it was time to pack up and head home. Parking again was very expensive for this event. $29.00! When you factor in gas and AFM dues it really takes a bite out of your net pay. So it’s important to make sure as a corporate performer to charge enough to still make a decent wage after your perceived expenses.