There are a ton of musicians, worthy bands, and music fans in the East Bay... and not enough places to play! SF music scene is a shadow of what it used to be and the East Bay could/should be the next hotbed. A recent survey found there are likely over a thousand bands that practice within 15 miles of Oakland. DJ's are as popular as ever but do not offer the engagement of live music. More clubs are popping up in downtown Oakland and doing well, who knows of or has a place in Berkeley, Albany or El Cerrito that wants to help carve out a new local hangout and venue for live music????
There is nothing in El Cerrito and one of the bars on San Pablo could accomodate this.
I have done booking and have a network of contacts and bands/musicians that can get this going. Part of the problem with some existing places is the door/cover they charge...it did not used to be like this. Don't charge a cover! and people will usually drink the 5 bucks they save. The bar can give the groups either a percentage of sales and a flat rate or 2 bucks for everyone that shows up so that a proper fee can be easily verified. A good screener can help maintain a high level of professionalism so that the joint does not have schwaggy entertainment and becomes a place people avoid unless there band is playing there (IE ...Stork Club)
Bands do not make much money now...and are willing to play for less (something)to be able to play out ...and if the scene is cool and we help develop a venue that ultimately becomes a regular destination. Lets set up a situation that has 2 bands on Thurs, Fri, and Sat and take it out from there? Other than a couple thousand initial investment for basic sound and a little for promotion, this does not have to break anyones bank and will easily pay for itself when you consider the 20 or so minimal people just about any 2 bands would bring in anytime this occurs. The demographics have changed in the
East Bay and there are a ton of new people who have bought houses and or homogenized El Cerrito and Richmond ...and created a new potential market for entertainment this far North of Oakland (I have 3 bands that practice within a block of my house in richmond) Do you have or know of a venue?
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