My club meets 10 times a year & usually has 2 acts, the first does 2 sets - 30 min & up to 60 min, the other 1 set of 30 min. Sometimes I change the format to 2 or 3 equal acts. We also have floor acts, usually chosen on the night (depending on who turns up), but sometimes booked.

The norm is 10 nights = 20 performers, however several nights are permanently booked - unaccompanied singing to start the year (the Dog audience is famous for its singing), 1 gig per year for my webmaster & the year finishes with my absolute favourite group (the audience like them too) - The Shiny Bum singers (Canberra Chris & friends). So that only leaves room for 16 or 17 acts & naturally lots more apply. Some can be wiped immediately - too late, not acoustic, not folk, & of course the most important one - I don't like it. One act will never get a gig cos he hounded me at work.

Normally I book months ahead (at Easter I inadvertently had the whole year booked) & as had been said above folks who contact me just before they tour ain't got a chance.

My audience is fairly traditional, as I am (Oz, UK, US) & is a singing audience (me too!!) & my predecessors & I have learnt that acts too far outside this just don't get audiences. We are also the best acoustic venue in Sydney & our lease precludes amplified music & the audience doesn't want it either. When we say traditional we don't just mean 19th or earlier 20th century work. Some songs written last year are traditional in style/format, some are dirges (& that artist didn't get a booking).

Presentation of demo CDs is irrelevant to me as I hand them over to the appropriate person for audition after having a listen. I'm not a performer so I ask performer friends for their professional opinions.

my rambling thoughts late at night.

sandra