Dumb question, since I am new to doing repeating monthly performances do we just send out an invoice monthly before we perform? This is the first community that wants me to perform on a regular basis. Thanks!

So today while setting up my speaker stand for the assisted living area, I was prepping for my second show before I went over to memory care to sing for my 1st show. As I was putting my speaker on the stand right before my second show, it started to go all the way down. Wasn’t secure. I thought “Lord have mercy wonder if it fell and hit someone??” This group was closer than usual, so I made the decision to just use the table next to me to place it. The stand hadn’t done that EVER for one of my shows. I bought from Sweetwater a couple years ago. I wasnt doing something right, and the show must go on, so I stopped trying to fix it…Anyway, show went fine, trying to be more professional with a speaker stand. But I had doubts, so I took the speaker off stand.

I am currently using Atlas round based mic stands that I bought recently in the late 70s. What I like about them is that they are very solid, stable, have a small footprint and are probably built to last a while. So, these don't present much of a trip hazard for dancing seniors. To transport the Atlas stand I need to unscrew the heavy base, and when I get to the gig I need to screw it on, which takes time to take off and put on. Plus, there is a risk of cross threading and also the risk of dropping the heavy base on the floor or my foot. I am guessing that the tripod stands are much lighter, more compact and likely easier to setup; but I would imagine they also present a possible trip hazard. I could buy a an Atlas QR-2 quick release connector for the Atlas stand, but they are almost $70. Or, I could put that money towards buying some fancy tripod based mic stand. Any thoughts on either option?

The performance room was HOT. I mean it was steaming. Residents were just finishing up their yoga for the morning and I was set to play directly afterward in the same room with about 30 residents in there already. The windows were even opened a crack and it was STILL hot...For the first time at this community, I commented on the astoundingly hot room and jokingly requested (to the staff) that I sit by the cracked window. I looked at the activity director and spoke in a whisper so residents couldn't hear me , "Holy cow it's a sauna in there". (big smile on my face) "I'm pretty sure I'll melt if I sit down anywhere other than next to that window I see is opened. (big smile on my face) She agreed that it was hot and wheeled some residents and shuffled around a few chairs quickly to accommodate my request.The show went well and I sat comfortably next to the big window and sang and played and everyone had a great time. When you find yourself in a room that feels uncomfortable, talk to the staff and mention a solution with your comment. Be kind and smile and ask with sincerity. Sometimes there isn't any other option and you need to deal with it. What you DON'T want to do is call attention to this in front of the residents during the show. Don't EVER complain about the environment to the residents-even in joking. Don't complain about anything to the residents. Always go to the staff if you have concerns about the room or about anything at all☀️😃❤️

Thank you to all the veterans here for your service! I was fortunate enough to perform two shows today. The first one was at a community with a lot of veterans. They had a color guard, read poetry, gave pins to all the veterans, sang the Star Spangled Banner and raised the flag. Then I played as background music while a lot of pictures were taken. At my second performance there were no festivities for the few veterans who were there, so I thanked them. I did play a few patriotic songs, and we all had a great time. The AD now wants me to play every month at their community! 🥸 I took a few photos before I played at the first place.