I did a 13 year olds birthday party this past weekend. There was a total 13 people that showed up. I was asked 2 different times to turn the music down. I am glad I received payment before I started. I would estimate that I played less than 20 songs in 3 hours for the party for dancing. The rest of the time it was just background music. I guess they all cannot be exciting.
School & Teen Events Party disaster
- Thread starter jfrizman
- Start date
I had a retirement party last Friday night attended by about 40 folks.
Once dinner and the opening of presents and short speeches were all over, half left.
So I had one hour of 20, then 10 in the final hour....
Sometimes these events happen and it's not your fault and not much you can do about it.
I reminded them of requests, but I think an I Pod and speaker would have sufficed.
Makes me really appreciate the 300 people receptions!
Once dinner and the opening of presents and short speeches were all over, half left.
So I had one hour of 20, then 10 in the final hour....
Sometimes these events happen and it's not your fault and not much you can do about it.
I reminded them of requests, but I think an I Pod and speaker would have sufficed.
Makes me really appreciate the 300 people receptions!
Don't let it bother you much. Look on the bright side. You get to go home early and no strain on your gear. It is not your fault, just poor planning on the Organizer/host part.
I have a friend who plays in a local band. One restaurant books them almost once per month, but they're really a dinner restaurant with little night life. I was there with my wife one Friday night and it was the band, us and 3 others for the last 1.5 hours .. and they're really good. It is what is is.
I posted about the Youth Dance in late January. Spent considerable time setting up lights and equipment. Only 19-20 kids showed up out of an anticipated 40-50 projected. I played music for the "chaperones" the first hour, finally, 7 or 8 kids showed. Kind of hard to play music for just a dozen kids. Later, 9:30 about 6 more showed up (all girls), there was a birthday party going on so they were late getting there. The leader of the "posse" came up with her group and requested a song that I couldn't play. Keep in mind this is a Christian Youth Group function. Anyway, I told them that I could play anything they wanted so long as it didn't have "Sex" - "Alcohol" or "Drug" connotations. Then I said, guess that doesn't leave too much music to choose from now does it. 
Needless-to-say, I did find a few acceptable Hip-Hop/Rap songs that they were happy to have played.
Waste of my time in setting up dance floor lighting and not having a crowd there to enjoy it, much less music. What I did play...I played it LOUD. !
Needless-to-say, I did find a few acceptable Hip-Hop/Rap songs that they were happy to have played.Waste of my time in setting up dance floor lighting and not having a crowd there to enjoy it, much less music. What I did play...I played it LOUD. !
Some gigs are just that way, I would never call it a disaster. Boring, yeah.
I really hate being told to turn it down though. It doesn't happen often and when it does it is usually just some lame power trip thing by a person who has no business being there in the first place.
I really hate being told to turn it down though. It doesn't happen often and when it does it is usually just some lame power trip thing by a person who has no business being there in the first place.
had a Hockey fund raiser that never got a solid dance crowd until the final 45 minutes and even then only about 30 or 40 of the 300 danced. At the end the crowd chanted one more song as I shut down 5 minutes past my time.
I have had a few gigs like that. I did a sweet sixteen a few months ago. Evidently the girl wasn't that popular, most of the people that showed were older relatives. From what I gathered only half the relatives that were invited even showed. From the 150-200 that I was told was going to be there, there were only 30 that showed. Half of them couldn't dance with their walkers. It made for a long night. Virtually no dancing. I tried to play what I felt would be accommidating for the crowd. At the end of the gig. The parents thanked me over and over.... Apologized for not having a crowd. I simply asked them if they enjoyed my services.....they said they loved it and especially enjoyed some of the older stuff I played for the people that did show. Job done!!!
Cash the check and move on....it happens.
Cash the check and move on....it happens.
Most of the time, the person who tells you to turn it down DOES have a reason to be there.
Especially if it's the person who is hiring you and paying you.
Even if it's a guest, they still have plenty of business being there and asking you to turn down.
They are the people you were hired to make happy.
Some old guy who doesn't realize he's standing right in front of the speaker is one thing...
If that old guy is part of the family you're working for...his clout just increased.
I'm not saying you have to cave in EVERY TIME, but you gotta apease them a little.
After all, this was a 13 year old's party...not a concert...not a nightclub...not a pep rally.
You worked and got paid for your time. I fail to see the "disaster" part. I think that's how most average 13th birthday parties would go.
If you want work to be fun all the time, don't book these types of things.
Sometimes work is work.
.
If you want work to be fun all the time, don't book these types of things.
Sometimes work is work.
.
You cannot make folks show up. Last Christmas season Gail and I were the busiest yet, however all the parties had low attendance. We felt like a personal jukebox for these folks. We did what we could, however all told us they were happy with what we did. It's far easier to loosen up a big crowd, folks feel self-conscious about dancing when there's only about 20 or so in attendance. You did nothing wrong....take the money!
Best,
Paul
Best,
Paul
I attended an after-Christmas-Christmas party for my wife's work a few weeks back. The crowd was about 40 people all with drinks in hand and some light appetizers. The DJ brought his QSC 18 subs and 15 tops which was appropriate for the "bar-sized" room we were in. I personally asked him several times to turn it down as no one was able to hear any conversation. The event ran 7pm till 11pm and he was trying to turn it into a club dance night by 7:30. Sometimes I think we get so amped about our amazing gear we can't wait to show it off. This guy needed to keep it at a "4" till everyone had a chance to meet, talk and get loose. By 9:30 we migrated to the dance floor and he did a great job. I usually keep it light till the first few ladies start migrating out and swaying to the beat. Then I slowly build over 4-5 songs to see if I can tease a few more folks out. If no one's biting, it's just not a dance crowd. That's what's fun about DJ'ing... It's like fly fishing.
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when Ive had low attendants at events i try to have as much fun with the people that are there to make it fun
I read a book once called "get in the van" by Henry Rollins. He talks about his experience in the band Black Flag. Henry talks about the first gig they did where only ten people showed up. He got all pissed off because of the low turnout. His bandmates had to remind him those 10 people bought a ticket and were likely the band's biggest fans... so they should give'em the best show ever. He said he's cherished every audience member since, whether 1 or 1,000.
I usually have a problem with people asking me to turn it UP!
I always start "low" and work my way up.
(geez, that really sounds bad, now that I read it)
I always start "low" and work my way up.
(geez, that really sounds bad, now that I read it)