11 May
2016
11 May
'16
7:54 a.m.
I'm surprised you don't have contracts.
I call for, play in and organise a Barn Dance/Ceilidh band in England. We always have a
Musicians Union contract which states: date, venue, times, how much we're paid, how
much deposit has already been paid (the deposit confirms the booking) and who the contract
is with... Yes, it is a pain drawing up the contracts, but everyone knows the details. We
don't have surprises on the night. We can still be flexible. We mostly play for
weddings, anniversaries, fundraising... and although about half our bookings are
repeats/recommendations we don't really know these people.
My husband and I also play for Scottish Dance societies. This is a specialist area - more
like your dance series, and we know these people, mostly playing for them every year/6
months and some dance weekends. I would trust them, but we still have contracts and
deposits.
Once someone has paid a deposit, they aren't going to casually forget about you, or
book someone else.
Kate
Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 21:01:32 -0700
To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: Re: [Callers] Confirming Bookings - Best Practices?
From: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
The local series is good that way, with their confirmations. Those are
pretty close to the date, so I tend to follow the Check Their
Sites/Pages thing.
Others in the region are pretty good with a run of communication to set
up and one to later confirm. Again with something closer to the date.
Again I'll do a check on the lead up, mostly by having a look on my own
for promo material.
One dance series had the caller I was replacing still listed on the
site, so I wrote about a month and a half out so I knew if I was free to
rebook, do other things, or simply enjoy the evening as a dancer.
With a series, where there's a bit of pattern to the behaviour I have
little concerns. Also the communication tends to be pretty good and
established.
For one off dances I may do a bit more asking, esp. if there have only
been early enquiries.
On occasion a "definitely want you" has fizzled, on other occasions what
appears to be a casual inquiry really was their idea of a firm booking,
for myself and the band.
A band I do regular ONS work with (anniversary, wedding, fund-raiser
gigs) and I are seriously considering asking for a financial deposit for
some bigger one-off affairs. Esp. if there's travel, rental of
equipment, accommodation (that we must book) and such.
So, mostly nothing earthshakingly different than what a number have
commented on.
Cheers, John
--
J.D. Erskine
Victoria, BC
Island Dance
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