Fort Smiles meeting notes

[teamkate]

Last night a few of us met up in bevier312 to talk about stuff going on lately in the basement, and everywhere in general.

present at the meeting were: cheryl, april, matt gordon, bon, kate, andy, and leslie.

to sum up some of the stuff we discussed, here are some notes for people who couldn't make it:

-We would like to see shows less frequently and better planned out, so that bands can be compensated fairly for their time and everyone in town doesn't get burnt out from shows.
-We would like to find other showspaces, as Fort Smiles can't be relied on in the long run, and it would be good for everything to start seeking out other venues. Some places that should be looked into are: the VFW (cost $ to rent out), the Purple Lounge (needs a solid month notice before booking), CABS (also costs $), Jack's Rhythms, McKenna Theatre, 60 Main (acoustic shows only), and someday a long term space like 3FU (wishful thinking).
Try to book a show anywhere else but Fort Smiles at first. Then use it as a last resort.
-Before booking a show at Fort Smiles, figure out if anything is going on that night. For Instance, having a show on the same night that the Black Box is having a play should be avoided. Anything that could lead to getting caught should be avoided.
-Shows on weeknights at Fort Smiles should start no earlier than 9:30, just to avoid it infringing on class times. The room should be kept clean, put seats back in the order you found them in after the show. Make it look like no one was there. The room is used for classes during the day.
-As far as Fort Smiles flyers go, don't post them around campus. It's too much of a risk. Give them out the day before the show, and through word of mouth and internet as much as you can. No posting on school buildings is a good practice.
-One show a weekend is a reasonable thing. Any more than that and it's just going to exhaust everything.
-As few Sunday shows in Fort Smiles as possible. They're more likely to be shut down, so they're best to be avoided.
-Know how to say no to a band that asks for a show if it's something unreasonable. We can't accomodate everyone. It's really awesome we are able to have any shows at all, let's not push it and get them all taken away.
-Everyone who sets up shows needs to communicate more. The month of April is going to be insane show-wise and in the future that should be avoided.
-The notion of making a required flat charge for entrance to shows was brought up. This would make it so the bands would get paid sufficiently if enough people showed up. We agreed that this would be up to the person setting up the show, but that a 4 dollar fee might be a good idea in the future instead of a suggested donation set up. This is just so the bands can be compensated reasonably.

I guess things can kind of be summed up like this:
No one owns the space. But everyone needs to respect it.

[mvmf]

thank you for posting this.

[alan]

sorry if this is long...i wasnt in town for the meeting and have a lot to say in relation to the fort as always.

i agree with everything there though i dont know how i like the sound of only one show a week. i think that limits things too much and benefits some people who books shows more often than others.

id like to suggest we cap at two a week, most likely which be friday and saturday shows. unless of course the two shows are essentional the same show then by all means if they can be smooched together do it.

we should also keep in mind that people that arent us, the direct circle of our friendship, use and do things in the space too. i believe there is a least one band that practices there and theres been one show to my knowledge that has been put on that wasnt done by one of about four people that normally set things up. so we shouldnt put any regulations on them on an autonomous space that no one controls.

i use to know how much the vfw costed to rent. if people are interested in doing things there and i still have the number of the guy who i talked to a while ago about how to go about putting a show together there. as for shows at cabs, umm...fuck cabs...but if people want to put on shows and go there thats fine. personally, i think im going to stay with the fort for my shows, its more my style and i like it there for now.

i also think that over all we should try not to have shows on weeknights and sundays unless they are acoustic since not loud and easier to get in and out.

one thing that i would like to bring up, is how to get people in and out the fort...the past few shows we've been trying to get people and bands to use the outside enterance to the basement. i think its safer than having tons of people walking through the building with instruments and what not.

this is just some stuff that comes to mind...was there any talk about have anything another meeting about the space? maybe we can set one up the first week of april, perhaps in the fort itself?

[matt]

i definately want to have another meeting for people who wanted to but couldnt come to this last one. so if you have a date in mind, make it known and we will see who can come.

[teamkate]

another meeting definitely wouldn't be a bad idea.

as far as the fact that people who aren't us use the space and we shouldn't impose any regulations on them...
i feel like people can and will do whatever they want.
no matter what anyone says.
any "rules" we make are not really rules, so much as suggestions.
pretty much all we are trying to do with this is keep the interest in shows at a high level, make sure bands are supported, and make sure shows in the fort can keep going on uninterrupted.

we are not putting regulations on anyone, but just are putting forth suggestions that would help the space from being found out and shut down, consequently.
i guess i just think that if the other people who are doing things in the basement have the same understanding that having shows down there is a thing that we are merely getting away with, they would want to listen to suggestions too to avoid future trouble.

essentially, anyone could put a show down there at 6 oclock on a wednesday night with the loudest of bands ever, and none of us could do a thing about it.

but im pretty sure we all hope that wouldn't happen and people would understand the circumstances enough to not decide to do that.

everyone should use their judgement, that's all.

so, another meeting?
when us kiddies get back from spring break?

[alan]

sorry if my opinions came out sounding like i was attacking anyone at the meeting. i had pretty much just gotten home from the trip when i posted it. i was only trying to get what i would have said at the meeting across. kinda like an internet alan that everyone could take with them...to school...to work...to a waffle house.

does anyonek know when jared is getting back? since he was the one that suggested the idea of a meeting i think we should hold until hes here.

[lilaboom]

im going to put shows up on facebook using codeword fort smiles...any problems w/ this?