Performers

Main Stage Bands:

There are generally a dozen or fewer main stage bands chosen to perform at Dragon Con each year…for obvious reasons, the earlier you are able to send in a submission request the better. If you have sent in submissions in the past or even if your band has performed at Dragon Con before, it is still important to submit your request in order to be considered in the current year.

Main Stage bands will be designated a prime performance slot in one of the main ballrooms (in The Marriott Marquis or The Hyatt Regency) on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday evening. These slots are generally between the hours of 9pm and 1am. Please know that there are no “openers” or “headliners”; Dragon Con is more of a festival atmosphere with many offerings (not just performances) at any given time. A 9pm slot is just as viable as a Midnight slot. Unless there is a critical conflict and arrangements are made at the time of booking, the time and location of your performance will be determined solely by the performance committee and is not subject to negotiation.

As a rule, bands do not receive a fee/guarantee to perform at Dragon Con but benefits for Main Stage Bands are as follows:

• Each Main Stage Act will receive a merchandise table on the band concourse. The merchandise table gives each band the opportunity to sell their band related merchandise (and only their band related merchandise) throughout the duration of Dragon Con, which runs 24/7 over the 5 day weekend. Historically this has been a very lucrative revenue source for participating acts.
• Each performing member of your band will receive 1 five day pass (+1). For example, if you have a four piece band you are eligible to receive 8 five day badges. Band members consist of legitimate musicians necessary to the performance. We are sorry, but members such as stage dancers do not qualify for a free badge.
• Exposure! Your band will be seen/heard by the throngs of attendees at Dragon Con in a prime location and time slot.
• If traveling from long distances, a room at a nearby hotel may also be provided.
• Please Note: Exceptions are sometimes made in the case of nationally recognized touring acts; if you feel that your band fits this bill, please make note of this in your submission request.

House Bands:

Generally we choose about 4-6 bands to fit these slots. The main duty of these bands is to perform as needed at various Dragon Con sanctioned events. These events include but are not limited to: performances on the band concourse, performances at track parties/gatherings, and performances at Dragon Con events such as the Art Show Reception.

As a house band you are required to perform at least one event per day but may not even be asked to do that many. Conversely, you may be asked to perform at more than the required 4 events. Although performing more than the required number of events is not mandatory, we have found that there is a direct correlation between performances at the convention and merchandise sales.

In addition to the above performances, house bands are also chosen as the main stage performers (in the ballrooms of the Marriott and The Hyatt) on Thursday evening. Thursday nights have become very well attended as many people opt to arrive on Thursday so they can get registered and check into their hotel rooms early. Given the somewhat limited official activities available on Thursday evening, bands tend to draw a good number of attendees even if the band is new or relatively unknown.

Please Note: Being chosen as a House Band does not guarantee a Thursday night performance slot on a main stage as there are often more House Bands than Thursday night performance slots. If this is something you are very interested in doing, please let us know and we will make note of your desires.

Benefits of being chosen a House Band:

• Each house band will receive a merchandise table on the band concourse. The merchandise table gives each band the opportunity to sell their band related merchandise (and only their band related merchandise) throughout the duration of Dragon Con – 24/7; historically this has been a very lucrative revenue source for participating acts.
• Each performing member of your band will receive 1 five day pass plus your band will get one additional five day badge so you can have someone man your table if desired during your required performances. For example, if you have a four piece band you will receive 5 five day badges. Band members consist of legitimate musicians necessary to the performance. We are sorry, but members such as stage dancers do not qualify for a free badge.
• Exposure! Your band has the opportunity to be seen/heard by the throngs of attendees at Dragon Con. If your band does a good job at promoting your appearances (especially Thursday night performances) and you have especially good attendance at your performances, your band will be given extra attention when it comes to main stage submissions in future years.
• If traveling from long distances, a room at a nearby hotel may also be provided.

Main Stage or House Band:

This category was created to give those very much wanting to appear at Dragon Con multiple opportunities to perform; by checking this category you are saying that your act would be willing to accept a slot as EITHER a Main Stage Band OR a House Band. Please do not apply for this category if your act is unwilling to perform as a House Band and/or if you are unable to agree to House Band terms (please note: a hotel room is not provided to House Bands)

DJ’s:

As you know, Dragon Con is the convention that never sleeps! Long after the dealer’s room and exhibit halls are closed, Dragon Con takes on a new life in the evening and a big part of that nightlife is the all-night dance parties. Although there may be multiple guest DJ’s spinning on any given night, there is only one official DJ chosen per evening (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) at Dragon Con. If chosen as an official Dragon Con DJ, you are entitled to one Five Day Dragon Con badge and a hotel room on the night you spin.

Other Performance Acts: (Acts in this category include but are not limited to magicians, burlesque, theater, comedy, etc.)

Dragon Con is a huge, eclectic event with potential opportunities for all kinds of performance acts. If you have an act that you think might be a good fit for Dragon Con, please let us know. We would love to hear from you! Given the wide range of possibilities and ambiguity of this category, requirements of acts and corresponding benefits for performances will vary.