JOHN GILLIAT | Tag Archive

Tag Archive - downbeat

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…

Wedding reception performance at the Eagle Harbour Yacht Club

July 24, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 1 Comment

Today I’m performing in my passionate and fiery guitar duo for a wedding reception at the Eagle Harbour Yacht Club in West Vancouver. Joining me on the second guitar will be Andre Stepanian.

This performance will begin in the club house at 4pm and end at 8pm. It’s also a little more formal than most of the corporate performances. Usually our attire is all black. (Black dress pants and a black dress shirt). Today will be suit and tie.

Once again I’ll plan on arriving at least 1 hour before the downbeat. (Downbeat is a term musicians use to indicate the start of a bands performance)

What a beautiful place to hold a wedding reception and what a fantastic place sit, play guitar and watch the world go by. I love playing venues along the ocean. Even on a really hot day you seem to feel refreshed with a little cool air from the sea.

The toughest part about this gig was having to wait in line for the little service elevator. Also if you have claustrophobia I’d recommend hauling your gear up stairs rather than using the elevator.

So, it’s now 6pm and we’ve played our first 2 sets with 2 more to go. Everyone seems to be enjoying the music. The down side to playing beside the door is that every now and then someone will walk into us or the music stand. I guess it’s kind of a tunnel vision thing.

Unfortunately I haven’t figured out how to upload the pictures I take at these gig’s from my blackberry so it’s now the morning after the wedding and I’m uploading the photos. The gig ended very well and after we finished playing Andre and I had a glass of wine and a wonderful meal. I was back on the road at 9pm, unloaded my gear at home then I was off to a backyard pig roast! What a busy day and lost of fun.

BTW… At the wedding I met musician, singer, songwriter Damiano Angoli who plays keyboards and accordion. Damiano was performing after me and unfortunately I couldn’t hang around to listen. However, Damiano did give me a demo cd he created and it’s great! I really loved his music and hope to hear more of him in the future.