Skipper's Showcase Nite is a monthly opportunity for acts new to the Skipperdome stage to show us what they've got and be evaluated regarding suitability for future gigs at Skipper's and elsewhere. Performers will be both in terms of material/presentation and in ability to draw and hold a crowd. Being a Tuesday and all, we don't expect you to pack the place out to its 700+ capacity but we DO expect you to promote the gig to the best of your ability...and then blow us away when you hit the stage.

1. Start times
Set times are 7:30 - 8:15, 8:30 - 9:15, 9:30 - 10:15, 10:30 - 11:15. Four slots, 45 minutes each with 15 minute turn-around between acts. Skipper's may be unique amongst Tampa live music venues in that we actually run shows on time, crazy as that may sound. 7:30 actually means…wait for it…7:30. Whoa! And a 45-minute set means just that. Don't be the jerk that plays over their allotted time and bogarts the next band's start time. That's pretty much a guarantee not to be asked back and to have your name cursed for all eternity.

2. PA/backline
Full PA is provided, just need to bring your backline. We STRONGLY encourage the showcasing bands to talk/email amongst themselves and work out some sharing of gear, drumkits and bass rigs in particular, as the soundman will surely appreciate it and it'll speed up the changeover. Here's a link to the production specs for Skipper's: http://skipperssmokehouse.com/venue/techspecs.html

3. Load-in
You can load in your gear starting at 5PM. When you arrive, identify yourself to the Manager-On-Duty (after 5PM on Tuesdays, that's me), who will go over your set times and issue you your food/drink tickets (see below.) Then introduce yourself to the soundman (who arrives at 5PM) and let him know what you've got and what you need. The soundman will arrive at 6PM to mic up the first band; everybody else will line check on-the-fly but fear not, we've had the same sound company here for, like,14 years so they've got it dialed in. ASAP, please send an email with your instrumentation/vocals/stageplot and any special input needs (DIs, mics for horns, etc.) so we can give the soundman a heads-up.

4. Guest list/merch/etc.
Our standard guest list policy is one per band member, excluding credentialed members of the media - if you've got them coming, just let us know prior to day-of-show. If you've got merch to sell, we have a nice area for that and you keep all the money but you'll need to provide your own selling person. Skipper's (the music venue part) is 21 and up so all patrons must be 21 or older with ID or accompanied by a parent; same for performers. We have a zero-tolerance policy with regards to controlled substances on our property. Violation of this is grounds for immediate ejection from the premises.

5. Band hospitality
Each performing band member gets $12 in Skipper's food/drink tickets, good for food or adult beverages. Soda, tea and water are free to performers. Honestly, the food here kicks ass. Generally, the kitchen is open until about 9PM on Tuesdays so if you're playing one of the later slots, either eat early or tell the hostess to write "last ticket, to go" and they'll make your food last (duh) and pack it up to-go.

6. Stage volume
Maintaining a reasonable stage is essential as Skipper's is an open-air venue surrounded in an increasingly residential area. The soundman cannot exceed 90 dB the FOH position so a humane stage volume allows the soundman to build a killer mix of your band out front, which in turn allows the audience to hear your performance at its best. If you're too loud on stage, we'll tell you to turn down…once. It is STRONGLY recommended that any guitar amps be placed be placed at the side of the stage and pointed sideways. We have a monitor system with four mixes, EQ'd very nicely so we can give you a great monitor mix.

8. Promoting the gig
Email, call, go door-to-door and tell your peeps you've got a show at Skipper's. Woohoo! We'll create a Facebook Event via Skipper's Facebook Page and send you the link. Blast it out to your Friends then go make new Friends and invite those new Friends. (We're big fans of Facebook.) We can arm you with 4-up flyers and 11x17 color posters for the show free-of-charge - just let us know how many you need.

Any further questions, just ask.

Mark Warren
Marketing & Promotions
Skipper's Smokehouse
910 Skipper Road, Tampa FL 33613
mark@skipperssmokehouse.com
http://www.skipperssmokehouse.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Skippers-Smokehouse/353720469166
o - 813-971-6846
f - 813-972-4763
c - 727-743-1998