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<h2>Before You Load In - 3rd Friday in Safety Harbor.</h2> Every Third Friday the City of Safety Harbor holds a block party. This party takes place on Main Street. It starts off at the Harbor Bar on 9th Ave South and goes all the way down to Screaming Jalapeno. Which is located down the street from the Safety Harbor Spa. The celebration features twelve bands, dinning and shopping through out the city. Each month the city is packed with cheer and great energy. The diverse music scheduled has complemented the festival well. Tampa Bay's best musicians grace the stages for 3rd Friday. Let's look at the logistics for loading in and out. If you’re a vendor and this is your first time at 3rd Friday here are some pointers. <ul><li>The event starts off at 6pm and goes till 10p</li><li>Parking on the street is closed to the public after 4pm. The police do a great job of getting cars off the road, so that vendors can setup.</li><li>If you are able to park your trailer/truck at your vending spot you should arrive at 3:45. This will secure your parking.</li><li>If you don’t plan on leaving your trailer/truck by your spot you’ll want to arrive between 3-4pm. This will give you ample time to unload and move your vehicle to a parking spot.</li><li>Parking is really limited in Safety Harbor. The best spots are one block away ( south or North of Main) theses spots are in the residential area. Just make sure that you are not blocking a driveway.</li><li>If your vending spot is close to the library, there is parking in and around the library. Don’t attempt to park at the Safety Harbor Spa. The majority of all parking is reserved for the resorts guess.</li></ul> <figure id="figure-ug5enf8d6mmua5js82"><img id="ug5enf8d6mmua5js82" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38807GXgv17m16ZhydhNLzlLn0nqQvMczr6xBHzcGXydAt4RWXZM45Ff2UwVNv6R.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="The Chamber and local police do a great job of clearing up parking for the vendors. " data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38807GXgv17m16ZhydhNLzlLn0nqQvMczr6xBHzcGXydAt4RWXZM45Ff2UwVNv6R.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">The Chamber and local police do a great job of clearing up parking for the vendors.</figcaption></figure> &nbsp;The event goes till 10pm. Once the police remove the barricades you'll be able to get back on the street. In my experience, it's normally about 10:15 before we can get the truck and trailer on main street to pickup our stage. If you are a musician and need to drop off your gear.....the best option is to arrive early. get If you are habitually late then you are going to run into problems. If you arrive after the police block the street off, they may or may not let &nbsp;you drive in. Which could make for a really long walk with your gear. Finding parking after 5:30 pm is a struggle.. This is a fun event. The live music amplifies the town. Plus the City and Chamber have done an outstanding job making this event run smooth. Lots of opportunity at this event. My best advice is to arrive a little earlier than normal and the event will run smooth.<figure id="figure-jip0r1lhbwmua5s6bz"data-full-width><iframe id="jip0r1lhbwmua5s6bz" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DVuZAz46D9Y" class="w-full bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen data-url="https://youtu.be/DVuZAz46D9Y?si=SW6g_rZLpHC5C-u2" data-corners="default" data-fullWidth="true"></iframe></figure>

Before You Load In - 3rd Friday in Safety Harbor.

<figure id="figure-8dsp4p8zfnmu1gv3tu" class=""><iframe id="8dsp4p8zfnmu1gv3tu" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQhH26NM_yI" class="w-full bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtube.com/shorts/fQhH26NM_yI?feature=share" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQhH26NM_yI" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>Hey everyone,&nbsp;John here with CJS Live Music &amp; Events.I started this blog/video series to help bands and event vendors get familiar with new venues. When we first started doing events we had to figure out the logistics on our own. Sometimes it went great. Other times it was plain awful.Hopefully these videos and blog make your next event a little easier logistics wise.&nbsp;Our first visit on the list is Hotel Flor in downtown Tampa.GETTING THEREHotel Flor is located off of North Florida Avenue. The easiest route is to take Exit 44 off 275. Once you get off of the exit, stay as far to the left as you can. You'll go through a couple of traffic lights and then make a left onto East Cass Street. Stay alert because once you get on East Cass the hotel will appear in no time. As soon as you cross North Florida Avenue, make a left into the hotel parking lot.What I like about this venue is how close it is to the interstate. Easy to get in and easy to get out. Even with the late-night clubbers ( the city was jamming at 10pm) the drive out was painless.&nbsp;Loading in. We had a two pm load on Saturday. Anytime we have weekend events I try and leave a little earlier. If you are arriving at this venue in the morning or afternoon you will have no problem. For pickups later at night, things can get a little trickier . The parking lot becomes a valet lot, which can make it difficult to maneuver a truck and trailer through.If this is the case drive around to East Tyler Street and enter through the back gate. Once you're in the parking lot, get your truck or trailer as close to the building as possible. When we arrived we spoke to the valet attendants and let them know that what we were there for. I find that if you take an extra five minutes and notify the front desk or valet it makes everything smoother. Once you are parked you'll look for the last door by the dumpster. That door will be your access point to the freight elevator.Let's talk about this elevator. This beast is straight out of a gangster movie. Old-school Tampa at its finest. If you ever needed a great scene shot for a horror or mob movie in Tampa...this is the place to shoot it. My first thought was suitcase city!&nbsp;The elevator has two doors. The first door needs to be pulled down and latched. Then there's a second, lighter door that comes down much easier. When you open everything back up, you basically do the process in reverse. The elevator &nbsp;can hold up to 4,000 pounds.And whatever you do...Don't touch the red button. That's another story.The good news is that once you get upstairs, the main ballroom is only a few steps away from the elevator. For us, that made moving 107-pound stage decks a whole lot easier.Hotel Flor is a great venue to work at and a cool piece of Tampa history.The hotel dates back to 1927.At 19 stories tall, the building was Tampa's first skyscraper. It remained the city's tallest building for decades. It was later added to the National Register of Historic Places. During World War II, hotel's Sapphire Room became a popular hangout for servicemen.&nbsp;If you ever get the opportunity to work an event at Hotel Flor, I highly recommend it. The staff was great. The venue was accommodating. And from a production standpoint, once you know where you're going, the load-in is easy.Hopefully this video saves you some time and a few headaches.See you at the next venue.

Before You Load In: Hotel Flor — Tampa, FL

Lighting technician installing spotlights for a musical performance

<h3>Booking entertainment for your event is a fun experience as long as you don’t get caught up in the excitement. Most people forget to ask a few key questions that can make or break the vibe of the night.</h3>If you want smooth planning and unforgettable entertainment ask these questions.1. What Happens If an Emergency Comes Up? Let’s face it—life happens and sometimes cancelations take place. If the performer gets sick or has an emergency, is there a backup plan?Ask: “Do you have a backup performer or backup band in case something happens. Reputable entertainment companies have a trusted network of professionals ready to step in. Using an agent acts as insurance if any emergency happens.2. How Much Setup Time Do You Need? Timing is everything. If your entertainer needs 90 minutes to set up and your venue only allows 30 minutes you’ve got a problem. Ask: “How early do you need access to the venue?” Make sure time frames are clearly communicated.3. Will You Have Your Own Equipment ? Not every act brings their own sound system, lighting, or mics are sometimes provided by a sound tech. Ask: “Do you provide your own sound and lighting, or should we hire a sound tech. Most high-end event and wedding bands need a sound tech. Need help coordinating the band, sound tech and stage ?4. Can You Customize the Experience? Great entertainers can tailor the experience to your vision. Want a grand entrance? Chill cocktail hour? Crowd participation games? Ask: “Can you customize your set to match the mood or theme of the event?”5. Are You Insured? Venues require vendors to carry liability insurance—and not every performer does. Ask: “Are you insured, and can you provide proof if the venue asks?”6. What’s Your Cancellation &amp; Weather Policy? Especially for outdoor events, you’ll want to know: what happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate? Ask: “What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy for rain or bad weather?” If you’re doing a destination wedding in Florida make sure you are conscious of Hurricane season.Final Thought: Booking entertainment is about more than checking availability and price. These behind-the-scenes questions can save you from awkward surprises.<a data-mce-href="https://cjslivemusic.com/contact" href="https://cjslivemusic.com/contact" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">If you want help booking live entertainment, sound, staging, and setup—we’ve got you covered.</a>

What Most People Forget to Ask When Booking Event Entertainment

<h3>Whether you're organizing a corporate function, live music showcase or a wedding our portable stages offer the perfect platform.</h3><h3>Why Opt for a Portable Stage Rentals?</h3> 1. Visibility and Engagement A well-elevated stage ensures that every attendee has a clear view of the performance or presentation. Raising the platform will help foster a more inclusive and engaging experience. This setup not only captures attention but also encourages audience participation. Making your event memorable. ​2. Cost-Effective Solutions Investing in a permanent stage can be a significant financial commitment. Renting a portable stage provides a budget-friendly alternative. Thus allowing you to divide resources to other aspects of your event. ​3. Flexibility and Customization Every event is unique, and our portable stages reflect that versatility. They can be configured to various sizes and shapes, accommodating different venue dimensions. For example in the picture below, we see a run way that was designed for a fashion show. And below that a half moon.<figure id="figure-ymb6tt0e64m91vesel"><img id="ymb6tt0e64m91vesel" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/35nV9NAOWlKcQglApibYUMYzbu0CkzC01qr4nqvp2orYbKH2ZTP29r7GD3NaYO80.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 5% 80%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Runway " data-positionx="5%" data-positiony="80%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/35nV9NAOWlKcQglApibYUMYzbu0CkzC01qr4nqvp2orYbKH2ZTP29r7GD3NaYO80.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 5% 80%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Runway</figcaption></figure><figure id="figure-p0owuq2o47m91wzxzu"><img id="p0owuq2o47m91wzxzu" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/3bJ0G6vrRhaCRF8xL28mOWxfAGfhlvaFsIYLrrt5bpuMmVim2YT9IlpBaZFNuPOJ.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Half Circle Stage " data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/3bJ0G6vrRhaCRF8xL28mOWxfAGfhlvaFsIYLrrt5bpuMmVim2YT9IlpBaZFNuPOJ.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Half Circle Stage</figcaption></figure> 4. Quick and Efficient Setup Time is of the essence in event planning. Our portable stages are designed for swift assembly and disassembly, reducing labor costs and minimizing disruption to your event schedule. This efficiency ensures that your event preparations run smoothly and on time. ​&nbsp; Our Commitment to Excellence At CJS Live Music &amp; Events we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service and high-quality equipment. Our team works closely with you to understand your event's specific needs, ensuring that the stage setup aligns perfectly with your vision. From initial consultation to post-event dismantling, we handle every detail with professionalism and care.Ready to Elevate Your Event? Choosing the right stage can transform your event from ordinary to extraordinary. Let<a data-mce-href="https://cjslivemusic.com/" href="https://cjslivemusic.com/" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary"> CJS Live Music &amp; Events</a> be your trusted partner in creating unforgettable experiences. Contact us today to discuss your portable stage rental needs. and discover how we can help make your event a resounding success.

Elevate Your Event With A Portable Stage Rental

This year your boss has requested to have live entertainment for upcoming party. You love music but have no idea where to start? The first party that I booked was similar to your situation. &nbsp;I was clueless. Thanks to Google I was ok, but the party not so much. Paid adds landed me the wrong band.The goal was to find quality entertainment that will breathe life into the staff. After all, everyone has been working like dogs and could use some downtime. &nbsp;Let’s look at a couple of key areas that will help you prepare and organize your corporate event.&nbsp; <h3>Event Planning&nbsp;</h3>Let’s start off by creating a basic outline for the event. &nbsp;Don’t be scared….this will be less daunting than planning your wedding experience.The very first thing you will want to do is decide on the style of music? If you’re thinking about your favorite grunge band , think again. Betty in HR will be all over that. Unless your company is that cool.The first question you should ask is who are you trying to please? Is it for your boss or for the staff? If your boss plans on giving a long memorable speech then an instrumental jazz band will be perfect. If the boss wants to go in the opposite direction, then an engaging cover band will do the trick. &nbsp;If the boss wants to throw down, then let's take a look at hosting a dueling piano show. The trick is to find out what experience we need to create.<h2>The more details you know about the party, the easier your search will be. So make sure you get the right insight.</h2> Your next step should be putting all the details together so you can have a solid proposal for the band. These questions will save you a ton of back and forth emails. <h2>These questions will also help you coordinate the rest of your event as well.&nbsp;</h2>Will the event be held indoors or outdoors?&nbsp;Location/ Date/ Time?&nbsp;Will sound be provided?&nbsp;Will lighting be provided?&nbsp;How long will the event be?How long would you like the band to play for? ( Most bands play 3 to 4 hours, max )&nbsp;Will a stage be present?If the gig is outside will the stage be covered in case of inclement weather?&nbsp;What is your budget for the evening? Entertainment, Venue, Catering, Alcohol, Prizes.Are you willing to cover travel expenses?&nbsp;Would you like the band to make any announcements throughout the night?&nbsp;How will the payment be received?&nbsp;<h2>Now that we have gathered some basic information, let's get the ball rolling.&nbsp;</h2> Coordinating your event or function can be painless if you make the right decisions. &nbsp;The first step should be Google Reviews. &nbsp;Pull up the Google search engine and see what comes up. &nbsp;On the right hand side of the page you should see some reviews. &nbsp;This will give you a better understanding of the band or agent. If you can’t find reviews on Google do some investigating on social media.Here is a couple things to keep in mind. Does their landing site look professional? &nbsp;Do they have music videos you can view? &nbsp;Do they have current dates on the schedule? &nbsp;This is the best way to tell if the band is serious about their music. &nbsp;The quality of the content they are putting out will tell you if they take what they are doing seriously. &nbsp; <h2>General contracts</h2> This should be a no brainer. &nbsp;A contract protects both parties and should be used anytime you're hiring a service. &nbsp;Make sure that all the details that have been discussed are included in the contract.&nbsp; Booking a band for a corporate event can be a lot of fun. &nbsp;How often do you get to sit at your desk and watch music videos? Make the process less painful by staying organized. If you do this, your company party will be an unforgettable experience. <h3>For more information on event planning and coordinating, feel free to contact us at:</h3><h3>cjsevents1@gmail.com&nbsp;</h3><h3> </h3>

CJS Live Music & Events

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Before You Load In - 3rd Friday in Safety Harbor.

Before You Load In: Hotel Flor — Tampa, FL

What Most People Forget to Ask When Booking Event Enterta...

Elevate Your Event With A Portable Stage Rental

How to find music for your corporate event