Harriet Island Pavilion

Overview:

From DJ Mike H:

Pretty easy load in and set up. You can drive your vehicle right up to the door and you'll (usually) be set up on the stage which is just feet from the door. Be careful not to drive on the grass. It's a pretty huge path to drive on, but if there's a car in front of you, you can't drive over onto the grass to get where you want to be.

It's a medium sized room and is rectangle shaped, no quirky things or angles. Put the stands on the stage during dinner and then when the dance happens and you're going to turn things up, put the stands on the floor right in front of the stage. This will lower the speakers so the sound isn't delivered out to the entire room, but just to the dance floor and the bodies will absorb the sound.

If you're doing an outdoor ceremony, it will likely be just outside the main room by the river. Talk to the venue beforehand to discuss the microphone situation. When I had a show there (10/2/2015) the venue had a lapel microphone that plays through their outdoor speakers, but it wasn't working very well. I ended up using my wireless microphone with a stand. They wanted a separate microphone for the readers, so I used my wired mic for that.

Pretty simple venue and it's a lovely one at that!
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Overview from Venue Coordinator: Brittany

On 2/3/2016:

Hi Mike,

Thank you for the email! Sorry the delay in response, I have been busy with a winter event. From what I can remember we have had great experiences working with your DJs. The only trouble we seem to have with some DJs (not specifically yours), are DJs arriving late because they went to the Nicollet Island Pavilion rather than the Harriet Island Pavilion. So just ensuring that DJs are coming to the right location J Listed below is the information I would love for you to pass along to any of your DJs coming to the Harriet Island Pavilion for an event in the future. We love working with you!

Below is a list of our venue policies to share with any staff working the event.

Driving Policy

All driving on the grass and patios are prohibited. You may drive your vehicle along the sidewalk leading up to the patio to unload but cannot go past the flower planters. We have a flatbed cart for your use during load in and out. If there is any driving on the grass you will face turf charges for damage.

Staff and Consuming Alcohol

Vendors should not be consuming alcohol at any point throughout the night.

Additional Clean-Up

All cleaning needs to be completed before departure from the pavilion and all items must be removed from the pavilion by 1am. If cleaning goes past 1am then your clients will be billed $125 per hour for every hour that cleaning exceeds the end of the rental.

Sound Regulations

The Harriet Island Pavilion acoustics, high ceilings, and metal infrastructure prove to be challenging when monitoring sound during events. Due to the large amount of residents surrounding Harriet Island, event staff uses a sound meter to closely monitor volume levels to ensure the appropriate levels at all times. Harriet Island Event Staff reserve the right to ask for adjustments to the sound when needed. Also keep in mind that music cannot be played past midnight so please plan your final song appropriately.

Thank you and we are looking forward to working with you this year!

Brittany

---------------------------- Load In:

One of the easiest you'll find. Park right outside the side door and load in. Good stuff.

Challenges:

Ask ahead of time if a venue microphone will be used. When they tried to use theirs, they didn't have much success. You may just want to stick with yours as the venue isn't so big that it will be an issue.

Special Considerations:

You're on a stage. Good for dinner, but after dinner move the speakers off the stage and onto the floor and keep them low to the ground to control the sound. People on the dance floor will have the music blasted right into them (which you want) and those outside the dance floor won't hear the music as loudly because the people are absorbing the sound (which you want).

The venue is also called the 'Clarence W. Wigington Pavilion'. Could show up like that in your smart phone's map.

Don't go to the Nicollet Island Pavilion!

Extra Venue Call Questions:

Will I be set up on the stage?

May I use my wireless microphone for the speeches?

Website:

None

The Knot:

https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/harriet-island-pavilion-saint-paul-mn-269386