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We have been playing these types of gigs for around 5 years. It sounds like the situation where you are and where we are vary quite a bit. The places here have what they refer to as "activity" budgets. Activities may be for game staffing, arts and crafts, singalongs, and live entertainment. We are amateur musicians and would never think of charging for our music. As to expenses, we have very few and don't mind them. Our biggest expense is for song word packets which we pass out at the beginning of the gigs so that the audience can sing along if they choose to. Some dementia patients refuse to give the packets back so we are always having to go to Office Depot and print more. We do get many thankyous and smiles for which we are grateful. Some musicians who gig at these places are paid. How much? I don't know. Most are not paid. We are retired and are not playing in hopes of being paid. We consider what we do a form of ministry. We understand why not everyone thinks the way we do. Hope this helps in clarifying our perspective. YMMV.

Stan



Stan, what you are doing is truly awesome! Giving of yourself without an expectation of financial gain seems so rare these days. I bet the payback to you, though not monetary, is significant!

My wife and I have been talking about doing this for several years but have never actually done it yet. So, how would one start doing what you are doing? Do you have to contact the facilities and see if they want this? Are most places glad to have this? Do you do it on a regular basis? How often? How long is your set? Do you try to do mostly standards or do you spice it up a bit with some newer stuff? Approximately how many people attend each show? Any issues one should be aware of?