"I'm not playing tonight"

Week three of my observations, and I'm developing more and more strategies. This week I decide my observations will be well rounded if I focus on separate times of each event. This time around, I arrived later to the venue and stayed longer after it ended. Behaviors varied in many ways.

Once the last band played and the show ends, I see majority of the male attendees praise the musicians after their set. Handshakes, hugs, and long embraces were exchanged. It seems like when the last band plays, folks are not only happy for the show to be ending, but they are also excited for how well their peers have done. One member, a vocalist named "Jerry", announced this being his last show as a vocalist. I hear many different emotions and expressions of opinion through out the crowd as he breaks the news. Some offended, but many proud either way, cheer Jerry on as the the last song is played. I see signs of a supportive local community working together here. 

It's 12:36 am and as most appeared tired, others seemed eager to continue the late night elsewhere. I can overhear several conversations of plan making. As it is a Friday night, no one is ready for bed. "Well what are they waiting for? Why are they just loitering around an event that is clearly over?", I ask myself. The atmosphere had not been left the way it started. It was as if a mine of trash and debris exploded all over the place again. With tipped chairs and newly tangled chords left everywhere, I knew the promoters had some work to do. The band members are loading their vehicles now with their equipment. Several people help them out. 

As the venue cleared out, I watched "Jake", a bass player, sincerely thank a promoter for their time and effort of putting together the event. Nick, the promoter, seems sincerely appreciative of Jakes thoughtful comment. More and more people begin to leave. I stick around to see how things operate at the end of the night. The promoters begin interacting amongst each other. I hear them discussing future plans. Nick mentions an upcoming act he wants to bring to Cade, and the two make their way inside to discuss some more.

 Here for the first time I had seen a group of people work together all for the same cause. I am slowly starting to realize that this isn't just a scene of people. It is an industry of individuals all pulling together to make the most of their DIY venue. I imagine it's like a second home for most of them.