Blog 22: Senior Project Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Block Presentation and/or your senior project? Why?
-I'm most proud of my slideshow presentation. I feel like I did a good job putting it together. I didn't overwhelm the audience with a lot of text. I added a lot of photos and was able to talk about the pictures rather than have a ton of bulletpoints on the slides.

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Block Presentation (self-assessment)?

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?
-My mentorship worked a lot for me. I was able to get so much useful information just by going to the venue. I got to do a lot of hands on things, especially after going through my independent components.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would have you done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?
-I would have found a more effective way to find research. It was really hard for me to find a lot of good research, especially because my topic isnt one that is all over the internet, or has papers or articles written on it.
(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.
-I can say that I've met a lot of people that I probably would have never taken the time to get to know. This is a good thing for me because I now have people I can get in contact with in the music industry.

Exit Interview

Content:

(1) What is your essential question and answers?  What is your best answer and why?
EQ: What does a person need to do in order to open and manage a live music venue?

Answer 1:Begin by putting together a master plan which consists of strategic planning, business planning, budgeting and the writing of a mission statement. 

Answer 2: Look for a suitable location for for the venue and begin the procedure of acquiring business city permits and insurance.
Answer 3:Learn to successfully plan and promote events.

Best Answer: Answer 2- Look for a suitable location for the venue and begin the procedure of acquiring business city permits and insurance.
-I chose answer number 2 as my best answer because without a suitable location, the venue could come into a number of problems. Some of which could impact the venue in a negative way. Getting proper permits issued by the city are required in order to keep any sort of business up and running and without the proper permits, the local city law could possibly shut down the venue. On the other hand, insurance is greatly needed because in the event of an injury or any sort of liabiity, the business must have the proper insurance policy to avoid getting into any trouble that might lead to a law suit and/or the shutting down of the venue. Alll those three things I stated are needed in order to get the venue up and keep running in the first place.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?
-When I was first constructing my best answer, I went to my mentor Kevin Lopez for advice. We discussed things that were highly crucial to the venue and came to an agreement that the things in my answer two were one of the most important. He helped me construct a list of things that were important and we gradually made the list smaller by crossing out things that were not high risk issues.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?
-The main problem that I faced was trying to figure out what things were a bigger risk. By bigger risk, I mean, what things could shut down the venue indefinitely. In the end I did put together a big list by asking my mentor for help.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?
-Two of the most significant sources Ive used to answer my essential question are: Kevin Lopez; my mentor and a book I read called Starting and Building a Non-Profit by Peri Pakroo. My mentor Kevin was a great source for me because he has been running a venue for nearly two years. He's dedicated a lot of his time to dealing with any issues concerning the venue and has been able to show me things that have led me to understand the way a venue is run and kept open. The book I read was an amazing source because it literally gave me a step by step list of how a non profit organization must be started and what needs to be done in order to keep it going. 

Blog 19: Independent Component 2

Content:  

LITERAL

(a) Statement: I, EMMELY AVILA, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component:

-Kevin Lopez: Mentor at Bridgetown DIY, Pakroo, Peri H. Starting & Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide. Berkeley, CA: Nolo, 2011. Print.

(c) Provide a digital spreadsheet (aka log of the 30 hours).   Post it next to your mentorship log.

(d) Explanation of what you completed:

-Throughout Independent component 2, I attended quite a few more events to help out at and volunteer my time. During these events I learned more about what it takes to run an event, and what kind of background work goes on. I also completed the learning experience of putting on my own event once again like in the first independent component.

INTERPRETIVE

Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work. 

-What I did during the independent component was volunteer my time at the venue during certain events and attend meeting. I feel as if these things demonstrate 30 hours of my work because not only did I volunteer my time, but I event went to book my own events and handled my events accordingly,  Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.  

*Pictures of events*

APPLIED

How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped.

-This component helps me answer my EQ because I was able to apply more of my newfound knowledge I have of running events and working the venue. I was able to put together a few events, made flyers, contacted the bands etc. Unfortunately I went through some unforeseen events. Some things happened that almost had me cancel an event but in the end I was able to work things out. On the other hand,  I was able to research and see in person how things regarding city permits and insurance for the venue are handled first hand. It has helped me answer my EQ because I've learned how to manage a non-profit business.

This is a flyer that I helped make during my independent component.

Above is a picture of a band that was booked for one of the events I put on. This event went okay for the most part. We did have a few difficulties at first. Those being, having trouble setting up the PA system. The main band that was supposed to be headlining dropped the event and a few of the bands had members that were running late on time.  I wouldn't say that it all went well, because it didnt. But it definitely was a good learning experience.

San Diego bands in La Puente: Extra Post-April

Northbound, pictured above, is a pop-punk band that my friends started earlier last year.

I put together an event two months ago and it happened about two weeks ago. I had invited several bands from San Diego to come play a show with my friends band at Bridgetown DIY. The show went great. All the bands were on time, everyone was friendly and it was an overall good time. I got to the venue a bit early so I could check in the bands and set up the PA system. The event ended really early which was great because it was on a Sunday. After doing all the busy work I was able to hang out with my friends and meet some really nice people. 

Blog 18: Third Answer

Content:

• EQ: What does a person need to do in order to successfully open and manage a live music venue?
• Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*: A person must be able to successfully put together/promote events at the venue, reach out to a variety of people and be open to all ideas concerning the space.
• 3 details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example):

         -Having a specific outline to booking any type of event is crucial. Must be sure all details are recorded EX: Having a calendar at hand with all events on it would help keep things well organized.

        -Promoting events through social media can lead to success. Include your venue on Social Media to have something to refer to when customers are trying to get information out through word of mouth(by doing so online)
-Allow different people to offer their ideas and opinions about things going on at the venue. Ex: Letting people book their own shows, bring in revenue etc.

• The research source (s) to support your details and answer: Peri H Pakroo in "Starting and Building a Non-Profit"
• Concluding Sentence: The person or people running the venue should always keep in mind what others would think about decisions being made at the venue.

Blog 15: Independent Component 2 Approval

Content:

Please review the component contract at page 12 of the senior project packet.   The independent component 2 is an opportunity for you to add a dimension of creativity and/or an additional outlet for research.  The goal of the component is for you to explore your answers in more depth.  On Friday April 25, 2014, you will be turning in the following to your blog to prove completion of this component:

·       Log of hours on an digital spreadsheet (with total number of hours included)
·       Evidence of the 30 hours of work (e.g. transcript, essays, tests, art work, photographs) as digital artifacts
·       LIA
 The senior team expects that your log will be on the right hand side of your blog with your WB, independent component log 1 and mentorship log.   In addition to this,  we expect that you will be able to prove the total 30 hours of work by submitting evidence to the blog by the due date. For this blog post and approval, please answer the following questions.

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
-For my 30 hours I will continue to do volunteer work at the place of my mentorship, I will work the door, set up the PA systems etc. I also plan on booking about 3 more events by myself like the event I posted about on Feb 1st of this month. I want to also help promote events like I did before.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.
- I plan on keeping a log of hours that I do at the venue, as well as update posts on my blog about things I'm doing, events I'm hosting, etc. Pictures, flyers all included as before.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
-What I will be doing will help me get more in touch on what it takes to host my own event. Like before, Ill be the one planning the dates, times, contacting the bands, etc.

4.  Post a log on the right hand side of your blog near your other logs and call it the independent component 2 log.

Your answers to the questions should be supported with details and examples for the senior team to understand what you plan to do.   Once we review your Blog Post 15, your house teacher will discuss with you the approval of your plan.  If it is approved, please start working on it.  If it is not approved, your house teacher will explain why.  It is your job to address the concerns so you can get your component approved.

Successful first event!

Last saturday, February 1st, I held my very first event at Bridgetown DIY. I just want to start off by saying that everything went according to plan and it was perfect(for the most part). I got to the venue around 6 p.m and started helping the bands come in and set up. When taking care of your event at Bridgetown, you have to make sure you follow the main check list. 

Above is a picture of the actual checklist we have at the venue. Follow this and your event should run smoothly(at least it worked for me). So after checking off the first four boxes, I waited until the event was over to check off the rest.

During the show I made sure that all of the bands were on schedule, that everyone coming in had paid the fee and that there were no problems. A few things did happen during the event that were on the rather bad side. During the set of the third band, someone made a huge hole in the wall by kicking it... Who does that kind of stuff? I'm including a photo of that too. While I was working the door and collecting the entrance fee, a girl walked straight in, can of beer in one hand acting rather obnoxiously. I walked up to her explained to her that she had to pay the fee just like everyone else, and that I would have to ask her to leave if she didn't throw away her can of beer. She didn't really question me but I continued by explaining to her that the venue was a drug free, sober space and that we didn't allow or tolerate the use of drugs or alcohol consumption in or around the venue. In the end, she did throw out her beer and was pretty respectful of our policy.

Seasons Change ft. Anthony the vocalist

At Heart

Hole in the wall ruining our awesome mural by street artist Gatts

To sum everything up, the event was successful, the venue made about $400 and everyone had a lot of fun!

Blog 14: Independent Component 1

Content:  

• LITERAL
  (a) Statement saying: “I, Emmely Avila, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”
  (b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component: Kevin Lopez(my mentor) helped me complete my independent component, as well as the book "Starting and Building a non profit".
  (c) Provide a digital spreadsheet (aka log of the 30 hours).   Post it next to your mentorship log.
• (d) Explanation of what you completed: When deciding what I would be doing through the independent component I said I would continue doing hours at my mentorship. Which I did do, I went several times a week, attended the meetings we hold at the venue and even helped facilitate some of them with my mentor Kevin. I volunteered to help run the door at other events like I usually do for hours. On the other hand, I did say that I was going to book one of my own shows. Which I did successfully! I got in contact with a few bands that are relitively local(all LA county), I was the person who decided on the date the show would be and how much admission would be. As for that show, I also helped put the flyer together (which I have posted on my blog but I will also add it to this post as proof). I'm also going to be posting an extra blog post on my blog which will have all the information on how the event went. Another thing I did for the show I put on was promote it. I'm also attaching a screenshot of some promoting I did on a few social medias. Aside from hosting my very own event all by myself(with my mentor shadowing me to make sure I was okay), I helped book two more events. One is later one this month and another on is in March!
• INTERPRETIVE 
  Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work. :What I did for my 30 hours does demonstrate an actual 30 hours of work because it is what I usually do for my other mentorship hours. I put my own time aside and volunteered at the venue like I usually do. I do things to help the venue. Some things I did during my mentorship(like said before) was attend meetings, help paint a wall, booked my first event(and actually had it happen). Here are some pictures and a description of that is going on and why I am including them.

-Above is a picture that I took myself from attendees point of view. This picture was taken at the first even I successfully put together by myself on February 1, 2014. This is a band called "Seasons Change" from Pico Rivera. I was able to get this band, and all the other bands to the venue on time and end the event according to schedule. The main reason I am including this photo is because it marks the end of the first event I put together. It symbolizes to myself that even I, being a 17 year old teenage can put together an event by herself. To me it represents communication, planning and determination.

-When first saying what I would do for my independent component back in October, I mentioned that I would help promote the events I put on by myself. Above is a screenshot of the flyer I helped make for the event I held, and proof of promoting it. I was actually put in charge of the instagram that Bridgetown(the place of my mentorship) has! I get to log in and post about upcoming meeting, events, etc.

• APPLIED
  How did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better?  Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped: One big thing that I did during my independent component that helped me gain a better understanding of the foundation of my senior project was being able to put on a successful event. I was the one who had to get in contact with bands. By that I mean that I was the one to call them, email them, and ask them to play the event. I was the person who had to make sure everyone was on schedule, that the area was clean and that everything went according to plan. The reason I strongly believe that this helped me understand more of the foundation was because, my whole project revolves around running a successful venue. In order to run a venue, you need to hold events. If you do not understand or know how to hold an even, which will bring revenue(money/people), then you will not have any venue to hold your events in. I also learned that I have to have back up plans. After everything was set in stone for the event, I was told that one of the bands would not be able to make it to the event. I had to rush and find another band to fill in the empty spot. It wasn't hard to do, but it was upsetting to find out days before that I would have to find another band to play.

Grading Criteria 

• Log on a digital spreadsheet 
• Evidence of 30 hours of work 
• LIA submitted to blog

Blog 13: Lesson 2 Reflection

Content:
1. Positive Statement

The second senior project presentation has definitely given me a better feel of what it's going to take to be able to present my final 1 hour 30 min presentation. It definitely takes the edge off.

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

- I am pretty proud of my powerpoint. I feel like I was able to put enough information on it, and not have to read off of it. It gave the audience something to look, it was also really clean cut(not messy), and I was able to give specific details off of small bullet points.

2. Questions to Consider
       a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE       P (this grade!)         AP       CR       NC

       b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

- I was able to make speaking time, I strongly believe I met all of the things that were required on the contract. For example, my answer with evidence to back it up, I referenced my mentorship, I also referenced/cited the book that had given me all of my information for my first answer. I was able to keep a steady tone and maintain eye contact with my peers while I talked to them about my answer.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?

- What worked for me was being able to break down my first answer with three different things. Those being derived from the strategic analysis. Being able to have an activity worked really well for me because I was able to show my peers how one of the things that is a big part of my answer is used.

4.  (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?

- I would have changed my hook activity. I would have liked to ask a question about non profit organizations.

5. Finding Value
What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?  

- I want my second answer to be something about promoting the venue, and make it appealing and involve people.

Making things happen?

-This weekend on saturday, I get to finally experience my own show. What I mean by that is: I get to finally experience the whole setting of the venue for a show that I booked myself. I was the person who chose the date for the bands, contacted the bands and decided how much the entrance fee would be. I've made sure to tell the bands that they need to be there on time. The first band is supposed to play at 7pm, so I am opening the doors at 6:30. I know what its like to run the door, clean up the space before the show,  and how to set up the PA system so I think it's safe to assume that the show will run smoothly. The only thing that worries me is the possibility that people might turn up and cause drama. Bridgetown is a safe and sober space. Which means that we will not tolerate any violence, alcohol or drug use in or around the venue. I'm in charge of making sure people who are doing things of that sort leave the area and do not return inside the venue. I'm pretty excited for this weekend.

On the other hand, I recently booked two more shows. One of them is February 20th with a few local bands from LA. The other one is March 23rd. Some of the bands are from the area, while the main headliner is a band from San Diego that contacted me through my instagram. I'm planning on posting the flyers for those shows whenever the bands and I make them. So in about a week!

Blog 12: Third Interview Questions

Post 10 open-ended questions for approval you want to ask an expert in the field of your senior project.  The first question should be your essential question and the other nine must be about the foundation of your essential question or help you answer your essential question.
Questions:
1.  What does a person need to do in order to successfully open and manage a live music venue?
2. What main things influenced you to be a part of the music industry? (specifically to be a part of starting up a venue)
3.  What do you think are three of the most important key factors when putting together a business plan for a venue?
4. How can someone(or a group of people) make big decisions for the greater good of the venue? (things that involve finance, permits, etc..)
5. What things should be considered when coming up with a mission statement for a DIY venue such as Bridgetowns?6. Would or have you considered opening a DIY(Do it yourself) venue on your own? 
7. What inspires you to give back to the community by running local shows in a venue? (even though the venue does book touring bands).

8. What is the main difference between your standard "money making venue" and a DIY venue?

9. What are some things that could potentially shut down a venue?

10. What certain things work best when looking for a location/space to open a venue?

Welcome GATTS to Bridgetown: Extra Post- January

In the picture from left to right: Andy, me, Kevin (mentor), Cameron, Marcel, Daniel. All of these guys are core collective members at Bridgetown DIY.

-I totally forgot to post about this last month, but better late than never! In late November, through early December, some of us at the venue helped paint over one of the big walls in the venue. We did that so another artist could come in and paint the wall with his style of art. I didn't know this until after the mural was painted, but the person who painted it is a well known street artist that goes by "Gatts". His work is extremely amazing, very different and just astonishing. It took him from 7 pm to almost 3 in the morning to complete him. He used about 10 spray cans and the outcome was awesome. The wall looks so good. It definitely adds a lot of character to the venue. 

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 hours check

Content:
1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?
-I'm currently doing all of my mentorship hours at a venue called "Bridgetown DIY". It's somewhat close to I-POLY, located in La Puente. 

2.   Who is your contact?
-My contact is Kevin Lopez, he's one of the core collective members of Bridgetown.

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?   
I have done a total of 59 hours and 30 minutes at my mentorships.

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.
During the most recent ten hours of service, I attended two meetings. I booked my first event, which is happening the 1st of February. I got the bands together, picked the date and helped make the flyer(I'm including the picture of it at the end of this post). I also attended two shows recently which were pretty big. I helped run the door at both shows, I helped clean the venue and even helped paint a really cool book case we just got for the space.

5.   Email your house teacher the name of your contact and their phone number confirming who they should call to verify it.  
*You need 50 hours plus the original 10 in the summer by May.   The original 10 from the summer do not count toward the 50.  By the end of the year, you will have 60 hours counting that original 10.

Blog 10: Senior Project, the Holiday

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you over the break with your senior project?

Over the break I went to Bridgetown DIY(the place I do my mentorship at). I helped run the door at a few shows, attended two meetings the venue holds every other week. I finally booked my first show! I had to get the bands together, the date set, and it's ready to go on Feb. 1st.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

I guess the most important thing I learned over break was that no matter what, I'll always have to have a back up plan. One of the bands I asked to play the show had first said yes, and when I double checked with them they then said no. So a friend of mine had to help me find another band. Luckily one of my bestfriends offered to play the show! I don't really know how to source this, seeing that it happened to me quite a few times. Can I source myself?

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers of your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

I would interview Cameron. Cameron is one of the core collective members at Bridgetown DIY. Cameron has been there since the venue was just a simple idea. He's one of the people behind all the rules and ideas that run through the venue.