Ideas Thread for where the Large FL Yearly GTG should be.

[mike]

Heather, that venue looks wonderful! Expensive.... but wonderful! lol

Has anyone actually traveled to the site of the '39 World's Fairgrounds? I know the LIRR goes there I believe.. but I've never had a specific date/time to get me to get up and go there.

If we did that flight experience through the American Airpower Museum out on Long Island, for $300 we can all get in an original C-47 together that flew in D-Day. We'd be assigned an identity of someone who flew on that plane originally and go up over the Long Island Sound and back... not a bad experience to share I'd say!

The main problem I would see about hosting/organizing an extended weekend event in NYC is where everyone would be staying. Cheap hotels aren't easy to come by here, much less for the better part of a week at a time. I have a bunch of experience with this as I have by the skin of my teeth run multiple psychobilly & garage festivals importing bands and audiences from around the world over the last 10 years.

I think who ever takes the reigns of this would need to not have much of, if any over head... so renting out a place like Heather linked or booking bands for a larger event would be really going out on a limb. I could be mistaken, but I remember very clearly that financial sting when the turn out falls a bit flat! :eusa_doh:

Regardless of what the event consists of, life's for the living, and NYC's a great place to have Europeans and Americans meet in the middle! I would think we'd be looking to do this at around the polar opposite side of the calendar of the QM, which might put it around early spring?

 

[Feraud]

I think who ever takes the reigns of this would need to not have much of, if any over head... so renting out a place like Heather linked or booking bands for a larger event would be really going out on a limb. I could be mistaken, but I remember very clearly that financial sting when the turn out falls a bit flat! :eusa_doh:

There is no reason why anyone should be stuck losing money on a weekend event.

Regarding NYC, if we pick a smart date like when the Governor's Island event is happening, here is a free location and music all day. The GI event is a great opportunity event where people are showing up in period clothes to dance and enjoy themselves. Not to mention an event with free reign of an entire island!

Anyone visiting the city can use the net to search for the best possible rates. In fact, the last time Mk was in town he stayed at the Waldorf and received a better rate than at lesser hotels.

 

[mike]

this sounds like the best way to go about it! Although that seems pretty far away from now [huh]

 

[Feraud]

In the meantime we need to get together and ride a vintage NYC train!

To celebrate the holiday season, customers using the 6 Avenue line between the Queens Plaza and Lower East Side 2 Av stations have a treat in store. MTA New York City Transit’s “Nostalgia Train” is running every Sunday, November 30, and every Sunday in December!

With a little bit of luck and good timing, you can catch a ride on this classic subway car at stations along the line between Queens Plaza and 2 Av.

 

[mike]

In the meantime we need to get together and ride a vintage NYC train!

YES! I think I'm taking the weekend of Dec. 12-14th off, I'm all for doing this that sunday afternoon! Anyone else?! Plus it starts in our neighborhood and winds up downtown... how's about making it to Death & Co for an afternoon drink whatever pseudo-speakeasys their supposedly are?! Although... should this be moved to a NY meet up threads? Or are we internationally inviting everyone to this?

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Macanudo's would have to be a "drink and cigar" stop, a couple hours or a single evening. I wouldn't recommend spending multiple days there, lest we stink up all our finery.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

YES! I think I'm taking the weekend of Dec. 12-14th off, I'm all for doing this that sunday afternoon! Anyone else?! Plus it starts in our neighborhood and winds up downtown... how's about making it to Death & Co for an afternoon drink whatever pseudo-speakeasys their supposedly are?! Although... should this be moved to a NY meet up threads? Or are we internationally inviting everyone to this?

We should probably move it....lol I'm out of commission till Dec. 27. Finals, then L.A.

 

[Lady Day]

BUT.

I was thinking that some kind of event could be built around this very Golden Era place, In New York State.

Now, how can we bring the Cicada Club east?​

Just cut the ship loose and sail it around the coast

I didn't now I started a thread!

I still think an annual event in different locals is a grand idea.
There are many people who have traveled across country to the ship, and those who wish they could but cant afford it.

I think it would be a solid to have a big annual on their side of the street.

Granted, we are still high on the fumes (and bad cocktails) of the '08 QM, but who knows what may happen as we settle down from its glow

LD

 

[Feraud]

YES! I think I'm taking the weekend of Dec. 12-14th off, I'm all for doing this that sunday afternoon! Anyone else?! Plus it starts in our neighborhood and winds up downtown... how's about making it to Death & Co for an afternoon drink whatever pseudo-speakeasys their supposedly are?! Although... should this be moved to a NY meet up threads? Or are we internationally inviting everyone to this?

I can probably do Sunday the 14th. Not sure how much drinking I will do on a Sunday afternoon. Maybe we can eventually grab a bite to eat somewhere along the train route. Anyone is welcome to join in. Personal invitations are not required!

There are many people who have traveled across country to the ship, and those who wish they could but cant afford it.

And probably many who are not able to travel around the Thanksgiving holiday weekend dates.

Now, how can we bring the Cicada Club east?

It is already here! There are the ongoing DOV, Michael Arenella, and George Gee shows to attend.
There are no shortage of events in the city.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

And for a few nights, I'd be more than willing to put up Loungers for free. I'm sure other NYers feel similarly.

I'm not saying it'd be like the Waldorf, more like "air mattress Chez Heather's living room," but it's cheap!

 

[scotrace]

And for a few nights, I'd be more than willing to put up Loungers for free. I'm sure other NYers feel similarly.

I'm not saying it'd be like the Waldorf, more like "air mattress Chez Heather's living room," but it's cheap!

Dibs. (two)

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Dibs. (two)

YOU! For you my friend, the price of a stay is only 1 breakfast at the East Bay Diner! http://www.eastbayny.com/

 

[dhermann1]

I'll help!

I'm no organizer (that is the understatement of the decade) but I'd be willing to help in any way I could. I think the great thing about the QM is that it presents the unique ability to be sequestered in a total "vintage" environment, and allow people to feel like they're "really there". New York had endless venues where this is possible, but no one spot where that illusion can be created. That said, it would be fun to plan a whole 3 or 4 day experience, using as many of New York's locations as possible. The Empire State Building seems like the first "must" on the list. As far as the World's Fair Grounds are concerned, what little that's left is as much the 1964 World's Fair. I think the Queens Museum is the only 1939 building left. And as of next year Yankee Stadium will be gone (grumble). Grand Central Terminal would be next on the list. Cafe Des Artistes is wonderful. I'm not sure if the King Cole Room is still in existence, but the Waldorf Astoria still is, as is the 21 Club and Sardi's. (We could go very broke very quickly.)
And surely, even tho "Curtains" has closed, there will be a vintagey show running on Broadway. OK, those are just some more ideas. I'm gonna sleep on this.
Hyde Park is a brilliant idea.

 

[John in Covina]

An Annual Convention versus an annual Queen Mary Event

Annual Convention versus QM Event.

Over the past number of years, perhaps 10 or so, the Fedora Lounge has participated in a grand annual get together called the Queen Mary Event. As such, this event has built a reputation, history and traditions because it is an event held regularly over time. It is in effect our Annual Convention in the eyes of many.

However, for many, the use of this West Coast venue makes those that must travel far feel it is an unfair advantage to those that are relatively local to Southern California. The choice of venue as the Queen Mary Event is pretty evident since if it is not held at the Queen Mary the event has no connection to its name sake.

If the yearly event is re-named as the Fedora Lounge Annual Convention, then it’s possible to suggest different locations and different hosting crews to put the event together. Best would be local groups as hosting committees coordinating all of the events and the place to stay as central location.

For tradition’s sake I think the Queen Mary event should be held every year in November as tradition supports just such an event. However, I think that a separate Annual Convention perhaps in May would then be a possibility as a traveling location each year. The locations could be selected by having the local committee put together a proposal and submitting it to Mk and the bartenders. They would vote on the best presentation or combination of sights etcetera as the location for the event.

The question is if in these poor economic times, enough people would be able to travel to support an Annual Convention. We do have a great history of regional affairs and the semi local support for many events has been great in the past.

Another possibility is to have the Annual Convention at the Queen Mary on Even Numbered years and do a traveling convention on Odd Numbered Years so it would alternate in location every other year.

One thing I do know I would love a Las Vegas Convention as that town is designed for conventions and shows.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Some thoughts on this.


First of all, while people may think there is an unfair advantage to being always held on the west coast....that would lead one to believe that people closer by would participate. Since, in all honesty that did not happen, and even the 'locals' for the most part came for one meal instead of the whole weekend, really does not pan out that it gave a large advantage to locals.

Part of the allure of the QM is to -stay- in basically one place with your fellow loungers....to -talk- and socialise. This is something that an event in almost any other place would lack, due to the 'oh lets go see this, quick everyone in a cab' or almost everywhere else.

I say this with the pedigree of having been to the New York event in 06, (see people -do- travel for these things!) and having spent quite a bit of the weekend herding around, instead of relaxing socialization. It was lovely, but it was not the easy everything in one -classy- place of the QM. In essense, it was a different event.

The joy of the QM is that it is not -conventiony- feeling, for the most part. One can come aboard, and not leave for the weekend, and pretend it is the Mid Atlantic 1937. That ability to spend the weekend in the time travel machine we all keep clamoring for...is -why- the QM event is -the- Event...rather then a rotating Shriners convention.



But...since no one in -any- locale is going to at this point is going to organize all this ....

 

[scotrace]

It is hard to imagine any single venue besides the Queen Mary providing that level of complete time machine feel for any length of time. You Are There. It is quite amazing. Only the Cicada Club topped it for me.

Unless we were all able to book a cross-country train trip on an old steam passenger....

Woah.... WOW, does such a thing exist??????

 

[mike]

It is hard to imagine any single venue besides the Queen Mary providing that level of complete time machine feel for any length of time. You Are There. It is quite amazing. Only the Cicada Club topped it for me.

Unless we were all able to book a cross-country train trip on an old steam passenger....

Woah.... WOW, does such a thing exist??????

I agree, I don't think the Cicada Club can be topped! (especially if paired with a tour of downtown LA's historical movie palaces!) I have not been fortunate enough to make it to the QM, but I hope to in the future! I think the idea of a NY get together (or anywhere for that matter) wouldn't be able to complete a total immersion as you guys say, but if there's interest in people coming to NY, why not schedule a get together.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I think being stuck on a boat is a positive and a negative. In addition, there isn't much to Long Beach if you fancy getting off the boat. There is a lot to Manhattan.

Sitting around all day and night sounds kind of boring, actually. I mean, I know usually the sitting accompanies a drink, and there is probably intrigue, but really!

NYC would seem an obvious choice, but if we are worried about money (and who isn't right now) then I am sure we can choose a suitable alternative vintage city on the east coast.

I'm not that concerned about the "fairness" of the venue, just its suitability and potential for a good time. We could always have it in the middle of the country and be equally inconvenient for most.

Guess I'm just rambling/ruminating.

 

[scotrace]

YOU! For you my friend, the price of a stay is only 1 breakfast at the East Bay Diner! http://www.eastbayny.com/

Deal!
(that looks yummy)

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I think the idea of a NY get together (or anywhere for that matter) wouldn't be able to complete a total immersion as you guys say, but if there's interest in people coming to NY, why not schedule a get together.

Of course...and making a NY get together happen...falls to the intrepid NY'rs who want to host one, tell us when to come out...etc.

Nothing is stopping that from happening. Just like folks in Washington or Florida etc.

Discussing making another place -The Event- is a different thing then having multiple great weekend events all over the place.