Northwest gathering?

[alembic_doctor]

So it looks like it would take me 14 hours to drive from my house to the seattle area.  So, I could drive it.  Hence, if we can settle on something soon, I'll put in for the vacation.  And I'll come up and bring my EAW NT PA System with me.

[Bradley Young]

Dan,
 
Snoqualmie pass is usually pretty well maintained, the only issue is if it's snowing or not.
 
We can probably billet a few people at our house as well, let me know if you need accommodations.
 
Bradley

[kimberly]

Hi Guys.  
 
The latest haps for the 'Bass Rumble'.  
 
I've spoken to the Island Music Guild and have made a tentative booking for January 5th.  At this point there are a couple of options.
 
1) Renting it for 4-6 hours and not using any of the facilities i.e. PA, as Doc Greene aka 'alembic doctor' says he'll bring his PA.  Thanks Doc.    And then having an informal swap licks/grooves jam session with accompanying drums, guitars, horns etc. or,
 
2)  Renting the hall for 4-6 hours for our get together, extending the rental for a couple more hours and then...sound of a snare drum followed by a six or seven piece horn section flourish, put on a show open to the public.   Advertising through the Island Guild newsletter and my own locations for posting flyers and newsletter mailing list, word of mouth etc. and make this into an event, deep voice, 'the likes of which has never been seen before'.  Speaking for myself I think this is worth discussing.
 
So...
 
1) It's time for a show of hands for Saturday January 5th, tentatively booked for 2:00pm until 6:00ish to 8:00ish.  
 
2) It's time for a show of hands for putting on a show open to the public as a continuation of the get together.
 
Need input guys.  
 
Best Regards,
 
Kimberly  
 
PS.  As you may have noticed, I've taken the liberty of naming the event the 'Bass Rumble' which is how it will be advertised through the Guild.  Needless to say it would also be advertised as such for flyers, newsletters, word of mouth etc. in the event we go public. Hope no one minds.  

[kimberly]

Sweet.  
 
http://islandmusic.org/reservations/month.php?year=2008&month=01&area=1&room=12
 
Kimberly  

[alembic_doctor]

1) A later weekend might be better for me, but I can probably make it work.
 
2)I like the idea of a public event.  But, when we had our Nor Cal Gathering, we did not have a public offering or public discussion of the location for security purposes.
 
My $0.02

[Bradley Young]

I can provide security .

[David Houck]

As noted in the Dallas thread, structure is a good idea.  Members come from very different musical backgrounds; and to accomodate all of the members, a variety of music needs to be played.  In the Dallas thread, Mike suggested that each player suggest three songs that they would like to play; I think that's a good idea.  However, the backing band (drums, additional guitars, lead vocals) will need to know the songs in advance.  It will take some planning, but I think it will be more fun for all if everyone gets to play on songs that they know and are comfortable with.

[kimberly]

Hi Guys.  
 
I see we've a veritable hotbed of activity here.
 
Anyway...nothing new to 'report' since my last posting.  I've still got to get commitment from  some percussion and a 'six stringer'.  Needless to say, I'll keep everyone posted.  
 
So...in order to not 'muddy the waters' I'm going to separate my responses into two messages.
 
Part 1
 
Alembic Doctor - I'm reasonably sure security will not be an issue as,
 
1) The Island Guild is a well known organization that has a very nice facility that for our security will have locked doors.  I'm also going to inform the local Bainbridge Island police department of the event and ask that they be aware and maybe make more than usual pass by's to assure all is well.  And then of course we have our own Bradley (byoung) providing his own form of what I'm sure will be rather effective security.  Heck for that matter, I could pack some iron as well.  
 
2) We're on an island with only two ways of access and/or departure.  Ferry boat to and from Seattle and a bridge over Agate Pass.  In the event of a most 'heinous crime', I would not hesitiate to call local, county and state law enforcement in a effort to 'head 'em off at the pass'.  
 
I hope this additional information eases any of the valid and legitimate concerns you may have.    
 
Kimberly  

[kimberly]

Part 2  
 
Thanks to Moderator Dave for his input and opening this topic for discussion.  (Hi Dave)  
 
The selection of material and applying structure and organization in advance is a good idea to be able to best 'maximize' our time together and at the Guild Hall.
 
  However, this may be a situation of putting the 'cart before the horse', as I feel we should first define what each and every individual's expectations are for this gathering.
 
  For example, some may be very interested in performing 'live' for the public and others may have no desire to do so.  Some may want to 'swap licks' or are looking for a 'workshop' to improve skills, or would just like some help in figuring out what Stanley or Jaco were doing during a section of a tune, or what's this progression etc..  
 
As you can see, this is a more complex message that will require some participation in an effort to define our objectives and purpose in 'getting together'.
 
I'll take the lead and describe my vision of the event.
 
For the day we have together, i.e. the informal sit around cussin' and spittin', got any hot licks, check this out, want to try this etc. time, try to address each individuals expectations in a workshop or one on one format which would be ultimately be followed by an all around 'all hands' wanton jam session applying the demonstrated principles and techniques/material in the 'real world'.  (Takes a breath)  
 
I see this could also be done in a 'round robin' type format where we all 'take turns' to have our questions/needs/desires/expectations addressed by individuals and/or by the group.
 
In the event of an individual only being interested in learning some tunes to perform, either at the event or back home,  I'm sure the available talent would be able to help each 'request' either through backing or teaching/helping learn.
 
For a live performance, I have a vision of something similar to, or the same as the Bass Day '98 DVD in my collection.  Individual performers presenting material with backing instrumentation/players as desired/needed (and available), followed by an 'all hands' finale featuring those who want to 'step on up' and 'put it out there'.  
 
And that's Kimberly's vision of the 'world'.  
 
Next?  
 
Best Regards,
 
Kimberly  
 
(Edited for a typo)  
 
(Message edited by kimberly on November 05, 2007)

[lbpesq]

Dear Northern Contingent:
 
From my own experience helping to set up the Northern California get together, let me suggest some (IMHO) EXTREMELY important considerations that you may be overlooking:
 
Beer
munchies
diet coke (a personal favorite)
napkins to wipe greasy hands before playing
cameras/video to capture it all and report back to the rest of us!
 
Have a great time.  
 
Bill, tgo

[David Houck]

Yes, Bill is right; cameras are required, and pictures must be posted to the board no later than 24 hours after the event.

[kimberly]

Hi Guys.  
 
Thanks for the reminder(s), as I've gotten so caught up in the minutia I lost sight of the fundamentals and basics.  You know, the really important stuff.  
 
Beer - Check!  Differential of darks to light to be determined.  
 
Munchies - Check! (Special dietary requirements available by request.)
 
Non-alcoholic beverage(s) w/diet coke by request (heading up this way Bill?) - Check!
 
Napkins *and* paper towels for greasy hands and accidental (and borderline criminal) beer spillage - Check!
 
Digital camera(s) w/fresh batteries and backups - Check!
 
Video camera w/many hours worth of tapes. - Check!
 
Plans for posting of pictures and my fav, YouTube videos for historical reference. - Check!
 
Required Alembic discussion board posting time limit heard and understood.  
 
Sounds like once I hear from the attendees, we're good to go.  
 
Whew...that was close. Thanks guys!  
 
Best Regards,
 
Kimberly  

[alembic_doctor]

So then are we looking at January 5th as a firm date?

[alembic_doctor]

Oh.  BTW.  My vote is that this is not a public event.  
 
My $0.02

[Bradley Young]

I'm in, and can bring snacks or whatever.
 
Bradley