Table Of Contents:

 

Introduction

 

 

What kind of event do you want to put on?

• music/shows/theater/puppets/movie nights/misc entertainment

• art shows, fashion shows

• workshops/skillshare/lecture/meeting/discussion group/reading

• craft night/stitch n' bitch/zine party

• game night - 4 square/D&D/board games/sardines/etc

• bicycle events – scavenger hunt/bike polo/rides/races/fixed gear

• potlucks/dumpster iron chef/secret cafes/bbqs

• clothing swaps/free box party/ swap meet/ bazaar/auctions, etc

• outdoor events – bon fires, hikes, etc

• speakeasy/gambling/etc

•  

 

When should you start planning your event?

• planning around other people's schedules

•  The communication checklist!

 

Getting a venue

• houses (basements/living rooms/yards/other rooms), apartments

• clubs

• coffee shops

• rental halls (vfw/union hall/fraternal groups/etc)

• art galleries

• playhouses/theaters

• movie theaters

• college/university rooms

• libraries

• community centers/cultural centers/non-profit buildings

• roller rinks/bowling alleys

• parks/bandshells

• random outdoors

• warehouses

• squats

• barns

• practice spaces

•  

 

Getting Equipment

• Power – extension chords, power boxes, generators?,

• PA, mics, mic stands, mic chords

  • buying/renting/borrowing

  • what are good reliable things to buy? How do you learn how to use?

•  

 

Preparing the space

• organizing/layout/feng shui

• soundproofing

• cleanup before

• communicating with all who share the space/getting and preparing space boundaries

• coat room?

•  

 

Dealing with money

• who will you be paying? Who thinks they are being paid?

• What are your expenses?

• Benefit events

• paying touring people (how far are they coming from?)

• giving money to the space, the organizers, etc

• how much do you want to charge?

• Donations vs mandatory fees

•  

 

Finding bands and participators

• How far ahead should you book?

• booking bands/entertainment

  • how you should invite them/what to communicate

  • how to get there & when to show up

  • communicating $ expectations

  • will they be fed, can they crash, etc

• variety – pros and cons, making events multi-media

• how many to book?

• Considerations of popularity – who will draw how many, and other things to think about

• booking appropriate to venue size 

 

Promotion

• when to start promoting

• what information to promote

  • what the event is for, who is performing, date, time, price, location, address, where to get more info

• flyers, posters

  • where to distribute them – stores, other venues, telephone poles, schools, etc

  • supplies – wheatpasting, staplers, tape, etc

• internet (myspace/livejournal/messageboards, other networking sites)

• radio/newspapers/etc

• word of mouth

•  

 

Laws

• noise laws

• assembly laws

• business laws (collecting money/running an underground business)

• considerations for illegal activities (ASK CAFE UNAMERICAN!)

•  

 

Neighborly considerations

• communicating with neighbors (warning/inviting/payoffs)

•  

 

Taking care of guests

• feeding

• showers

• showing them around town, sharing local resources

• introducing them to others

• where do they sleep?

• Where do they get cheap food?

•  

 

Expectations for event-goers

• what to expect from events

• how to treat others around you

• how to treat the venue

• don't have any money?

•  

 

Running a show

• general intro

• getting performers to your event

• volunteer positions

  • event manager

  • door

  • sound

  • tabling

  • setup/take down

  • “perimeter”

  • money collector

  •  

• time management

  • when does it need to be over by?

  • When will it start?

  • Budgeting time for event items

  • communicating times to all involved

  •  

• collecting money

  • how to ask for money

  • what to do with cheapskates

  • trades instead of cash

• house regulations

  • “no booze/no assholes”

  • vegan houses

  • bringing pets?

  •  

 

Security

• violence – what to do when it happens, how to deescalate, etc

• when the po shows up

• booze/no booze and how it will affect your event

• getting people to 'regulate' – pros and cons  

 

Other Topics:

 

-Anything you do can be a club.

 

 

 

Old Notes and Things TO DO

 

 

GTPSO Quotes from people to add