• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Would YOU consider taking a gig like this?

If you were young or retired and reasonably local.... maybe.
As for schlepping equipment, I bet all you would need is your bass and a cable. Course I would recommend calling and finding out.
Shared a room with my band mates, competition partners, etc often enough to know its not the best deal, but solid earplugs help.
 
So in perusing my local Craigslist I came across this sub gig offer. Would you consider taking on a gig like this given the conditions?



[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Interested in a working vacation - Bass Player Needed (Fire Island Pines)​


Fire Island Pines Arts Project (FIPAP) is looking for a last minute replacement Bass Player for our production of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown over Labor Day Weekend. Our theatre is located in The Pines on Fire Island. We are a two hour commute from the city accessible by public transportation or car. If you have never been to Fire Island, you are in for a treat. The Island is only accessible by Ferry from Sayville, NY. There are no cars on the Island — just wooden boardwalks. We have an 170 seat proscenium house with a very small stage. The bass part is written for both an upright and electric bass.

Commitment dates: Monday, August 26 - Monday, September 2 (you can go home after the performance on September 1 if needed). Two performances only on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 at 6PM. There will be a CLOSED dress rehearsal on Friday, August 30 at 7PM (for cast friends, underwriters, and FIPAP Board Members only). See schedule attached (IGNORE the red TECH notes on the schedule — you are not required during those times).

Since this is a benefit for FIPAP, we are, unfortunately, unable to pay a salary, but we do provide transportation to/from the Island, housing and all meals while you are with us on the Island. Housing will be at a host’s home in a shared room with another pit member. Lunch/Dinner is catered each day and we will provide a stipend for breakfast items. You would be catching the 11:20AM Ferry on Monday, August 26th to the Island. This is really a working vacation and a perfect gig for someone who wants to get away for a week. There is time to go to the beach, sit by the pool, relax, etc.

Nope.

Just because something is being done for the benefit of a NFP, that doesn’t mean you don’t pay the performers. This is insulting.
 
Loving the different perspectives on this so far!

For the record I myself am certainly not considering this. I've actually gigged a few time out there on Fire Island, schlepping all our gear on the ferry, hauling it in wagons to the venue etc. Trying to hurry and pack up and catch the last ferry of the night... Never again! Way too much hassle.

And for this, a whole week commitment and no pay? Get outta here. I wonder how they even got the rest of the pit orchestra members to commit to something like this if they aren't getting paid? And having to share a room, it's not like you could bring your significant other and have this 'vacation' they are offering.

And they certainly are cutting it close here. Something tells me the piano player's left hand is going to be a lot busier than usual for these dates!
 
So in perusing my local Craigslist I came across this sub gig offer. Would you consider taking on a gig like this given the conditions?



[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Interested in a working vacation - Bass Player Needed (Fire Island Pines)​


Fire Island Pines Arts Project (FIPAP) is looking for a last minute replacement Bass Player for our production of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown over Labor Day Weekend. Our theatre is located in The Pines on Fire Island. We are a two hour commute from the city accessible by public transportation or car. If you have never been to Fire Island, you are in for a treat. The Island is only accessible by Ferry from Sayville, NY. There are no cars on the Island — just wooden boardwalks. We have an 170 seat proscenium house with a very small stage. The bass part is written for both an upright and electric bass.

Commitment dates: Monday, August 26 - Monday, September 2 (you can go home after the performance on September 1 if needed). Two performances only on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 at 6PM. There will be a CLOSED dress rehearsal on Friday, August 30 at 7PM (for cast friends, underwriters, and FIPAP Board Members only). See schedule attached (IGNORE the red TECH notes on the schedule — you are not required during those times).

Since this is a benefit for FIPAP, we are, unfortunately, unable to pay a salary, but we do provide transportation to/from the Island, housing and all meals while you are with us on the Island. Housing will be at a host’s home in a shared room with another pit member. Lunch/Dinner is catered each day and we will provide a stipend for breakfast items. You would be catching the 11:20AM Ferry on Monday, August 26th to the Island. This is really a working vacation and a perfect gig for someone who wants to get away for a week. There is time to go to the beach, sit by the pool, relax, etc.
Your services are not compensated by anything other than admittedly wonderful accommodations, if... that's exactly what you are looking for and want. I think neither your time nor your talents are being appropriately compensated. It's not something I'd even think twice about without written guarantee of very good financial compensation, but you do you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
Sounds fun, but probably no, I wouldn't do shared housing and NO pay. I'd do cheap/friend rate. Like MAYBE as low as $400-500, with a private room. That's an absolutely screamin deal for an entire week of rehearsals and shows. I've played a number of "benefits" that still pay musicians and other staff at least somewhat. Happy to work for "benefit" rates but not really zero unless it's a ridiculously easy gig with people I actually love playing with.
 
A lot depends on a lot, as it were. If you are not an established player on the local scene, benefit shows done well look good on the resume. Especially on a sub basis. And the Pines is a beautiful place. Be aware that it leans significantly toward the gay male population, but they are fully accepting and respectful of other orientations.

Yes, it will be work. AND yes, it will be vacation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
So in perusing my local Craigslist I came across this sub gig offer. Would you consider taking on a gig like this given the conditions?



[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Interested in a working vacation - Bass Player Needed (Fire Island Pines)​


Fire Island Pines Arts Project (FIPAP) is looking for a last minute replacement Bass Player for our production of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown over Labor Day Weekend. Our theatre is located in The Pines on Fire Island. We are a two hour commute from the city accessible by public transportation or car. If you have never been to Fire Island, you are in for a treat. The Island is only accessible by Ferry from Sayville, NY. There are no cars on the Island — just wooden boardwalks. We have an 170 seat proscenium house with a very small stage. The bass part is written for both an upright and electric bass.

Commitment dates: Monday, August 26 - Monday, September 2 (you can go home after the performance on September 1 if needed). Two performances only on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 at 6PM. There will be a CLOSED dress rehearsal on Friday, August 30 at 7PM (for cast friends, underwriters, and FIPAP Board Members only). See schedule attached (IGNORE the red TECH notes on the schedule — you are not required during those times).

Since this is a benefit for FIPAP, we are, unfortunately, unable to pay a salary, but we do provide transportation to/from the Island, housing and all meals while you are with us on the Island. Housing will be at a host’s home in a shared room with another pit member. Lunch/Dinner is catered each day and we will provide a stipend for breakfast items. You would be catching the 11:20AM Ferry on Monday, August 26th to the Island. This is really a working vacation and a perfect gig for someone who wants to get away for a week. There is time to go to the beach, sit by the pool, relax, etc.
You'd have to really WANT to be on Fire Island for a week, lugging your gear back and forth with no vehicle ... and for free. It's SOMEBODY'S idea of a good time, I'm sure. But no. No, I would not, thanks.
 
When my band does overnights, I absolutely refuse to share a room and we are being paid. We often get 4 rooms FOC and there are 6 of us, so four of them are sharing rooms. This sounds like a nightmare, I would play a benefit near home for free. But travel, deal with bad accommodations and not get paid, someone is getting punked and it won't be me.
 
Last edited:
giphy (67).gif