Here are some of the things that tell you who we are and what we do:
* We are a non-profit organization run by volunteers, thanks to the hospitality of Trinity United Methodist Church.
• Please be Respectful: We are a listening room, and welcome everyone. Our mission is to bring you the best possible environment for enjoying music and socializing, free of smoke and alcohol. There is no cove
r charge, we pass the hat for the featured performers. Feel free to stand and/or socialize during breaks and before and after the show. Children are welcome as long as they are supervised by parent or guardian.
• Mostly Unplugged/Acoustic: We provide a sound system. We have a house keyboard and two house guitars available. We mostly feature solo acts, plus duos and the occasional trio - very few full bands. Please let us know if our volume needs adjusting!
* Opening Acts: On Fridays we have an opening act - musician(s) who play from about 7:30-8p. This replaces "open mic" on Friday nights.
•. Coffee, Desserts & CD’s: We offer a variety of flavors of coffees, teas, snacks, and occasional desserts; but we are not a restaurant. We're there for the music, and we assume you are too. Many featured performers bring CD’s and / or other merchandise for sale at low prices.
• Publicity: We have printed schedules on the counter, are listed in the Roanoke Times events calendar and Thursday “Inside Out” section, and have a page. There is also a sign up sheet to receive email copies of the schedule. PERFORMING AT 3RD STREET COFFEEHOUSE (effective 1/5/17)
We are open every Friday (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years weeks) from 7-10p. We start at 7:30 with an opening act (30 minutes), and then a featured performer/act at 8:15p. We run solely by volunteers, and are smoke-free, alcohol-free, and no cover charge. Featured performers get 100% of the "hat" and opening performers get our undying gratitude and a chance to be a featured performer if you have what it takes. You also get free coffee and cake or other snacks. Best of all, you get to say you performed on our stage, which other venues respect when you are looking for other gigs. If you are interested in performing live at 3rd Street Coffeehouse as opening or featured performer, please contact Mike Franke, our Booking Agent at [email protected]. In the e-mail, provide the following:
- List the date(s) of the last time you performed at 3rd Street Coffeehouse (if applicable). Indicate if it was at Open Mic, or as Opening or Featured Performer.
- A website link where your music can be listened to. Attaching a track to the e-mail in mp3 format is fine. Please send a current recording/performance. This will greatly increase your chances of being booked and will give us a good sense of whether your music is a fit for 3rd Street Coffeehouse. We are family-friendly, and only seat about 85 people.
- Some possible dates (Fridays) you're interested in, and if you want to be the opening act or featured performer/act. After an initial email interaction, if our booking agent feels that you're a good fit for 3rd Street from his/our Board’s standpoint, he will be back in touch about a date and let you know clearly that 3rd Street Coffeehouse is interested in having you. KEEP IN MIND: Not everyone’s music is a fit for 3rd Street Coffeehouse. That means that maybe your style is better suited for a rock club, a dance hall, or, from a curators standpoint, it is not something we want to bring to the 3rd Street Coffeehouse experience. NOTES:
• We make every attempt to host artists of multiple genres, styles, and levels of professionalism. Original music is encouraged, but not required. Performers are responsible for giving credit (and getting permission if required) for any cover songs they do. Keep in mind that 3rd Street Coffeehouse is a small non-profit venue. If you are a hard rock / metal / punk / etc. group, we may not be able to host it. If your group can't 'play to the room,' we will have sound issues, problems, and possibly an unhappy audience. Consider a solo, down-tempo, or acoustic set, and let your music speak in a different way. If you think you can rock as a full band at an appropriate dynamic, then we also welcome that too!
• 3rd Street Coffeehouse is a non-profit community resource, and we pass the hat for the opening and featured performers. You are free to sell your own products (CD’s, t-shirts, stickers, etc.).
• We do not have a website, but use our page (3rd Street Coffeehouse) and the local Roanoke Times newspaper and events calendar to promote our shows. We encourage you also promote yourself and invite friends, family, and fans to your show.
• We like to encourage younger musicians, and new bands, and give them a venue in which to perform. However, certain levels of quality must be maintained. If you are still working on the basics, like playing in tune, getting all the way through songs without stopping, keep practicing, and we'll be happy to book you group when you are. We pride ourselves in a level of quality for all our performers, and we try to curate that as consistently as possible to the delight of our patrons and listeners. PLACES THAT WE RECOMMEND FOR TRAVELING PERFORMERS:
1. Sleep Inn Tanglewood
4045 Electric Rd., Roanoke, VA, 24018
(540) 772-1500
https://www.choicehotels.com/virginia/roanoke/sleep-inn-hotels/va123?gclid=CjwKCAiAneK8BhAVEiwAoy2HYVatbaApYMS1fYLH37vj3ZfJQX0yZRaVEKoqOV97rZNdNA9MwhXrPhoCYpQQAvD_BwE
2. King George Inn
315 King George Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
(757) 675-4034
https://www.kinggeorgeinnbandb.com/
Thank you for your support of live music!
