1. What is the AS220 stage all about?
The AS220 performance space is not a normal live venue. AS220 is a non-profit community arts center - we maintain affordable residential and work studios, several galleries, a performance space, a community darkroom and The Broad Street Studio youth program.
AS220's mission is to provide an uncensored and unjuried forum for Rhode Island artists. This means that any artist living in the state of Rhode Island will get an opportunity to perform or exhibit at AS220 (see #4 below).
We program all types and genres of original music and performance and primarily focus on local artists. We also host the occasional book tour, film night, fashion show, record fair and jaw-dropping international music festival.
We like variety - it's encouraged even. The AS220 stage hosts ten to twelve events every week, usually with three or four acts performing every night. Our performance space is booked at least two months in advance, so please be patient.
2. How do I go about booking?
First off, read all of the information on this page, then PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO SUBMIT A BOOKING REQUEST.
We are no longer fielding emails and phone calls - you must use this form. Please fill in the form completely. Please be aware that you may not get a reply (especially if you are not a Rhode Island artist). It is impossible to personally address every booking request.
3. How can I get a show if I'm not from Rhode Island?
Fill in the form below, but please note that, unfortunately, there are not a lot of
opportunities for out of state acts. While we do host national and international
performers, there are always RI artists on the bill. If you know of local acts that
you would want to play with, contacting them would be a good place to start; it's
often best to book through a local artist. You could also try other venues in
Providence such as Tazza, The Black Rep, The Living Room, Lupo's,
and others. They are in the phone book. Google is also a useful tool. REMEMBER - RHODE ISLAND ARTISTS RECEIVE BOOKING PRIORITY AT AS220.
4. Hey, I am a Rhode Islander.
Then you will have show, but again, please be patient. There are an enormous amount
of requests and we try to accommodate as much as we can. There are also quite a lot
of REGULARLY PROGRAMMED EVENTS that are open to everyone. We strongly encourage you
to sign up for these events or just come down and participate:
In addition to these events, there is an open live-model Figure Drawing session every Tuesday night. There are monthly Geek Dinners, and Film Screenings. AS220 also hosts evenings for local record labels, radio stations and shops (such as Last Visible Dog, Tor Johnson, Brown Student & Community Radio, Armageddon and others), but these are on a floating (rather than regularly programmed) schedule. All AS220 Performance Space programming is subject to change. Check the calendar for more details, updates and unexpected surprises! Please note that nightly calendar listings are in reverse order (artists that are listed first will perform last).
A note about your inevitable request to play on a Friday or Saturday night: Unfortunately, there are over 100 million artists in the world and every single one of them requests a weekend show. The difficulty is that Fridays and Saturdays only happen twice a week... as you can imagine, the mathematics of this situation are problematic.
Also note that bookings are handled in the order that they are recieved. If you are offered a show and you don't book it or cancel for whatever reason, then you must start the booking process over again.
5. Holy cow, there is a lot of regular stuff going on. Can I have my own regular night at AS220?
No, we are not scheduling any additional regularly-programmed evenings at this time.
6. Can we perform cover songs?
AS220 aims to support original music. In addition, a
boycott of all music licensed by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC is in effect. This means that
ALL material performed at AS220 must be original or must be in the public domain.
Please see this discussion of how we define original work if you need clarification on this policy. Or, for more information about this boycott you may download this PDF information sheet/FAQ..
7. Ok, we have a show scheduled - now what?
Great! Please read this information sheet.
This file contains info on hospitality, guest lists, payment policy, etc.
8. Where do we go and when?
AS220 is located at 115 Empire St, Providence, RI 02903
office phone (10am-6pm): 401-831-9327
Directions to AS220 are here.
Load-in: 6 or 6:30 (HOUSE MANAGER is here at 6pm)
Sound check: 7pm (SOUND ENGINEER is here at 7pm)
Doors open: usually, between 8 and 9pm
(check your show listing on the AS220 web calendar)
Sets start 30 minutes after doors. Sets are usually 35-40 minutes each. AS220 has a 1am license...sets must end by 12:45am
9. Is AS220 all-ages?
Yes, we are always all-ages, all the time. Not just 18+, we mean ALL ages.
Obviously, 21+ with ID to drink at the AS220 bar.
10. Is there a production contact?
Individual shows are run by one of several rotating HOUSE MANAGERS. House Managers
provide artist hospitality, pay performers and run each evening's show. After 6pm, ask for the evening's HOUSE MANAGER at the AS220 bar: 401-861-9190
11. Promotion.
Please send posters to:
AS220
115 Empire Street, Providence, RI 02903
In addition, these are good places to send demos and such:
Bob Gulla: review copy
Providence Phoenix, 150 Chestnut St., Providence, RI 02903 Tel: (401)273-6397
Rick Massimo: review copy
Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902 Tel: (401)277-7000
Brown Student & Community Radio: play copy, also posters
BSR, attn: Jason Sigal, Box 1930, Providence, RI 02912
Armageddon (record store): in-store copy, also poster
Armageddon Shop, 436 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
College Hill Independent: review copy
Box 1930, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
12. Technical.
We have no backline. The AS220 stage is 2ft. high, 28 ft. wide and 11 ft. deep.
There are 4x8 ft. folding stage extensions available. The sound system has four
powered mains, a pair of subs and two monitor wedges in parallel. A digital
projector is permanently installed on the ceiling directed at a pull-down screen on
stage. There is a VHS/DVD player in the sound booth as well as a dimmer board for
the stage lighting grid. The sound board is a 16 channel Mackie, our rack gear
includes compression, EQ and effects. We have our own sound staff who
will provide you with the best sound that is possible within our
technical capabilities. If you bring your own sound person, they must
have a *hands off* approach in working with our sound staff..
Please note:
