Re: jealous of bay area gigs

["samba -" <sambacomet@hotmail.com>]

  Not all of the places I mentioned charge admission.Duality is a quality 
of 
human mind,having to do with how neurons work.But in the  realm commonly 
refered to as 'the real world' there is no coin with less than 3 
sides,such 
a thing would violate what are called the laws of physics. Some events 
already have crowds,and do want performers to be the focus of 
attention-sometimes just to put the crowd in a good mood for the main 
act,like some political and community functions,like awards 
ceremonies.I've 
done a number of Artist in the schools programs-the crowd is literaly a 
captive audience,the performance is very much the focus of attention,and 
they aren't doing it to effect the bottom line. I've played for dance 
performances extensively,the dancers beleive themselves to be the ones 
drawing a crowd,they could just use recorded music,but live music is 
better 
artistically.It's not background,it's interactive,the music is a 
fundamental 
componant of the art being created.  I've been paid to play a number of  
free admission,summer in the parks type gigs sponsored by local 
governments,the point of which is to give people the experience of being 
part of a vibrant community.No bottmon line or background involved.Some 
free 
gigs are sponsored by businesses who want the name exposure to be good for 
their businesses,but usually the organizers of these events ,the ones who 
solicit the business donationsare doing it because they love live 
music,and 
often are volunteers.
   The idea of two kinds of places could be useful for someone 
inexperienced 
needing to learn how to deal with booking gigs ,It's a good rule of thumb 
for the venues it fits, fine for those happy with the sort of niche.But 
it's 
a shame for artists to think only bars restaraunts and coffeeshops are the 
only available forums for public performance.