I can only assume that because you're reading this you're at least marginally interested in this whole "DIY" thing. Just about everyone knows that DIY stands for Do-It-Yourself, but what is the "it" in that equation? The 'It' refers to products/services/entertainment that are generally a commercial commodity and are produced by someone to turn a profit. For many of us, reclaiming the 'it' isn't just about subverting capitalism, it's about creating a community and culture that can sustain itself autonomously. This zine is about the cultural aspect of DIY: how we have fun, how we relax, how we share our art and ideas, and how we make new connections. Our goal with this zine is to try to help empower people who want to do these things but don't know where to start, give some helpful tips, and also share a few anecdotes about how enormously successful or terrible all this can be.

 

Self help books often include a mantra to help you get through your problems. Well, we have a list of eternal truths that you should hold near and dear as you plan your event:

 

• leave nothing unspoken and don't mince words.
• be polite, firm, and clear about expectations.
• write it down.
• allow people to help you and be clear about what help you need.

 

 

• leave nothing unspoken and don't mince words.

The most important thing about all of this is clear communication. It's best to never assume that someone just simply knows 'the deal' and that you have no more work to be done. Communicate all the details even if they're a given, and make sure that you're explicit - being vague or coy about your house's values or expectations could end up with making a roommate uncomfortable.

• be polite, firm, and clear about expectations.

As you'll see when reading this zine, making sure that you have a safe and comfortable space is all about being clear about boundaries and helping people follow those by being explicit with your communication. Nobody wants to listen to a jerk, so make sure that when you're telling someone something be patient and kind - the best way to encourage someone to act like you'd like them to is to help them be empathetic to your view. Also, before your event you should come to a clear understanding of what the boundaries are and how you deal with people who take exception to them, be it friends or strangers. And write those boundaries down and put them on a wall (in a nice and friendly way!).

• write it down.

Many of us are busy-bodies with tons of projects and obligations, and throwing an event onto the pile of stuff to do can end up with one of your projects getting neglected. Write this shit down on your calendar, in your day-planner, in your journal, progam it into your phone, etc. The more you remind yourself the less likely you'll have a last-minute freak out.

• allow people to help you and be clear about what help you need.

Nobody can do everything. To all those control freaks out there: you can trust your friends to take care of this stuff too, you just gotta be really clear about what you need them to do by what time/day. And hey, Control Freak, try to not be so neurotic.

 

 

 

 

Dan's final thoughts:

 

OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

 

Don’t go into putting on shows if you are the kind of

person who doesn’t follow through on things or expects

little work with lots of reward.  Though it’s

relatively easy and simple compared to a lot of things

in life, there is also a fair amount of shitwork and

time commitment involved, and it’s imperative that you

follow through with everything as to not fuck over the

bands, especially ones on tour, or the kids in your

scene.  Word, and especially criticism, travels fast

in hardcore/punk (just look at the letters section of

any issue of MRR), and if it gets out that you’re an

incompetent booker, you will soon find that bands will

not want you to do shows for them, and touring bands

may not want to come (back) to your area.  However,

the opposite is also true, and if it gets around that

you bust your ass for the bands and your scene, you

will have more bands wanting you to do shows for them.

 At the same time, it’s important to not get too down

on yourself if things don’t always turn out, as there

will always be some things beyond your control (bands

having to cancel last minute, another show w/ a

similar draw on the same night as yours).

 

Also, please don’t get into doing shows if you’re

expecting to get popular or win scene points.  Booking

bands solely based on how hyped they are is shitty,

and though it’s a good thing to do, refusing to accept

scenester credentials in place of dollar bills at the

door will not impress those who think their scene

status entitles them to special treatment.  More

importantly, this is a huge disservice to any number

of smaller, hardworking bands that deserve support as

well as gas money on tour.  Although it can be

thankless work, the “thank you”s and connections you

make will definitely be worth it.