Thursdays At The Dipper Suspended - Lessons Learned Category: Thursdays At The Dipper This article has been read: 1309 times. The interesting venture known as Thursdays At The Dipper will be suspended following January 13, 2005. It might reappear in the future with a new focus or activities. Despite interest from many parties, including a willingness by relatively unknown bands to "pay to play," the venture suffered from low attendance by the public to see bands they were not familiar with. A variety of other "lessons learned" is presented below. HISTORY The Big Dipper was the site of a new venture called "Thursdays At The Dipper" in the Fall of 2004. This was a night free of any cover charge. Music fans could check out music without paying to get in, similar to a coffeehouse. Openings for bands to sign up for one of two 45 minute time slots each Thursday night, at the cost of $50, started on October 7. SCHEDULE: OCTOBER 7 8:00 HAPHAZARD OCTOBER 21 8:00 UNDUHN 9:00 NO COVER OCTOBER 28 ARMOR FOR SLEEP - special event NOVEMBER 4 8:00 RELENTLESS 9:00 THEQUICKANDTHEDEAD NOVEMBER 11 8:00 9:00 BILLY'S MACHINE NOVEMBER 18 8:00 9:00 NOVEMBER 25 THANKSGIVING!!! DECEMBER 2 8:00 9:00 QUAGMIRE DECEMBER 9 8:00 THE REX JAMES BROTHERS 9:00 DECEMBER 16 7:00 EZCAPE (60s original rock) 7:45 LAST CHANCE (original rock, little harder) DECEMBER 23 (CLOSED 3-5 PM) 8:00 THE REX JAMES BROTHERS 9:00 DECEMBER 30 CLOSED - ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS!!! JANUARY 6 8:00 JOHNNY GET DOWN 9:00 Each Thursday night, except when there was a holiday or special event at the Big Dipper, there were 45 minute time slots at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM for "rent." The sound and lighting system owned by RAWK the Inland Northwest was available for use as part of that $50 rent (frequently discounted when the "crowd" was small). As there was no cover charge, it was hoped that a large number of people would get in the habit of checking out the Dipper on Thursday nights. That didn't happen. The bands had the opportunity to sell merch to recoup some, or all, of their "pay to play" rent. They could also put out a donation jar, and solicit donations from the stage. They could also "sell" advance tickets, as long as they made it clear to people that their purchase was a "donation." Thursdays At The Dipper was actually open from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with the afternoon "coffeehouse environment" being an after-school hangout, an opportunity to cruise some wireless laptops graciously made available by TINCAN ( www.tincan.org ), entertainment on the Big Dipper's video projector and screen, and (not implemented) some music-related training and other activities. Limited concessions were available. There was frequently a time slot from 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM for various performance art, depending on what got set up for each particular Thursday. This included the possibility of acoustic performance, poetry reading, open mic, DJ, or other performance. This opportunity was open to ALL bands. There were a few basic limitations. Similar to the rules of the RAWK Final Four and BOBFest, bands/performers were subject to some minimal restrictions on lyrical content and stage behavior, intended to create a positive atmosphere and content appropriate for an "all ages" crowd. This was not intended to be heavy-handed, but clearly obscene, racist, or other inappropriate material was not be allowed. Ryan Kalivas (ryan@tincan.org) served as the contact point for bands interested in TATD, and brought the wireless laptops each week. Heather Adams of the Chase Youth Commission served as the coordinator for volunteer staffing. Edgar Tamayo solicited community support, and arranged for much of the promotion of each week's activities. Josh Lockwood and Derek Smith provided much of the volunteer sound tech work. This undertaking was jointly sponsored by the Big Dipper, RAWK, TINCAN, the Chase Youth Commission, and other community-based organizations. LESSONS LEARNED 1. It takes a lot of work to organize and manage a complex undertaking like this, and to stay on top of matters. 2. Many bands have a strong interest in finding a stage with a good sound system to get on and practice/perform, and are willing to "pay to play" if enough people (even a fairly limited number) come to watch). Unfortunately, these crowds were too small to create the necessary incentive, and staff became worn out by the discouraging lack of public attendance. 3. Many good intentioned parties (the Big Dipper ownership/management of Steve and Sue), the Chase Youth Commission, TINCAN, RAWK, and Moody NW Bible College - among others) exist in the community, and are willing to sacrifice time and money for the well being of young people. 4. Very few young people are drawn to a place solely to hear music they are not familiar with, performed by people they don't know. 5. Other good reasons to attend (food/beverage, activities, presence of friends, comfortable environment) must be provided to be successful. Posted by: rawkmandale - September 21st, 2004 Back to News Articles View Articles From Thursdays At The Dipper Category