Event Details
This page has information about the event. Please read before attending.
Music Event Information
If you still have questions after reading this, please contact Jon Lamb. Any new questions you have may be useful to others so I may add the question and the answer at this page.
What is a JohnnyLingo Music event?
General description of the music events:
Friends, neighbors and colleagues are invited to come to my barn and enjoy music performances by professional musicians.
Before some shows, we get together for a potluck dinner or other activity. We might meet and socialize with the performers or hear a song or two performed by an audience member that want to try performing in front of an audience.
The musicians will typically perform two sets of songs with an intermission in between sets where we can eat more, socialize and talk with the performers.
The artists will be paid by donations from the audience. If everyone that comes gives $10-$20, the artists will make enough for this to be worth their time.
Please read the information on this page for more details on parking, what to bring, questions about alcohol, and other topics.
Since the shows will usually be on a weeknight, we won't stay up late.
How can you help?
I need help directing parking! Please volunteer.
I'll need a few people to help direct parking. If you can help with that, let me know and arrive 10 minutes early so I can show you what to do. You could indicate your willingness and ability to help in a comment in the RSVP survey!
Help me stock up on disposable plates, cups, utensils, etc.
I'm not making any money on these events and don't expect anyone to pay me. If are able to help me cover some of the expenses, one way to contribute is by purchasing and bringing plates, cups, etc.
Donate folding chairs.
I don't have enough chairs for everyone that attends. Maybe you have some folding chairs or a folding table that you don't use. If so, give them to me. Or, buy me some folding chairs.
Chairs to donate should be sturdy folding chairs, not camp chairs.
Example chairs from Amazon: Link Chairs like these are about $25-30 each if purchased new.
Metal folding chairs are also acceptable.
Recommend and contact musicians
If you know a band that you'd like to see and that you can help me contact, I'd appreciate it.
It might be fun to have an opening act if you want to perform a song or two. If you'd like to perform a song or so, let's talk.
Communication
If you want to hear about new events and reserve your spot, you should join the email list.
By creating an email list of people that are interested, I hope that it will be easy for people to hear about the events. And, I hope that it will be easy for me to consistently find the right number of people to attend.
Each event should have 50-70 people participate. That is the number of people that I think utilizes the space well, ensures that the artists can make some money, and creates an intimate feel for the show. By joining the email list, you can hear about the shows as I schedule them and be reminded to reserve your spot. I will monitor the list of people that have indicated their intention to attend. If the number of people committed to attend reaches the limit, I'll send out a notification that the event is full and close the reservation form.
Cancellations or other problems will be primarily communicated via email.
Who can attend?
Is this a private event?
Yes, these events are private and are not generally open to the public.
Do I need to let you know in advance if I'm going to attend?
I'd like to know in advance if you are planning to attend.
If too many people are planning to come, I need to tell the last people to RSVP that there isn't room
If not enough people have RSVP'd, I need to try to find some more people that are able to attend so we have a good audience.
If you plan to attend and don't have my address, contact me. If you don't have my contact information you probably weren't invited.
Can I invite my friends or family members?
Yes. Go ahead and invite a few friends. Make sure you indicate how many will be coming on the RSVP form for the event. If someone you know is into this kind of event, invite them to join my mailing list.
Can I bring my kids?
Certainly youth may attend.
Note: Most of the events are not being organized with accommodations for very young children.
There are no babysitting services available
There are no places where tired children can be by themselves and rest
Very young children should not be unattended on my property.
If you want to come and think that you can manage a social event with a young child, you may try.
Some shows may be PG-13. Some musicians use cuss words in their art.
Reserving your spot at the event
Do I need to make a reservation?
Yes, you should let me know you plan to attend by filling out the form for the event.
I doubt that we'll fill the capacity of my barn. But, it is important that you RSVP in advance in case we do. That way you'll know there is room for you and your friends. And, I can prepare according to the expected attendance.
Including your email when you RSVP. will allow me to communicate cancellations or other issues to the people that are planning to participate.
Where do I make a reservation?
Fill out the form that corresponds to the event you plan to attend:
I can't come early for a potluck dinner or any other pre-show activities, just the music!
Well. . . Ok.
I'm going to arriving late or leave late.
We've all got work and school the next day. So, these events will not last late into the night.
Planning to leave early?
If you parked in the parking space on my neighbor's property, you may leave early as it won't require passing another vehicle on a narrow road to do so.
If you've parked in an area where you've been blocked in, leaving early may not be possible.
So, if you know you need to leave early, plan to park at the area in my neighbors property or discuss parking with me so that your car is not blocked from leaving by other guests.
Arriving late?
You'll be on your own to figure out parking.
Once the show starts, you may park on my circular driveway. However, if you do so, you may be "trapped" if someone parks before and after you. Don't drive off of my driveway to pass other cars if the ground is wet.
Do NOT block the driveway leading down to the barn.
Money:
How much does the event cost?
Short answer: $0-$100, it is up to you. The event is technically free but a donation of some kind is expected.
Longer answer: In order to get great musicians, we need to make sure they are well paid. The musicians are professions that make their living primarily by making and performing music. I agree with the musicians in advance on a minimum amount that I guarantee they will earn.
My expectation is that everyone attending contributes some amount. Hopefully, you will love the show and will want to support the musicians. In that case, you may want to give more generously.
But, if you aren't currently able to contribute, come anyway and enjoy the show.
How do I pay the musicians?
You will pay the musicians directly, not give money to me. This can be done by giving them cash or using a payment app like Venmo or ApplePay. The musicians may also have things for sale, like t-shirts and hats, that you could purchase to show support.
Food and Drink:
What should I bring if there is a "potluck dinner?"
You should bring whatever you want to make and share. You should bring enough food for the people that you come with. Then, instead of only eating what you bring, you can put it on the common table and try things that other people brought.
I am not planning to coordinate food among the participants. So, if everyone brings pie, we will all eat pie. If everyone brings dinner rolls, then we'll all eat dinner rolls.
Consider writing your name on the container that you bring your food in. Or, write your name on some tape and put the tape on your container.
Do I need to bring utensils?
I will provide paper plates, paper bowls, napkins, cups and plastic utensils.
I will not have serving spoons, spatulas, bread knives or other serving utensils. Please bring what is needed to scoop, cut or otherwise get the food from your container to other's bowls and plates.
What will there be to drink?
I will have water available in the barn.
If guests want to bring soda, lemonade or other similar drinks, that would probably be appreciated. So, like the food, the drinks will be "potluck" - but don't bring alcoholic drinks to share.
Is it ok to bring alcohol?
My family doesn't drink alcohol. We don't really know what to do with it except use wine for cooking.
If you want to bring your own beer or wine for personal consumption during the event, go ahead. But please don't bring any for other guests.
I've got food allergies or other dietary considerations, what should I do?
I will not be making any special considerations for special dietary needs. Since the meals are "potluck" you should be careful about eating anything that you aren't certain of. Consider labeling your food as vegetarian, gluten-free, or other labels that you think others may appreciate so they may be willing to try what you brought.
I understand the dilemma of different dietary needs. My wife is allergic to alpha-gal, a sugar in red meat, and it can make eating out a bit stressful. I assume that if you have serious allergy, you are used to this situation and know what to do. Please bring your own food or make your own arrangements. We can enjoy your company even if you aren't able to try the grilled PB&J sandwiches that we brought to share.
Chairs:
Please bringing your own folding chairs if you can.
I've got about 40 folding chairs now. But, some are not super comfy.
Please indicate in the RSVP form if you will bring chairs so I know how many more I need to find.
Please forget to take your folding chairs with you after the event.
If you have sturdy folding chairs that don't ever use, you can give them to me. I'll keep them in my barn for the next concert.
Or, just forget to take your chairs with you when you go. I won't bother to track you down to return them and they might even still be waiting for you at a future event. I also won't work very hard to return hats, gloves, coats, etc.
Parking:
Be ready to walk a little.
My neighbor Sara is supporting JohnnyLingo events by permitting parking on a gravel parking area on her property. Her property is "diagonal" from my and parking their will require walking a few hundred yards.
If you are physically able, please park at that location
The driver may drop off people, chairs and other stuff off at my house near my barn.
Then, the driver would go to the nearby parking area , park, and walk back to my property.
Please park on the gravel parking area by the barn or along the gravel road to the parking area. Don't park in the field by the parking area.
Do NOT park on any of my neighbors' grass!
Do not block neighborhood traffic.
I have really wonderful neighbors and I do not want this event to cause any problems for them. They should not have to deal with damage from people parking or driving in their yard. We'll have some poles or maybe even poles with ropes to remind you to not park in their yard.
Follow instructions.
I may have people helping direct parking or signs indicating where to park. Please park where you are directed to park.
Depending on ground conditions, you may be able to park along my property
If the ground is dry or very cold, you may park with two wheels on my grass and the other two on the neighborhood road. Or, you may park along my driveway in the same manner.
If you arrive late and don't need to leave early, you can park on my circular driveway.
Once the show starts, you'll be on your own to figure out parking.
You may park on my circular driveway. However, if you do so, you may be "trapped" if someone parks before and after you.
Don't drive off of my driveway to pass other cars if the ground is wet.
Do NOT block the driveway leading down to the barn.
If you need accommodations, please let me know in advance. There is probably an easy solution that will allow you to attend.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are in my house.
The barn is 50 yards from my house. So, when you need to use the bathroom, you'll have to walk a little. There are landscaping lights along the gravel driveway that goes uphill from the barn to my house.
For most people, the walk is up the gravel driveway will be easy although inconvenient. But, it may not be doable for someone in a wheelchair or someone that needs assistance walking.
If you need assistance like this, we can drive a car up and down the driveway. Please let me know that in the "Other Comments" section of the RSVP form so I can ensure the driveway is clear and there is a suitable vehicle ready to assist you.
Weather contingencies
The barn has a heater. So, a little cold is fine.
If the weather is cold, the show can go on. Wear a coat for the walk from your car to the barn .
If we are going to cancel the event, I'll email everyone and post an announcement on this website.
I know a lot of people, myself included, don't check email that much. But, I don't know how to do automated text messages So, I'm going to do email. Or, remember to check this website before you begin driving to my house.
Got any other suggestions on how to handle this?