–By Steven Koehler
Hello Odd Fellows, Etc…….
On March 9th, from 3-6 pm. Bayview Lodge 109 will host the Grateful Dead cover band “One Man Gone”. We are charging a mere $20 for the event ($25 at the door). We are also providing very reasonably priced drinks and snacks.
Our November 9th concert was very successful, and we are very exited to begin the journey of having concerts and events at our lodge on a regular basis. As for music, the collective vision is to have music concerts—some which may be dance oriented, others being listening oriented. “One Man Gone” could be both!
I saw The Dead a number of times, sometimes I danced, sometimes I sat and watched. I’ll leave it to your imaginations as to why that might have been…..
Reed [Sutton] and I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about the kinds of bands and music genre’s might be appropriate for an OddFellows Hall. The thing about the DEAD scene, is that for one thing, the vast majority of DeadHeads are over 40 years old! Therefore we think they be less apt to be behaviorally problematic, for one thing.
Furthermore, the VAST majority of DeadHeads that I’ve known are pretty peaceful folks. They tend to be tech nerds, or (my opinion) pleasantly quirky. They also tend to be respectful people, pretty culturally eclectic, and I think, importantly—-FUN!
The DEAD’s music covers a wide range of styles and tastes, and can include Folk, Rock, Blues, Jazz, World Music, Indigenous Music, Singer-Song Writer, Pop, etc….. Therefore, if we start building a “clientele” of these folks, not only would we be bringing in potential new members, but also a listenership which would be open to various musical experience. Our new member Tony wants to bring, among other interesting themes such as film festivals, wants to bring in Comedy!!! Our Secretary, Hannah Koury, wants to bring in Chamber Music. So…. I think it’s safe t say that there are practically ENDLESS ideas for events at our hall.
One Man Gone (O.M.G.) is a band which was formed in Palo Alto during the Pandemic. (I actually saw them a few times playing at a park, and wondered what the heck THEIR story was!).
Reed Sutton, the hall manager of Bayview 109, met OMG at a DEAD event at the Club Fox in downtown Redwood City. He approached them, and sure enough they were open to the idea of playing at Bayview 109. OMG seem like SUPER nice guys, and I actually had a long talk with their manager Ned last week. (I now call him GRATEFUL NED!!!). He is super enthusiastic, and really wants to spend his retirement promoting OMG, and immersing himself/OMG in the Greater Dead Experience. We hope that Bayview 109 can be something of a home-base for these guys, and that in turn, they will turn OTHER musicians onto US.
Some other thoughts we’ve had on possible acts at the Hall:
- Music Shows:
- Singer-songwriter shows.
- DEAD cover bands.
- Bluegrass/Ol-Time Music.
- Gospel Music.
- Christian Rock Bands.
- Vintage Dance Societies.
- Jazz of all sorts.
- Classical music of all sorts.
- Musical Open Mic.
- Comedy Shows:
- Comedy Open mic.
- Sketch Comedy
- Improv.
- Theater shows:
- Plays
- One-person shows
- Works in progress
- musical theater
- film test screenings
Regarding the realities of making an event happen: 1) At our events, Bayview 109 has had a rather small but DEDICATED group volunteers who do a great job of working cooperatively, helping with tasks of all sorts. I am truly impressed with the GOOD people which OddFellows attracts. 2) At this event, we want to provide food and drink at REASONABLE prices, so that people will want to come back to our events, and for them to know that we are NOT out to “stick-it-to-em'”. Yes we will make money on concessions, but unlike a bar or club we don’t NEED to charge $10 for a beer or glass of wine. 3) As alcohol is being served, we are hiring two security people for the event. We had a large event at our hall in August, and having, in particular, one VERY good security person there, really does make you feel safe, and gives you peace of mind. 4) A number of our members have gone through a online state of California alcohol servers certification process. Very easy, costs $15. 5) At our events, we charge a security deposit, and a cleaning fee. 6) We are VERY clear with our rentees about what is and IS NOT acceptable behavior at our lodge. No smoking/vaping, be NICE to our belongings and furnishings, socially responsible behavior, etc…….
Furthermore, we want to work with the other lodges in the area, to help THEM with their events, support each other as Odd Fellows, and build our Odd Fellows network. *I went to a movie night at Half Moon Bay in November, and that was an interesting experience!!!!
So—-please feel free to dialogue with Bayview 109, and let us know any ideas that YOU have regarding community building events.