Correspondence (a fiction): 10 Years

I've played well over a thousand shows worldwide throughout the past decade — from rotted-out basements for one audience member to 20,000+ people on festival stages — and everything in between.

If your event falls within the realm of everything, let's figure it out.

Here are some examples of events I've been booked for:

• An Evening of Poetry and Storytelling

• Music Festivals and Tours

• School / University Events

• Club, Bar & House Shows

• Classroom Guest-Teaching

• Religious Services

• Community Gatherings

• Poetry / Writing Workshops and Education

• Youth or Young Adult Events

• Online Video Calls / Zoom Presentations

• Conference Speaker / Performance

• Tour / Slam / Spoken Word Events

Have something else in mind? Email me.

Perhaps you have a large living room, loft space, community space, art gallery, yoga studio, recording studio, coffee shop or other space where we can do a private show that can comfortably and safely host up to 50 people (or more, pending).

There needs to be street parking, parking garage or public transportation nearby so guests can get to your place easily. Please check with your neighbors and make sure they’re ok with a bunch of extra people coming over before you offer to host a show. It would be a huge bummer if someone called the cops because of all the extra cars and people coming to your place.

Of course, shows / events can also be booked in regular ol venues, event spaces, churches, community spaces etc. as well.

Generally, I try to avoid outdoor events (unless it's a festival or something that demands it, of course), but have played some wonderful outdoor shows in the past and am not opposed to discussing extenuating circumstances.

Capacity

In general — especially if I'm playing smaller spaces and/or house shows — it makes sense to limit available tickets for the sake of the people interested in hosting them in a way that doesn't become overwhelming.

I like intimate environments, and want the show to be a good experience for everyone. Attendance and energy is a part of that, and unless yours is supposed to be some massive event (which I'd love to play!), I'll work with hosts on what the best-case-scenario is to make the gathering as enjoyable as possible for all involved.

Seating

You don’t need seating for everyone. If you have a bunch of chairs, great! But most shows are floor seating and we let guests know they should bring folding chair, cushion or pillow to sit on during the show.

As far as I'm concerned, alcohol is welcome at my events (indulgence must be within reason).

Sometimes hosts allow guests to bring their own (BYOB), sometimes hosts charge extra for already-provided beverages, and sometimes it's simply built into the night (a wine / cocktail party, etc).

It is also alright if you don’t want people to bring alcohol. Some shows being held in a churches or commercial spaces have restrictions and we’re happy to pass that info on to guests… but this is what we usually tell guests if you are ok with them bringing beverages…

“The host is allowing attendees to bring a few beers or a bottle of wine to enjoy at the show. But please remember that this is a low-key intimate performance, not a raging party. Please take all empty containers with you when you leave. Be respectful."

I love dogs and cats and whatever else… I really do! But an excitable pet running around during the show can be distracting for the guests and performers. If you have curious and friendly 4-legged family members, would you be ok with putting them in another part of the house or sending them to a friend’s house during the show?

Important: there's a chance I'll be traveling my dog (a fluffy labradoodle named Francis). If that's the case, please consider whether or not he'd be welcome in your space. We can discuss this.

Stage and sound needs are dependent upon what kind of event we're booking in terms of production. Currently, there are two options:

"Stripped Down" Spoken Word / Poetry Performance:

This is a traditional spoken word set — just me and a mic. Or, if we're in a more intimate setting — such as a house, art gallery, or somewhere hearing isn't an issue — just me and my mouth. In this case, "staging" might be as simple as a corner of a room, and sound might not be required at all.

Full Production Performance:

Unless yours is a "poetry-only" event, this tour will feature an audio/visual performance that requires a space or backdrop suitable for projecting video from floor to ceiling (i.e. - staging arranged in front of a white or lightly colored wall, a sheet or projection screen to hang, etc).

All lights - inside and out - must be turned off / blocked out during the performance.

I will be running stereo backing tracks during this kind of set and recommend:

1. Booking the show in a venue with a quality stereo sound system with a good, low-end response (i.e. - subwoofers).

2. Booking the show in a space with room enough to use mine. I often travel with my own sound system in order to better accommodate hosts who don't have access to their own / a venue with one. Just ask if that's the case this time!

Do you need a sound engineer?

Someone must provide / be available to operate a sound board. This individual will need to arrive at the venue at a time that allows for a full sound check prior to doors opening.

(If we are using my system, which is digital, someone must be available to check and maintain levels.)

Food

Please give me something to eat, and please don't give me a Little Caesar's Personal Pan Pizza. I've eaten enough of them for thirteen lifetimes over the past twelve years.

We'll talk about food when the time comes, but plan on providing dinner, at least.

I love my body and try to give it healthy things.

Lodging

Lodging must be provided and/or covered with an additional stipend. Some examples of acceptable accommodations include:

One hotel room. (This is the No. 01 preferred option.)

An Airbnb extravaganza.

A home stay with a clean / comfortable / private bed and bathroom option.

Hospitality

At best, my "rider" usually includes asking for soda water. We all know that Spindrift is the king of soda waters so that's at least a nice thought, but I'm also not going to say no to playing a show with you if you don't want to get soda water.

I'll be using my resources (email, text-message marketing, social media, word of mouth, screaming into the void, etc), to do my part.

I'll also need your help to promote the event and invite as many people as we deem an acceptable level of attendance to it.

Please exploit me as you see fit. This should include but is not limited to:

Facebook events, boosted posts, and whatever means of social media you feel is most beneficial for getting the word out in your area.

Local supporting act has a strong following and will be expected to promote and sell tickets for the event to friends, family, etc. (One local - must be approved.)

Word of mouth promotion.

Point people in the direction of presale ticket links and/or making them available in person.

No matter how many Twitter, Facebook or Instagram followers I have, you have the local advantage and will be expected to invite and encourage people who otherwise would not know about the event to come.

Presale

Pending our agreement, I will be providing online ticketing and pre-sale options (if you do not).

If this is a DIY event, I will need your help at the door the night of the show to check people in and/or take collect money if they haven’t purchased a pre-sale ticket.

(Ideally, all attendants will have purchased their tickets prior to the time of event.)

Cost

Tickets must cover my guaranteed minimum, which I will discuss with all interested parties.

Cost per show will depend upon your capacity / ability to pull a crowd, but plan on somewhere between $15 and $30 per ticket (if you are not covering the minimum out of pocket or by some other means).

Financial Obligations?

I can't play your town for free.

If you'd like to book a show, a guaranteed minimum must be covered, which can happen through selling tickets, using a built-in event budget (such as schools / churches / universities / non-profits often have), asking your rich uncle to bankroll the evening, etc.

Specific financial and lodging requirements will be discussed privately with potential hosts/promoters.