datamusicata

Fred and Sharon Munroe run a wonderful house concert series in Atascadero, CA which I have played and enjoyed. Not only did we have a capacity house, but everything we needed to know and do was laid out by Fred and I would like to pass it on to all you who are considering or already presenting concerts somewhere. This kind of advance work makes it easier for everyone involved to concentrate on what matters, the performance.

The information below will help us make your visit and concert at Música Del Río delightful and rewarding for all of us. Please let us know what additional support you need while here. We are looking forward to your visit.

Also, please go to our website, click on the “Who’s Coming” page and review are narrative about you and your concert here. Please let us know if anything said is incorrect or just not to your liking. If you actually loved something we wrote you are welcome to quote for media, promotion or other marketing purposes.

The Venue, The Directions, The Tech Stuff & Housekeeping Questions:

The room:

We have a 15 by 36 foot relatively clear carpeted rectangular room with no open doorways near the front of the room. The ceiling is typical 1970’s 8 ft. blown acoustical.

The performing area is approximately 8 by 10 feet. There is no riser or platform. The size of this area can be adjusted, but any enlargements will effect the total capacity of the room. There will sometimes be foot intrusion into this are from the front row.

We have seating for a maximum of 62 people. This does not include children who may sit on the floor near the front on occasion. Up to 8 seats are ‘stage right’ squarely facing the side of the performing area. These seats can be removed in order to enlarge the performing area.

Reservations, Attendance and Pricing:

We are usually setup for up to 62 seated guests. Our average show attendance is about 45.

We take reservations by the Evite web system. We reserve to 68 in order to cover any ‘no shows’. We have never had a fall off of more than 10%.

We proactively control the door and seldom have anyone ‘stiff’ the donation box.

We regularly only comp the 2 of us and our one teenager living at home. She never counts as a reserved seat. We do. She seldom sits at all.

Guests wishing to bring children are well screened. We do let these guests who have been screened, let the children sit on the floor in front without being included in the count and requiring the door donation. If a child is taking a seat, they are expected to donate at the door and they know this. Zero to 3 children total, are all we ever expect.

We set the door donation at $15.00. 100% is yours.

There will be a table at the rear of the room, but separate from the donation box area, for you to offer CD sales. 100% is yours. We do not staff the CD table. You may if that is your style.

Lodging:

We generally have regular attendees living in Atascadero who will host our artists for overnight lodging. This may mean that group members will not always be staying at the same residence. We have no guest room onsite until the last teenager heads off to the outside world. Let us know if this fits your needs or you have other preferences. Our large master bedroom with private bath, is your ‘green room’ the afternoon and evening of the concert.

Dinner & Times:

We usually provide a full dinner for you and us before each show. Do you want dinner before we start on Friday night?

Are there any dietary restrictions or requests? We usually do something reasonably healthy and not too high in fat so as to effect singing voices. Something like Curry chicken over brown rice, shrimp Jambalaya or Salmon (as a salad or filet). Side of dressed mixed green salad. Preferences are welcome.

Are you traveling with any guests or family members who we need to count for dinner?

What time would you like to eat? (Show is set for 8:00 PM. Doors open for guests at 7:15 PM.) We suggest sitting down for dinner at about 5:30 PM or no later than 6:15 PM, but it is up to you.

Do you have an ETA for arrival and setup? While you are welcome at anytime, we usually expect to see you between 3:00 PM and about 4:00 PM. My office is at home so I can be here anytime. If you do not already have them, my office phone (best first choice) is (phone # removed). My cell number is (phone # removed). If you get voice mail at either number, please leave a message. I am seldom more than 10 minutes away on concert day.

Tech:

We prefer to use only limited engineering as sound enhancement support to keep the acoustic nature of the presentation when possible.

3 Sennheiser e835 mics provided, EV S1202 mains provided (set above and behind artists), no other monitors used.

7-chancel board provided with older style analog reverb and EQ. Specific instrument mics, if needed, should be provided by artists.

48-volt phantom power is available on all channels.

6 boom mic stands provided, a total of 7 20’ XLR cables provided.

DI boxes provided: 1 Behringer Ultra DI-100, 1 Behringer Ultra GI-100 (switchable as straight DI or emulator of 4x12 cabinet).

Board is set and run by performers from stage area.

If you prefer to run only your own equipment or go 100% acoustical, please let us know well in advance. We would like to avoid having to pull the mains out at the last minute.

We are really looking forward to your coming to Música Del Río

Driving Directions:

You’ll get them when you’re booked there. I (James Lee) didn’t want to broadcast them to the 125,000 people that have been to datamusicata already.