Farmers Market Entertainment Selection & Performance Policy
- Purpose
The Farmers Market provides limited live entertainment as an operational component of the Market’s customer experience.
The purpose of the entertainment program is to create pleasant background ambiance that supports the Market’s primary functions of shopping, vendor commerce, pedestrian circulation, and community interaction.
The entertainment program is not intended to create a concert venue, performance stage, open-mic program, or general forum for public performances.
Performers are selected by Market management to provide entertainment services consistent with the specific operational purpose and format established by the Market.
- Entertainment Program Standard
Market entertainment shall be:
- Live;
- Primarily instrumental;
- Low-volume;
- Suitable for background listening;
- Appropriate for a daytime, all-ages marketplace;
- Compatible with normal customer and vendor conversations;
- Performed in a manner that encourages customers to continue circulating and shopping rather than congregating as an audience.
The fundamental standard is:
Entertainment should enhance the Market without becoming the primary attraction.
- Live Musicianship Requirement
Performers must play a musical instrument as a substantive part of the performance.
The Market does not book:
- Karaoke performances;
- Vocalists performing exclusively to prerecorded music;
- Performers whose act consists primarily of singing over prerecorded backing tracks;
- DJs as regular Market background entertainment; or
- Performances in which prerecorded accompaniment substantially replaces live musicianship.
Limited electronic accompaniment, looping, or similar technology may be considered when it supplements rather than replaces the performer’s live instrumental performance and remains consistent with the background-music format.
- Instrumental Music and Vocals
Instrumental music is the preferred format for regular Market entertainment.
Vocals may be included when they are secondary to or integrated with live instrumental performance and remain consistent with the Market’s background-entertainment format.
When a proposed performance includes vocals, Market management may review a representative recording of the performer’s live performance to determine whether the proposed performance meets the same objective program standards applied to all performers, including:
- Ability to perform at an appropriate background volume;
- Consistent pitch, timing, and musical execution;
- Clear and controlled vocal delivery;
- Integration of vocals with live instrumental performance;
- Ability to maintain the Market’s background-entertainment format; and
- Professional performance presentation.
A performer may be selected for an instrumental-only engagement even when that performer normally incorporates vocals into other performances.
- Preferred Musical Characteristics
The Market seeks music characterized by moderate tempo, controlled dynamics, limited amplification, and a style conducive to background listening.
Styles commonly compatible with this format may include:
- Acoustic instrumental;
- Folk and Americana;
- Bluegrass;
- Acoustic country;
- Jazz;
- Blues;
- Acoustic pop or soft rock;
- Classical or contemporary strings;
- Guitar, violin, fiddle, cello, ukulele, keyboard, and similar instrumental performances;
- Small acoustic ensembles; and
- Traditional or cultural instrumental music.
These examples describe the musical characteristics sought by the program and are not intended to exclude performers based solely upon genre.
Performers from other musical traditions or genres may be considered when the proposed performance satisfies the Market’s established format, volume, instrumentation, and operational requirements.
- Performance Format
Market entertainers provide background entertainment rather than featured performances.
Performers shall not structure their Market performance around:
- Repeated calls for audience participation;
- Encouraging customers to gather around the performance area;
- Extended speaking or emcee-style presentations;
- Shouting or other unnecessarily forceful vocal presentation;
- Activities intended primarily to create a stationary audience;
- Equipment or presentation designed for a concert-style performance; or
- Conduct that materially interferes with pedestrian circulation, vendor transactions, or Market operations.
Normal interaction between performers and customers is permitted and welcomed provided it remains incidental to the background-entertainment format.
- Amplification and Sound
Acoustic performance is preferred.
Limited amplification may be authorized when necessary to support the performance. Amplification shall reinforce the performer’s natural sound rather than project entertainment throughout the Market.
Large sound systems, subwoofers, excessive bass, high-powered amplification, or other equipment intended for concert-level sound are not appropriate for the regular Market entertainment program.
Conversation Standard
The operational sound standard for Market entertainment is:
A customer and vendor located near the performance area should be able to conduct a normal conversation at a normal speaking level without having to substantially raise their voices because of the entertainment.
Market staff may require volume adjustments during a performance to account for the performer’s location, vendor proximity, attendance, acoustics, and other operating conditions.
Performers must promptly comply with reasonable volume instructions from Market staff.
- Performer Selection
The Market may request a representative audio or video recording before selecting a performer.
Performers shall be evaluated using criteria related to the operational objectives of the entertainment program, including:
- Live instrumental musicianship;
- Compatibility with the background-entertainment format;
- Ability to perform effectively at low volume;
- Amount and type of amplification required;
- Suitability of the proposed repertoire for an all-ages public marketplace;
- Reliability and professionalism;
- Ability to perform within the assigned physical space;
- Compliance with Market operational requirements; and
- Past performance of Market contracts, when applicable.
Selection is based upon the needs of the Market’s entertainment program and does not create an entitlement to perform at the Market.
Previous selection does not guarantee future engagements.
- Content
Because entertainers are contracted or authorized to provide entertainment as part of the Market’s programmed activities, performers are expected to perform the repertoire and type of entertainment represented during the selection process.
Performances must remain suitable for the Market’s general, all-ages audience and background-entertainment format.
Performers may not materially change the nature, instrumentation, amplification, or format of the approved performance without prior authorization.
- Market Operations Take Priority
The Farmers Market exists primarily as a commercial marketplace for participating vendors and their customers.
Accordingly, vendor commerce, customer experience, accessibility, pedestrian circulation, safety, and Market operations take priority over entertainment.
Market staff may reasonably adjust performance location, volume, amplification, timing, or other operational aspects of a performance when necessary to maintain Market operations and the established entertainment format.
Failure to comply with the terms of the engagement or reasonable operational direction from Market staff may result in termination of the performance and may be considered when making future contracting decisions.
- Administration
The Market shall administer this policy consistently and without regard to a performer’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.
Performer selections shall be based upon the established purpose, format, operational needs, and selection criteria of the Market entertainment program.
Nothing in this policy establishes the Farmers Market as an open performance venue or authorizes members of the public to conduct performances within Market-controlled areas outside of performers specifically contracted or authorized through the Market’s entertainment program.