What if…..?
Posted by chaille on 10 Aug 2009 at 04:14 pm | Tagged as: Events
What if … we had a regular haunt? What would it look like?
August is a busy month and hopefully summer will extend far into September this year, but as those wind down it would be nice to have another “Alebrije” on the horizon to draw new folks out and carry us through winter. I’m still hoping David will get something set up at Bastilles – selfish of course cause it’s walking distance home for me. But just in case it doesn’t pan out, I’ve been talking to some business owners who may be able to accommodate us. The problem is that I haven’t been out as much and don’t have a feel for where people are going or what you collectively want in a favorite haunt anymore. I need your help.
What are the top things on your dance place wish list if we were to set up a venue catering to Casineros?
Some ideas for the less readily opinionated folks:
Day of the Week – Wednesday? Friday? Another night?
Music – live, dj, combined. Band suggestions? Band objections? DJ’s who want to volunteer (there is a sound system you just have to plug in). DJ’s you wish would volunteer?
Start time – 10:30 (too late), 8:30 (too early?)
You get the idea. It is a wish list (within reason!). What would it take to get each of you back out of the house and onto the dance floor when the days are short and the rain clouds settle in?
8 Responses to “What if…..?”
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Chaille -
The top thing on my dance place wish list is very simple:
Leads
Leads
Leads
Live Music/DJ/Day/Time are all secondary to me. I’m unsure as to what we can do (short of bribery) to get more Leads engaged in our scene.
Happy to discuss ideas in more detail offline (cnealy at att dot net).
Yeah, I’ve never understood that. There are plenty of wanna-be-bravo-brothers leads out there. But for Casino? Better music, better dancers (in my opinion), better looking follows and most importantly, a hell of a lot of fun…and no leads.
I keep hearing there are lots of new folks on Sundays and Mariana has pulled together people with her group….what happens to them when the sun goes down?!
Bribes? I’m not above bribes – I’ll be in touch. We can brainstorm recruting tactics offline.
In our situation maybe men should be enter free b4 10 or 11 instead of women…..
I am not biased as the cost for J & myself would remain the same
Here’s my humble, but direct insights & recommendations.
There have been many short-lived failures over the last 9 years of trying to create a Cuban timba night at a variety of venues: Lulu’s, Vito’s, Noc-Noc, Mr. Lucky’s, Alebrije, Waid’s, and Guadalajara.
I think all of these past efforts ultimately failed due to low attendance, low bar sales, strong competition from other venues, too narrow of a focus on timba music only, and not inclusive of the larger salsa community & general public.
These venues are in business not charity work, so if it’s not commercially viable it won’t last because venues need to pay rent, taxes, utilities, and staff/security wages.
I recommend three options.
1. Go rent a space for dancing.
2. Ask the currently successful dance venues to play more timba music (Century Ballroom, Babalu, TripleDoor, Rock Salt).
3. Look for a nice venue to host a monthly event which is more inclusive (meaning broaden the music and don’t just play Cuban timba music and invite the salsa community & general public), include live music, and salsa dance groups.
In general, the Latin dance community doesn’t drink much so charging a set door price (regardless of what time folks show up) and charging for all drinks (including water) is a must to make it commercially viable for a venue, along with have a good turn out regarding attendance.
DJ-T,
Thank you for sharing your insights. They are very valuable, and I think you summed it up really well.
Right now there is minimal cross-over from the LA Salsa community, and the Cuban “energy” has not grown, but done it’s typical stop-start over the last few years. There is not enough ‘steam’ YET…to keep bodies flowing into an establishment. But, many of us are doing as much as we can to help change that! It will take great teamwork, some time,…and of course…some luck.
A few key elements are:
1. Good, consistent dance instruction in the community. 2. Place for people to practice their new hobby. 3. Expose the Cuban sabor, by getting quality artists, intructors, bands to come to Seattle. (This exposure is most lacking as we now) and us local peeps doing presentations.
Chaille, you are right there is this “sleeping” community out there that, as we know can be a nice crowd, when the stars align. But, it’s not enough. The approach that was attempted with the short-lived venues was; “If you create it, they will come.” Well, it wasn’t enough. I think it has to be attacked from both sides at once…and, even then, it’s still a large challenge.
I like DJ-T’s recommendations…especially; must be inclusive of the larger salsa community & general public. Not, that we don’t believe in that, but,…Our informal, more “guerrilla” organization..which we, including myself, Love so much…holds us back from the “marketing” opportunities. I think we can still have that, but it will be necessary to have a push towards a marketing “identity” to grow the crowd.
I think we’ve all learned a few things, over the years, in regard to cover charges and drink sales…and are more than happy to give a few bucks each week to help out the “cause”, and help sustain the venue.
I know Vancouver is a different animal, but what they have told me is the same issues we have had over the years! (not enough bar sales,etc)
I think what has helped keep a larger crowd of dancers is: 1. a large group of great instructors!, 2. more Cuban bands, events. 3. reaching out to their Salsa friends with partnered events.
I think that anything is possible! Let’s keep work’in it! work’in it! We have AMAZING peeps here. Ahi nama!
Keep the comments coming!
Hi All,
My suggestion, one that I have thought and voiced over the past years, is that I think a once a month event could fly.
I agree that our specific genre of music coupled with not enough consumption of drinks contributes to our short-lived (but fun nevertheless) haunts.
Having something every week is fun, but difficult. At first everyone comes each time, but then after a while some are able to come one week and not the other and therefore attendance goes down, and eventually it ends. A once a month event (i.e 1st Friday of the month or last Saturday of the month) can allow for more possibility of everyone showing up. It doesn’t solve the other issues, but it is something that worked with Georgetown years ago, and works in other cities. Every week just might not be relative to our small genre of music, but perhaps once a month would be (but don’t get me wrong, back in the day I was there every week loving that option.)
As for music, I feel that what makes us what we are is Cuban music, and the dance that matches it. If I want to hear other types, I’d go out to seek them elsewhere.
If possible, our events where ever they may be, whatever day, time, how frequent etc. I (and I speak on behalf of some others) hope to get our fix of Cuban music, dance, and friends.
Lastly, Thomas’ suggestion to just rent a dance space for parties might be a good one to explore.
Hey,
I would be up for Friday nights, or even Monday nights. Friday does not compete with Century, which will always pull me, because they have leads, leads, leads, and I will always default to where I can be in the dance. Ofer has a great point. Maybe more men would come….
One thing which has not worked in the past? When there are 2 Cuban DJ’s spinning at 2 different venues at the same time, therefore splitting the community. How can we unite those DJ’s for a stronger event? David, Sammmy, and Thomas??? Any ideas? And maybe we should drink a little more…. hic!
You know? There are many people in the Rueda group that I dont go out much. How might they get pulled in?