Thank you so much for donating your time and talents to help our cause.  We hope that you will be as enriched by this experience as this entire community is enriched by your presence.  Again, thank you!

Provided here is a lot of essential information. PLEASE READ THIS OVER CAREFULLY!!

PROMOTION: We have all performers listed on our website with photographs, links to websites, genre, hometown and short bio. All performers are listed on the schedule of events. If you see any problems, please let me know ASAP by contacting me at the email or phone provided above..

Please add us to your friends on myspace! www.myspace.com/steelbridgesongfest
Please add us on facebook! www.facebook.com/pages/Steel-Bridge-SongFest/103982456040

Also, please be sure that you have “Steel Bridge SongFest” listed on your calendar with a link to www.sbsf5.com or www.steelbridgesongfest.org. At the end of this message you will also find HTML you can cut and paste into your myspace or website.
CHECK-IN, PASSES, PERKS:  Check in for all performers will be in the parking lot of The Holiday Motel (1st Ave @ Michigan). Check in is from 4-6pm on the day of your performance (construction zone writers do not need to check in since you are already here!). Here you will receive your festival passes necessary for access to all venues, drink tickets, venue contact info, verification of venue and time, etc. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE HOLIDAY WITH ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FESTIVAL. ALL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO melaniejane at the email or phone provided above.  If you cannot check in during this time, please contact melaniejane ASAP so other arrangements can be made.

SCHEDULE, VENUES, TIMES, ETC.: Please check the schedule page online. Although we do not foresee many changes at this point, if anything does change, it will be posted here!!!!

Bands should simply post “Steel Bridge SongFest” on their calendar with a link to www.sbsf5.com or www.steelbridgesongfest.org. We want festival goers to visit the webpage for the most accurate information.

Again, THE SCHEDULE ON THE WEBSITE WILL BE THE MOST ACCURATE. We do have programs being printed (they went to print on June 1st) but any changes made from this point forward will NOT be reflected here so please check the web and encourage others to do so as well!

BANDS – Please note your performance venue. Unless noted otherwise, performers are listed from early to late. Start time of venue is listed. Each band is allotted approx. 45min performance time (unless you have been told otherwise). Set up and tear down should be as quick and efficient as possible. Anyone willing to allow any equipment to be used as backline for that venue for that night, please let me know. The more we can share equipment (especially drums, bass rigs, etc.) the more performance time everyone will get.

Please check in with your venue to let the host know that you and your band members are there. Stay in communication with the host of the venue that night (contact numbers will be provided). Things may run ahead, they may run behind. It is important to be flexible and accommodating in either case to make sure that all of the scheduled performers get time to play! This event is as much—if not more—about hearing, seeing and discovering other acts as it is about performing and promoting yourself. Steel Bridge SongFest is a very community oriented organization and this is a spirit that we hope you will also bring to the event as well as carry forward after you leave. THIS APPLIES TO SOLOS AND DUOS AS WELL… read below…

SOLOS / DUOs – Check the schedule. If your venue states “not listed in order of appearance” this means that you will need to check in at your venue and sign-up for an approx. time you would like to perform. These lists will be out approx. 2 hrs prior to the start time of the venue. In general, SOLOS AND DUOS ARE ALLOWED A 3 SONG SET, more if time permits. Enough time is allotted to ensure that all scheduled performers will get to play, we just wanted to allow you to decide what portion of the evening YOU wanted to perform! If you do not sign in, you will not be guaranteed a spot to perform. Please check in at least by the start time listed at that venue. If you cannot arrive in time, please make other arrangements with me!!!! Again, your cooperation is so greatly appreciated and will make for a better experience for all! As is true with the band venues, things may get ahead or schedule, they may fall behind. It is important to be flexible and accommodating in either case. We THANK YOU in advance!!

MERCHANDISE: Go Crazy!  :)  You are welcome to sell your merch here! Steel Bridge DOES NOT want any percentage of your sales!!!!!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Most of you stated that you were able to take care of your own accommodations and for this WE THANK YOU!!!  Due to the economy and the extra costs associated with putting on a festival of this magnitude, we are simply unable to provide accommodations as we have in the past. Luckily, we were able to help some of you to find lodging. IF STEEL BRIDGE AGREED TO HELP FIND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR YOU, you will receive an email with specific info on where those accommodations are. If you do not receive an email with this information by Monday 6/8 we are under the impression that you have taken care of your own. If there is an error, you must contact me immediately so we can resolve the issue! 

CANCELLATIONS: If you need to cancel for any reason, please let me know as soon as possible so we can fill in the time with another performer. We have a HUGE waiting list of people who want to come and play! We are SO fortunate to have so many great people wanting to come!!! And we are so grateful to all of you for being here!!!

LOCAL POLICE: Although the local police have been very supportive of SBSF, understand that there is NO tolerance regarding driving under the influence.  We have set the standard for responsible driving four years in a row, and we’re counting on making it five (only 1 ticket in 4 years!).  You don’t want a ticket, and we don’t want you to get one.  There are cheap taxi services and free trolley rides between venues and most venues are within walking distance of one another). In many cases, there will also be free non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers. Take advantage of this! Be safe while having fun!!!

Please also be very conscious of your speed on the city streets. Speed limit is 25 (not 35 as in many other places). Speed limits, too, are strictly enforced! Also, be very aware of pedestrians as they stroll from venue to venue. There will be a lot of people here and we want to keep everyone safe!!!

DOWNTOWN: This winter has been especially difficult for downtown merchants in Sturgeon Bay. Many businesses have closed and many more are struggling. Please take some time to support the merchants with your business, and thank them for standing behind Steel Bridge!

LASTLY: The issue of the Michigan Street Steel Bridge has at times been a divisive one in this community.  Many in town recognize the importance of maintaining and preserving our historic bridge, but there are still those who remain skeptical of our efforts.  That being said, please know that SBSF musicians and volunteers should always act as goodwill ambassadors to this city.  We hope that everyone will act in the best interests of the organization and the community.  Sturgeon Bay and SBSF have gone to great lengths to make you all feel welcome; 2009 has brought unprecedented support from city government, and we would hate to give them any reason to doubt their decision to endorse us.  We are ALL responsible to help keep the community safe, clean, and having fun!  Let’s leave a lasting good impression!!!

Thanks AGAIN for being with us this year!

Please email or call with any questions.

On behalf of your loving family at Steel Bridge SongFest,

melaniejane
414-254-2299 (cel)
steelbridgebooking@yahoo.com