Several times per year. I try to go to just small venues (bars) and theatres any more, and I always bring earplugs (hi, my name is Dan, and I'm an old fart). For the life of me I don't know why acoustic bands at small venues amplify. Even if its just one guy and acoustic guitar. I'd bet that if they didn't amplify, the crowd would quiet down considerably. I recently caught Francine Reed at a beautiful outdoor facility near Atlanta. The band wasn't too loud (for once), but she was horribly miced! Her voice pierced my ears all night long. I wouldn't had known it was even her singing save for seeing her on stage. The whole experience was completely ruined by (poor) amplification. I crabbed about it during the show and all the way home. Everyone else there near me and in the car told me I ruined their night by yapping about it. They all thought it was a great show and I was just a crabby old fart. (I am, but that's not the point.)