Aiyana Catori wrote:
Yeah. It seems like too small of a place to do more than one or two sets, but it is a nice little venue. Was he charging you for the space or did you get it for free because he got business?
If you just want to set up an acoustic show, there is no shortage of coffeehouses willing to oblige you. Besides the obvious ones, there is also the Lucky Moon Cafe on East Genesee St, near Syracuse Stage.
While its true that most coffeehouses will let you do a little acoustic show now and then without expectations, generally speaking, they look for them to draw paying customers in the door. Same with open mic nights. I'm sure The Annex wasn't charging whoever set up the show, because remember, the show originally was free admission. Most coffeehouses will add an admission charge when they perceive they'll be sending people away. It cuts down on the size of the crowd and gives them extra income to boot. Plus, too often when a coffeehouse is crowded like that, especially with underage kids, they don't end up selling much at the counter anyway.
Every venue I've used has liked me doing shows there precisely because I see them as a business that needs to make money and not simply as a cheap space for a show. I find owners appreciate that.