# Free concerts in the park -- how does the band get paid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 21, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-concerts-in-the-park-how-does-the-band-get-paid/835858 "2019-06-21T19:23:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dana\_Scully](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5daacb/32.png) [@Dana\_Scully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dana_Scully)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-concerts-in-the-park-how-does-the-band-get-paid/835858/22 "2019-06-26T15:53:26Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > It’s been decades since I belonged to the musicians’ union (the American Federation of Musicians), so I don’t know if they still do this. But a small percentage of every contract, something like 2%, was put into a trust fund that paid for free concerts. These were held in public places like parks, and in institutions like nursing homes.\*\* We played one at a mental hospital, on Halloween. Memorable gig\*\*. Sounds fascinating; tell us about it! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-concerts-in-the-park-how-does-the-band-get-paid/835858/23 "2019-06-26T18:42:26Z")
Around here it’s usually paid by Parks & Rec dept, offset by a sponsor, if they get one. They also do about ½ dozen movies in the park that way. Our town makes money on the concession table that they setup. A little portable generator to power the popcorn machine & candy & coolered soda &/or water for sale. Most are kids movies/cartoons, but one is always an adult (as in non-kid / PG-13 or R, not ‘adult’) movie, held in a different place. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-concerts-in-the-park-how-does-the-band-get-paid/835858.md?page=1)