Neighbors,

I agree that the smaller clubs and coffeehouses are much more performer friendly. Venues change but often new audiences come with the change - take bookstores for example.

Most of my gigs are as a storyteller (have been for over twenty years now) but even in that art I see the smaller venue as an advantage.
Storytelling festivals seem to be healthy right now but as we all know that can change. Libraries and schools are still a big part of most storytellers gig list.

Enjoy each audience.

Dan