Polite Notice Suggestions Required

Subject: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 06:14 AM

I'm running a folk concert in a venue in which the bar is in the room. Some of the audience may not be familiar with folk club etiquette (as I see it) so a notice will go on the door asking people to respect the performers and only to enter and leave between songs.
However, at a previous event it was the BAR STAFF who were too noisy. I'm trying to think of a little notice to leave on the bar to quieten down the noise from bar transactions and idle chatter behind the bar. So far I've come up with "KINDLY SHUT UP - THE AUDIENCE DIDN'T PAY TO LISTEN TO YOU!".
Can anyone think of a witty and polite way of asking people to be quieter?

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 06:22 AM

Sometimes you "have" to leave while a performer is in full flight,coming back should be more easily regulated.
How about making a sort of menu card and explain things as if it were a theme night and inviting people to be part of it?
We are reconstructing a traditional music night here at the (pub name)
In olden days people would gather to hear etc
Or you could just ask the boss to ask them to keep the noise down.

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 06:31 AM

"KINDLY SHUT UP - THE AUDIENCE DIDN'T PAY TO LISTEN TO YOU!"

If I was a member of the bar staff, I would be as loud as possible confronted with that.

Ever thought of explaining and asking them nicely?

You might be surprised...

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: Howard Jones
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 06:44 AM

There may be conflicting perceptions of what is going on. You see it as a concert where there happens to be a bar in the room. The bar staff may believe their job is to serve drinks and the music is something which takes place in the background. If it is a general audience (which appears to be the case if they are not familiar with folk club etiquette) then they may take a similar view.

You need to agree with the pub manager how the event can be managed to meet both parties' requirements. I think you should deal with the manager rather than individual staff.

If it is held in a public bar then I don't think you can expect folk club rules to apply. However if it is in a private function room which includes a bar that is a different matter, and you can ask the manager to ask the bar staff to keep the noise down during performances.

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: Hamish
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 06:54 AM

I have used the following:

   During performances, please

   STFU!*

   * be reasonably quiet

which goes down well with those in the know, but may only inflame those not on your side   :-(

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 07:15 AM

Is it an Admission Charged Concert ? Or a Free Admission ? IF its free admission , you will need to be somewhat diplomatic , and have a VERY polite word with the Licencee about the attitude oh his staff
IF you are charging , and paying for the use of the room , you have a bit more chance to get a result !

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 07:18 AM

Ask the audience to only order drinks between numbers?

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 07:22 AM

"KINDLY SHUT UP - THE AUDIENCE DIDN'T PAY TO LISTEN TO YOU!"

To Guest Ed. Sorry you didn't realise this was meant to convey the essence of the message and would never have been used. That's why I am seeking some witty slogan/message to convey the same thing.

The event is in a private function room but it relies on volunteer unpaid bar staff, some of whom believe that it is acceptable to talk through a performance if you don't like it.

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 07:27 AM

Why try to be witty? Just "Please keep the noise down whiel people are singing" says what needs to be said. And a word to whoever is in charge. Volunteers who think it acceptable to talk while people are performing should be dispensed with.   You need volunteers who want to be able to listen to the singing

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: bubblyrat
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 08:06 AM

Alcohol reduces inhibitions and loosens tongues ( Fecundi Calices,Quem Non Fecere Disertum ?)---So,it isn't a problem that is ever going to go away ! It will always be particularly annoying in a venue where the bar is integral ; last year at Towersey,the concert with Paul Jones et al,was ruined (for me,anyway) by the rising tide of raucous laughter,ribaldry,guffawing,shouting and general bonhomie emanating from the ever-increasing throng ( I won't say rabble !) at the back of the marquee ....in fact,by the interval,they occupied virtually half the available space !
    I reckon the best bet is to A) employ mute bar-staff,and B) for an "MC" or other designated person to get up every 10 minutes or so and shout "OK-- Dirty Joke / Piss / Refill Break ! ".

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: John P
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 10:26 AM

Perhaps you could find a room that's not trying to be two things at once? The noise and the drinking is why I don't generally play in pubs anymore.

Subject: RE: Polite Notice Suggestions Required
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 10:34 AM

hi

What about.....

Please be quiet, you wouldn't like it if we came home and talked while you were performing.

Cheers

MikeL2