Bazaar Café is the home away from home for some of the Bay Area's most talented musicians. The warm, intimate atmosphere is a perfect setting for the purely acoustic, purely original music that is featured six nights a week.

 

 

So, you want to perform at San Francisco's premiere all-acoustic venue? Here's how to go about it: 

 Procedures for First-timers

1. If you haven't been to the café, stop by during a performance and see if the place is a good fit for you and your music.
2. Perform at Open Mics (held every Thursday). See below for sign-up procedure.
3. CD's and press kit submissions are welcome. These materials will be reviewed; however, bookings will not be made based on them. We need to hear you live! See below for submission information.

Performance bookings are issued by invitation. Management reserves all booking rights. Performance at Open Mic and submission of materials holds no guarantees.

 

  Performance Conditions

1. We book local, Bay Area performers almost exclusively. Out of area performers may be considered only if a sufficient local audience base can be demonstrated.
2. Only original or non-copyrighted material may be performed.
3. We only allow "unplugged" performances.
4. You must promote your show aggressively.

 

 

 After You are Booked

Promotion:

What we do - Publish/send our calendar to several local media outlets, to our email list of more than 1300 addresses and promote in the café and on our web site.
What you do - Promote to your fans/friends via email, postcards, phone calls, etc. Enter information about yourself and your music onto our web site (we'll show you how) and link your web site to ours if you have one.

Time/duration of performances:
1. 7:00-9:30 PM, Tuesday - Saturday; 6:00-8:30 PM, Sunday
2. Solo gigs are two one-hour sets with a break.
3. Double bills usually trade ½-hour sets, break, then repeat.
4. We do not book "Opening" acts.

Remuneration:
1. We provide a tip jar, you provide people to fill it with money.
2. Tips are split equally for double bills.

 


 To sign up for Open Mic:
Open Mics are held every Thursday evening, 7:00-9:30.
The sign-up sheet is kept in the café. Go in person or call (831-5620) to request an available slot. If the date you want to perform is full, you may request a spot as an alternate and take your chance. Otherwise, choose a future date. Plan ahead, as our Open Mics usually fill up weeks in advance.
Each performer may perform a maximum of two songs.

 CDs and press kits may be mailed or dropped off at the café. They should be addressed to:
Les
C/O Bazaar Café
5927 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94121