Not a bad little corn dog gig...

[checkerhead]

Street Program at the PNE

2005 saw the return of Street Performers to the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The entertainment director approached me back at the beginning of 2005 to put together and manage the program, which ran between August 20th and September 5th (17 Days). Performers involved in the 2005 program were: myself (http://www.checkerhead.com), Mike Battie (http://www.mikebattie.com), The AcromaniAcs (http://www.theacromaniacs.com), Rob Torres and Hokum (http://www.funeeestuff.com) and Thom Sellectomy (http://www.swordswallowing.com). Any of these guys can tell you how the gig went.

I sat down for a meeting with the entertainment director today and the feeling is that theyfd like to build on the success of the program in 2005 and bring it back for 2006. Ifm interested in receiving submissions for acts interested in performing at the PNE, but would request that you send me hard copy promo instead of simply your web information so Ifve got something I can take into meetings with the Fair. Information can be sent to me at: David Aiken | The Checkerboard Guy, 1226 Brantwood Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7R 1G5, Canada. If you have any questions, feel free to email me | cbg@checkerhead.com.

[Guest]

Hey David, can you tell us anymore about the gig? shows per day, days per week, type/length of show, whether you have ac and can use music, and whether it is fee, hat, or both?

Thanks
Iain

[Rob Torres]

good times at the PNE

I'm no Checkerboard guy but I was there in the trenches this summer for the PNE streetstars and it was nothing short of great fun. 3 spots per day, stages with audio already set up and techs on site to help with any sound dilemmas. Dave was not only performing but taking on a coordinator role and he was superb handling anything that needed to be addressed. It was a good hang with some fun people in Vancouver at the end of the summer.

[jesus]

Good Fun Indeed

It was a very relaxed and fun gig.
As Rob said three shows a day for 17 days. No hat but a fare contract. Comfy suite to hang in between sets. Very receptive crowds.
Hope to do it again.
Oh yeah, and I got a backstage pass to ABBA-mainia!!!!!!!!!!!!

[checkerhead]

The Poop!

Iain,

Both Rob and Geoff did a pretty good job of describing the gig...here's a wee bit more to help flush out some of the details -

Probable Dates: August 19 - September 4, 2006
Days per Week: Everyday for 17 days straight
Number of shows per day: 3
Length of shows: Approx. 30 minutes per set
Type of Show: Set Stage Performances
Tech Details: The PNE provided small but workable stages (three in total) to help establish each pitch as a venue and included sound systems at all of the stages. These systems included CD playback and inputs for Microphones and AC for Transmitters etc. Each of the performers at the 2005 Fair provided their own microphone.
Fee Structure: In 2005 the PNE offered a straight contract (no hat) which was an "All inclusive" price meaning that performers paid for their own transportation and accommodations from the fee they received. This allowed the individual performer to choose where they stayed and how much they were willing to spend for their accommodations.

At this stage I'm still in the process of collecting Hard Copy promo from people. Promotional Kits, Videos (either cassette or DVD) and any other information that you have that you think might help you get the gig. I'll be taking this information in to the Creative Director for the PNE at the beginning of 2006 and will be making decisions sometime early in the year. Hope this help fill in some of the gaps.

Cheers,

David Aiken
The Checkerboard Guy

[Squid]

Hi David,

We're talking with you through e-mail but i thought that the answers to these questions might be useful to others as well.

Roughly how many people can fit at the stages? Crowd sizes of 100 - 300? or more like 600 - 800?

Also are artists allowed to sell merch, like dvds? photo's?

Are you willing to take artists for part of the festival at a smaller fee? Or are you interested only in having people for the full 17 days?

Thank you!

[checkerhead]

More Details

Audience Capacity: At the 2005 Fair crowds ranged in size from 50 or so (Very slow weekday) to about 600 in the largest pitch on the biggest days. I'd say the average crowd size for shows was between 250 and 400. But this depended a bit on the performer, the time of day which stage they were at etc.

Merch: Last year none of the performers had Merch to sell, so it wasn't an issue. This is something I would have to discuss with the Creative Director of the PNE. I'm really not sure at this point.

Full Run/Partial Dates: We're looking for performers for the full run, so coming in for a portion of the gig is unfortunately not an option.

Hope that helps clarify things a bit more