hellboy
I will try to answer in the same order...
Restaurant gigs ... there used to be FAR more available, and it's not just the current economy that caused the decline, it has been happening over the years ...
I think it is very difficult to 'make a living' just playing restaurant gigs ... In the Rhode Island area, depending on the venue, one might make $100 to $150 a night during the week $150 to $200 a night on weekends ...
One peculiar thing I am noticing is that some of the 'high end' restaurants are discontinuing live music, but I see live music showing up in 'pizza parlors' and other small type restaurants... One place near me is a seafood store with a small dining area ... they now have live acoustic music on Saturdays ...
Live music employers run the gamut from Senior Centers to nursing homes to Elks, Moose, etc. clubs, to bar/restaurants with lounges that have a small dance floors, to hotels, to casino's etc., etc., etc., ... I will let some of the others here tell you what types of venues they play ...
We have similar 'clubs' or 'associations' here in the US as well...
By the way, "bowling on grass, no pins, just balls" sounds like "bocce" to me
...
t.
[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 03-04-2009).]