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Issues at my weekly event - why some people don't get it....
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| andrewyates |
As some of you know, a couple months ago I created weekly gig called Flaunt Fridays in Garden Grove. Still have not really promoted much for it because the venue was not ready, but they're getting closer to being so. Several of you have come out, some I have talked to, some not. I KNOW that some of you have had fun and left me great comments, and some have been disappointed on arrival. I understand why.
(A) The venue is huge (6ooo sq/ft), and initially the sound was truly terrible. It has since been nearly completely changed and dramatically improved. (B) There were power issues, now resolved. (C) The staff was clueless, the bartender was a total bitch (or not at the bar at all), nights ending early, and there just seemed to be confusion about how to make the night work from a staff point of view. This has also been resolved. This past week the bartender has been banned from Friday nights, and new knowledgeable staff is on hand. Had a nice meeting with all of them this week. (D) The music? I would not suspect so, and have not heard this, but let me know if this is a problem.
So just when I though things were getting more under control - I get the following message from the owner of the restaurant: "There's a birthday party tomorrow, they want to bring in their own DJ's to spin some hip-hop and latino music, you'll still get paid, but can you share time them? Can they use their own setup?" So, as I tell my friends the staff is changed, bartender gone, sound improved - and just as they get excited to come back and hear what I play - I have to deal with a clueless owner? Myself, Omar and Temoc (Thurs DJ) - the three who have set up EVERYTHING for the night club aspect of the venue, have told the owner NUMEROUS TIMES that nights need to stay on track or people will get annoyed and not come back. If I tell you all to come down, and you do show up - only to hear a new Jay-Z track...you'll probably wonder what the hell kind of crack I'm smoking. I'm sorry, I really am trying to provide a fun, free, local electronic venue - but it is becoming increasingly frustrating to have so many obstacles. As an owner: Give creative control to a DJ and his friends, let him promote. When he does, make sure the staff of the venue understands what is going on that night - inform them, like you claimed you did. Bitchy, rude, bartenders are no way to spur on business or return customers. Let me play MY MUSIC and promote to those who WANT IT, and when I do, DON'T double theme the night.
Sorry, long rant, but I can't believe how tough it is for the owners to see the error in their ways. They are killing our nights, and it's a joke when I promote it one way, and part of the night goes a different direction, or for no reason it shuts down early. Since 2003 I have had many fun and successful nights in southern California, I've seen what works and what does not. I know these weeks have not been perfect, but I do believe all will work out. It MUCH MUCH different then even a few weeks ago. I will be there again tomorrow, and will play at least 2 hrs. of new tunes for the EDM lovers. Thanks again for those who have come down, let's hope it all gets on the right track permanently!
Anyone who has come down, feel free to share whatever input you'd like here - I want to show the owners what the patrons have to say.
"Flaunt Fridays" 10pm-2am
7 Seas Sports Bar & Lounge
12941 Main Street
Garden Grove, CA 92840 |
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| DjWoody |
Sorry you're going through all this. It's happened to me before too. As a matter of fact, it just did this past weekend. The club flew in a DJ from Guadalajara Mexico and never told anyone. , they didn't even promote him. I get to the club, I'm about to go on, and he shows up. His set up? A laptop with Virtual DJ. That's not the bad part, the problem is HE DIDN'T BRING HIS SOUNDCARD OR CABLES!!!! WTF!!!! We don't use VDJ, we use Serato.... Grrrr
Anyway, I know it's frustrating what you're going through. What you gotta realize is that at this point, the bar isn't making money on Friday nights. That's why they close early sometimes. So if they get approached to do a private party, he sees it as an opportunity to make money and he'll go for it. Maybe you need to start at a smaller venue. |
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| DaveT |
Well, that sucks....although considering all the other stuff the owner has come to terms with (getting new sound, better staff, etc), it just possibly might be bad timing. It happening so soon after getting it fixed up is a little scary, because you can't just say "well we've been doing this for six months and it's happening this one time."
My biggest gripe with this would be lack of notice. If he told you earlier (at least two weeks), there's plenty of time to promote the weekly but mention the night where it's going to be different. And just not involve yourself with that night at all (though I guess you have to if you want to get paid there?). |
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| andrewyates |
| What??? Crazy!! So many things happen randomly, it will drive you insane. So many stories. As for the bar closing early, you'd think that was the case, but in fact, last week the bar closed....because the bartender wanted to go home! Management was gone, so she left. Several people then wanted a drink, but there was simply no bartender! She got fired - then begged for her job back, which they somehow gave her, but has been banned from weekends. I know they want money, but bad service will only lead tomorrows crowd to never come back. They may get one okay night, but no return customers. Hopefully the new crew tomorrow will indeed be better and somehow it may work out. |
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| Brandt Slater |
| That truly sucks bro. It does get better though. I've been attempting to get out there myself but my crazy work schedule isn't letting me do so. Hang in there. |
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| Cool1g |
| I'd tell your patrons the truth and not to show up - that there was a buyout tonight and you'll be back the next week... happens once in a while even at the biggest venues here in hollywood... then the owner might see the $ difference between having you there and not :D |
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| andrewyates |
Just talked to the promoter for tomorrow - and damn was I misinformed! NOW I'm getting confirmation from the DJ's that they are NOT hip-hop guys, but electro & progressive guys who already have 300 people rsvp'd for tomorrow!! I was given faulty information, by several people, all afternoon. Contacted many of my friends, who are now stoked to come down and really give this venue a try.
So as I eat crow - I hope some of you do in fact make it out tomorrow, it's going to be great. Sure I feel like an idiot for my rant, but some of it does ring true. If tomorrow is going to be a success - they need to have good service and good bartenders, we'll see if the new staff is up for the task.
foot ---> mouth |
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| Apeattack |
| quote: | Originally posted by andrewyates
Just talked to the promoter for tomorrow - and damn was I misinformed! |
Hehe... at least it will all work out now. |
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| Apeattack |
It was packed this Friday! Thank goodness I came at 10pm or it would have taken forever to get a table and eat dinner. I'm not really into electro but it certainly wasn't driving anyone away.
The service from the new waitresses was perhaps a bit too good. Whenever we placed an order, within a few minutes a couple different waitresses asked if we ordered yet. :p I'm sure they will figure out in time. |
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| andrewyates |
last night was a bit of an adventure. several of my friends came out, and did have a good time. the service was indeed much improved. venue looked and sounded better than it ever has. it was fun, but not without it's hangups: 1) a lot of underage kids were there at the beginning of the night, thankfully they were eventually weeded out. 2) in my opinion, some very new & inexperienced dj's were there. not all of them were bad, but some of those guys couldn't beatmatch to save their life. yikes. they had to resort to quick blends and odd cheesy gimmicks to exit tracks. whatever.
i want some experienced dj's who will bring in at least a few people, and are willing to not destroy the equipment. we're a fun crew, with a fun venue, but the way the communication worked last night (not through me like it was supposed to be) was quite out of control & lets just say it won't be happening like that again. dj's "experienced for more than 8 months can beatmatch actually understands crowds and looks up from the mixer every once in a while" hit me up. this place is going to be bouncing by summer... ;) |
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| andrewyates |
| Now i just found out who was involved, where the lies came from, and why everything was a huge mess with the dj's and 'promoters' last night. i will address this later - don't even have time to go into it right now. apparently some shady shady stuff went down. |
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| Apeattack |
| quote: | Originally posted by andrewyates
2) in my opinion, some very new & inexperienced dj's were there. not all of them were bad, but some of those guys couldn't beatmatch to save their life. yikes. they had to resort to quick blends and odd cheesy gimmicks to exit tracks. whatever.
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IMO Omar played a great set for the setting. Low bpm house music is ideal early in the evening in a lounge.
The first DJ after Omar had a ton of quick blends. The slow and mellow to hard and fast, and back again... and again... and again was a little difficult to listen to at times. But maybe that is just my personal taste in music.
I loved how there was a glove light show in the back of the lounge at like 10PM. :crazy: |
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