The Guggenheim Rotunda

Last night we had the pleasure of playing at The Guggenheim Museum Main Rotunda for the staff’s holiday party. It was a great experience on many levels. The environment (obviously) the folks we met, and even the sound equipment rental company all worked together to make a memorable evening.

I arrived at the appointed time and incomparably sweet Meara McGinnis was waiting outside for me to help usher me through security. In all my dealings with what seems like an enormous institution such is the Gugg, Meara has seemed like an understated master of the bureaucracy in which she operates. What a joy. She brought me through the staff entrance into the main loading area for the museum. This reminded me of when I visited the Met Opera on a school trip as a kid. The behind-the-scenes areas are vast and completely disorienting. Last night, this scene was abuzz with caterers, security, bar-staff and staff/guests showing up for the party. It wasn’t until we popped out into the main rotunda area that I had any clue where we were. The beauty that Frank Lloyd Wright has conceived was even more heightened by the fact that so much back-stage is so cleverly concealed by the architecture itself. It is so close and so hidden.

Our stage was set up tastefully with a black backdrop and some white painted branches. The demure, petite and wonderful Laura had single-handedly taken all the audio gear and brought it to the stage. Thanks, Laura! This left me a relaxed bit of time to figure out how the heck I was going to make this cavernous space sound good.

I want to take a minute here to thank the folks over at 5ohm who rented us the equipment. Everything was delivered on time, well organized, easy to put together, and very well thought out. They included extra of everything I might need and had even included some brand new gear on the job. What a treat! You can imagine how wondertful it may be when you get to a gig and all rental gear works or has been perfectly maintained. The cables were rolled great, none of them were sticky (this is gross and it happens too often) and there was plenty of everything!! Thanks Graham! Thanks Brian! I’m gushing about this because it really does make a difference.

In a nutshell, I had a great 45 minutes setting up the rig and running cables and getting the room sounding as good as it could. In short order the band showed up and we did our sound checks, got some drinks from the lovely bar staff and were feeling good and relaxed.

What can one say about the music itself except that it was fun. There were over 300 people filling the space and of course its their holiday party so they are there to chat and drink and socialize. We are there to be an ambiance enhancer but we are aware that we are not the main attraction. That much being said by the time of our second set – by the time the salubrious effects of the flowing bar had adequately lubricated the assembled masses, we did get some dancing and some cheering and some singing along.

Our view from the stage

Everyone we talked to at this party was so supportive and wonderful. Part of the deal we made with the museum was that we would receive some free passes! So happy we did. I have loved going to this fabulous space over the years and it feels good to participate, if even in a small way, with the wonderful activities and art presentation that goes on here. Glad to be included and brought in as something more than a mere spectator! Please check out their website. If you live in New York and haven’t been to the Guggenheim in a while or ever (!!) do yourself a favor and go. It’s just beautiful there.