A Question for SL DJ's and People who attend functions

In a bit of a quandary of indecision and would like some opinions. I have a big art gallery on my sim, that exhibits works of disabled SL artists. I've had several openings, as we open new exhibits every month or 2. Some, I've had receptions simultaneously, some not. The times I've not had an ongoing reception while the gallery opening was going on, seemed like something was missing. But, when I DO have the reception going on, nobody comes outside the gallery, to dance, they are all caught up inside, oohing and ahhing over the art,and although I invite everyone to come out to dance when they are done looking at the art, often the dancefloor remains empty, they seem to rather stay chatting and discussing the art inside.

There's been too many times when it's just been me and the DJ outside. And well, it's EMBARRASSING! I don't want the DJ to think it's HIS fault that people aren't coming out, it seems to be a quirk of openings like this, it's damned if you do and damned if you don't. If I don't have a reception with dancing, I've been criticized for that, too. There's a DJ I want to ask to work my next opening, if I decide to have the reception; but again, it's embarrassing, if he's out there playing good music, and the people won't come out, lol.

I've thought of putting the reception after the opening but then people start leaving. Do DJ's feel bad if the dance floor isn't full when they're working? *I* feel bad, but don't really know if it bothers them, or not....

Treasure,

Other DJ's may have mileage which varies from mine, but in the three years I've been DJ'ing I've found it's very hard to get people to come to a dance floor to dance just for the sake of having fun. They seem to want money at stake. If there's no contest involved, then they just pack up and go away. The exception generally being that they're part of a clique who are going to be there regardless, then they'll dance.

So I'm not surprised that you can't get the people at the art gallery to dance. They focus on the art, which is not out on the dance floor. My best personal suggestion would be to move some of that artwork so they have to actually visit the dance floor to see it, then they might snap out of their reverie and realize that they *can* dance. May not work but it may be worth a try too.

Hey Treasure, can I have the SLURL to your gallery?

I can't speak with much insider knowledge about this, but I know that the wine bar Breeze (owned by Frey Bravin, who also runs the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum, with which it now shares space) has a couple of galleries attached, and used to combine dances and live music with its openings. It generally worked pretty well, I think: there would be some sort of remarks about the gallery at the beginning of the event, then the live music, and then people would migrate down to the gallery.

Maybe the key is booking a popular live musician, rather than a DJ? Although I know there are some DJs who are as popular as live musicians.

For a DJ at an opening, perhaps think of your job as providing entertaining background music and/or setting the mood?

If people are looking at the art instead of dancing at the opening of an art gallery, that means that the gallery is doing something right. It is, after all, an art gallery not a dance hall.

Of course if it is both, then that is another issue, but if you are entertaining, some who come for the art initially will hopefully be back another time to dance in a setting with good art.

That's a good point, Alexander.

It would also be good for a DJ (myself included) to get familiar with the artwork beforehand. Perhaps there are some pieces there that are just begging for a song to go with them. Then by all means play that song. Otherwise maybe run with a mood. Is this artwork bold and dramatic? Play some really dramatic music. Heavy touch of dark subjects in the art? Play something moody or mysterious. Very soothing art instead? Not a good time to play heavy metal. In short tailor the music to the art so that the pieces and the music complement each other. It'll probably be well worth the effort.

Sure, I'll send it to you inworld, but, the new exhibitors are in process of setting up right now so now probably isn't the best time to go, it's not full yet. It's a big gallery and I typically exhibit 3 or 4 artists at a time. I'll also have Ghosty Kips glorious new sundial out on the gallery lawn, but it's not out at the moment, as I'm still setting up for the opening, but I will send you the slurl when I get inworld tonite, anyway. In other words, we aren't quite ready yet, lol. Once the opening exhibit is done though, the art is up for a month or 6 weeks before we do a new one.

This is a good idea and was actually suggested to me, by one of the artists. I think I will do it, too, not much work to do that, and can't hurt to try. As for setting a mood, the artists are eclectic and different venues are used. I have one that is bold, strong, primary colored abstract, another is a rl photographer and her art is photography, another who paints in oils and another who uses several different venues including some sculpture. So it's hard to set that mood, with music, it's too eclectic.

I regularly DJ for private functions. The best way to get people involved is to put the function and the dance floor together.

If you have a main area for your gallery, just put in a dance ball, and make sure some of the featured artworks are lining the walls. You don't need all the flashy gizmos for a dance. Just let the DJ come in, set down a tip jar, and do their thing.

I disagree about the contest thing. Not everyone comes to clubs or events for the contests. I DJ several events a week, two of which do not include a contest for money. It's just a "come listen to music, dance, and socialize" time, and I've had up to thirty avatars dancing in the club during these things.

By the same token, I've DJ'd at events with contests and had nobody show up.

YMMV.

Well, that's another thing. The gallery is a gallery, is inside of a big gallery building. In the past, I had the dancefloor on an adjoining parcel. Now, I've moved the dancefloor to the gallery parcel, right outside of the front door of the gallery, slightly off to the side actually. Was thinking having the dancefloor and reception closer, might help. You are saying, put it right inside of the gallery? I do have a room in the gallery that I could use for that, and had never thought of moving it inside. Seems that a dance reception, right there 'in your face' so to speak would be distracting to the artists and patrons?

Also, my original question, I see you said you DJ'd at events and nobody showed up. Did that make you feel bad? lol I don't want a DJ to leave my event feeling he wasted his time and will NEVER DJ for me again.....

Can you make the gallery floor a dance floor?

Can I get an LM to your gallery as well, when you get a chance?

And yes, I agree with the others that if it is possible, integrate your gallery space with the dancing and reception. I've been to some awesome real life events in unconventional spaces like a rave in a library that was loads of fun lol.

Some of the best gallery openings that I went to had the music event on the top floor....and the artwork displayed on the floors underneath.....or rooms off to the side.

You could view the artwork on the first floor, and still enjoy the music. Wasn't in a mood to socialize, but did want to hear the musician, and did want to view the artwork....so you got the best of both, without having to go up to the third floor and mingle with those who were there only to see the musician. Combining the art with the music was a great visual/audio experience. Usually you only get one of those.

But this was a very good musician, live music, and not a DJ. A good DJ will bring a following that might become interested in the art....not necessarily......but your point is to bring the people who are interested in the art.....isn't it?

Well yes, it is the point, but those people are coming anyway. No shortage of them, and they don't want to seem to do anything else, like socialize (except with one another, on the topic of the art they are viewing) or dance. But just that when I 'don't' do a simultaneous reception, it seems to be noticed, and missed.

The gallery is 2 floors and the building is big. I have 2 artists upstairs, (one in a big room up there and one outside of the big room) and either one artist downstairs, or 2, depending on how prolific they are. If it's someone with lots to exhibit then they get the whole downstairs floor, if someone with only few pieces, then I can put 2 artists downstairs also. But the parcel is big, that is why I've moved the dancefloor close to the gallery, so people absolutely must pass it, to get to the gallery doors. In the past, they conceivably could have missed it, as it was on a different parcel. So for this upcoming exhibit, I already have the gallery full of artists, but in future, can consider putting music and dancing upstairs, that is a good idea, thank you.

The gallery exhibit and the DJ event are two separate events. So post them as such. One is an opening and one is a art party outside of a gallery. Post the Art Party and mention the DJ - perhaps have small give-aways from the artists that are showing in the gallery at that time. So the more demure gallery crowd have their thing and the party people have theirs.

Why do you want to hold two events at once? People can't be in both places at once. And yes, after spending a while in one of the events they will likely go.

I'm thinking of a museum in SL. It also has begun having a dance event once a week or so. I went to one, and was in the mood to dance there; but to be honest the music and DJ were so bad, I left early, and went around to see the exhibits instead.

Are you sure the DJ is really good? Sometimes people hire friends, and aren't aware how the audience 'sees' things. Maybe ask some of the guests to fill out comment cards, or ask people you know to drop in and to give a bare bones opinion - 'no hurt feelings' promised.

The DJ I am thinking of, played all one type of music - a very narrow range, and not that popular overall, I'd say. Worse, not great for dancing to. Then their manner was not great - frankly they sounded drunk.

So, I'd hold the events separately. Also if you do have music/dancing maybe focus on romantic styles of both, because this is a typical date night thing - museum, dancing, etc. If people are in the mood to go clubbing and tear it up, it will probably not be at an art gallery or museum.

Just my thoughts. In case it's at all helpful.

Oh it is, everyone's ideas are helpful. To answer your question why do I want to hold 2 events at once, because people seem to expect some type of 'reception' for an art opening. It's not a club type party or dance, just an afternoon reception, the dancing part would probably only be an hour or hour and a half, beginning about halfway into the gallery opening. So in my little tiny mind, anyway, it is one event, not 2.

No, I am not at all sure about the DJ. I've not been to that many DJ'd events. The one I"ve used was recommended by a group member; and not at all sure he had the personality to get folks onto the dance floor but not being that experienced myself, am not sure. Right now, I have a jazz piano stream playing on the parcel. It works, is nice for gallery viewing but obviously isn't dance music.

This just is not usually the case when it comes to Art Events. Your not going to see the serious art intellectuals, buyers and collectors out on the conga line. But Art Openings are celebratory events and those fashionable party people are always needed for 'filler'. Cater to both your audiences and you have a well-rounded event. I suggest a host for the DJ event and a greeter for the gallery (make sure the gallery greeter knows what the exhibit is).

That's it. (THANK YOU, LIAS) That hit me just right. I can do the gallery event because I intimately know the pieces and the art that each artist is exhibiting, also, the artists themselves will be there. And get someone more experienced in afternoon reception style events to host that, and encourage people to come out to it after they view the art. Also some artist's freebies by the reception area. I can incorporate several of these ideas, and thanks to all.

Now another question. The DJ I have used in the past, he worked for tips but being as I was hosting the event, I have him what I considered to be a really big tip, because I didn't know how much he was getting from others. Do most DJ's work for tips and if not, what is an average fee? Per hour, or per event, or???

I didn't say conga line. I said the opposite. I said, something more romantic in music and dancing. I also said (we cross posted, it took me a while to write my original one) two separate events.

Reception usually means background music and some white wine and a cheese platter. People don't tend to pair gallery and dancing in their minds.

But, if Treasure wanted to keep the two things merged or consecutive, even - I'm picturing something more like jazz with some couples dancing. Something dressy/elegant but the dress code not strictly enforced (because in SL it's hard just to get people anywhere.)

I never said anything about kicking up heels, I said in fact that would NOT be where they'd go if they wanted to go out clubbing. /me exhales

Treasure also just in case you didn't do this, remember to list events in the events calendar, every time.

Oh I do the champagne and cheese and crackers and shrimp cocktail visual, yeah, the buffet table thing, that's in the dancefloor area too.....and yes, that is what I'm trying to evoke, elegant, dressy,but no, would never enforce a dress code! And yes, I do list in SL Events. Thanks Clarissa, and everyone, I feel a little less anxious about it now.

It sounds lovely Treasure. Hope any of this has helped, or will help.

I pay club DJs $150L a hour and they keep all tips. A special occasion DJ may charge up to $500L an event - but if they charge that amount make sure they have a following to help fill the space.

If you don't already: Send out press releases at least a week before the opening to the SL magazines. Send out invites to the model agencies also.

I have *SO* been overpaying, according to what you say here. But if they're worth it to me, I don't mind.

Back when I actually was involved with art shows, in 2007, they tended to run to two types. Art from several different artists on walls, including mine, live singer. Lag is horrible, no one moves, everyone (with exceptions), pays attention to live singer and not the art.

Other type would be a meet and greet with artist. No dancing. There was music, but it was stream. Fun evening for all.

Again, though, this was in 2007. I have no experience of the art scene in 2009, other than a few Ghosty art shows. One had DJ, others did not (that I attended). People danced at the DJ one, art was on ground below and some forgot about the art.

Depends on what you are intending. An art show, a live music show, or a DJ hosted dance event. Your milage may vary.

From personal experience (from the artist side), it is distracting. Also one of the reasons I haven't had my art up in a show since 2007.