Smallest Acceptable Event

sirdj said:

House parties I'm not doing much anymore unless I know for certain where it's.

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I agreee with that statement. I will do a small house party for even just the owner with the stipulation that my base rate is met, as Joe said. My only condition is that it is in a neighborhood I trust and the load in is acceptable.

In regard to house parties, I tell them that I need to look at the load in and where they want me before I will agree to it. I had opne that the only two ways in was down/up a grass hill and over a couple of railroad ties or down a set of winding and narrow steps. I declined the event.

I do a party for a group of frat buddies. It has been as big as 30 and as small as 5. I get my rate.

JoeChartreuse said:

For the last 3 posters: Money is not the issue. I stipulated that your base rate WOULD be paid...


SirDJ: You gave me the answer I've been waiting for.. If your base rate is met, why would you turn down a house party, but do a venue? Please understand that I'm not arguing here. I really just wish to know the reason. Is it just comfort level, or is something else involved?

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Maybe the event is not compatible with the performer's desires or business plan.

I do many types of events but I would likely reject a Quince or other heavily ethnic event in which I am not experienced or versed. I had 15+ years of performance experience before I considered accepting Mitzvahs and only after I worked with an experienced Mitzvah pro. Only after assisting at several events and much book type learning did I fell capable.

I regret not having that level of awareness when I started in the wedding market. I likely would have gain practical experience, become proficient, and not have rejected wedding clients for as long as I did in the mid-late 90s.

Why should clients pay the freight for my training if qualified pros are available?

For what it's worth... All monetary issues aside, I will usually turn down house parties. It is a combination of my comfort (or DIScomfort) levels working in a stranger's home, along with all of the inherent load-in, load-out problems, space issues, etc. It would have to be someone I know very well to even be considered...

Same client, same crowd at a venue, no problem...

DJ Zac said:

For what it's worth... All monetary issues aside, I will usually turn down house parties. It is a combination of my comfort (or DIScomfort) levels working in a stranger's home, along with all of the inherent load-in, load-out problems, space issues, etc. It would have to be someone I know very well to even be considered...

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I know how you feel on that one.

I had a house party Saturday. As we were loading in my nephew (assistant) was gawking at the "toys" they had and said, "Gee they must be rich." Well, he's 14 and allowed the embarassing (to me) moment. I told him, "We don't oogle other people's stuff."

DJ Zac said:

For what it's worth... All monetary issues aside, I will usually turn down house parties. It is a combination of my comfort (or DIScomfort) levels working in a stranger's home, along with all of the inherent load-in, load-out problems, space issues, etc. It would have to be someone I know very well to even be considered...

Same client, same crowd at a venue, no problem...

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I have no issues with house parties. Not that we do a lot of them. but we would not turn it down.
1 bose system, a computer, and a mic. very easy load in.

If my base rate is being met, I go anywhere unless there is a question of personal safety.

I have no minimum. If I get paid, I'll do it for 1 person or 100 people (or more).

Hell, it doesn't even have to be for people! I'll play for farm animals if need be.

Just me and the stripper, that's all I need!

No minimum for me. I have done a house party for 10 people which was mostly dinner music, and a wedding that rocked with 25 guests.

Andy

I am with the majors - if they pay what I want for the event then I dont care how many are there..... 1 or 2,000