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This is my first "new topic" posting which poses some interesting questions. The town I live in, Deadhill as it's known locally, has virtually nothing in the way of entertainment especially for young people. There was a large nightclub here which was demolished about 5 years ago and the flats are finally going up on that plot. Granted many of those attending that club were the last people you or I would want to meet on a night out. There are only 2 pubs on the town centre side, one is a Spoons and they don't entertain music, the other is in the absolute prime position in the town for a music venue but sadly the owner is so obsessed about losing his license rather than using it, yet he tells me in his 3 years there he has never had a single incident. Our 2 hour chat one summers evening in which he was keen on my proposal for 2 or 3 nights per week of functions was a waste of time ultimately. Such a shame because if he'd given me the venue on every Thurs, Fri, Sunday, the place would have been buzzing by now. In desperation with no other available venue in the centre, this got me thinking, when we first started going out in our youth, (note that my functions are not youth targeted but how many comments under old music do you see people saying they were born 10 years or more, too late, thus suggesting there is demand), where was it? The majority on here will probably say church hall discos as did I and the first 3 friends I asked.

As a result of such I made some enquiries with 2 church halls, which were reasonably well received, neither of which has an alcohol license which I personally saw positives in. Others may, but I don't "need" an alcoholic drink when I go out, especially when given unlimited use of the venues tap water at no expense as is the case here. One offered me the venue for Saturday nights from March onwards, with a closing time of 23.30. It also has a full canteen available at an extra cost, which got me thinking about further opportunities if the functions became successful. No alcohol license equals no age restrictions, thus potential family appeal and a community spirit.

Ultimately the music policy is what pulls most people on this site to a function but with an ageing listenership I can't help feeling that there needs to be more flexibility in order to pull in wider audiences long term. Personally I think there's little worse at a function than hearing 4 hours of exactly the same style of music and from the same narrow band of years, [played to a crowd largely made up of senior citizens, many too infirm to carry on dancing through years of excess at weekenders, only joking there btw]. Appealing to a minority market is likely to eventually be reflected in attendance numbers.

Going back to the subject of trying to get a younger audience through the doors, I will just refer to the functions I have in mind which will be covering early 70's to mid 80's soul funk jazz fusion, early 2000's soulful house, and some reggae. There will be some obvious floor fillers such as Cheryl Lynn Got to be real, Level 42 Love games, Shakatak Easier said, Loose Ends Hanging on a string, and Southern Freez, but from the same years there's just as likely to be Starpoint Bring your sweet loving back, Status IV Loving you, Sunfire Never too late for your loving. Stepping back into the 70's maybe Anacostia, Bloodstone, Earl Connelly, Crystal Motion, Duprees, Got-Cha, Hokis Pokis, The Joneses, Monday After, The Philly Devotions, whilst entering the current century Naked Music, Migs, Jay J & Chris Lum, and Physics. In summary enough to capture multiple audiences. 

So, putting the question out there, based on the above, the fact that the venue does not have an alcohol license and I have no interest in the complications applying for one, 23.30 is the latest finish, and the crowd could be made up of any age group, if you were relatively local to a weekly function such as this with an entry fee of a fiver, would you be likely to attend or would the fact that alcohol would not be available sway your decision outright? I believe that without alcohol available, the functions are likely to attract a more responsible crowd overall. 

I look forward to hearing your opinions. Thanks, Martin

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Not a chance in a million, like my Guinness too much and I get cranky when I can't drink

Just going back to the issue to DJ's playing to the crowd, I suddenly remembered this. Many years ago a friend who did hospital radio asked me to take his spots for two weeks whilst he was on holiday. Most of the material needed was already in house but he said it was okay to bring anything appropriate of my own. I therefore opened each of the shows with this track from their monumental 2nd LP. I'm not sure how well it went down.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 28/11/2018 at 22:41, Kenb said:

There was a club that ran for 8yrs that didn’t have alcohol.

Who needed booze when everyone was blocked

6 minutes ago, David Moore said:

Who needed booze when everyone was blocked

No one - But both can put you 'on a level'.......apparently :wink:

Len :thumbsup:

How tight is security...?

 

Ahem hip flask. Medicinal of course... 

 

  • 3 weeks later...
On 29/11/2018 at 12:49, Karen Wheeldon said:

Yep no problem for me I just go to dance.

So do I .it's not a party where most have a skin full. I drive so don't drink have tried once but felt so bad in think why did i have a drink.

So never again.

>early 70's to mid 80's soul funk jazz fusion, early 2000's soulful house, and some reggae

 

Personally, I don't think the alcohol issue or finishing time would be your main problem - it's a playlist which tries to cover too many bases. As the old expression goes, you can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time... I think trying to second guess what young people like is a tricky business - and sadly, most young folk don't really want to hang out with a bunch of old fogeys anyway. Just my experience...

Can we close this thread please as the question regarding the main issue alcohol, has been answered well and I'm glad to see that so many people would not be deterred from attending a function on that basis. Thanks

2 hours ago, Martin S said:

Can we close this thread please as the question regarding the main issue alcohol, has been answered well and I'm glad to see that so many people would not be deterred from attending a function on that basis. Thanks

have just closed for you but do be aware that members can close their own topics as per recent added faq

 

though do note this bit

Quote

It is expected that when they do close a topic to avoid any misunderstandings and out of respect to members who may have contributed that members do post up that they have closed it and the reason/s why closed/locked

 

cheers

mike

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