Gig #5- Farmers Market

Gig#5 – Farmers Market, Old Town Scottsdale, 9 AM- 1PM, 4/17/10

Attending a farmers market last Wednesday in search of good veggies and eggs, I stumbled upon my Gig #5.  Wandering around different tables full of local products, I started swaying to the Muzak.  It was a Jazzy guitar sound that was light and easy.  As I passed the salsa booth, I spotted the source of the Jazzy sound and realized it was not Muzak, but in fact two guitarists and a sound system.  ”What?” was my initial thought.  ”They have music at Farmers Markets?”  Immediately my mind saw a vision of Gig #5- Natalie Oman live at the Farmers Market!

I made my way past the various booths not stopping to inspect the wares, but instead in search of the golden booth- INFORMATION.  I locked eyes with the gal behind the booth and bee-lined it to her.  I’m sure she was probably thinking I was some kind of lunatic with that crazy look in my eye.  As I approached the counter, breathless, I uttered “Music, there, me too!”  She looked at me just like a lunatic (see I knew she thought I was a lunatic).  So I took a second and asked where I could get information about performing.  After she realized I was not a lunatic but instead a similar variety- Musician, she politely proceeded to tell me that I could contact the coordinator by calling this number and/or email this address.  Then she said I looked familiar.  ”Hm, that’s weird because I just moved here,” is all I said.  So she said, “What instrument do you play.”  I said “I sing.”  She said, “I know where I’ve seen you!” and she proceeded to pull out a postcard with my face on it!  Yup, there was my singing face looking up at me from the postcard that said “Need live music?”  Oh I was so thrilled, creeped out a little, but thrilled.  Apparently a contact I had made through a marketing event had passed my postcard along to the people at the Farmers Market- it pays to have friends

After practically stalking the woman in charge of the Farmers Market via phone and email, she said to show up Saturday morning.  So, I showed up.  Between Cheese Curds and Massage, I sang my way through 4 hours so fast, I didn’t want it to be over.  Everyone at the market was smiling and welcoming.  Thank goodness the Farmers Market provided a tent for me, it was a hot and sunny morning.

As I sang through my set list, I saw all sorts of people pass me by.  Families, young kids, elderly, farmers, rich, not rich, happy, sad, energetic, and still waking up.  I smiled at all of them and danced with a couple of little kids.  Sometimes people would clap, sometimes people would avoid my eyes, sometimes people would stop and openly gape at me.  My favorite were the men who thought their wives weren’t looking and stared at me.

As it turns out, you get paid for singing at the farmers market- at least the one I played at.  At the end of singing I got a check and practically leaped with joy.  The almighty paycheck for a musician is like life blood.  Not only was I paid by the farmers market, I was allowed to put out a tip jar and CDs for sale.  Wouldn’t you know it, I sold out of all of my CDs!!!

Lesson- Throughout the day, I learned what worked and what didn’t for the farmers market.  As with any new venue, you have to tread lightly at first and feel it out.  Within the first 30 minutes of playing, I was asked by 2 people to turn it up.  I adjusted the speaker so it was more forward in the booth, projecting out into the open area and upped the volume by a few notches after asking my neighboring booths.  In addition, I focused most of my attention to the surrounding tables of people eating, and smiled at people passing, but didn’t make them my focus point.  I tried to wave at every kid under 10 years old, even if they were too shy or too oblivious to wave back.  I made sure to try and connect with everyone who seemed remotely interested in my music.  If someone with a dog passed, I would throw “puppy” or “dog” into the lyrics- which usually made the owner laugh.  If anyone kind of lingered near the booth, unsure if they could talk to me, I would step off the mic and ask them how I could help them instead of making them wait until the song was over.  I also made sure not to offend any of the other booths, and would take breaks and play some softer music when another vendor was giving a demonstration.  And most importantly, I always exuded FUN- people want to be invited to the party and if you’re having a good time and engaging the audience, they will have a blast as well!

Play On!

Natalie Oman

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