Expectations for event-goers

• general intro

  Going to events is a lot less work than putting them on, but the people attending have things to worry about too. Most of what's written below should be common sense and we hope it's ridiculously obvious. These guidelines are general and not to be followed militantly, and of course there are exceptions to everything. For example, it's really rude to yell at a band that they should play Freebird before every song, but every once in a while it's a good idea.
• how to treat the venue

  If you smoke, find out the venue's rules about where it's ok to do. Most of the time smoking is considered an outdoor activity, so don't assume otherwise. Look for signs posted; ask if you dFind out the rules about drinking before you bring alcohol to an event, espcially if you're underage. Don't get wasted and act like a jerk- unless you're at a place where that's cool. Generally, standing around should happen in backyards r inside houses instead front yards so as not to draw extra attention to the house. [check for overlap with security]

  Try not to break anything. If you do, take responsibility for it. Holes in walls and broken light switch plates are fixable, and nobody should be mad if it was an accident, but help out with repairs if something happens. *Water pipe breaking story from Joshua Plague zine?

  Clean up after yourself: Make sure to throw away your beer cans, cigarette butts, do your dishes, and pick up the rest of the mess you made. It's not anybody's job to clean up after you. 

  Don't tag the venue. A lot of DIY venues are rented spaces, so besides the fact that tagging somebody else's house/barn/art space is an asshole move, they're going to be responsibe for covering it up later.

  If someone asks you to leave, leave. Being asked to leave a space once doesn't mean that everyone there hates you and you can never come back, but making a big deal out of it and refusing to go might make it that way.  [again, security overlap?]

   

• bike/ped/car safety
  Especially in the summer when more people ride bikes, and especially at night when there's less visibility, it's really important for everybody to be careful. Getting in an accident on your way to an awesome DIY event sucks because you'll probably miss some of it! If you're biking, make sure you have a light if it's dark out, and a helmet is never a bad idea. If you're driving, watch out for bikers who don't have lights. Watch out for cars/buses/low-flying superheroes while on foot, too.

• how to treat others around you

  [art?] Watch where you stand/dance. There are two approaches to solving the problem that constantly arises due to the fact that small people can't see through big people. The first is to hope that everyone who is all will always be considerate enough to quickly check the space behind them before settling in at a show, art gallery, or other space where a relatively uninterrupted line of sight is important. The second apporach  involves the smaller attendee, forcefully if necessary, pushing the other one out of his/her way. Both work.

  If you're at a dance-y event and you feel like dancing, go for it. Be aware of other people's space, though- don't hurt, grope, or otherwise boundary-cross in places that are supposed to be safe for everybody.

  Also on the topic of respecting others at shows, there are few worse places to fart than a small, hot room full of people who can't get away because it's too crowded. Think about that.

  -Good times to show up, leave: Generally, the more of an event you're around for the nicer you seem. It's not a huge deal to leave craft night early or miss a band's set, but nobody likes to clear a room. Conversely, having a lot of people around for something you put a lot of work into making happen is awesome. And it's doubtful anyone will notice if you go get a snack while the Blood Brothers are playing.

  -If you have a weapon, don't use it.[security?]

  -Respecting performers/hosts

• what to expect from events

  Find out what the event is first- it's not fair to go to a show and talk about how terrible you think the music is when you should've realized you were going to something you never could've been interested in anyway.

  -If loud and at a house, could get broken up before it's over

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• don't have any money?

  -Give what you can e.g. food, offer to take pictures