FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we get a lot, and some others we think you might be wondering about. Thanks for visiting our site and wanting to know more!
Q: How much money does it cost to put on your concert series?
Q: Whoa … $2000 for the whole summer? How do you operate on such a low budget?
Q: Is the Acoustic Nights Concert Series a non-profit?
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
Q: How did you guys get to put on concerts at such an awesome venue (the Hedge House)?
Q: I’m a musician/in a band. Is it hard for me to get a show in your series?
Q: I probably need a nice demo, or a record deal to get a show don’t I?
Q: I’m in a punk, metal, or hip-hop band – can I get a show?
Q: Who are those two weirdos who stand behind the mixing board?
Q: How much money does it cost to put on your concert series?
A: We’ve only had 3 seasons so far, but the short answer is about $2000 for the entire summer of shows. The long answer is it cost about $1000 the first year, $2,000 the second, and a little more than that the 3rd year. We’re looking to increase our budget for 2011, by getting more donations and sponsorship.
Q: Is the Acoustic Nights Free Concert Series a non-profit?
A: The simple answer is no. The Acoustic Nights Free Concert Series (and the PIMF) are events produced and operated by Brewster Productions, which is a for-profit company. However, the more complicated answer is that while our work throughout the year at Brewster is aimed at profit (through contract jobs at road races, festivals, and events), our summer time free shows are essentially something we do for fun and as a community service. They also help us a lot with promotion of our services, and for all 3 of those reasons, they are well worth it. All money we take in at the concert series through donations, sales, and advertising/sponsorship is put right back into making the concerts as great as they can be. So we might not technically be “non-profit”, but we aren’t making one. Unless you call fun and great music a profit – which is something we like to do.
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: No, but it is bad-karma deductible.
Q: How do you guys get to put on concerts at such an awesome venue (the Hedge House)?
A: As far as the Hedge House goes, it was really pretty simple and lucky: Donna Curtin runs the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, which owns the Hedge House – we pitched the idea to Donna, and because the PAS are very nice people (and know a good idea when they see one), they let us do it. That’s about it. And no, we don’t have any family in any of the places we do shows – it’s all about working hard, being nice, being professional, and most importantly, being grateful. Anyone can do it.
Q: What exactly is the association between the Acoustic Nights Free Concert Series and Brewster Productions?
A: Brewster Productions is a small live sound production and booking company in Plymouth, owned by Scott McEwen and Jon Dorn. We work year-round, but in the summer our main focus is producing and operating the Acoustic Nights series and the PIMF. Read more about Brewster at our website: brewsterproductions.com.
Q: I’m a musician/in a band. Is it hard for me to get a show in your series?
A: As luck would have it, we started this concert series for this exact reason: To make it easier to get a show on the Plymouth Waterfront. So, no, it’s not hard to get a show, and it’s likely that we’d love to have you play. Our only real conditions have to do with the fact that the shows are open, public and family friendly. To get booked, of course the earlier you contact us the better – just email us. Read more here: Booking.
Q: I probably need a nice demo, or a record deal to get a show don’t I?
A: No way, man. Again, this is why we started Brewster Productions and the concert series. This is all you need: Some way for us to hear your band. It really doesn’t matter – it can be a YouTube video, the crappy audio off a video camera, or even just an invitation to see you play. Just figure out a way for us to hear you, and that’s all you need for a chance to play. One thing we do recommend is getting a MySpace, Purevolume, or Reverbnation page – it’s free and easy, and everyone should have one.
Q: Hello, I really want to play, but I just play violin, or piano, or didgeridoo… you know, something other than an acoustic guitar. And I don’t necessarily sing either. Do you guys have performers other than singer-guitarists?
A: Yes! A thousand times yes! You had me at hello, etc. We are looking for the most wide-ranging set of performers we can find, so by all means, don’t hesitate to email us about booking, even if you play something not traditionally seen at folk/pop/blues sort of shows. In the past, we have had a music school orchestra from Iceland play (at the main stage), which was amazing, but we have yet to feature a solo classical/other instrumentalist at the Hedge House. We’d absolutely love to though – so if you fit that description (or don’t fit it), let us know. We have had piano/singers before – you just have to have an electric keyboard, or piano movers or something. Bottom line: We’re very open.
Q: I’m in a punk, metal, or hip-hop band – can I get a show?
A: If you’re looking to play as a full band on the Plymouth Waterfront, you should check out our big all day festival, the Plymouth Independent Music Festival. But if you’re in a punk/metal/hip-hop band (or any band for that matter), and you really want to play at the Hedge House, then we’ve got a fun challenge for you: if you can perform with acoustic instruments (no drum kits, electric guitars, etc.), we’ll most certainly consider you. You also must be able to censor yourself/your lyrics – these are family shows.
Q: Who are those two weirdos who stand behind the mixing board?
A: Those weirdos are Scott and Jon, who along with Harry, founded the concert series. Scott is the keeper of all the equipment, and the sound engineer. He knows everything that needs to be known on the day of the show. Jon usually fine-tunes the front-of-house mix during the show and manages the stage. He also handles PR, business, and promotions. The 3 rad dudes who run this operation have been best friends since they met on the Plymouth South High School cross country team in 2002.
Q: What’s with the Joey Fatone bobblehead doll?
A: He’s our mascot. If his head’s bobbling, it’s a good show.
Q: Where’s the beef?
A: At Wendy’s.
