Yesterday I finally worked up enough courage to take up a local winery's offer to let me play and sing in their picnic/patio area. Altho it was a surprisingly slow day, given warm weather and M's Day, it was a great experience. Granted, the $15 I made in an hour would hardly pay for a bottle of wine at this tasting room. On the other hand, I was outside, in the shade, in a pleasant place, surrounded by pleasant, mellow people, getting lots of feel-good compliments, and every single group there put at least some money in my case as well, before leaving.
It's taken me nearly a year to gird myself to do this--I'm a very shy performer. Now I wish I'd started much earlier. So, aside from breaking my arm patting myself on the back, thot I'd pass this potential venue on. Here in grape-growing country in Central Calif. there are lots and lots of small, botique winery/tasting rooms...many of which, I'm sure, would welcome "free" entertainment on a wkend. (And a lot of the patrons will probably offer you a glass of vino as well.)