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We've been at this venue almost three years now. GREAT situation (was). Hotel lounge, leave speakers on stands at venue (with covers). Easy in and out, one week Thurs. and Fri., next week Fri. only. As of late, here's the PROBLEM...... WEDDING PARTIES... They rent the ballroom down the hall from the lounge, with dj, or whatever. Started noticing that my speakers weren't in the same position on the stand (facing differently). When I set my speakers, I use a reference point, for this very reason, so I can tell if they've been tampered with. Then my table (which I fold and leave there) is moved to a totally different place in the lounge. When asked, the lounge manager says maybe it's the cleaning people. Cleaning people wouldn't loosen the cotter key before turning the speaker,or loosen the knob to raise or lower the speaker (crank up stands). Asked her to review tapes, too much work.... NOW, the latest, WEDDING PARTIES just come in from the ballroom, around midnight, and just TAKE OVER. Start grabbing mics PAAARRRTTYYY, sloshing beer all over the place. Had to shut it down, so they couldn't abuse my equipment. Get told "you Suck dj, for ruinng OUR NIGHT...(because I shut it down). Which I could really care less about some little idiot's opinion, because I wouldn't let them do what THEY wanted to do with MY equipment. TONIGHT, WEDDING PARTY, comes in, couple of singers join in a song, tug-o- war with the cordless mics, ripping the head off, after being told DON'T POUND ON THE MIC, IT'S ON..... needless to say, when I saw the mic head fly off, THEY WERE DONE. I LOVE this venue, BUT now it's starting to cost ME money. This only happens with the WEDDING PARTIES, and I feel that I'll probably be losing my REGULARS because of the abuse they are taking also (being rushed by several people that want to join in UNINVITED). What would YOU do????? Keep in mind, that they have NO special privileges in the LOUNGE, just because they are staying at the hotel, and renting the BALLROOM. I'd have no problem if they could act like NORMAL human beings, but because they're "THE WEDDING PARTY", they think they're PRIVILEGED, and can do whatever they want...

Srnitynow

time to talk to the venue and tell them that they are gonna have to start paying for your broken equipment and start helping with problem people. if they are getting the much out of control then they are over serving to much alcohol and that a problem in itself.

myself my equipment is more important to me than the venue!

i would never leave my equipment their especially like the speaker's unless they were a permenant mount up on a wall. if on a stand they would go home with me every night.

because if someone can reach them they will get messed with!

it comes down to, do they care or are you just a pe-on working their making them money.

you'll get your answer when tell them your gonna have to drop the venue if things don't change!

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It's all good!

The only advice I have to offer is in regard to your equipment that you leave behind. Since you stated that it has become obvious someone has been using/tampering with your equipment on the days it's left unattended by you), I would start packing everything up and keep transporting them on the days you need to use it.

I've taken care of the speaker problem. Put brass grommets in the bottom of the vinyl covers, chain and lock cover onto speaker. Problem solved. NOW, what about these WEDDING PARTIES????? Mighty, you hit the nail on the head, they have the "open bar" at the ballroom, before they come into the lounge, so they're rareing to go when they walk in the door. HEY... HERE'S THE PAAARRRRTTTY... Then commence to TRY and take over. This is an affluent area, where EVERYBODY feels "well, do you know who I am".. Personally, no I don't, and furthermore, I REALLY don't give a F#$%. This is MY show, and MY equipment. So then it ends up, I'm shutting the show down, and my "regulars" get screwed because of these JERKS.

Srnitynow

We also play at a hotel lounge. I had always taken my equipment home after each gig (we both KJ & DJ there). Until it became a problem for them as a band would cancel and call us last min to replace. Prob was, I unload my gear after every gig at home, so it takes time to load up and get there. They have since cleared out a storage unit and given me and the owner the only key (also insured MY equipment under their policy). Is this possible for you? Might be worth asking

How about getting a bouncer hired for wedding nights to keep it under control?

I am sure the bartenders would appreciate it too.

Hate to be the bad guy, but since you already know that your equipment is tampered with when you leave it, anything that happens from this point forward is really up to you.

Leaving it there under those conditions is probably not a good idea.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

personally the wedding party should be kept in the ballroom! and not allowed to
transfer drinks across to where the paying customers are.

they should have a bouncer at the bar door policing this as it's just asking trouble
for the bar. as in overserving.... cause if they got drunk at the private party across the room
then traveled to the bar and fell down and broke something who do you think is responsible.

the bar is.

they should be playing it safe and keep the parties seperate. and cut off the drunks!

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It's all good!

I am very familiar with this sort of thing, and I can say when the wedding is over across the hall, or at their reception off site...they come back to the hotel ready to party. Just have to know how to deal with the crowd, set the rules right off is you see trouble starting to brew and make sure the bar/hotel has your back.
It can be managed, not to say more than one has been removed from the scene, but overall you should be able to control it. Especially now that you know its going on!

Talk to your regulars, and see if they could handle going from 8 to 12 on fridays, and if yes, see how the management feels about the early start. If there's no wedding, see about going another hour, paid by the venue, or have a singer pony-up two or three bucks with their song slip..... worth a trial at least......no?

Find out who is booking these weddings and and try to get contacts to book the gigs for yourself.
It pays better, and you're dealing with the crowd anyway.

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KNOW THYSELF

I never leave equipment even if I have 2 nights in a row at the same place. Unless there is an office or storage area w/lock it's just not worth it. I also use different equipment for each show I use depending on the night. For instance, I would never bring my shure pgx 24 wireless mics to my Friday night show because it's full of drunk and rowdy folks. Instead they get cheesy Behringer corded mics and I make sure they stay close with shorter cords.
It's your show. Nobody can take over anything unless you allow it. I , too, have had my share of "wedding crashers" but am able to control things most nights.
A bouncer sounds like a great idea (we have 2 on Fridays) They are a great deterrent for the idiot wanting to star crap and try to take over your show. Good luck and get your venue manager involved. It's there problem too!

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Sound Choice and Chartbuster Certified

Thanks for the responses. The equipment problem has been solved, since I only leave my speakers, stands, and table. I locked up the speakers, and set the table behind a big screen tv. Johnny, that's a GREAT idea, thanks. 99% of the trouble starts after mindight, since the wedding parties are in the ballroom til at least 11:30. Setting up a meeting on Monday with the bar manager. I already know that extra staff is out of the question, because I've suggested it before. Most of my regulars leave shortly before , or shortly after midnight anyhow, so this sounds like a GREAT SOLUTION. Thanks again for ALL of the suggestions. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

Srnitynow

No singing without a singer ticket. Give tickets away to your regulars or have the bar give them away in exchange for buying a drink. Wedding singers won't have much fun if they can't sing without buying drinks.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Had a meeting with bar manager. changed hours from 9-1 to 8-midnight. We think this should take care of the problem. Only time will tell, but we're keeping a positive attitude that it will work out great.... Thanks again for the advise.

Srnitynow