Performing at the Windsor Folk Acoustic Stage
Whether you'd like to be a top performer or if you just want to share your music, Windsor Folk
is here to help. The Acoustic Stage provides a place for artists to develop
their stage skills, try out new songs and meet other performers - all in front of an audience that
appreciates the efforts of performers at all skill levels.
We ask performers to follow the following guidelines, which we
think will help make each gathering fun for those both on stage and
off.
SIGNING UP
The performers for each Acoustic Stage are selected on a first-call basis. If you'd
like to appear, call the Windsor Folk reservation number (519)
978-3274, beginning no earlier than the Friday evening before the Friday performance date. Earlier callers won't
receive any preference.
If your call reaches an answering machine, please leave your name, the reason for the
call, your telephone number, and an e-mail address where we you can reach you,
if necessary. If you are a first-time performer at Windsor Folk, please briefly
describe what you do - i.e.,
"I'm a poet" or "I play fingerstyle guitar" or "I play guitar and
sing original songs".
Please also tell us whether you will perform by yourself or a
part of a group. This helps us plan the order of performances and makes sure we
have enough microphones, plug-ins, etc. We will not
normally call you back after your call
unless we need more information or if there are no more slots available.
We have a large and growing roster of performers, so please don't sign up for more
than two Acoustic Stages in a row. Please wait two or three months before asking
to perform again. We'd like to give as many people as possible a chance to
appear on stage.
Each performer is given about 12 to 14 minutes on stage to perform - typically up to three
songs, poems or other presentations. Please time your performance beforehand. This is especially true if you plan to perform original material. If
it's running close to the allotted time, please consider different material,
shorten your songs (leave out some verses; avoid repeating the chorus too many
times), or plan to
sing fewer songs.
Some Helpful Hints for Performance Night
Please select your songs and practice them ahead of time - complete with the intros.
To be fair to the audience and other performers, please limit your time on stage for no more than 15 minutes. Make your introductions short and
interesting. Don't describe the whole song before you start - let it speak for itself.
On the night of the performance, please try to arrive at Mackenzie Hall by 7:45,
and no later than 8:00 p.m. One of the Windsor Folk volunteers will greet you and
will introduce you to the night's host. The host will tell you your place in the
evening's line-up. The host might also ask you for a little bit of a biography
so that you can be properly introduced to the audience.
Please help us make the most of your time on stage by making some simple
preparations:
1. CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT - Before you leave home, double check that your
batteries, cords and any other accessories are working properly. It's
frustrating to find yourself on stage with a dead tuner or guitar pickup. You'd
be surprised at how many people find that the battery in their instrument has
died.
2. TUNE YOUR INSTRUMENT ahead of time and double check it before going
on stage. If you don't own a tuner or you'd like help getting your instrument
just right, someone will be able to lend you a hand at the start of the evening or during the
break - just ask a Windsor Folk volunteer. Sometimes you may have to retune after you get on stage. But this should be
just a tweaking.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE -
Usually, your instrument, a tuner if you use one, and your capos or picks are
all you'll need on stage. Since Windsor Folk players use mostly acoustic
instruments, it is perfectly acceptable to use the microphones provided rather
than pickups. If you do have an electronic pickup in your instrument, there will
be a connecting cord available for you on stage. The stage manager will show you
which microphones and cables to use and will help you position them when you go
on stage.
4. BE READY - Remember your place in the line-up and get ready to go
onstage while the artist ahead
of you is performing. Are your cords, straps, capos, tuners, etc., all ready to
go?
5. USING MICROPHONES - This can be a daunting
experience for someone who hasn't performed on stage before. We recognize this,
so please ask for advice at the start of the evening if you haven't previously
used one. The key to sounding great is to "stay close to the mic" and "don't move around."
The stage manager or host will help you position the mics to properly amplify your voice and your instrument.
Microphones work best when they are no more than 15 cm (6") away
from the source of the sound (your voice or your instrument). Try to stay within
range once the equipment has been positioned for you. The sound
people want you to sound your best, so please trust their judgement.
6. TRUST THE PEOPLE RUNNING THE SOUND SYSTEM - If you have an instrument
with electronic controls, look at the person running the sound system for advice
on how to adjust your settings. The sound person will adjust the volume and
balance so that sound your best to the audience. You'll be able to hear yourself and your
instrument through monitor speakers facing you on stage, but this isn't
necessarily what the audience will hear. If can't hear yourself or your
instrument clearly in the monitor speakers,
say so. If you bring an instrument that has its own amplifier, keep an eye on the
sound person, who will signal you if your unit is too loud ("thumbs down") or too quiet
("thumbs up" - please bring up the volume) for the
song.
7. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF THE AUDIENCE AND OTHER PERFORMERS -
Please stay to support and listen to the other performers. Occasionally,
Acoustic Stage performers have to leave after performing due to other
obligations. Sometimes that's unavoidable, but
otherwise it's just perceived as bad manners - it can give the impression
that it isn't worth your valuable time to listen to other peoples' performances.
Don't repeat your material too often. No matter how popular a song may be, the audience will get tired of reruns. If you've played all the songs you know, learn some new ones before you sign up again.
Please respect others' views. Songs and poetry are an important and traditional medium for expressing social, environmental or religious points of view. But please respect the fact that Windsor Folk has a diverse membership and everyone has their own beliefs and causes to support. Most people come to the Acoustic Stage mainly to be entertained. Songs typically speak for themselves, and the audience is perceptive. Please keep your introductions brief.