Ideas for Running of Club Nights (at Boston House)
The M.C for the night should :-
(Note: he/she shouldn�t have to DO all this - just MAKE SURE it is/has-been done)
(Another note : Some of these things may seem trivial & are therefore optional ((I�ll mark some with a *)) - BUT I firmly believe that it�s attention to these details that has helped to build the club to where it is now, after 8+ years !) {RH}
(Note ; The room is sometimes used as a table tennis room or for other purposes, in between our club nights)
Set tables & benches (chairs & cushions - optional*)
Set up Blackboard* + have some raffle tickets handy ? (usually some in the white cupboard / kitchen - if not - BUY some from the deli - NOTE : The Raffle is our main source of income !!)) HAVE YOU ARRANGED FOR SOME RAFFLE PRIZES ??
Set up Kitchen - check MILK (+ tea, coffee, sugar, spoons, paper cups Etc.) (Note: Tap water at Boston House is not used for drinking - either bring your own rain water, or get some from upstairs) BEST TO BRING YOUR OWN RAINWATER !
(Note All the above is best done during the day - ie when Woolies is still open! - get receipts for anything purchased)
Put the White Donation container by front door - or somewhere accessible & one for Tea & Coffee (Put some loose change in (both?)to entice people to use them!*)
Candles on tables (+ matches available*)
Check toilets
{Check notices on walls - if any - are relevant* & not hanging off }]
Have some up-to-date Folk Club leaflets available for newcomers*
Before evening starts - check outside light for Toilets is ON check outside light for Cellar is ON (For latecomers)
AND TURN OFF Fluorescent light in cellar & Switch Side Dimmer lights ON **
(It�s Amazing how such a simple change affects the whole atmosphere of the night!!)
Hints for running of the night :- (within your own �natural style�)
[Note : DON�T FORGET THE RAFFLE ! - This is Not a FREE session - we MUST pay RENT, Public Liability Insurance, APRA fees, Tea & Coffee expenses Etc. Etc. Etc.]
Give everybody a fair Go - particularly People who DON�T come every month - & especially those that are nervous (That�s what the club is all about!) - give them every encouragement.
Try & balance the known acts out (Eg. Not all the unaccompanied singers / recitors together Etc.) - & give newcomers an early spot if possible* also try and find out the sort of material they do beforehand so as not to clash with regulars too much *.
[ PS : DON�T FORGET THE RAFFLE ! ]
Use the blackboard to help YOU organise the night*
[ I find it helps to have the names of those who have AGREED to do a spot, up
there as a reminder. There�s nothing worse than someone asking for a spot & then
being forgotten in the rush of latecomers. (Give early arrivals preference! But that doesn�t mean they have to be on early - save some for the second half !)
But also be aware that there may be someone who really wants to do something -
but is too shy (or lazy) to put their name down. -
Make sure you ask everyone! (Including those YOU DON�T know !)
Work out a rough plan for the night, from those there early, given that some people are better at leading sing-alongs than others. Try & organise some LIVELY material on & off throughout the night (But save some for the �session� !)
YOU are responsible for keeping the flow of entertainment going (not the singers)
(This doesn�t mean you have to be bobbing up there all the time yourself - just making
sure things are running smoothly)
Have something (Lively?) Ready to start the night! Keep in your mind who is going to be next - after each act -
(& then next after them ?*�.)
Be flexible - some change in your planned running order may often help the flow (Nobody need know)
Warn the next performer (Ask or Tell them! (depending on their personality)) during the previous act - or sooner, if possible, when they�re going to be on.
Have something (Lively / Loud?*) organised for After a break
(Banjo music is Great for this!) - Don�t make breaks too long!
BE READY, as soon as someone�s finished his/her spot - to thank them AND introduce the next act straight away.
Did I say �DON�T FORGET THE RAFFLE� ?!? - By the way, often KIDS seem to like selling the tickets, & do a lot better at it than us �Old Folkies�. However -Not if they�re TOO young - or try pairing them up* (Seems to work)
DO - Let the raffle sellers know what�s being raffled (& how much they are ? :- 3 tickets for $5 or 1 for $2 - try to sell multiples ! ) - & have some loose change available in case they get stuck.
Note:- give 2 prizes ONLY if there�s a reasonable (& generous) crowd
The �Session� at the end of the night is an important (Did I say THE most important?) part of the proceedings, when musos. & singers can �let their hair down� & often people not confident enough to �do a spot� earlier, can finally get to join in.
SO : Do leave time (Well before midnight! - ideally around 10.30pm�) for a �free for all session� - You can now begin to relax & enjoy the night !
Don�t Try & �over-organise� a session - let it happen!, but make sure it�s announced & lead off by example or encouragement (Pick on a few people that you know can take it) - By all means, get a sing-a-long going earlier, as well, during the night, for those that leave early - if you can arrange it ?
The rest (as they say in the classics) is Up To You! ��
BUT �..
Don�t forget the CLEARING UP :-
(Many hands make light work, especially if (You Put) the bin in the middle of the room while there�s still some music being played! -IE. During the Session - before everyone�s gone !)
Don�t Forget :- Someone has to - Clean up the kitchen & put away all the gear in the cupboard. (Before the last person leaves) :
Put away the (extinguished) candles (Are they OK for next month?)
Collect any donations from the box & from the kitchen
Put all monies in a safe place (see below)
Turn out the lights in both toilets
Stack the chairs (in corridor*)
Collect & stack cushions
Leave the Cellar as we would wish to find it!
Additional Notes:-
Money from Raffle & both donation boxes , should ideally be counted (�Raffle� total; & {Tea & Coffee + Other Donations} totaled separately by
the Treasurer or Assistant treasurer - or other arrangements made)
[Strictly speaking - we should also record how many raffle tickets were sold, for legal purposes !?]
Rinse & dry any re-usable cutlery etc. unless it�s �had it� & wipe down kitchen table.
Leave all other rubbish in the bin (in bin liner) - separate re-cyclable bottles if you wish
Check whether the Table Tennis table needs to be put back (only if requested by Mrs. Campbell)
Have a last look around for lights left on (inside & out - Toilets ?), lost property Etc. before you leave.
& Encourage people to leave quietly �
WHATEVER YOU DO - HAVE A GOOD TIME YOURSELVES !!
PS - There is a check list (in the cupboard?) as a reminder for you of what needs doing ..
- (I bet most people think it all �just happens!�.�.)
NOTE - The above are only suggestions (for discussion at the next meeting?) - if you can Improve on them - PLEASE DO !
(Thanks, RH - CFC - 2002) - Updated :7/1/02)
