I can and will make a stage for you cats and kittens this weekend if I can get a hand with a few bucks and a way to move it about. Ill call for real lumber prices but a good guess is about $200 to $250. Ill donate half of the cost whatever it ends up being. The plan is based on one I built for a skate park a few years back. Its main stage was 8' deep and 16' wide and (IIRC) 16" off the ground. The drum riser was 8' by 8' and 30" off the ground. That was for an 8 piece ska band (and was copped so people could skate and grind on it while the band played) so I'm guessing the Barra's could be a bit smaller. 8' deep and 12' wide a foot above ground and a drum riser 6' by 6' 18" off ground would suffice. It can be broken down to three 4' by 8' pieces and two 6' by 3' pieces, and would stack about 22" high. The only real flaw is it needs to be set up on (relatively) level ground. Lot 8 is fine, I'm just not sure about other venues (RFK North? ) Anyhow, someone let me know and Ill get on it.
OMFG Yes! I think I just did liquid explosion in my pants. As a matter of fact I had a skate dream last night on a big ass hipped half pipe with a mini crossing it.
One thing to consider when looking at the size of it would be doing a quick changeover. That would mean having multiple band's equipment on stage at the same time. I don't know what size that would constitute and maybe the band members could chime in on that.
Part of keeping it low is you can have the next bands stuff just off the sides where it goes on stage. Band one carrys stuff off front (or back for the drummer) and next band comes up the side. Its also not really ment to be a touring type of rig, I could build in lighting stands and pa racks but the budget is a concern. Or if its not, gimme a few days and Ill go apespit on it and itll be pimptackular. Hell, Ill get hydrolics and spinners on that mug.
If we do run with this option, one thing that would be nice is something that would make it nice and easy to put Mike Terry's banner as a backdrop. It seems as if transportation may be our biggest issue right now. Before you swing a hammer we need to make sure we can get it there. Pick up truck owners? Trailer owners? Bueller? Fry? I have something in the works from a rental company for a great value, but still pricey, but it would be nice to have something we could re-use because it seems to be a popular concept that we would want to do again. (Or maybe I shouldn't speak to soon. Especially for the bands. )
Backdrops are easy as my mother. Couple a' pole brackets and away we go. The real trick is, as stated above, toting around and storing. And getting bands to play field parties every weekend so we don't forget how it goes together.
Option for the bands. In high school we had a Battle of the Bands. There were alot of bands and not enough time to change out amps, drum kits etc. We all sat down and agreed to share the major stuff and just swap out effect boxes and minor stuff like that. Is there any way something like that would work to save time between sets? Just a thought.
Thoughts on the "stage". I'm probably repeating what the common vibe is but do we need a stage per say? Why not do something that'll support amps and drum kits. I'm thinking keep it simple.
http://www.nomadeventsystems.com before you spend all that time and money, try calling these guys. I would suggest 16 ft deep and 24 across to accomodate multiple acts.. (room to layer gear)
I used to book punk and metal bands on a weekly basis at a joint called the U-Turn a couple years back. Legally, bands aren't allowed to exist in this region without my knowledge (look it up, section 508 paragraph 17). I'd be more than willing to help fill slots if needed.
FYI The show is on the 29th. That's the PLAYOFF game.. not NEXT week. As per Marhall and Oscar's request, we have the PA booked for the playoffs and that gives us a little more time. To plan and for each band. As far as "band input" goes.. since it is now just two bands (G.C. and the Lindbergh Babies & Pedro/the Rulers) Bleeder Resisistor is out, we really dont need anything big or change out room. I will be very happy/grateful with a working generator and anything that keeps my boots mud free.
We can find money for something relativelly cheap if it will be used few times next year too, bought or made. As others said transportation and storage are more of a problem at this time. Um, what does RFK think about stage in their parking lot?
All I know is if and when we get permission from RFK Stadium authority, we should get something in writing to bring with us. If we get that permission, I wouldn't rely on their communication system. I can picture getting hassled by parking lot attendants and having to explain to them we have permission from their management, then a long hassle involving phone calls.
we should also cut down all the trees near the anacostia, then you can play music, and we can all wakeboard to it
Gavin, I think this is a great idea and thanks for the offer to do all of that work. The price you quote sounds like it's about what we'd pay to rent once (or even less), so if it goes well on 10/29 and we do this again in the future, it'll be well worth it financially. I suggest we rent on 10/29 and see how it goes, then roll our own next season if we decide to. Maybe next year I'll take control of my bandmates' vacation calendars and we'll be able to play...
Uh, you bringing some sort of disinfectant? Owen, if this goes on into next season let me know, my band is more than willing to play.
Since every person in Barra has 3 bands how come you didn't come up with compilation Barra cd yet? it beats those song sheets I print