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