Alembic gathering

[oggydoggy]

Hi everyone,
This has probably been brought up before but I thought it would be a great expirence if once a year their was an alembic gathering, exposition, whatever you want to call it.  It could have showcases of bass from club members and the company itself, with new ideas from alembic being prsented and much much more, Just a pipe deam probaly but I thought it might be worth discussing. Let me know what you think
-Ed (The cold one in the NE)

[the_schwartz]

I like the idea, but the logistics would be tricky.  It could be held in Santa Rosa, where the company is located; or Boston, where many of the members live.  But several members e.g. Paul TBO, Eddie Van Huik, Jan, etc. live in Europe.  I would go if it were held in California or Las Vegas.  I would go if it were held in Boston between July 1 and July 4 this year, as I will be there for a wedding/vacation (but without my beloved Alembic).
 
Joe

[oggydoggy]

I would go to CA if it was an Alembic endorsed gathering. I think it would be great to see what could be if Alembic really got involved and make a in-depth workshop. The possibilities are endless. Maybe even a interactive Swap-market with club members.  
-Ed

[palembic]

Brothers,
 
back in the dark ages of this club ...when I was a younster of 144 posts ...there was this thread:
http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/2592.html
The idea is still growing in my mind and Val and Mica are aware of this idea. I once send them a mail how I saw this so maybe this is the moment of sharing a little bit more and let the event grow ...well ...maybe to an achievement somehow - somewhere - eventually ...
 
I gave it the concept/stucture of a XXL-weekend.
 
* Location: Belgium!
I know, why Belgium? No reason at all. Just that I can make things more concrete and plannable. Somebody says Santa Rosa ...I'll be happy but than I will not be able to organise.
 
Where: in an old Monastery close to the woods. At 2o km from Brussels International Airport and about 2 km from a highway.
You can check
http://www.la-foresta.org/
(even in english) and see for your own that there is no luxury but it is comfortable and not expensive at all. There is LOT's of room to practice, to rehearse, to follow classes etc ... .
 
PROGRAMME (proposal)
* Thursday:
arrival of guests.
Putting together the Alembic guitar circle in the evening in the main hall. Getting to know each other. Edwin Van Huik's Masterclass (see Eeee Veeee Huuuuuuuuuh???) fills the evening demo-ing on Alembic basses, amps and filters
 
* Friday:
2 Masterclasses:  
A: melodical improvisations by Maarten Weyler (belgian bass-player and teacher).
B: Odd-meter masterclass by our Brother Paul the Fake one (the artist formerly known as Dino). Each Class is 1/2 day and will be held 2 times so everybody can switch.
Friday-evening: preparing for Leuven: simply the bass!!!!!! (Saturday-night). Rehearsals, teaming up with band members (we provide side-men as guitarplayers, singers, drummers, keyboardplayers), getting to know each other, preparing for performances.
LATE NIGHT: night cap in Leuven beer-town, the home of STELLA ARTOIS!
 
* Saturday:
2 Masterclasses:
A: Phillipe Dujemb? (can be misspelled) from Kameroen on African phrasing and rhythms on bass.
B. Koen Leeman of Studio C on bass-recording (the studio is on 2 km from La Foresta). Second Goal: making an Alembic models bass-sample CD for Club purposes.
 
EVENING: LEUVEN: SIMPLY THE BASS. (The idea is that the name LEUVEN is changed when the gathering is made on another place: f.i. Milwaukee, St. Tropez, Helena, ...)
An evening in one of the most cozy Jazz-blues bars in Leuven with annex a BEAUTIFUL small concert-hall for the performance of the gathered bass-players.
Annex the Paul table banging empty bottles (ha ...I knew they would come ...the one with the stocking on his head is me LOL).
 
Sunday = end:
everybody gets home/airport/trainstation etc... in the afternoon or when travel schedules makes it necessary.
 
 
I will organise a parallel problem for Senior Management  when also present. Visiting Leuven, Hoegaerden (brewery), Chocolate factory, mountainbiking, woodwalk ...etc ... .
 
So ...that's the concept.
I didn't got the time to make a budget so I can by no means say what it's gonna cost. But ....I'm working on that. What I said in another thread ...I have some cleaning up to do first.
 
PROJECTED DATE: SPRING 2005
 
Just my two cents.
 
 
Paul the bad one

[bracheen]

I'd be willing to go anywhere.  The only thing that worries me is traveling with my bass.  I've never flown with an instrument before and would be nervous as hell.
 
Did you say Chocolate factory?  I'm there!
 
Sam

[alembic76407]

Paul (TBO) that was well thought out!!!the only thing that bug's me is how much would it cost to fly to Belgium (and I would love to go to Belgium)
and I would love to bring Tornadic Thunder But I would need to charter a Cargo plane to get there!
 
maybe what we need to do is pass the jar and raise some money to help offset the cost of our Euro brothers and other overseas brothers to come here.
 
I think Las Vegas would be the place to have it, the room are cheap , airfair is cheap, live music everywhere, and nobody would get homesick because while in LV you can pop over to Rome or Paris or Midevil England then to Egypt then 30 mile to one of the biggest damn dam in the world. and only a few hours to the Grand Canyons
but no matter where it was held, it would be FUN!!!
 
David T (TLO)
 

[alembic76407]

here's my Program,
 
Thursday evening:  
open hospitality suite
start drinking, quit drinking at 4am go to bed
(no basses or guitar will be allowed while drinking)
 
Friday Noonish:
roll out of bed hungover Look for buffet, eat till sick, go back to bed.
 
Friday evening:
roll your butt out of bed and take a shower then head back to the hospitality suite and start drinking some more.
 
Saturday Morning:
Sleep right through.
 
Saturday Afternoon:
Wake up feeling worse than you did friday morning.
 
Saturday Evening;
All get together and toast each other (more drinking)and tell lie's
 
Sunday afternoon:
wake up only to find your Plane leaves in one hour!!!!!!!!!
 
David T (TLO)
PS; I've been to Vegas and this is FUN (I THINK)

[bracheen]

OK now we have an agenda that will work almost anywhere.  We're set.

[palembic]

I tried to -hips- follow David the -burps-one agenda but it didn't work -rooooooot- out very well.
 
Sam ...I know the guitar problem. There were some threads about it.
I will organize amps, sideman and sidewomen, sleeping, food, drinks, ....but I agree that the best thing would be is to come over WITH your instrument. EVH and some other Alembic dealers over here in EU can help me a LOT in guitars and amps but ...well ...I understand ...your bass IS your bass.
 
Brother David TLO well ...what can I say ...If I can I'll be in Vegas but than there must be an organisation team ready in Vegas. I think I'll manage over here and can make it a kind of bass-holiday even for your non-playing partner but ... well ...I cannot do that in Vegas or Springfield/Washington.
 
I know ONE ting for shure: IFF it started ...it has to take over every one or 2 or 3 years. I think music in general -AND BASS PLAYING MORE SPECIFIC- will bring people more together. I REALLY believe that: Irish and English, Blacks and Whites, Iran and US, Israel and Palestines, Flemish and Walloons ...oh ...I KNOW I am a dreamer but that's what I am proud of.
Face it ...if you all were not able to dream there was not ONE Alembic sold ...not the last decades ...not this year.
 
THis is just the start of a brainstorm and believe me: I strongly believe the Alembicians will back-up!
 
Paul the bad one

[dnburgess]

Regarding timing - I'd like to suggest either before or after NAMM in July - as presumably a number of would be (international) participants will be going to NAMM so could take in the Alembic gathering in the same trip.
 
Following that line of thought - Santa Rosa or Nashville would be the most convenient location. (Despite the aforementioned charms of Las Vegas.)

[bracheen]

Paul, do you think the airport security dogs will react to my Zebrawood bass?  That could be fun.

[the_schwartz]

Santa Rosa would be good if there was factory involvement, e.g. factory tour, open house, demonstrations, instrument maintenance clinic, meet Stanley Clarke, special discounts on custom orders etc.
 
Maybe excursions to nearby wineries, e.g. Sonoma-Cutrer for tastings could be arranged
 
Perhaps jam sessions w/local musicians e.g. Mickey Hart, Bob Weir at Skywalker Ranch could be arranged.
 
Joe

[captain_jan]

Since there is interest for a meeting on the both sides of the pond why not agree to have a meeting once a year in US (Santa Rosa?) and the next year in Europe (Belgium sounded ok?). So members who live on either area can attend a meeting every second year close to them. And if they have a chance to travel further they would then be welcomed to fly over the Atlantic for the following meeting as well. This would also make it easier for either side to organize a good meeting since they would have to arrange it only every second year. So if Europe would host this 2005 meeting then 2006 would be in US and 2007 again in Europe. But either way a meeting would be very nice to have.
Jan

[bracheen]

Ya see Jan, that's why you're a captain!  Brilliant!
 
Sam

[dela217]

That is a great idea.  Alternate gatherings in the US and abroad.  That way it is easier for everyone.
 
I think the meet at Alembic, or near it would be a good idea.  I would go.  Nashville don't sound too bad either.  But I think the first time should be more near Alembic. Just my 2 cents.
 
I don't think it has to be too extravagant.  Just a hotel where everyone can stay.  An afternoon tour of Alembic, dinner, set up a jam session, etc...