Please read the following before calling or emailing about booking an event or renting the space - most everything you need is covered in the following FAQ. Our Event Submission Form is at the bottom of this page. If you skip all this stuff and go right to the booking form we'll still hold ya to it... really!
NOTE: THIS IS NOT LEGAL MUMBO JUMBO! THIS REALLY WILL ANSWER SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
What is Epic Arts Studios?
Epic Arts Studios is our community arts and resource center located in the Ashby Arts District, South Berkeley, across the street from the Ashby BART station. The space is a converted Victorian flat that now contains a Gallery featuring a new artist every other month, a Moroccan-style tearoom full of soft benches and pillows, and a performance Parlour that hosts some of our live performances. We also have a kitchen and our office in the back where we run our organziation and our off-site programming.
Can I rent your space for classes, workshops, rehearsal, or private events?
Yes definitely - we rent our space regularly for classes, workshops, lessons, meetings, birthday parties, reunions, and other events. Rental rates are one room for $15/hr or the entire space (all three rooms plus use of the kitchen) for $25/hr. Times and rates are negotiable based on what you need. In general we rent any time except for Thursday, Friday & Saturday night from 6:30pm on due to events and performances. Email rentals(at)epicarts.org for rental requests and information.
I need a specific date - is it available?
First check our online calendar. If there is no event listed on the date(s) you want, go ahead and submit your event for the date(s). Sometimes there are "holds" on the date or pending events, but if it's not confirmed, it's still up for grabs.
How many people fit in your space?
Depends on what kind of event you're having. Due to the geometry of the place, the most that can really enjoy a "sit down" show with good sight lines on the artist(s) is about 40 people. At about 20 and up it feels like a good-sized crowd. For events that are more social and don't require everyone to be seeing the same thing (parties, dance music, etc) we can hold about 75 people max.
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Epic Arts charges a $100 rental fee for evening/event/performance/concert usage. This rental fee is due on or before the performance date. Performers are responsible for providing your own door person to collection whatever donation amount you feel is appropriate for your event, but keep in mind that Epic Arts always maintains a "no one turned away for lack of funds" accessibility policy. Epic Arts does provide your door person with a cash box and start change. The $100 flat-fee rental amount is the same regardless what door donations you collect. This rental amount partially covers the cost of our rent, utilities, promotion, staffing, sound system, and artist hospitality. The rest we subsidize with kitchen sales and other program funding - we do not want to price anyone out and are doing our best to remain affordable while still keeping our doors open. The $100 is due on or before your show date. Please be aware that Epic Arts invests approximately $200 in every show on top of the $100 rental fee we collect. This includes the cost of running our physical space, utilities, staffing, printing, marketing, and promotion. Please book responsibly! |
Are your events all ages?
Yes, all of our shows and performances are all ages unless there is a compelling reason to designate them as 18+ or 21+.
I'm on tour - do you offer guarantees, hotel rooms, meals, or other perks?
Sorry, no. We're a small, grassroots, volunteer-run organization and we're doing the best we can to provide basic services and opportunites to our community. We're working on grants and funding that will offset the costs of supporting touring artists in the future.
What hospitality do you provide?
One free drink per performer, then our cost ($1 per drink) afterwards. Water and tea are always free. The main "perk" of playing at Epic Arts is a warm, intimate environment where people come to really listen, interact, and experience art, unlike any traditional bar or venue in the Bay Area.
What time do performances start and end?
Doors at 8:00, show at 8:30, amplified performances end by 11:30 unless arrangements are made prior to the date of the show.
What time can I arrive to set up and sound check?
Between 7:00 and 8:00pm. Sound checks, if needed, must be finished by 8:00pm. We do not provide a sound person but we will help you get set up.
Do you have a PA/sound system?
Epic Arts provides a small PA including a Mackie 1402 mixing board, 2 10" JBL powered speakers, and 2 mics/cords/stands. Any additional equipment must be provided by artist and must be approved by house manager. You do not need to use monitors in our space unless there is a special reason i.e. you are playing along with a loop. Otherwise if you need monitoring it means you are too loud!
Can I play with a full band including a drummer?
Yes if it's not too loud. Brushes and bundle sticks are good options. "Too loud" is at the sole discretion of the house manager. We're located in a residential neighborhood and have to respect our neighbors.
How do we/you promote?
Email lists, websites, interviews, newspapers, community calendars, posters, radio, hand-distributed flyers are great. Press releases are a good idea. Click here for a list of local radio stations and publications that can help you promote. What we want to avoid is being in the "bar and club" listings. We must avoid being billed as a "club" or "bar." The official name for our facility is Epic Arts Studios. Sometimes people call our place the Teahouse but it's good to list Epic Arts Studios.
We promote on our website, on the Ashby Arts District Calendar, and in our bi-monthly email blast to our subscriber list of about 2000. If you send us posters we'll put a few up in our space and in the immediate area. To properly promote you we need the info requested at the bottom of this page.
What is your cancellation policy?
Excluding emergencies, confirmed events must be canceled 72 hours prior to event date or performer/producer will be subject to a $75 cancellation fee, payable to Epic Arts.
Epic Arts provides a secure storage area for personal items during events. We are otherwise not responsible for any items lost, stolen, or damaged during events. You are responsible for any damage to our facility or property that you or anyone in your group cause during your event and may be billed to repair damages to equipment or facility.
Ok, you made it! Now on to the
EVENT SUBMISSION FORM