Actually sounds pretty cool.
Aside from the very real possibility of sharing a room with Jason Voorhees.
Aside from the very real possibility of sharing a room with Jason Voorhees.
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Would YOU consider taking a gig like this?
- Thread starter Stingray5
- Start date
You're a good man Charlie Brown is a fun show and there was certainly a time I might have considered the opportunity. These daze I would have to bring my wife to enjoy the weekend together to be considered. Fire Island was a fun place to visit back in the 80s. I would do the show on electric as an upright might be a challenge in the sea air.
I would respectfully disagree. Playing for free simply tells others that that's the value you place on your craft. Performance of any kind should have a tangible value, or else it's literally not worth anything.
If this gig paid really well I'd still probably say no
Fire Island is pretty nice. If they provide a backline and I had the time I would be in.
I find it interesting that the board members invited themselves to a closed dress rehearsal.
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Mmmmm. Staying at host home shared with another member? No pay?
1. I play at a fundraiser a few times a year, so no pay is ok, but it is only 20 miles from my house.
2, host home? Room Shared with another? No go on that part.
This is what I would be afraid of;
(Humor alert!!!!!)
1. I play at a fundraiser a few times a year, so no pay is ok, but it is only 20 miles from my house.
2, host home? Room Shared with another? No go on that part.
This is what I would be afraid of;
(Humor alert!!!!!)
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You declare it on your tax return. What is the value of a week’s worth of rehearsal and gigging? I would declare a minimum $3000 donation, time equivalent, to their cause. With, of course, a summary statement from the charity that you did indeed donate your time and labor.
Question: if you went on a charity week to a shelter to help feed the homeless, would you demand they pay you cash?
Not all that’s valuable is paid in cash. Again: if such a thing would make a difference on your resume, it’s worth it. Ask any intern.
If they provided transportation from the ferry to the venue AND a private room, and I needed a vacation more than I needed money, I might consider it.
But this kills it: "Housing will be at a host’s home in a shared room with another pit member."
No thanks.
But this kills it: "Housing will be at a host’s home in a shared room with another pit member."
No thanks.
I did gigs like that in high school. I performed free for runs of Cabaret and Man of La Mancha. It opened doors to pay gigs. As an established pro, I probably would pass.
If you can do the job, you can probably find fairly regular pit work. I found it got pretty mind numbing quickly, and the pay was pretty low.
If you can do the job, you can probably find fairly regular pit work. I found it got pretty mind numbing quickly, and the pay was pretty low.
How did you make that work? You generally cannot deduct donated time.
From the IRS: Contributions to labor, agricultural, and horticultural organizations generally are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. They may be deductible as trade or business expenses, if they are ordinary and necessary in the conduct of the taxpayer's trade or business.
Personal expenses incurred in the process are not deductible. So when you take the ferry to the Pines, you’ll have to pay your ticket - along with extra $$ for them to help you move your bass gear.
Now… if you’re not a working musician already - that is, you’ve never declared income from your musical endeavors, and/or the income declared shows that you’re not earning a living doing this - then no, you cannot hope to declare it. But that brings us back to the original point I made, doesn’t it. If you’re not making money playing, and you get out there and do a great series of shows for charity, it helps you get paying gigs in the future. Especially in the Pines, which is a community frequented by Broadway and other show biz luminaries. It’s faaaaar better for a music career than, say, playing for a cut of the door admission… and having to go out and drag people in, in order to get $50 for the night.
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Already booked that weekend, so ....no. And yes, the gig I have is much simpler logistically. Ampless, easy load in/load out, etc...
The closest thing to this I have done was. The band I was in, a couple of the members were going back to Hawaii for a visit and play a baby luau. I was invited to go knowing there was money involved but not enough to cover expenses and I would have to sleep in a tent at Aunties house.
My family was planning a vacation there before this. So we planned our vacation around it. We had a hotel room at our usual spot. We played the luau and a few actually gigs and an open mic at Turtle Bay and some parties. I did get paid, enough for a couple of dinners for me and the fam. Again I didn't expect to earn any real money. It was more of taking the planned vacation and being able to play some music while doing it.
It was something I would do again.
My family was planning a vacation there before this. So we planned our vacation around it. We had a hotel room at our usual spot. We played the luau and a few actually gigs and an open mic at Turtle Bay and some parties. I did get paid, enough for a couple of dinners for me and the fam. Again I didn't expect to earn any real money. It was more of taking the planned vacation and being able to play some music while doing it.
It was something I would do again.
Caribbean, all expenses paid with a band I'm used to playing with (no reading necessary) and my own room? Maybe. A reading gig with a band I don't know while sharing a room at a host's house on Fire Island? No thanks! Having to bring a DB as well as an electric? Double no thanks!
