Alvin's Jazz Club

Band Info: Address 176 Mahogany Centre SE (in the Journey Club). Easy to get to but, for the first time you may want to google map the directions.   

Parking:  Parking is on the street or underground parking.  Register at the concierge desk for 5 hours of free parking.  If you need more time the concierge can arrange more for you.

Sundays: 10:30-2pm Jazzy Brunch with Egor Okloff and guests

Tuesdays: 7-10 pm  Crooner Tuesdays with Barry Shaw

Wednesdays: 7-10 pm with Whiskey, Rhythm, and Blues fest. Camie Leard

Thursday, Friday Saturdays Happy Hour with Kate Melvina 4:30-6:30pm 

Thursdays, Friday, and Saturdays Set 1: 7:30 pm to 8:30pm.   Set 2: 9:00pm to 10:00pm  Set 3: 10:30-11:30pm

Promotions:  Alvin's does want to make it clear that it is expected that at a minimum, all bands that play Alvin's must create an event page on Facebook and "like" and "tag" the Alvin's page.  It would be great if the individual members of the band do the same as well.   It is of course in everyone's best interest and we hope to help promote live music a little more effectively.  Further, it is expected that your show is reported and listed to: www.jazzyyc.com 

Further,  Alvins is looking to run banner ads in the Cal Herald and Cal Sun each week, promoting that week’s entertainment. 

They will require a promotional photo of you and/or your act well in advance of your date.  Please submit it each and every time for now until we/they have established a routine and acknowledge they have your photo on file. 

Please forward the photo file to: 1) Deanna Chene Deanna@vintagegroup.ca 2) Graeme Drummond graeme@vintagegroup.ca  and myself 3) Darcy Clendenning  espdc@shaw.ca

 

Riders: 50%off food and beverages.  Free pop, water juice, coffee, tea.  They are providing a limited amount of snacks for the band at the first intermission.  It is up to the band to notify them if they will be required and for how many prior to their first set.

For now, there is no formal green room however, the venue does use the board room for an informal green room but, it is part of the regular seating so, it may not always be available.   In that case, there are lots of breakout spaces and in particular, a nice one to the right of the bar with self serve cappuccino, latte machine.  

Sound: There is a baby grand piano, drum kit, and bass tig in house on stage. (see below) sound consists of: Mackie digital dl806 series mixer. 3 qsc cp12 mid hi cabs, 1 EV powered 15" subs, 3 qsc cp8 monitors.  Mid hi's and monitors are flown.  Microphone package consists of: 1 schure super 55 vintage microphone and straight stand.  Frankly, it does not sound that great.  Lots of whistle and breath noise.  It is mainly there for looks on stage.  Other mics include: 1 x  kik mic and stand, 2 x akg c1000 with adjustable boom stands.  These condenser mics are for overhead on drums and the piano. 2 sennheiser 935 vocal mics and adjustable boom stands, there is a sennheiser mic bag on the wall unit/bookshelf with 2 regular mic clips if required.  There are 6 x 25' microphone cables placed on the bottom shelf of the wall unit/bookshelf at the rear of the stage.  Please leave the stage as follows:  One sennheiser microphone on its boom stand at stage centre and the vintage mic nearby and the piano left miked up.  Leave the other vocal microphone, condenser, and drum microphone on their stands but collapsed and placed at the rear of the stage behind the piano. If you do want to bring your own microphone and stands feel free to do so as long as they are presentable.  Please do not lose any of the microphone clips.

Backline:  Baby Grand Piano, Drum Kit - There is a Ludwig Quest Love jazz kit with, stool, one rack tom, floor tom, 14" snare, hi-hat stand, dw5000 kick pedal, one kick mounted ride cymbal stand, and one floor-standing cymbal stand.  There are no cymbals provided.  If you need a third cymbal stand you will need to bring it along.  It is a good idea to keep a few things on hand.  Please bring:  cymbals, cymbal stand felts, wing nuts, pedal, stool.  Bass Rig - There is a compact Gallen Kruger combo.  MB150S-112 150W 1x12"  Sounds great for such a small package

Mixer: There will be templates for a basic set up and the iPad is easily accessible.  If you are not familiar with the mixer I would go to the following site for a quick tutorial at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnnmjBrMtak  This mixer is limited in channels and may be swapped out for a 16 channel version if required but, frankly, they just wanted to make it as simple as possible and 8 channels seem to be more than enough.  Only if there are drums in the program would we be using more than 4 channels and even then we are only using an overhead and kik microphone.  It is important to note that the band will need to be mic-ed up for background sound and side rooms even if it is not required for the main rooms mix.  For example, the piano is loud enough out front but not present at all in the side rooms if you don't.  Also, please note that each channel does have an analog adjustable input knob at the top of the mixer.  These have to be at the same position as when you sound checked or your mix will not recall accurately to your last session.  For that reason we suggest all input knobs be left at 12 o'clock

Load-In and Sound Check:  We are trying to get everyone to load in and soundcheck in the afternoon after lunch.  It is way less disruptive for the dinners and Darcy can spend more time introducing you to the digital mixer.  Otherwise, one hour prior to your show is ok.  Keep in mind you only have to do this once.  Once the check is completed your mix is saved so on any subsequent gigs sound check won't be necessary  Please let Darcy know what works for you.  

For now,  Darcy or Frank is helping get the band's sound checked and established on the mixer.  Once established, the bands will be able to recall their last known settings (refer to video)  Again the mixer is super easy to use and there will be basic templates set up.  Eventually, bands will be expected to manage their own sound.  Pierce the head bar tender is pretty good with the mixer too and can help out if need be.

Pay:  Your pay will be emailed on Saturdays or the day of your engagement.  

Brickwell Taphouse

SET TIMES 
Friday and Saturday Spring time hours 8:30-12:30am  Summertime Hours: 9:00-1:00am.  Set are 2 x 75 min sets and 1 x 30 min tag (last set)

LOAD IN AND SOUND CHECK: Brickwell only has limited use of a sound man these days.  Load in anytime but sound man arrives 30 minutes prior to sound check to do final mic placement, line check. monitor mix and sound check.  Sound check is just prior to start time and he will work with the band through the first few songs to make sure all is well

 LOAD OUT: It is ok if you come back on Sunday to load out. In fact it is preferred however, you must be out no later than 2pm as their Sunday jam starts at 3pm.  If not, please load out as soon as possible. Management and staff are eager to close up.

TO TURN SOUND AND LIGHTS OFF:   Please do not mute anything.  In the event of a ipad failure your show will go on as the mixer is not in muted mode.  Blackout the back wash lights on the light controller.  Now turn off the lighted switch on the power bar underneath the Mackie mixer and drawer this turns off the power to the main speakers.   At the front of the stage turn off that power bar as well.  It turns off the monitors.  If using, turn off the hazer (switch on back)   

TO TURN SOUND AND LIGHTS ON:  you may have to hit the home button on the iPad twice.  Now turn on the lighted power switch on the power bar under the drawer.   

LIGHTS:   Front lights are button number 1 on the key fob wireless transmitter.   Another key fob controls the animated lights and are marked on the fob itself.  The backwash lights work on a very simple controller.  Leave it on scenes mode and it will fade in and out to the next scene automatically.  Within music mode dial in the sensitivity to minimum to effect a change.  There is a high end hazer for use that will not set off smoke alarms.  Please turn the hazer off between sets and at the end of the show. It is automatic and the 3 digit pinwheel on the back should be set at 615 and aimed towards the middle of the back wall or under the drum riser.  6 is auto, 1 thru 8 in the middle digit is output.  1 being the lowest.  1 thru 8 on the end digit is fan speed.  For best results the hazer needs to be pointed from the front stage right of the stage diagonally to the left the kick drum.  This seems to even the haze coverage out the best.  Note: The moving lights on the backwash are temporarily linked to the same power as the backwash and stay on as long as the power switch on the power bar is on. They will be independently controlled shortly (see paragraph below this) 

PAY: Darcy will etransfer you Saturday evening

STAGE VOLUME:  Stage volume over the past several years has become a problem for many venues.  The days of the big rooms with big stages and big pa’s is pretty much over.  Bands and venues have had to adapt.  In ear monitors, smaller boutique amps, electronic drums or drum shields all help.  In regards to The Tipsy Pig, the room has a high ceiling so acoustically has challenges.   The venue has taken steps with ceiling briq a brack that helps with deflections and have installed a mini line array that helps a lot  but, there are some things you need to know….  Guitar volume issues: Side wash if you have to hear each other amps and/or mic and feed to your monitors.  Drummers:  needs to know the room is acoustically not the best….Loud snares really ruin the mix so I prefer a maple or quiter snare and watch the weight.  Cymbal wash can be an issue too so no excessive bashing.  While the room has a high ceiling, the play area is only 100-130 people….Not trying to fill the sides with sound from the stage.  Just the dance floor area really…..  We have side fills that fill the other areas for that…

SOUND AND BACKLINE: 

Drums: There is a drum riser and Yamaha Stage Custom in house kit with, seat, kik pedal, high hat stand.   If you want to use your own snare no problem of course.  It is a good idea to keep a few things on hand.  Please bring: Snare, cymbals, cymbal stand felts, wing nuts, pedal, stool.

Bass Rig:  There is a Gallen Kruger bi-amp with tc 410 cab and highend tweeter package.There is a new in house sound system 3 QSC HPR monitors, one drum fill and a Mackie Digital 1608 mixer.  There is one Schure kik mic and stand, four boom stands and mic cables for them but, you will need to bring your own microphones and any extra stand.  There should be enough cables to do a show so, to avoid any confussion whos are whos, either use all of ours or use all of yours.  If you do mix in a few of your own cables please do not take any of the in house ones with you.  Please! NO FOG MACHINES - NO DUCT TAPE(unless industry grade-low residue)  - NO CHEWING GUM   

A sound tech  can be provided for initial set up and sound check.  (determined on booking) For now that sound tech is Darcy.  He can be reached at: espdc@shaw.ca  cell: 403-837-9920   Make arrangements with Darcy regarding your sound check time preferences. Load in anytime but, typically Darcy wont be there for actual sound check until approx. 7 pm.  You should be all loaded on and roughed in at that point.  At show start he will mix you on the fly.  Depending on Darcy's schedule, these times will vary a bit. Alternate arrangements like loading in earlier in the afternoon on Friday can be arranged.  Frankly, this is preferred as the sound tech can dedicate a little more time individually.
 

Background Music:  Bar staff will turn on and off the house background system

BAND BOOKING EXCLUSIONS:  Because of very tight market conditions for live music venues over the last several years the Brickwell is requesting that bands being booked there respect a 5 kilometer exclusivity zone and refrain from booking other venues within that zone for a period of one months before or after Brickwell dates.  They feel they have really stepped up with improvement is support of all the live acts that play there including advertising buys with google and facebook on a regular basis.  This request is not unusual in other markets where a flat fee is paid to the bands.  Calgary is lucky in many respects.  Other markets often require a deposit from the bands to secure sales results or offer a door only payment.  In those instances they are not exclusionary though.

PROMOTING YOUR BAND:  Regarding Facebook and other promotions. It has been noted by management that some bands will promote some shows on their facebook while neglecting or perhaps forgetting to promote The Brickwell shows. While not on purpose perhaps, that can be perceived as unfair to the venue. the Brickwell has been very proactive these days promoting the live shows. Not just as a basic facebook post but as an “event” page. They have also been buying outreach weekly advertisements to reach as many folks as possible too.

What has proven to work best for them is that the bands create an events page of their own and then include the Brickwell Taphouse on Facebook. This way, not only do the bands promote it but, the venue will include it on their Facebook event page as well.  In addition it is requested that each member promote the event in the same way on their personal pages.  Further, a post from the band page and the members pages just prior to the event helps a lot too.  That and along with the advertising buys they do has been quite effective and reaches a lot more people than both bands and venue doing their independent promotion of the event.

Don’t want to preach to much more on this subject but, I do want to make it clear that it is expected that at a minimum, all bands that play the Brickwell must create an event page on Facebook and "like" and "tag" the Brickwell page.  It would be great if the individual members do the same as well.   It is of course in every ones best interest and we hope to help promote live music a little more effectively.

Have a great show!

Canmore Hotel-No Live Music at This Time

BASIC GUIDLINES ONLY.  New details out soon....

ALL ARTISTS: FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA IS ESSENTIAL IN EFFECTIVELY MARKETING YOUR BAND AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING YOURSELVES.  PROMOTION MATERIAL, POSTERS ETC MUST ALSO BE SUPPLIED TO US NO LATER THAN 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR EVENT.  PLEASE MAIL PROMO OR POSTERS TO: 738 - 8th Street, Canmore, Alberta  T1W 2B6 OR: DIGITAL FILES TO: espdc@shaw.ca 

CANMORE HOTEL HOUSE RULES:
LOAD-IN:    anytime after 3:00 pm.  Bands to be set up by 8:30 pm.
STAGE LIGHTS AND POWER:   see TECHNICAL BELOW
P.A., LIGHTS & SOUND TECH:  Supplied by venue.
SOUND CHECK:  Usually only a line check and monitor check is required.  Sound tech arrives at 9:00-ish...he'll tell you more.

START /FINISH TIME:
1 BAND PLAYING
Set 1) 10-10:45pm  (45min)
Set 2) 11:15-12:30am  (75min)
Set 3) 1:00-1:30am  (30min)

2 BANDS PLAYING
Set 1) 9:30-10:45pm  (75min)
Set 2) 11:15-12:30am  (75min)
Set 3) 1:00-1:30am  (30min)


ROOMS:  Check-in after 3:00pm   Check-out 12:00pm
PAY:  Bands will be paid each night after their show. Hotel reserve the right to withhold pay until rooms are inspected.
COMPS: Sorry no meals.
NO SMOKING IN ANY PART OF THE HOTEL!

 

TECHNICAL/DJ SETUP - TEMPORARY PLEASE CHECK WITH AGENT OR HOUSE SOUND MAN

1) FOR DJ SETUP: Go to “show” button, top right corner of the software (similar to the bar)  On the bottom should be a template/snapshot of DJ Chad….Click on it and recall, asks if you want to recall go yes.

2) Make sure that the monitor rack that the mixer sits on is turned on.  That is the Furman Power Conditioner, the switch is under a switch cover far right of that unit (very top piece in rack)

3) Lights:  Someone has been unplugging the lights from the ceiling sockets.  (one on each side, rear ceiling, white cords)  That’s OK but, they can be left running 24/7.  Anyways if unplugged, they need to be plugged in. 

     Power to the light controller along with the mixer should be left on 24/7.  If it isn’t, power the light controller on. Switch is at the rear of the unit to the left.  Make sure mode is in SCENE and then either AUTO or MUSIC mode….I like MUSIC mode and adjust the sensitivity to go with the beat of the music.

     That is top right red rotary knob.  If the lights are blacked out, it will indicate that it is with a red light beside the BLACKOUT switch.  Turn it off and the lights should come up.

4) TURN ON THE SOUND:  Make sure speakers are turned on.  The hanging mid-hi speakers and the front lights power switch is on the remote control fob tied to the electrical conduit running up the wall just to the left and up from the mixer. (there is a dimmer switch dangling near the door…That is for the front lighting too.  You can tell if the speakers are on by looking for lights on the back of the speakers.  SUB SPEAKERS.  Subs need to be plugged in.  There is a male plug near the mixer on the floor.  Plug them in to the nearby plug on the stage near the front.  The ones taped down.  Just the one plug powers up both subs.  Check for indicator lights.

5) DJ needs to send his left and right outputs to channel 1 and 2.  Just unplug anything in those slots if they are used…  Go to the input knob, that is under the taped section at the top of the mixer. It is velcroed down to avoid accidental changes to those settings.  Make sure the input know is at 9oclock to start

    If he needs more gain he can turn it up in small increments.  Careful not to overpower things obviously.  If the DJ wants to plug in another input for monitors or cueing, he can do so.  Just note were DJ Chad had it plugged into.  I think channel 4.

6) AUX FED SUBS:  Similar to the speaker control in the bar.  Sub frequencies do not go to the mid hi’s.  They are controlled separately in AUX 6.  Clicking on Aux 6 you will notice Channel 1 and 2 have the sliders up and AUX 6 master on the right Is up.  If it is muted, you can unmute it.  Go back to the Mains

(L&R) that’s the button above all the Aux channels.  Now when you bring up Channels 1 and 2 (‘DJ feed) The sound will come up in the mid-hi’s and subs in proportion

 

The dj Chad setting should be ok for most any dj really….

 

I would suggest anyone using the pa, check out these utube instructional.  Some are on the older softwar but, explain the basics well….

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLUTcS_ELmE

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU63U2_lKFo  

3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4_q6NPmzms

 

Also, if you go to:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI_Nkm_xeQc   There are individual tutorials…One thru 8 that are good too….

The Elbow River Casino

The Elbow River Casino, 218 18 Ave SE, Ph:403-266-4355:  Sets are: 9:30-1am. 3 x 50 min sets with 2 x 30 min breaks.  

Promotions: Please forward promotional pictures and/or logo and poster files to Scott Roberts at: sroberts@elbowrivercasino.com  He will be adding them to their Facebook Page and website.  Further, if you are not promoting shows there on your own facebook and social media sites you should be.  An event page that you can like and tag to the Elbow's at a minimum....However, taking it a step further and having all the members in the band doing so with in their social networks is very effective.  

SOCIAL MEDIA:  It is expected that social media of your event is enthusiastically promoted in advance of your show.  At a bare minimum, postings etc. no later than the Monday before your engagement is mandatory.  

NEW LOAD IN TIMES!  Effective Immediately please note load in and sound checks are Thursday evenings..  Times are flexible but, Thursday 7:30pm load in with sound man arriving at 8pm to finalize connections and mix sound check seems to be the norm.  If that is not possible alternately, Friday load in and sound checks must be completed after lunch no later than happy hour at 5pm.  Other options can include Thursday days, Wednesdays days or night.  If you have your own sound man that has been ok'd with Darcy, regular set ups before show time are allowed.  Please confirm all times and arrangements with Darcy by email at: espdc@shaw.ca

The sound man service offered is a courtesy to the bands and is not mandatory in any way.  If you do not wish to use the sound man and are interested in supplying your own sound man please advise Darcy you are going to do so.  Of course this is at the bands expense.  NOTE: The band is responsible to provide vocal mics and any other gear not listed below.

It is incumbent upon the band that upon your first engagement at the Elbow or, if any technical details change for your band, to email the bands stage plot and input list at least 10 days prior to Darcy  at espdc@shaw.ca  As well, indicate the dates of your performance.   If you need to contact Darcy his number is403-837-9920.  

NOTE: There is absolutely no drinking of alcoholic beverages on stage.  Also, there is no drinking before or during breaks unless there is express approval from Derreck the food and beverage manager.  There are no drink riders or free meals. Pop, Coffee, Juice, Water etc. is comped and you can get that in the lounge behind the stage.  

UFC fights etc....Unless directed specifically by management (not customers or general staff) Do not stop playing or alter your sets for UFC fights, Hockey games or other events.  Play as per normal.  The lounge will close the doors if neccesary.  

The venue has the following: 1 Yamaha Stage Custom 5 piece drum kit with cymbals, 1 bass rig, 2 vocal mics, 4 boom stands, 1 straight stand, 2 instrument mic, drum mic package with kik stand and mini booms, 3 di boxes/They have 4 mackie monitors and 1 powered drum monitor/xlr cable are loombed and run to the Allen and Heath mixwizard 16 channel board with effects and compression.  Panning strips one way is for vocal compressors and panning the other way are for compressing drums, trax and instruments.  (DO NOT PAN STRAIGHT UP)  This will engage both compressors and will not sound right.  

After your Friday show, please make sure you mute the channels on the mixer.  After your last show, please make sure the power to the Mackie monitors, powered bass speakers, drum monitor and the 1 QSC power amplifier that run the speakers at the top of the rack on stage are turned off.  It is important that under no circumstances you turn off the cross-over above the speaker amplifier, the mixer and gear under the mixer. Serious damage to speakers can occur if you do. To state it another way, only turn power amplifers or powered speakers off. Everything else stays turned on.

If you find that the mixer or other electronics have been turned off. Turn off the speaker amplifier, all of the powered speakers then, turn on all the other gear. When absolutely everything has been turned back on including the crossover above the speaker amplifiers, you can turn on the powered speakers and speaker amplifier.

We have had an ongoing issue with the front lights needing to be re-set from time to time. This is a problem if the bands do not know where to reset them. This is achieved by powering off and on the power bar marked front lighting at the front of the amplifier rack on stage. 

Please leave cables, mics and stands in neat order and left were you initially found them.  Take your cues from the duty manager, he/she can advise you regarding pushing start times for hockey games or anything that comes up...Having said that though, generally, they do not want you to change the start times for hockey or UFC.  Please pick up after yourselves.  Batteries, play lists, broken drum sticks, throw them in the garbage.  Please remove your empty glassware and bottles too please.  Waitresses and cleaners do not go on the stage..

Please make arrangements with Darcy to receive your pay by entransfer.  Cash is no longer an option.   Have a great show.....

Grey Eagle Casino

Grey Eagle Casino gig info: 37 St & Glenmore Trail SW. Ph: 403-273-3200.   Show times: 9:30pm show to 1:30am. 3 X 1 hr sets. 2 X 30 min breaks.   Load in early if you like.  Otherwise load in prior to show but, be absolutely ready for sound man Cody at 9:00pm for 9:30pm start

Thursday's and/or weekday shows were a main stage artist is performing: Load in 7:30pm speak with in house sound tech Cody to confirm start times.  Most shows get out around 10:40pm so, sets as follows:  Set 1) 9:30 – 10:15, break 15 mins.  Set 2) 10:30pm – 11:30pm, break 30 mins.  Set 3) 12-12:30 or 12:45

No backline, no meals or riders except for water, pop and juice. They are sticklers for punctuality. They are at 37St & Glenmore Trail SW. Good sound and techs.

Absolutely no outside liquor is allowed to be brought into the casino period.  Band members can purchase drinks from the bar to drink in the green room but absolutely no booze on stage.