Tag Archive - venue

Performing for The United Way at the Four Seasons in Vancouver

October 20, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 0 Comments

John & Andre performing for the United Way

John & Andre performing for the United Way

Today I’ll be performing with my Rumba Flamenco, Latin Jazz trio at an event for The United Way at Vancouver’s Four Seasons Hotel. With me on the gig will be guitarist Andre Stepanian and precussionist Lyndon Dewitt.

I’ll play to arrive at the Hotel at 6pm for a 7pm start. The gig will go to exactly 9:05pm. Then we’ll very quickly and quietly tear down and exit the ballroom so the client can carry on with their evening.

We’ll be performing in the Park Ballroom, the largest in this venue. Once I’m finished this performance I’ll rush home to pack for my BC weekend tour kicking off with a solo guitar performance at the Cabana Grille in Kelowna.

I arrived in downtown Vancouver at 4:45pm! No traffic hold up’s. That’s very rare these days. So I pulled over to reschedule students. I didn’t want to enter the parking garage before 5pm as it would of cost me a few extra bucks.

I entered the Four Season at the loading dock and through the kitchen to enter the Park Ballroom.

Performing at the 2010 Truck Expo (Truxpo) in Abbotsford, BC

September 30, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 1 Comment

Today I’ll be performing with my rumba flamenco trio at the Abbotsford Tradex building for the 2010 Truck Expo.

This will be a long but fun gig.  Abbotsford is only a 30 minute drive from my home so I’ll be leaving at 1pm to arrive at the Abbotsford Tradex building at 1:30pm for a 3pm start.

Joining me on this gig will be percussionist, drummer Lyndon Dewitt and bass guitarist Sam Shoichet. (Brent Gubbels wasn’t available for this one) I had performed with Sam years ago with Gypsalero. As a mater of fact the last time we performed together was in 2004 for a new years gig in downtown Vancouver at a restaurant called Cin Cin. We then hooked up once again while we were performing at the 2010 Winter Olympics and talked about playing together. So this gig was perfect. We’ll begin at 3pm and play until 8pm. (with a few breaks of course).

I arrived at 1:40pm and had just enough time to get set up for a 3pm. For this event we have to be very conscious of the volume. Even though we’re playing in a massive venue, we have to treat it like a corporate event. People are there to network and our job is to create a great, feel good, background, ambient atmosphere that everyone will enjoy.

We had a great time performing and everyone around us seemed to enjoy our music. We would play 45 to 50 minute sets with 15 minute breaks until 8pm then once again it was time to tear down the gear and drive home.

Tomorrow I’ll be playing at the Indian Spring Land & Cattle Company in South Surrey, BC for a Gallery event.

Performing at the Vancouver Aquarium

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

Today I’ll be on my own performing solo rumba flamenco guitar for a private corporate function at the Vancouver Aquarium. This should be a small group of 40 people and my start time will be 7pm until 8:30pm.

Due to the small size of the group I’ll bring a sound system consisting of two small Yamaha pa speakers and a powered monitor for myself. I’ll leave my place around 4pm to arrive at the aquarium for 5:30 to load in and get set up. Parking at the aquarium is out front at a meter and the aquarium is located in Vancouver’s very beautiful Stanley Park.

I arrived at the Aquarium at 5:20 and what a beautiful day to be hanging out in Stanley Park! If I didn’t have to work I’d grab a coffee and a park bench, sit back and watch the world go by. This place is so wonderful!

Anyways, it’s time to unload the gear and make my way into the venue to set up. This event is for World Routes. I’m not exactly sure would that will be. Let’s go find out…

Sometimes I’ll good to the loading dock at the side or the rear of the facility however today I was instructed to hang out at the main entrance to gain access. The venue is closed at 5pm however they know I’ve arrived and will let me in shortly. So now is a good time to hang out an enjoy a latte while I wait…

And I’m still waiting…

And waiting…

Aside from traffic, trying to find a parking spot, you just never know what to expect so, I know it’s always good to arrive early.

And I’m still waiting…

Ok, so the wait wasn’t all that bad. Maybe ten minutes. I brought my gear in and set up against a wall in the Canada Pavilion. I would be playing for the reception and the group was the Vancouver Aiport Authority. (or something like that) I would play for their arrival then at 8:30pm the group would move on to another room for dinner.

It was a nice evening and everyone seemed to really enjoy my performance. Once the group left it was time to pack up and head home. I the rain. That’s Vancouver for you!

With all the rain, high parking prices, high housing prices, high taxes, blah, blah, blah… I still really love this place and there is no other place I could image living.

Performance at McBurney Junction for the Pandora Love Pod Event

August 27, 2010 in Behind the scene at the Gigs with 1 Comment

Today I’ll be performing solo guitar at Langley’s McBurney Junction. This is a public performance so you can join us and watch for a free. I’ll begin my performance at 6pm and finish up at 9pm.

The event is to show case McBurney Junctions new Pandora jewelery collection. There won’t be a lot of room for my setup so I’ll keep my sound system small. I’ll use 2 small Yamaha PA speakers with a single powered monitor. I’ll also plug my guitar in rather than using a mic that everyone would most likely be bumping into as the are strolling around the venue.

I’ll arrive shortly before 5pm to get set up.

So… I did arrive at 5pm and I didn’t bother with the monitor as I had less room than I thought. The nice thing about playing in Langey is the parking is close and it’s free. Also it was nice to see my Mom and sisters at the event as they are be pandora fans. (and I think they like to come out to see my perform)

As a corporate function I’m still playing to provide background music for the event. All went very smoothly and everyone one in attendance seemed to really enjoyed themselves. Once I was done I packed up and headed home. (Only a 15min drive!)

Tomorrow I have a rehearsal in the morning, then a meeting with a new agent. (keeping my fingers crossed that this could be my door to performing in Europe) The next day I’ll have a double header performing at the Wired Monk for an event then Back to Taverna Gorgona.

Stay tuned…

Page 7 of 10« First...«56789»...Last »
lite 1.4email listsadd sitesubmit website