Tag Archive - performance

Performing at Taverna Gorgona

August 15, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 0 Comments

Today I’m back performing solo guitar at what I consider to be the best Greek restaurant in Canada! Ok, so I really haven’t ate out at a lot of Greek restaurants but seriously, of all the one I have been to, Taverna Gorgona is by far the best.

I arrived very early to set up because in the summer I perform outside in the court yard. I bring a small sound system and then I use a shure wireless system to patch into the restaurants house sound system.

It’s a really hot BC day today however we’re close to the ocean and I’m in the shade so it’s really nice playing outside.

The gig is a 6pm start and I’m finished at 10pm. The best part of this gig is always my dinner break when I get to sit and enjoy another wonderful Taverna G. Meal! Tonight I had the beef souvlaki and it was delicious. After dinner it was 10pm and time to pack up and drive home.

I usually perform here once a month so check my performance calendar if you would like to come out it hear me play and enjoy a wonderful Greek meal.

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.

Tune in Wednesday when T and I head back to Whistler to perform at the SLCC with my trio.

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.

As for later today, I’ll be performing solo guitar at the Cielo Building for an outdoor patio event for Colliers International.

Stay tuned…

Free Performance at Regent College with Gypsalero

July 23, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 1 Comment

Today I performed at Regent College with Vancouver guitarist Ron Thompson’s group called Gypsalero. Also performing with us was bass guitarist Brent Gubbels.

The performance today was a free noon hour concert from noon to 1pm. Usually we would play outside however the weather this morning was being a little unpredictable so we set up inside in the college atrium.

The nice part about playing in someone else’s group is that I’m not responsible to bring all the sound gear or have to worry about set lists etc. I get to be the sideman. Just show up, plug in and play!

Today I’m trying something new for my own personal setup. I’m using my new Jeff Sigurdson guitar with the LR Baggs element pickup (for classical). Then I plugged into a Boss GE7 eq pedal (I use the pedal to lower my volume during rhythm guitar parts. From there I’m plugged into my Bose T1 were I can add eq, reverb, delay and compression. From there I split the T1 output into a DI and the other into a Behringer B212D powered monitor.

I read a few internet reviews regarding the B212D and it looked really good. Also for a price of $300 you can’t beat it! 550 watts and I was very impressed. (More than half the price of a Mackie)

So, back to the gig. Playing with Gypsalero has been great! We play music that pushes me to be the very best I can be. Within our 1hour performance we tackle music by Chick Corea, odd time Jazz from Dave Brubeck, music from Sting, Santana, Django, and so much more. During rehearsals and other performances we play instrumental tangos, swing, bluegrass, Hendrix, blues, italian tunes, you name it!

The performance was very well received and a lot of fun. Once we were finished again it was time to pack up and hit the road.

Saturday I’ll be performing as a guitar duo for a wedding reception at the Vancouver Yacht Club.

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