Spirit of Rasputin's

What goes on behind the curtain

by Bob Gernon

Rasputin’s Volunteers: Setting Things Up

In this chapter, we’ll take a look at the folks who give generously of their time and talents to set up and tear down all the equipment used by the performers at our music events.

Rasputin’s makes use of two separate setup crews, one for our weekly Open Stage and a second for our concert series. Watch either of them in operation and you’ll see an amazing display of knowledge, team work and fun.

Over the years, many, many volunteers have helped out. Here, we’ll focus on our current setup crews. To all those not specifically mentioned who’ve helped out in the past, our sincere thanks. Rasputin’s literally could not have done what they’ve done without you.  

Open Stage: Who Makes it Hum?

Our Open Stage Setup Crew is currently made up of the following volunteers: Ann Hurley, Mark Evenchick, Peter Rutherford, Mike Lachapelle, John Bond and Heather Evenchick.

Every Monday evening around 5:00 pm, these folks assemble at 91A Fourth Avenue and the hum begins. First comes a bit of socializing in the kitchen accompanied of course by snacks and chit chat. The hum builds as upstairs they unpack the sound equipment from storage and assemble it on the stage. With the help of our Open Stage sound tech, they test and tune each element of the sound system. Then it’s show time. For the next three hours, a new performer or group takes the stage roughly every ten minutes. That means microphones, stands and stools must be rearranged and adjusted to suit. Finally, when all the performances are complete, the full team swings back into action to efficiently take all the equipment down and tuck it safely away back into its designated storage space. The tear down is followed by a final sweep of the building to ensure the floor is clean, the chairs are in their proper places and the kitchen is tidier than we found it.

Rasputin’s Concerts: Big Team Effort

Rasputin’s produces a series of about six concerts each year featuring individuals and groups who we think deserve the opportunity to show off their chops in a high quality, intimate and friendly concert setting.

We’ve chosen the Westboro Masonic Hall as an ideal venue for this purpose. For our concert performances, the dedicated Concert Setup Crew has an even more complex job than for our Open Stage. They must assemble the stage risers, set up stage lighting, PA system, stage monitors, microphones with stands and DI boxes to suit the performers, route cables and wiring as well as setting out all the chairs for the audience. When the concert is over and all our happy guests have departed, the crew tears it all back down and packs everything away leaving the concert hall clean and tidy.

For their amazing effort and skill we offer a tremendous thank you to the current volunteer members of our Concert Setup Crew: Monique Brault, Mark Evenchick, John Glennie, Anne Hurley, Paul Kent, Peter Rutherford, Liz Glennie, John Bond and Dave Miller.

And finally an invitation to…

Come Join Us

If you or someone you know would like to learn any of the jobs that contribute to making a successful concert or open stage, please talk to any of the crew members mentioned above or contact the Rasputin’s Communications Team at comms@rasputins.org. We look forward to hearing from you.