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News Bot
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
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 Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject: What I've learned as a promoter |
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By Salvatori Sorisi
| Quote: | After nearly 25 years of marriage, my wife ran off with a taxi driver. Well she didn’t run off, she got a lift.
That was the joke that started me off on the comedy life, a few years ago, at the wrong side of 50. That simple start pushed me forward to becoming a promoter.
I was born in Corleone, Sicily, and have been here since I was three. My father had to escape to this country from the mafia. I had no idea where I was going with my comedy when I started; I did it to shut out the pain of a second failed marriage.
I tried to play the gangster-on-the-run idea as a character act – a notion I got having chatted to the lovely Sol Bernstein, who similarly performs as the character of an elderly Jewish entertainer. But in order to find a platform for myself, I ended up resident MC of a Tuesday night show in Bristol.
I had no idea of the scale of the task I was undertaking, doing a show with only open spots once a week. I very soon realised you needed, at the very least, to have a paid headliner – so started dipping into my own pocket from my daytime job as a hairdresser
I managed to keep the gig going for about six months weekly but as the recession started to bite, had to switch to monthly I was thrilled with whole world of new friends that I was able to help up the ladder; and this is where I realised my place.
I got such a kick from putting on the show that I stared looking for more venues, and had up to eight regular venues at one time. I made money on three, which subsidised the rest. After the first year I just about broke even.
I was offered more and more opportunities by pubs and clubs desperate to get some punters in, and the lessons learned about what you need to make a night a success starts with support from the landlords: many expect you to conjure up an audience out your ass.
The first question I now ask of them is: ‘Are you a comedy fan, and will you be coming to the shows ?’
If they make excuses, that venue is not going to work
The thing I hate most is not having an audience for my acts.
I am inundated with requests for stage time and am sad that I can’t help everyone. It sometimes feels like I am playing God by picking and choosing who I give spots to.
The venues I seem to get are where the comedy is secondary – dinner with comedy or dancing with comedy, for example – so I have to have safe acts with non --offensive material.
It has become an addiction to find enough venues to showcase the acts I have, and when a gig fails it hurts like a bitch
I doubt if I will ever make a huge amount in this game but I keep going. My latest idea is to have two hours comedy then salsa or jive dancing afterwards, in bigger venues: 100 to 200 seaters.
I have met some wonderful people in this game and I owe a debt of gratitude to many acts who help me out by not demanding fees that are prohibitive and enabling me to ensure I don’t go broke.
I always thought the best thing about winning the lottery would be that you could help all the loyal people around and the few assholes who have crossed your path would feel gutted that they weren’t invited on the adventure.
Well if I ever make it big as a promoter, watch this space…
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http://www.chortle.co.uk/correspondents/2012/03/30/15146/what_ive_learned_as_a_promoter
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spikymike
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
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Location: Nottingham
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | The first question I now ask of them is: ‘Are you a comedy fan, and will you be coming to the shows ?’ |
Don't agree with this. It is nice and it can help, but quite a few of my best and most successful clubs, the owner/manager never watches a show.
What is more important is if they seem keen to have you and sound like they will put effort in to make it work. It is also important that the venue is successful in general. Are they busy on other nights? If not, you will have an uphill task.
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bobslayer
Joined: 30 Jul 2008
Posts: 99
Location: In Bed with chips and cider
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: What I've learned as a promoter |
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| News Bot wrote: | I have to have safe acts with non --offensive material.
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"There is nothing as offensive as something that does not offend..." Bob Slayer 1985
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HazelHumph
Joined: 15 Apr 2003
Posts: 11183
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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| spikymike wrote: | | Quote: | | The first question I now ask of them is: ‘Are you a comedy fan, and will you be coming to the shows ?’ |
Don't agree with this. It is nice and it can help, but quite a few of my best and most successful clubs, the owner/manager never watches a show.
What is more important is if they seem keen to have you and sound like they will put effort in to make it work. |
From experience though it makes it a nicer and much easier night to run if the venue owner/staff are into comedy. And more likely that they will promote the night to their regulars/members/mailing list and be more supportive in general.
| spikymike wrote: | | It is also important that the venue is successful in general. Are they busy on other nights? If not, you will have an uphill task. |
I've been to a fair few gigs where the comedy night was the only time the venue was full... in fact I've run a couple that were like this.
I'm just stunned nobody's asked Salvatori for a gig on here yet!
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mike taylor
Joined: 13 Nov 2007
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Location: Manchester
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:34 am Post subject: |
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It is nice when the landlord / venue owner is into comedy, however it's a fact that Spikey does run some very nice gigs and presumably speaks from experience.
Salvatori is probably flooded with PMs asking him for gigs.
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laughingalfie
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
Posts: 452
Location: North Lincolnshire
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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| mike taylor wrote: | , however it's a fact that Spikey does run some very nice gigs and presumably speaks from experience.
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Just a slight expansion if I may. Spiky runs dozens of very nice gigs, amongst them some of the best rooms in the country.
( Above not posted to get on his books I already get my fair share from him )
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mike taylor
Joined: 13 Nov 2007
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Location: Manchester
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| laughingalfie wrote: | | mike taylor wrote: | , however it's a fact that Spikey does run some very nice gigs and presumably speaks from experience.
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Just a slight expansion if I may. Spiky runs dozens of very nice gigs, amongst them some of the best rooms in the country.
( Above not posted to get on his books I already get my fair share from him ) |
I've only been to 4 or 5 but all very nice.
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