2011 - A Year in review from my point of view

I didn't think that the year would be complete without my sharing a few thoughts on what I have learned during the past 12 months - traveling from place to place, listening to local entertainment and speaking with everyone from management down to the common man drinking a draft at the local pub.  I've organized my thoughts into general themes and hopefully some will hit home with you.

Bands - I have great respect for bands.  Not only must each member be talented enough to play their own instrument, but they must also be able to get along with each other.  There are lots of struggles such as late hours and personality conflicts to name just a few. Putting up with each one's weaknesses and subtleties can take a toll on a band. Like marriages these days, not all of them last.  However, some bands have better marriages than others.  I've seen the struggles of trying to get gigs and how money affects which bands get to play certain venues while others need to turn down offers because they hardly cover the cost of gas and drinks.  Playing 4 hours or more to half empty bars also takes a toll on the bands.  In the end, having a few loyal fans present, can give the bands the encouragement they need to give it their best, no matter how many or how few show up to see them.

Bars - A lot of stuff goes on behind the scenes and your local watering hole - no matter how large or small the place looks.  Owners need to manage so many different aspects of their business including but not limited to having enough staff to serve drinks, clean up messes, hire entertainment, promote special events, decide what kind of food to serve and make sure enough beer is on tap!  All the aforementioned tasks need to take into consideration how many patrons are expected to show up.  If less than expected show up, the night can be a total loss.  If too many show up and not enough food, drink, or staff are on hand, the owner/manager must work extra hard to make everyone happy.  This is no easy job!

Photographers - Over the past year, I have run into many professional and amateur photographers who capture the essence of the bands and the fans who come out to see them.  Each photographer has his or her own style and method of distributing the completed product.  Some try to make a few bucks.  Others simply do it for the enjoyment of uploading friends faces to Facebook.  I have found a great need for bands to get all the publicity that they can get.  We cannot depend on local media who pay more attention to big money concerts and events than what's happening right around the corner from where we live.  Sharing the fun moments in pictures is one of the best ways to  publicize an event, a band or a place to visit.  Our impatience to read a lot has been replaced with short, one-line comments attached to photos and exemplifies the expression "A picture is worth a thousand words:.

Facebook -  Over the past year, Facebook has become an alternative to Google when it comes to finding information on both people and places.  Facebook used to make it easy for people to post information and disseminate it to anyone connected to their profile.  As Facebook tries to improve its' usability and functionality, I have found that it can be more un-reliable in getting the right words out to the right people so I would not recommend that anyone rely solely on this medium.  On the other hand, I would not give up on Facebook as part of a total social marketing program because it can only get better as competition for your online time continues to heat up in 2012.

Websites -  I have seen several websites pop up over the past year which promote local events.  Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses (including my own!).  I have checked them out to see what they offer.  I believe that they were all started with good intentions.  Unfortunately, I have not found one that I can turn to on a daily basis to get the most up to date information on local entertainment.  That may be why I keep doing what I do!

I'm looking forward to another year of staying in touch with bands, bars, restaurants, karaoke DJ's and most importantly, you, the fans who decide where to spend your time and money, each and every day.

All the best to you and yours this holiday season!

Rob aka The Weekend Concierge
www.weekendbroward.com

Women Rockers of Broward County - Part III

This week, I present the final interview of a three part series showcasing experienced female band members who have agreed to answer a few questions from yours truly.  This week, we feature Jen Boronico, lead guitarist of "Pandia".

WC: What is your full time job and what do you like to do when you’re not working or playing with the band?

JB: My full time job is the President of Boca Tanning Club, which is a National Franchise with 20 salons in Florida, Texas and New York.

I am also a commentator for Mixed Martial Arts. I am on FightZone, a television show that is broadcasted in 38 million homes on FSN. You can check out my demo reel @ www.jenboronico.com

WC: If you could give up your daytime job and make enough money to survive by playing with your band more often in more places, would you do it?

JB: My financial goals are extremely high… if I was able to earn $200,000+ a year I would do it though.

WC: How do you feel about working the late hours (and early morning) hours?

JB: Working late is tough sometimes because I have a 7 year old daughter who likes to wake up pretty early. Regardless what time I get home I am up by 9am to be with her.  (This weekend we play Ugly Mug till 4:30 am so I get home by 6am)!

It is all worth it though when I look out in the crowd and see the impact I am having on people as they jam to our tunes. Especially when I hear how inspirational I am to the women in the crowd. Almost every show a girl will tell me they are so inspired my be that they are going to start taking guitar lessons, or start lifting weights, or the best is when they find out I am sober for 9 years and say I am inspiring them to try to defeat an alcohol issue...these are the reasons why a little sleepiness throughout the day is well worth it! If I can impact one person it is well worth it :)

 WC: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in joining a band?

JB: Don’t give up and don’t be offended when people give you constructive criticism…have thick skin and remember you cannot please everyone, everytime.

WC: Jen, thank you for helping me put together this little series of interviews and share your thoughts with my blog readers.  Also, thank you for your honesty and being a great friend to all those who surround you everyday.

Find out where Jen Boronico and Pandia are playing next by checking the events calendar at www.WeekendBroward.com

Women Rockers of Broward County - Part II

This week, I present part two of a three part series showcasing experienced female band members who have agreed to answer a few questions from yours truly about what it's like to live the wild life in their shoes.  This week, we feature Maria Doty of the "The Double Standard".

WC: What is your day job and what do you like to do when you’re not working or playing with the band?

MD: I've been working in the managed care healthcare insurance field for about 20 years and am currently the Director of Enrollment for a company in Dade County. My department is responsible for the enrollment of Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial lines of business.
 
When I am not working during the week or playing out, I get to do some of my favorite things which are cooking, I happened to be pretty good at it, visiting with my family and grandkids who live on Florida's West Coast, going on cruises (I've been to more than 20 islands/countries in the Caribbean/South America) and the New Orleans Jazz festival.

WC: If you could give up your daytime job and make enough money to survive by playing with your band more often in more places, would you do it?

MD: Well, my immediate answer would be yes, except that when you say "enough to survive" makes me think twice before I answer. I can't tell you how much enjoyment I truly feel when I am up there singing and really belting one out. When you know you are reaching anyone that is listening because you "feel" what you are singing. Not to mention when someone comes up to you and says, "Wow, you gave me goose bumps!", or "Man, you can tell you were singing from your heart". That is when you know you did your job. That is really rewarding.

However, I do like my job and I worked very hard to get where I am and honestly enjoy the "perks" that it not only provides me but those that I love. That being said, if I somehow had the opportunity to do the music and make at least enough to survive and bit extra than yes, Let's Rock and Roll!

WC: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in joining a band?

MD: If you are single, there's not too much to think about. You will meet plenty of people of all types. I'd say make sure you like the people you are playing with. You will spend a lot of time with them. Make sure it's fun. For me it has to be fun. I know some of us do it to earn a living but like anything else you have to enjoy it.
If you are in a relationship it can become difficult, especially if your significant other isn't in the biz. Let's face it you have to "schmooze" and mingle and some men can't handle that attention on their significant other. For the record, it works the other way around too if you are a male in a band that is in a relationship. The jealousy monster isn't gender specific..lol!

In my band, my husband is my drummer and I am lucky in that we do not have any issues in this area. This arrangement works for us.  It can be tough for a woman in this business.  As I said I am lucky to have my husband Chuck as my drummer, a funny, nutty bass player Billy Bier who is like the obnoxious brother you love and my guitar player Joe Gatermann who has been my longtime musical partner in crime for more than 10 years.


WC: How do feel about the late hours?

Well that's pretty much the way it is. For me it has to be weekends. It's nice to have some days but the party is usually on at night. Fridays are especially difficult for me. I wake up for work at 5-5:30am and get home about 7pm, then "change hats" into rock and roll mode, get ready, go to set up which thankfully my drummer/husband Chuck takes care of with help from our Roadie in-training Alex, and of course Billy and Joe. Then it's do the sets, we do 3 one hour(+) sets, and have some fun. By the end of the night after breaking down and winding down, I get home around 4am. That makes it a 23 hour day so needless to say I am toast. Although at times it is hard to get going, once you are there the adrenaline kicks in and if you honestly, truly love it, you'll feel it was worth it. I do!

WC: Thank you Maria for sharing with us all today.  Keep on Rockin!

Find all the upcoming performances of Maria Doty and The Double Standard at www.WeekendBroward.com

Women Rockers of Broward County - Part 1

This week, I am starting a three-part series showcasing three experienced band members who have agreed to answer a few questions from yours truly about what it's like to be in their shoes.  This week's featured artist is Jesse Kussack who, up until last weekend, was the lead singer of local band, Love Honey.  Here, then, is my unedited interview which took place this past week:

WC: What is your  full time job and what do you like to do when you’re not working or playing with the band?

JK: I work in Property Management in Boca. In my free time, I love to dine out, I love trying new food. I love to cook and bake especially for the band, the boys really appreciate it. I really enjoy reading sappy romance novels... I am a hopeless romantic what can I say? I enjoy being active. I hit the gym or go for bike rides often. Besides my bed, I love to read on the beach and listen to the waves. When I go, I usually go alone - It puts me in my happy place :) 

WC: If you could give up your daytime job and make enough money to survive by playing with your band more often in more places, would you do it?

JK: HELL YES! I work in the corporate world, do you know how many bosses that means??? Someone is always up your ass. Besides, I love being barefoot and if you have ever seen me perform that is typically how I like to be.

WC: Now that you are no longer with Love Honey, what are your future plans for a singing career?

JK: I will never NOT be with LH. I consider them family and I plan to continue being part of their journey. They were my first band and we had so much fun together. I have stepped down as lead vocals but I do plan to support them as well as make guest appearances on stage. I am not certain what my future with singing entails but I love to sing and I will never stop. I hope to get an acoustic project together one day. Ohhhhh yeah....I should tell you the main reason I decided to pursue singing about 1 1/2yrs ago was to be a studio singer. That would be soooo great! I used to work in radio and do voice overs so I am comfortable in studios, we'll see what happens.

WC: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in joining a band?

JK: My best advice would be DO IT! It's scarey at first but ya gotta go for it. If you wanna know what it's like to fly without getting on a plane, sing your heart out on a stage. It is the best rush! I was given some great advice when I first started with the band from one of my bandmates and good friends, Shawn Jones, 'Ya' gotta feel it'. Meaning, if you are gonna sing-give it all you've got, sing with your soul.

WC: Thank you Jesse and best of luck to you!

Find out where you can see and hear the all new Love Honey at www.weekendbroward.com

5 Days of Halloween

Every year, we adults get a chance to publicly disguise ourselves in outlandish attire without getting arrested because it's Halloween and "anything goes" on this holiday.  This year, October 31st falls on a Monday, the #1, worst day to schedule a live event because it follows a whole weekend filled with events that exhaust the true party goers.  Here are just a few suggested events where you can try out your new costume throughout the greater Fort Lauderdale area up to four days prior to letting the kids attack your place for candy on Monday night.

Thursday, October 27 - 4th Annual Halloween Bash at Tijuana Taxi in Coral Springs featuring one of Broward's best bands for any party, Riverdown.  The popular rock cover band will play on an outdoor stage setup especially for this event.  Starting at 8pm, you can celebrate Halloween early with a Margarita or Corona in one hand and Taco in the other while you dance to the classic and modern rock served up by Jimi, Stevan, Howie and CJ.  $1000 in prize money will be given away for best costumes at 11pm.  Tijuana Taxi is located at 901 University Dr. in Coral Springs, next to the mall. 

Friday, October 28 - 29 -  Head over to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood where the large number of clubs and restaurants are bound to bring together a chemistry of fun people.  Live music can be found nightly at Murphy's Law.  There's bound to be plenty of spill-over crowds from dance clubs Pangaea and Gryphon.  Pangaea will feature the 6th annual Penthouse Naughty Halloween Party.

Saturday, October 29 - The annual Halloween Street Party starts at 7pm with registration for the costume contest at Shooters Cafe & Bootleggers Bar next door to each other in Northernmost end of Fort Lauderdale Beach.  Contestants come from all over the state on this South-West corner of A1A and Oakland overlooking the intra-coastal vying for the $5000 grand prize for best costume.  The outdoor stage is surrounded by thousands of party-goers, all dressed in the best Halloween costumes and the most exciting entertainment is just watching the endless parade of beautiful adult costumes!  Just as the contest winners are announced, the band inside, Riverdown, revs up their engines to what has become a legendary annual party at these landmark restaurant bars at 3003/3033 NE 32nd Ave in Fort Lauderdale.

Saturday, October 29 - How about seeing a local 80's rock cover band in 3D?  Yes, you will need to wear your 3-D glasses when you visit Cagney's Saloon in Davie for a spectacular light show, courtesy of SOULICIDE .  Show starts ar 10:30pm.  Get there earlier to pick up your glasses!  Cagney's is located at 5983 S. University Dr. on the corner of Stirling in Davie.

Saturday, October 29 - Looking for a good old fashioned costume contest with a great Party Band?  Chit Chats is sponsoring a contest with $1000 in prize money, free jello shots, unknown surprises and one of the best party bands in the Fort Lauderdale area, known as SLEJJ.  Lead Vocalist Lindley Billy will get you on your feet and his supporting cast will astound you with their guitar, bass, drum and keyboard skills.    The party gets started at 9:00pm.   Chit Chats is located at 651 N. Federal Highway, just north of Atlantic Ave.

Sunday, October 30 - 12th Annual Hoodoo Voodoo Blues Ball at Satchmo Blues Bar (2861 E. Commercial Blvd) in Fort Lauderdale - Featuring the Nucklebusters, Rod Hamdallah, David Shelley and Bluestone. Starts at 7pm $10.00 entry. Find more details at www.hoodoovoodoo.com

Monday, October 31 - Hoodoo Voodoo Blues Ball (Day 2) at Satchmo Blues Bar )2861 E. Commercial Blvd) in Fort Lauderdale - Featuring  Iko-Iko and Special Guests Nicole Yardlin and Ron Taylor, Albert Castiglia Band. Starts at 7pm $10.00 entry. Find more details at www.hoodoovoodoo.com

As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I chose just a few events to feature here due to their uniqueness.  However, I invite you to check out the updated events calendar at www.weekendbroward.com and my personal wall on Facebook at www.facebook.com/weekendconcierge

The Greeting

Every weekend, I try to visit as many bars and restaurants as I can to promote local bands that play around town.  When the owners and managers are present, I can usually get a warm greeting and sometimes even a drink "on the house".  Since I do not get paid for what I have been doing this past year, a friendly greeting can go a long way to making me decide whether or not I want to return.

Last weekend, I encountered several incidences which make me think that some local establishments do not appreciate some free World Wide Web publicity.  One example was a well known corner bar in the Himarshee district of downtown Fort Lauderdale.  I'm not sure why, but security would not let me enter with my camera bag.  When I showed them that it really contained a camera and told them that I was a friend of the band, they insisted on shoving a flashlight into every small pocket of my camera bag before finally letting me in.  Ironically, my battery died and I couldn't even take one photo of the band I was there to see, Riverdown. Have they ever heard of the expression "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar?"

I learned this week that there is an unwritten code of conduct when it comes to pricing sales of alcohol.  Based on past experience, you should be able to order a drink and assume it will cost the same as the last time you ordered it, right?  Now, I do understand that the price of everything has gone up lately but listen up... Venturing North to see another favorite band of mine, Pandia, I visited a place I will call "The Ugly Cup" where I paid $10 for two drinks upon arriving.  That was reasonable based on my past history of ordering similar drinks at similar establishments.  An hour later, the bartendar asked my friend to pay $10 each!  In disbelief, I went up to the bar and was quoted $8, even after I complained that I had just paid $5 an hour earlier.  Is that any way to treat a customer?  A few days later, I tried to call the owner twice to discuss that incident but his staff never knows when he's going to be in. Can you blame him for not wanting to be around to deal with angry customers?

I think that we have all experienced this in some way or another.  Some places have velvet ropes to make you wait outside while others have friendly bartenders that invite you inside.  It's amazing how many "regulars" you will find at the friendly places while the "ugly" places rely on the stragglers who can't find another place open at the later hours or worst, fans of the bands to bring in the bucks!

I'm reminded of one of my favorite restaurants for burrito's, Moes Southwest Grill.  When you step into any one of their many franchised restaurants, you will not only find an amusing atmosphere on the walls, but you will be greeted by the entire staff shouting "Welcome to Moes!".  Now, I agree that this would get annoying pretty quick if everyone entering a bar were greeted that way but it's important to make every schmuck (like me) feel like a someone - after all, we are paying customers, and you do want us to return over and over again, Don't you?

A Matter of Responsibility

Image via WikipediaDo you ever bite off more than you can chew?  You know what I mean - you take on a large project that consumes your whole life? Anyone that has high hopes and aspirations sometimes needs to take a deep breath and dive into the deep sea and expand their horizons.  Otherwise, how will you ever explore new depths in your life?  Unfortunately, once you're in the water, the sand sometimes gets stirred up and things look murkier than you thought.  Do you give up and swim back up to your old life or do you wait for the sand to settle and hope for clearer waters?

My initial thoughts this week were about the abundance of websites created by individuals who had good intentions once upon a time but seamingly gave up on them and left us a trail of old information behind.  More specifically, why do some businesses advertise that they have Karaoke on their website when they stopped offering it months ago?  I thought of three reasons for this: (1) Updating the information required paying a web designer because the original owner could not do it by his or herself. In this rough economy, who wants to pay someone to remove out-dated information that won't hurt anyone?  (2)  The website owner was only interested in selling advertising so he or she did not care if people stumble upon the infortmation that was outdated. (3) It's easier to put up a website than to take one down.  In all three cases, it's a matter of responsibility, right?!

Whether we're talking about starting a new website, a new band, a new business or a new relationship, we all share some responsibility to not give up so easily.  Perseverence is key.  Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail.  What is more important is that we know we gave it our best and did not give up without a fight.  The rewards of success can make all the pains worth it.  However, if you are going to give up on the project you started, try not to leave your garbage around for others to clean up.  It's all a matter of responsibility.

Have a great weekend!

Rob aka Weekend Concierge
http://www.weekendbroward.com/

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Finding the right elements

Every day, it seems like I am either talking to someone who is trying to form a successful band or someone who is trying to run a business and use live entertainment to attract more customers.  Either way, I try to break down success into a few simple elements to figure out what the band or business can do to attract more fans. 

When it comes to bands, the most successful ones have three elements to their advantage - they sound good, they put on a great performance and they have a fan base that is big enough so that they don't spread themselves too thin when they play often and keep trying to get the same friends to see them play at every gig.  Although I have never been in the bar business, I can tell you that as a paying customer, I prefer the ones that have a stage large enough to accomodate at least a 5 piece band comfortably, have reasonable food and drink prices and never demand a cover charge.

I recently put together a Top 10 list called The Best Bars for Bands in Broward and noticed that all the venues on the list, more or less, had the aformentioned attributes.  The other criteria for making the list was a consistant effort on the part of the venues to hire quality cover bands each and every weekend.  I have always believed in consistancy.  If you want people to come to your venue every weekend, you must make an effort to hire the right bands and let people know about it too!  Some places pay big bucks for a popular cover band and automically expect to fill their restaurants and bars with fans.  If the bar happens to be located on a busy street such as by the beach where passers by can hear the music and stop in to see the band - that's great.  On the other hand, if your place is located down a hidden avenue, you will have to work a little harder to get the word out.  Most bands I know do not have a marketing budget so creativity goes a long way.

Bars and bands have a symbiotic relationship when it comes to publicity.  Many bands rely on friends and family, mostly on Facebook.  Unfortunately, that usually includes college friends and family that are out of town who feel bad about not being able to come to Florida.  You will often see their well-meaning comments such as "Sorry, I can't make it - wish I could be down there but we're out of town".  Then there are the bars who rely so heavily on the fan base of the bands that they don't realize that fans get burned out if the band plays every weekend in the same geographic area.

Another important element for restaurants and bars who strive to make the "Top 10 List" is to ensure bands have a decent stage where they can be both heard and seen - after all, the band's show is just as important as their sound.

Now that I have covered what I feel to be the most important elements for successful bands and local venues who host them, why don't you ask yourself what are the right elements for you to make the most of your one and only life?  Does it include listening to great live music?  Does it include spending more time with friends?  If so, maybe you can help our local bands and bars fulfill their mission by inviting your friends to meet you at a local watering hole and enjoy some great live entertainment!

Best wishes for a great weekend!

Rob aka Weekend Concierge

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Phree Photo Policy

In my never ending quest to come up with a unique environment for disseminating information about affordable entertainment in and around Fort Lauderdale, I have found a need to explain my policy when it comes to giving away photos which you see me taking all over town.

First, I would like to share the photos with fans of this website which includes the bands, the fans of those bands and the venues which host them.  In return for the use of my photo's, I would like the watermark on the bottom right corner to remain in recognition of the source of the picture.  I have coined the expression "Phree Photo's" because I can't call them 100% FREE - since I am asking for recognition in return for their use. 

Coconut Creek Casino

Unlike photographs you find on other websites and print publications, I do not ALWAYS get permission to take the photos before aiming my camera in your direction.  This allows me the ability to take candid pictures which are not staged for me, but rather, show the natural fun people have when attending the musical events I capture in digital format.  This gives my website and Facebook page a sense of uniqueness which you will not always find elsewhere.  If, however, you happen to appear in a photo and find it more humiliating than exciting, I will be happy to remove the picture from public view.  I trt to delete photographs before publication if I feel that it does not show people in the best light - but mine is a subjective viewpoint. 

If you would like to appear in a photograph and you see me out and about taking pictures, I will be happy to not only take your picture, but also modify it in such a way that you can use it for your personal use.  I understand that these days, we are all being asked to upload our photo's on networking sites such as Facebook, Meetup.com, LinkedIn, and intra-company sites.  I take great pleasure in learning the art of photography and seeing a smile come to people's faces when they like a picture I took.

Lastly, if you would like to use one or more of my photo's for publication, digital or other media, in which you will profit from its' use, I will work out an arrangement to give you rights to use an un-marked, full-resolution version of the photo.  When that happens, I can change my title from amateur to professional photographer - a day I am looking forward to seeing sometime soon!

On behalf of WeekendBroward.com, I remain,

The Weekend Concierge

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Larger than Life

Every once in a while, you meet someone who can make you feel like you are the only one in the room.  Like a public speaker that speaks to a large audience yet somehow makes eye contact with you every time you look at them, you feel exhilarated when you come in contact with such a person.  They seem to have an unlimited amount of energy.  You wonder what gives them the ability to keep going at all hours of the night.  You feel like they have a million friends.  They are always running into people they know.  Is this someone you could be good friends with or is it someone whose expectations you could never live up to?

Quite often, Hollywood movie stars are portrayed as Mr. or Ms. Perfect.  They have the whitest teeth, the perfect smile, the sexiest bodies and know exactly what to say.   But at the end of the movie, you exit the theatre and know it was just a good act.  Every day, we see and hear commercials about how to live a healthier lifestyle - and if not, just have "cosmetic" surgery, right?  Then you run into someone in real life who is not an actor, always has a smile and never had to visit a surgeon to look as good as they do.   Could this person be the real thing?  Yes, there are people around you who just live for making others happy.  Then one day, they leave, and you feel like you have just lost something special in your life.  When that happens, don't be sad, "Pay it forward!"  To explain, I will quote motivational speaker, Blake Beattie; “Sail beyond the horizon; fly higher than you ever thought possible; magnify your existence by helping others; be kind to people and animals of all shapes and sizes; be true to what you value most; shine your light on the world; and be the person you were born to be.”

Now, that's a philosophy I can live with!  On behalf of WeekendBroward, have a great weekend!

Rob, aka Weekend Concierge
 

Do you have ADMD?

Image via Wikipedia

If you follow my online footsteps, you know that I see not one, but several bands every weekend and sometimes weekdays too.  I see and photograph the bands for my love of music and because I support local talent (over the imported kind that sells expensive tickets).  I also prefer live shows any day of the week versus turning on the television and watching American Idol or America's Got Talent.  I know we have great talent in this country - all you have to do is walk out the door and open your eyes, ears and mind to exploring new places. 

Some people like to sit and have a drink or two while watching a band.  I, on the other hand, have a camera strapped around my neck.  I like to capture the images so that I can share the excitement of being there with those less fortunate who sit at home and stare at a computer monitor or mindless television.  Sometimes, I catch a unique moment like a guest musician joining the band for one song or maybe just someone dancing crazy on a table.  Either way, it's better to share my pics with the public than to just let them pile up on my hard drive. 

I am not sure how many others out there are like me but I have a hard time sitting in one restaurant or bar for more than an hour. I am inflicted by what I have termed Attention Deficit Music Disorder or ADMD, for short!
To help others who suffer from this "disorder", I have put together a summary of four suggested areas in Broward County where you can simply walk from one music venue to another without getting into your car before you have experienced music in at least three different places.
Since Deerfield is about as far North as you can get without stepping into Palm Beach County, I'll start with the beach area.  Head to the curve just north of Hillsborough Blvd on  A1A and find a spot to park anywhere near the beach.  I know at least four places to check for live music, two of which overlook the sand.  Check out Oceans 234 and JB's on the Beach literally next door to each other.  Both offer an assortment of seaside live entertainment at their patio bars overlooking the Atlantic ocean.  They are even romantic if you want to impress a loved one!  Directly across the street, you will find what some may call a dive bar called Kahuna Bar & Grill.  It's a hit or miss with the talent I have heard there.  Last stop, where you may be surprised at what you find is a place called Rattlesnake Jakes - located a few doors down from the Wings souvenir shop.  One night, I was stuck there because the band was so spread out that they blocked the front door!

My next walking tour takes us to Fort Lauderdale Beach.  At the intersection of Las Olas and A1A, you will find the infamous Elbo Room.  I think that its' name comes from the fact that it is jam packed on weekends on two floors - even though the bands only play in a small section of the bottom floor.  Nevertheless, this is a very popular young adult drinking establishment.  Head North on A1A about 5 minutes on foot and you will find Lulu's Bait Shack located on the 2nd floor of Beach Place outdoor shopping complex.  The same bands that play at other music hot spots throughout Broward play Lulu's every weekend but the atmosphere does something that makes the bands sound better to the mix of tourists and locals at this popular restaurant/bar.  In between Elbo Room and Lulu's Bait Shack, you will find live music outdoors from solo musicians as well as indoors at smaller places - you just have to keep your eyes and ears open and you will find them!

If you already spent too much time on the beach during the day, I also recommend the downtown area spanning from the Museum of Discovery & Science to the Riverfront shopping complex.  Between those two landmarks, some of my favorite places to find quality bands are: The Original Fat Cats, The Poor House and Tarpon Bend.  All three are on or just off SW 2nd St and are a few minutes walk from each other.  The first two seem to feature bands that start at 11pm so expect to be there until the early morning hours.  There are also many other bars with live music and dance clubs all located on the same small stretch of road so expect parking to be expensive or public meters hard to come by if you arrive during peak hours. 

Lastly, in Hollywood, I recommend walking the short stretch of Hollywood Boulevard between 19th and 20th avenues.  Parking is easy to find in the two public garages located just two blocks North or South of The Boulevard.  Whiskey Tango is probably the largest venue in this area and features a great place to eat while listening to an acoustic set on the outdoor patio in the early evening hours or have a drink inside after 10pm when the rock bands play on a stage behind one of the two indoor bars.  Walk two steps West on Hollywood Blvd and you can't miss the sounds eminating from Mickey Byrns Irish Pub where the bands are squeezed into a small stage that may have at one time been the window display for a boutique.  My newest favorite venue is literraly next door and features both rock and blues bands - appropriately, the venue is called The Big Easy.  Between those three, you are sure to enjoy some great entertainment.  There are also many fine international cuisine restaurants either on Hollywood Blvd or Harrison Street one block south - so arrive early and enjoy dinner! 
Watch for my next blog, the driving Pub Crawl for some of my favorite places you can drive as long as you keep sober!
Look for the daily live music event schedule on http://www.weekendbroward.com/

Real Friends?

Anyone who has visited my Facebook page lately may have noticed on the left-hand side of the screen a category of faces titled "Real".  Facebook intended to have users separate their family members from the rest of the friends and display them prominently in this section of their profile page.  However, I chose to select a few friends instead of family and gave them the title of "Real".

Who do I consider a real friend?  Examples include not only saying Happy Birthday on your Facebook wall but actually making plans to celebrate with you in person!  A real friend is someone who you not only could confide in but someone who also feels that they can share their own personal stories with you.  After all, friendship should be a two-way street.  I think you are getting the idea now, right?

I am sure that you know a few people who have told you that they have hundreds, or even thousands of friends on Facebook.  Wouldn't it be nice to hear the truth - how many are REAL friends?  The other day, I attended a workshop on setting goals.  We did a brainstorming session on how to improve our relationships, both personal and in business.  The goals had to be specific and measureable.  Since social networking is such a popular theme these days, I decided that it would be a great goal to meet more of the people behind the faces of my 500+ Facebook friends.  I hope to move at least one face each month off the regular friends list and onto the REAL friends list. 

If you are not currently on my REAL friends list and you personally know me, please do not get insulted.  This isn't a special club I am trying to create.  It is just a way for me to measure one of my goals in life, which is to have friends that I can call, at a whim, to go somewhere  or do something fun when everyone else is too busy with their family or REAL friends.   I just started this project recently so I may not have had a chance to update your status yet - or you might have to consider some of my criteria and whether or not you have met it.  I will do the same.

I have thought long and hard about whether or not this category will cause tension amongst people who have known each other for quite some time.  I am hoping that the positive outcome of improving relationships will outweigh the awkwardness of not being publically on the REAL list.  Is this something you might consider doing too?  I would love to hear your feedback - and perhaps someday put YOU on the REAL list!

Best Wishes,

Rob aka The Weekend Concierge

A Fallen Hero

Do you remember where you were when you heard about the Space Shuttle blowing up? How about September 11th, 2001?  April 17th will be one of those milestone days for me because I was sitting at Starbucks, uploading band photos from the previous night when I read about the demise of Jimmy Pagano.  My first thoughts were - was it a car accident or a heart attack?  I would never have imagined him getting involved with a bar fight (trying to help the bartender collect on a bar tab).  He was definitely not a figher.  The most physical he would get would be to give you a hug!

In the other hand, Jimmy was a soldier.  He was one of the few people I knew who fought for the right of local bands to have an audience.  He was proud of his history of holding jam sessions at local bars so that musicians could network and get an extra day of playing in front of a live audience instead of their garages.    If you were part of his Facebook friends network, you probably remember how frustrated he would get with people who promised to come out and see him or his bands play but didn't show up.  While he used Facebook extensively to keep in touch with his extensive network of friends, he really believed in the power of seeing people in person.  I remember how happy he was to see me last time I saw him.  It's one thing to communicate online - it's another to follow up with a personal visit.

On April 17th, I changed my profile photo to show a flag at half mast because Jimmy is a fallen hero and it's the only way I know to honor him for all the hard work he has done for our local music scene.  I am not sure who is going to trace that bad wire next time I attend a local band's concert.  I am not sure who I will approach next time with my ideas for a local music festival.  All I know is that his hard work did not go un-noticed and he will be missed by everyone.

The newspaper and mass media called him a drummer.  I am not sure how Jimmy would have felt about that description.  Sure, he played the drums, but that is not how he wanted to be remembered.  His Facebook page says exactly how he wanted to be known.  Here's what it says: "Promotions/ General Manager/ Event Producer/Coordinator at Self Employed  who Studied at The School of Life.  He Lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida From Bedford, New York Born on January 4, (1957)."  May he continue to live in the hearts of us all for ever and ever.

More photos and event listings can be found at http://www.weekendbroward.com/

Weekend Broward Blog: Change it up!

Weekend Broward Blog: Change it up!: "Grindstone at Gatsby's If you love watching live bands strut their stuff like I do, you will appreciate this piece of advice: 'Change it u..."

Change it up!

Grindstone at Gatsby's

If you love watching live bands strut their stuff like I do, you will appreciate this piece of advice: "Change it up!".   I've seen so many bands put all their effort into recreating the sounds of the original artists that they forget that the original artists were also famous for putting on a great show!  I have also seen bands playing the same songs in the same way every time I see them.  Unless you are doing a world tour, you depend on your loyal fans to come out and see you whenever and wherever you play.  That means using improvisation, taking advantage of onlookers and inviting guests to participate - especially those that have experience playing in front of crowds.  



SLEJJ at Hot Shots in Sunrise



This weekend, I experienced both types of bands.  Take a look at the photos and you will see unique images of these bands that you will probably never see again.  That's because they broke through the monotony and used their environment to their advantage to make each show a more enjoyable experience.  The importance of getting people to stay and watch is something that webmasters call bounce rate.  Website managers measure not only how many people take a look at their website, but more importantly, how many spend a significant amount of time on their site, which enhances the online experience (and gives advertisers a bigger bang for their buck). 

In the real world, you can measure how many people come and see a band but how about measuring how many stay or leave between sets?  This weekend, I was about to leave after seeing a few songs from one of the bands when, suddenly, a friend was invited on stage and voila - a new show was born!  I ended up staying an extra half hour.  For venues, that translates into an extra drink sold.  For fans, it can make the difference between an "okay" night versus a memorable one.  For the bands - it can mean bigger and better crowds next time they play.  It's a WIN-WIN-WIN so remember "Change it up!"

Blues Brothers Soul Revival at Coconut Creek Casino

Photos courtesy of http://www.weekendbroward.com/

Friends Rule

You know the story.  You want to do something different this weekend like see a great band but a friend of yours would rather go to a dance club.  You can either go see that great band all by yourself or go dance to that hip hop non-stop dance beat until your feet ache and your wallet is empty from those expensive drinks.  If you follow the "friends rule" rule, you will go dancing with your friend because you don't want to go alone.

Now all that was on Thursday night when you started thinking about the weekend.  Friday comes and you get a text from your friend telling you that they have to cancel because their boyfriend just called and invited her to dinner followed by who knows what.  That's the next phase in the "friends rule" - you can call it the boyfriend/girlfriend rule.

Now you have a choice to either stay home alone or go see that band you really wanted to see.   Maybe you will make a quick phone call or text to see if you can get some last minute plans going with another friend - one who probably does not have a date.  Maybe you will take a bath or shower and think it over, remembering the infamous Clash "should I stay or should I go?"  The rest of the lyrics never enter into your mind.

Does this story sound familiar, more or less?  It's what I imagine goes on week after week for some of us.  It's the reason why we have so many choices of what to do each weekend but end up siding with whatever peers are doing.  It's the reason why bands work so hard to win your hearts, DJ's spin their tunes to a heavy beat and restaurants entice you with sumptuous meals.  It's an effort to win you over but remember.... Friends Rule!

Missing the Blues

It's been a week since I enjoyed the weekend long Riverwalk Blues & Music that took place downtown Fort Lauderdale.   What I like about attending music festivals is the variety of music and the variety of people enjoying the music with me.   This event was no exception.  Although I recognized some of the acts, most were ones which I had never seen or heard before.  The people too, seemed to be a crowd with which I was not familiar.  Many of the blues fans were baby boomers.  The music seemed to bring back memories of their childhood and forget about their present day realities.  Sound familiar?

As someone who was born after the baby boomer generation, I still enjoyed the toe tapping entertainment.  Unlike many rock shows I see, the lead singers were easy to understand.  They all seemed to make you feel good for being there and supporting their favorite charities.  There was also a lot of attention paid to remember Don Cohen, the founder of the festival 22 years ago, who recently passed away of a brain tumor.

Having observed parts of the festival starting from the "Will-Call" party at the Downtowner Saloon where volunteers were being trained the night before the official start to the "After-Party" taking place at Bourbon on 2nd, I learned to admire how much work went into putting on this event.  As with other outdoor events, uncontrollable factors such as rain and cold temperatures threatened all the efforts.  Luckily, the grounds dried up just in time and people brought blankets, ate spicy Jambalaya and drank more beer to stay warm.  My heartfelt thanks goes out to Darlene and Gerardo Lopez for all the hard work they put into making sure that we could count on in this festival to continue for years to come.

If nothing else, this event brought to my attenition two new spots to watch for great entertainment which I had not visited in the past.   As I am sure Don Cohen would have wanted, I have discovered both new music and new places to enjoy the music.  So, join me each weekend as I support the local music scene and help keep the dream alive!

Weekend Broward Blog: Poles, Pool Tables and People

Weekend Broward Blog: Poles, Pool Tables and People: "Taking photo's with a pocket camera proved to be an exercise in frustration. You probably had a similar experience - you get..."

Poles, Pool Tables and People

Taking photo's with a pocket camera proved to be an exercise in frustration.  You probably had a similar experience - you get back home after a night of snapping great shots of bands and friends only to discover that 80% of the pictures need to be deleted due to underexposure, blurr or light streaks.  So I upgraded to a DSLR that had a much stronger flash and only snaps the picture when the camera thinks the lighting is just right.  Now that I had overcome the obstacle of darkness, I find myself running into new obstacles. 

Many of the bars and restaurants hosting bands were built without the intention of making room for the entertainment.  When they decide that a band will bring in more customers, they block off an area where tables used to be and tell the band to set up.  Unfortunately, that often means no dance floors, no riser stage, poles, pool tables and walls blocking clear views - all obstacles for the "perfect' shot. 

And if the fixed objects weren't enough, the amount of room between the bands and the crowds of people enjoying the entertainment draws to a matter of inches, there isn't much room for a photographer to get in between.  This weekend, I discovered a new appreciation for those "in the biz" who need to get the perfect shot for publication.   I don't know how they do it, but I'm learning.  Climbing stools and tables to get the right angle can be embarassing but not as bad as having a wall block half the shot.  I'm still new at this but give me some time and I'll get it right.  In the meantime, enjoy the shots I do manage to get, good or bad, and keep supporting the bands that work hard to entertain, no matter how tight a squeeze it might be.

The Accidental Concierge

Every weekend, on my way to somewhere, I like to stop, look, and listen to someone new or someplace I haven't been before.  This weekend, for example, I was on the road to The Perfect Game Sports Grill in Coral Springs when I was passing by JD's Lounge.  I stopped in to see who was playing, and before you know it, I discovered the Top Priority band.

I was also pleasantly surprised at what I saw and heard when I arrived at my final destination.  Excess became SLEJJ when they found a new lead singer and it's amazing what a new vocalist and new name can do for a band.  I know of another band I saw recently that sounded ten times better with their new lead but they maintained their old name and their old reputation!

I also discovered that, like the bands with new lead singers, places that once seemed dead and lifeless can also pick up and change 180 degrees for the better.  So, if you have been staying away from a place just because it didn't seem like a popular hotspot last time you visited, you might want to give it another try - you just might surprise yourself as I did this past weekend.