Yardbird Suite Volunteer

The Yardbird Suite is Canada’s longest-running Jazz Club and this is due, in part, to the commitment of our Volunteers.  Performances at the Suite generally begin mid-September and end in mid-June each year. There are regular weekend shows each Friday and Saturday evenings showcasing local, Canadian and international performers. We also host a Tuesday Jam session for local musicians to hone their skills and play with seasoned professionals.

Volunteering at a show entails performing one of the following positions: Front of House, Bartender, Kitchen and Usher. Volunteers normally perform one role on a given night, but they may perform all of the following jobs in their time as a volunteer. House managers, who coordinate nightly operations, are able to train volunteers the night of their shift, and we do allow minors to volunteer. Below are descriptions for each role:

Bartender
All bartenders must be 18 years old and ProServe certified. Bartenders must be comfortable handling large sums of cash and have working knowledge of Square POS software. Bartending duties include; setting up the bar at the beginning of the shift – restocking and cleaning up at the end of the shift. Knowledge of serving alcoholic beverages is preferred but not essential. 

Box Office
Often the first point of contact for patrons at the Yardbird, those working the Box Office are primarily responsible for the ticket and membership sales. This volunteer will ensure that everyone that enters the club doors has a ticket to the show and direct traffic accordingly. This position can accommodate those with mobility issues.

Kitchen
Individuals working in the kitchen will make popcorn, prepare snacks, and coordinate the clean up at the end of the evening.

Usher
Those assigned as ushers will assist in the direction of traffic, while coordinating with the bar and kitchen in the delivery of snack orders to respective tables. In addition, the volunteer will help with general set-up and cleaning.