We’re Baaaaaack!

And it’s time start planning this year’s SBMF. We’re looking at a date in early July for the event; we’ll post as soon as we come up with a solid date.

In the meantime, we’re seeking new volunteers to help organize and promote, and fundraise for the event. Do you want to help? Here’s a list of things that need to be done ASAP:

1. Musicians! We need bands to play. Are you in a band? Everyone is Seattle knows someone in a band — help spread the word that we’re seeking brilliant musicians again this year!
2. Kickstarter / fundraising. We need money to make some necessary upgrades to the sound system, buy ads, etc.
3. Publicity – We need fliers and posters again this year. And a blogger… We should really publicize the event as much as possible – get the media to run stories, post fliers around town, maybe create some random bike/music guerrillla art to help boost interest.
• We could use a good press kit – if you have experience creating these, that would be awesome.
• build a street team – people who can go out around town and plaster fliers / posters / art everywhere.
4. Sound:
• The sound equipment we had last year was on loan and is now back in LA. Do you have a PA or access to sound equipment we could use? We need mic stands, monitors, everything and anything to help improve the sound. Got contacts or suggestions? Send ’em our way.
• Also, we need a great sound engineer person. Can you donate your time or expertise? Got any connections?
• We need to improve the generator – it was too noisy last year, and it was kind of an inefficient system. If you have any ideas about upgrading the system, or know anything about electronics or engineering, that would be great.
5. Permits and venues – I have a great contact at the City of Seattle Parks Dept, but I need help just coordinating some of the other stuff. Also, finding locations for shows is pretty essential.
6. Mechanical engineering – are you a mechanical genius? Like working with your hands? Welding? Yep, we need help there, too.
7. Community support – get people excited about the music festival, contact as many people as we can and try to increase awareness. Brainstorm organizations that might be interested in supporting our mission – CBC, Alleycat Acres, WA Bike Alliance, Bike Works, The Bikery, Vera Project, Seattle Feet First, Seattle Public Utilities, various neighborhood groups and events, etc.
8. Gathering donations / grant writer – if you can garner donations (both cash and in-kind) from local businesses, that would be wonderful. We received many generous donations from local businesses last year; if we can match or exceed that, it would be amazing. I have a huge list of companies and organizations to contact, that either helped us or had potential to help last year, but I just don’t have the time to send out requests.
9. Any other ideas? Suggestions are always welcome!

More Volunteer Opportunities!

The time is nigh. We have a lot to do still, and we’re making all the final adjustments and getting things together. Our crack team of engineers – Joe, Jon, and Dan – have been busy building a pedal-powered stage, all by hand. It is quite impressive, actually. DJ Ryan’s pulled out the stops with his sound system and has helped purchase some essential components. Miriam’s been right there, helping with all the administrative stuff we have to do and basically acting as my right-hand woman. It’s a great team that we have working together. But there’s still more to do!

We’re going to meet every night this week after work (5:00pm until 9:30pm) to put some finishing touches on the pedal-powered stage. But what we REALLY need help with is painting signs. I have a bunch of cardboard and some paints, so if you want to come out and help decorate some fabulous signs and create a banner to hang behind the bands, that would be awesome! All you need is some old clothes you don’t mind getting paint on and a little creativity.

We’ll be meeting at Jon’s house: 2336 N 63rd St., Seattle, WA 98103

Call Sylvie with questions: 619-861-7011

All Hands On Deck!

It is time! The Seattle Bicycle Music Festival is upon us and now is the time to join us in the fun, last minute preparations.

Here’s where we need your help:

• Handing out and posting flyers
• Chalk painting the route and reminders
• Poster Painting and Decorating Party (date TBA)

If you have any interest, PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP!

seattlebicyclemusicfestival@gmail.com

Volunteers!!

Art by Eric Shalit, http://www.tubulocity.com

We’re still looking for a few great volunteers! If you have any interest in helping build the system, or decorate signs, or post fliers around town, or gather materials, come participate in our weekly parties meetings! We (usually) get a lot done, and I try to provide some bribes in the form of tasty treats, cold beverages, etc.

The engineering meetings happen every Monday, 6-8pm (you’re welcome to stay later though). They will usually take place on Capitol Hill, unless we need to go to a location with more tools and welding capabilities. In that case, we’ll send out updates and let you know where the meeting will be held.

Depending on the number of volunteers we have and the amount of work that needs to get done, we might have an additional meeting night to make signs, deliver fliers to local bike shops, pick up supplies, and take care of organizational tasks. But don’t let that scare you off, we’ll make sure you enjoy yourself and get well fed & beveraged.

Contact Sylvie at seattlebicyclemusicfestival@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping out!

Good day, good meeting

Today turned out to be a pretty great day for the Seattle Bicycle Music Festival. I was able to get around town and pick up a bunch of fabulous prizes for the Rawk & Roll Alley Cat race next weekend! I also attended the meetings with the band who’s playing the after-party and bunch of kick-ass volunteers.

(Coincidentally, I found out that the Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon is also that very day, though much earlier. By the time the marathon runners are peeling off their tennis shoes, we’ll be getting ready to hit the streets in search of clues about Seattle’s colorful music history)

So, after rolling around town collecting donations for the race, I headed over to Cafe Metropolitan to meet with Quyen, the owner of the restaurant. I’m really excited about using this space, because not only is it a great location, but Quyen and his staff are going above and beyond to make sure that we all have a great time at the after-party! I also met with Jeff from the band The Ride, who will be doing the music at the after-party. I think this is gonna be a great show!

After the meeting with Quyen and Jeff, the rest of the volunteers filtered in and we had a good, ol-fashioned chat session (with the help of some beer & nachos). We were able to bring out some really great ideas, and the level of enthusiasm is sky-rocketing! We’ve got a really awesome team together who are going to make this an incredible festival! (And just to plug, we’re always open to new volunteers! If you want to help out, come to a meeting or send me a message and we can find a place for you!)

OH! Also! Bike Snob is coming on Saturday for his book signing at University Bookstore at 2pm. A bunch of us are going down there to meet him and take him on a rolling tour of Seattle! What else could you do on a Saturday afternoon? Sure, there’s that, but how often can you get a chance to meet one of the funniest, snarkiest bike writers on teh internets? And if you timed it right, you could catch the parade (and nekkid riders!) and still get down to the University Bookstore in time for the book signing!

Yep, it’s been a good day, indeed. Now time for bed.

2010 Project has begun!

Call out for Volunteers

2010 Seattle = Bikes & Music

How would you like to help??

The SBMP is grassroots volunteer run.  We have BIG plans so we need BIG help.

We are looking for:

–Grant Writer– researching and filing for grants.

–Artistic Director– finding or creating the artwork for posters, flyers, t-shirts and coordinating with printers and the silkscreen shop.

–Engineer Director– finding components and volunteers and overseeing the creation of the pedal power and audio systems.

–Donation Guru– finding funding and resources to market.

–Fundraiser Extraordinaire– creating and managing various fundraisers including fundraising shows.

–Talent Coordinator– overseeing musicians for fundraising gigs and finding talent for future shows.

–Media Mogul– create a frenzy of exposure to drive fundraising and interest.

–Musicians !!!– the coolest Seattle has to offer to play fundraising gigs in exchange for promotion and a possible spot at the festival.