Subject: [Harp-L] would like some help

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Rob has already informed you that Val will be responding to you Mark, and  
she will. 
 
But she would have anyway - when the information you want is  eventually 
available - as long as you wrote to GSHC. CC'ing harp-l wasn't  necessary as 
well. I'm only a bit curious why you're so insistent upon getting  an 
immediate response to your questions, after refusing to answer my own  questions 
about whether or not you were part of or had any connection to a  harmonica 
club in Connecticut?  You didn't give me the courtesy of a  response despite 
my waiting patiently since August 25th.
 
What you don't quite understand is that the schedule is not yet completed.  
NO convention's schedule is ready or sent out anywhere close to this far in 
 advance, or 'transmitted' to other attendees by any method (telepathically 
or  otherwise), and many of us have already paid in full for the entire 
three  days without concern over who, what, when and why...(although we already 
have an  idea of which artists will be in attendance due to Val's constant 
updating of  the gig list right here on Harp-l every Wednesday).  We trust 
that  everything will happen as it should.  Harmonica conventions due to  
their very nature are dependent upon artists whose schedules might change at a  
moment's notice so are usually not complete until within days of the event  
- and sometimes attendees get their schedule AFTER arrival, with their  
Convention package. That's traditionally how it's done.
 
 A harmonica convention is 'all harmonica, all the time'...many people  
barely find time to go to bed, since playing goes on until the wee hours of the 
 morning. The Convention/Festival attendees begin playing from the moment 
they  arrive..in small groups - or even by themselves. While attending 
certain  Seminars is definitely enjoyable - the best part of any Harmonica 
Convention (as  has been reiterated by so many people over the years) is the 
camaraderie,  conversations with and interaction and simple lobby playing with 
fellow  harmonica players...the connections made, friendships forged -sometimes 
 lifelong. 
 
GSHFestival is similar to a SPah although on a slightly smaller scale. Many 
 of the same people attend. If you check out spah.org's site - you'll get 
an idea  of the same kind of atmosphere you're likely to find. There are 
numerous videos  which will give you the 'flavour' from both Conventions.
 
Since the current Festival's Schedule IS so fluid and won't be completed  
for quite some time, what I'd suggest you do is check out previous 
conventions  online to get an idea of how the whole thing works. You've been given  
information to the GSHC website several times now. Here it is again:
_www.gardenstateharmonicaclub.org_ 
(http://www.gardenstateharmonicaclub.org/)  
 
I've taken the trouble to click on the particular page from last year's  
Festival schedule (where it clearly states that the schedule for 2010 will be  
posted as it becomes available).. and it will give you a good idea of  the 
TYPE of seminar/workshop/performance you might expect for 2010. That's the  
best any of us can do at the moment:
 
_http://gardenstateharmonicaclub.org/pastfestivalschedule.html_ 
(http://gardenstateharmonicaclub.org/pastfestivalschedule.html) 
 
After your last post asking which day was best for you - as someone who  
only wished to attend for one day - I very nearly thought of writing to you to 
 suggest not attending on the Saturday...since that day's vendors' stores 
are  usually cut a bit short because of the preparations for the cocktail 
hour and  banquet - and the long drawn out post-banquet happenings. It makes 
for a very  long evening, after which there are usually at least a couple of 
jams with many  people not going to bed at all - making the most of the last 
of their time.  So for someone who's already complained about having back 
pain   and needing  to drive a distance (like myself), a better choice might  
have been the Friday with an entire day of seminars, Open Mics and evening  
performances. 
 
Of course then you'd miss the headliner performances and the Saturday night 
 banquet - but Saturday is less conducive to the 'typical Convention day' 
of  playing and meeting fellow harmonica players who necessarily have to 
spend time  preparing for the festivities and/or last minute practicing for 
their Evening  performances if you're there on a Saturday.  Just my 
opinion...It's always  a toss-up as to which day/evening is a 'best choice', but for 
someone who has  physical difficulties and facing a long drive, I can't imagine 
being there for  an entire day and late into the evening and then leaving. 
Since you've already  chosen your day, it would still make a lot more sense 
to at least get some sleep  for a few hours before getting back on the 
road...even if that sleep entailed  turning in very late at night.
 
Since I'm on the GSHC Festival Committee I was initially inclined to  pass 
at least this much information on to you had I thought you the least bit  
receptive. But after my last attempts to discuss the SPah convention with you  
whereby you ignored any of my queries to you after posting  your initial 
comments here on harp-l that SPAH should come to Mohegan Sun  Casino, I didn't 
think you would be at all interested in getting this  information from me.
 
At the moment Val (as President of the GSHC Club and co-chair of the  
Festival), is exceedingly busy with the huge amount of work it's taking to put  
on the Festival. I'm sure she'll get back to you with the limited amount of  
information she has available at the moment...it's a constantly  evolving 
work in progress and she barely has time to breathe, let alone try  to answer 
such queries.  But in no way will anyone at GSHC be  able to satisfy your 
incredibly detailed public demands. I do  believe your insistence on being 
responded to this far in  advance of a Convention with these types of questions 
is a first. 
 
I can answer one question of yours in particular: Seating is in the big  
rooms where the events take place. People enter and sit.  When there are  more 
people than seats (a rare occurrence), some stand around the perimeter  
walls...or pull chairs in from other rooms. It's relaxed and 'easy'. No 
worries.  So don't fret.. there will be plenty of room for you. For my own comfort 
I bring  a back pillow. No one will comment on it, or notice. I've spoken 
often of the  almost always extremely cold temperatures at any hotel where 
harmonica  conventions are held....GSHFestival is no exception...something the 
Festival has  very little control over. I seem to be especially susceptible 
to the cold, so  wear warmer clothing and use those little 'hottie hand 
warmers'..both to keep my  hands warm inside my pockets, as well as to keep my 
chromatics' windsavers from  curling.
 
I'd suggest you come to the Festival expecting to have a wonderful time,  
relax and enjoy it. You will have a great time if you don't attempt to  
micro-manage every detail. Harmonica Festivals simply can't work that  way.  
 
Elizabeth
 
 
 
 
Message: 9
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 22:45:26 EDT
From: _Cahebay@xxxxxxxx (mailto:Cahebay@xxxxxxx) 
Subject: [Harp-L] would  like some help
To: _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

I would really  appreciate some help.
I posted here and as well as emailed GSHC
about why  there was no schedule of events fo/r their 2010
festival this November., when  one is spending their money like
$90.00 for Saturday, It sure would be nice  to know what your
getting! better then keeping it a mystery.
Time of check  in
Events? when? where?
Seminars? Who? What? When?
Workshops? Who?  What? When?
mid day show? Who? When? Seating?
Evening Show? Who? When?  Seating? Times?
Banquet? what time? Serving what? Seating?
Dealers? Who?  What?
and so on
Is it just a mystery to me? everyone else have  received
this information by telepathic means?
Regards
Mark  



Message: 13
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2010 15:53:35 EDT
From:  Cahebay@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] would like some help
To:  Chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

I have copied Val so you will get a response soon.....your questions  are  
valid and we will get on it!

all The Best.
Rob  Paparozzi

Rob:
Thank you for your response, very much  appreciated!
Regards
Mark