Subject: [Harp-L] Re: SPAH convention

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

I doubt it. The Jam Camps are 'for profit', while SPAH's are 'not for  
profit'. HUGE difference.  
 
Besides, the Jam Camps cost at least double what you'd pay for a SPAH, and  
most of that price is for the Camp itself, not the accommodations - which 
at  last look are extremely sparse (the main reason I'm not particularly 
interested  since I have orthopedic issues and need to be at least reasonably 
comfortable at  night or how could I go?) The last camp I looked at left it up 
to the  player to drive down (after flying in - which is in itself already 
a  trial for me) or to then 'arrange' their own rides a one and a half hour  
distance away to the Camp. Guess that leaves out a cab ride? Being 
dependent  upon another stranger to drive oneself such a distance to the Camp would 
not be  attractive at all to my mind. 
 
This is entirely unlike a SPAH experience, which is always done at a Hotel  
as close to a major airport as possible (especially for those of us who can 
no  longer drive for whatever reason), or for the International visitors 
who've  just spent hours in a plane and don't need or want further travel  
time. 
 
You seem to have a completely erroneous idea of what a SPAH is about. It  
isn't a huge hall full of booths. It's in a quiet Hotel, mostly little 
pockets  of very nice (and welcoming, friendly) people sitting or standing around  
couches in the lobby -  playing very basic harmonica. The 'real pros'  
participate in the more high-powered jams usually - and many of us  
amateurs/newbies sit those out, but 'listen with big ears' since that's how one  learns. 
I'm a casual player as well...having come back to harmonica playing  after 
many years' absence, so I do know what you mean.
 
The major performances and seminars are all taking place IN big rooms  
behind closed doors. One can choose to attend those or not. Actually, many  
don't, staying outside to enjoy the wonderful camaraderie always  shown to 
anyone willing to stop by a group playing....and a group could be as  few as 2 - 
3 people. I've never been made unwelcome about joining in a  group 
'sing-along' or 'play-along'. It's always been the best part of a SPAH to  me. 
 
It was a huge leap of faith flying out to MY first SPAH in 2005 - as a  
woman traveling on my own. I gritted my teeth and did it with some 
encouragement  from a SPAH member, and have just attended my 6th. In between I've gone 
to  several Buckeyes and a couple of GSHC Festivals as well. If 'I' can, 
anyone can  since what most people don't know about me (and probably wouldn't 
believe) is an  innate and paralyzing shyness since childhood I've worked very 
hard to  overcome.  I had an absolute blast...made friends right away by 
being  friendly and not expecting people to accommodate me. Many of those I 
met that  first time out are still good friends today. I probably now know at 
least  two-thirds of the SPAH membership and get along well with most. 
 
As for the comb 'test'? I had no idea it was going on....completely forgot  
about it, as I did with many of the other seminars. They're not out in the 
open,  but held behind closed doors. I missed the AMP comparisons as well, 
since it  isn't something of particular interest to me at this point in time. 
SPAH has  something for everyone, is the point...lots of 'stuff' going on 
at the same  time. So if you're NOT interested in one particular thing you 
simply move  on, participate in something else if you choose. The comb test 
isn't anywhere as  major as you might think...it was a very small gathering of 
people in a room.  Most people I spoke to there had no idea it had taken 
place until long  after it was over, and frankly it generated almost no 
interest among those  I mentioned it to....they were too busy playing. There were 
some  jokes/comments made about what they could hear, however. I won't 
repeat them  here. 
 
The fallacy is in thinking that everyone AT Spah belongs to harp-l or any  
other on-line list. A very large group of SPAH attendees don't have anything 
to  do with online posting about harmonicas or gear..they're simply too 
busy  playing.  Many people I meet there hear about harp-l for the first time  
from me.
 
I'd suggest you don't prejudge a SPAH until you take a chance and at least  
stop by one for a day - when and if a SPAH or other smaller convention 
based on  SPAH's set up is held in or close to where you live. If you're in the 
NorthEast  and get a chance to try the Garden State Harmonica Festival in  
November...it's very similar to SPAH, with just a few less attendees (but 
many  of the same faces), although we just might be giving SPAH a run for their 
money  in 2010 <G>    all thanks to the incredible efforts of Val  Redler.
 
For me - the biggest cost of SPAH is the Air Fare (I've never NOT had to  
fly from New York) and the Hotel. 
 
SPAH itself charges a very nominal sum for the 5 days' Festival  (imho). 
It's the least expensive part of my trip. Not having a car means  I'm forced 
to eat at the Hotel unless there's decent food service within MY kind  of 
walking distance (very rare for a SPAH Hotel). Unless a friend has a car and  
keeps the same late hours, one can feel stranded.  I've found myself going  
without food for days at a SPAH (not exactly a bad thing for my waistline  
<G> - but not conducive to having a lot of energy). My one major complaint  
about the Ramada was: no room service at all. At least the hotel had a gift 
shop  which stayed open late enough - so I was able to buy and heat up hot 
chocolate  in the microwave I pay extra to have in my room precisely so I can 
have hot tea  whenever I want. I'm always cold, so hot tea is de rigeur for 
me.
 
FJM's point about being next to the Mall of America had me originally a bit 
 intrigued as well - thinking people would be off spending huge amounts of 
time  there. It turns out that the Mall wasn't half as  impressive as all 
the hype I'd read about it, one actually had to  take a shuttle bus from the 
Hotel despite the proximity ....we tried walking one  evening to eat there 
and it was a debacle because of the fencing  between...were forced to take the 
shuttle bus back.
 
 Some of us did eat at a very good Italian restaurant there, but that  was 
my very limited experience at the Mall. For the most part I believe SPAH  
people stayed at the Hotel as they do for most SPAHs. 
 
SPAHs aren't at all intimidating for beginners. Playing is for every level  
and going on from morning till well into the night in every single corner  
of the hotel as well as outside...there is at least ONE other person of the 
same  level as you - playing somewhere. That's the beauty of a SPAH....and 
there's  always someone willing to impart knowledge, whether it's in a simple 
one-on-one,  in discussions of how to take apart your harmonica or how to 
gap or tune it, or  in the always terrific Filisko teach-ins.The toughest 
thing to do at SPAH is to  tear oneself away from always great conversations - 
in order to get to a seminar  or performance one had previously planned to 
attend. I missed so many simply by  being involved in or listening in to 
wonderful 'chats'.
 
 The teach-ins aren't set up as 'formal' gatherings, but simply a  huge 
room (or two) with each 'pro' set up at a round table - where anyone can  plonk 
down to join in whatever particular discussion is going  on - to ask 
questions or simply listen in. One year Peter 'MadCat'  Ruth couldn't get anyone 
to ask questions at his table: we just wanted to  hear him play, talk and 
sing...to entertain us. So he did, to much  applause. Last year there were so 
many people surrounding Jason Ricci's  table ...not only were all the chairs 
filled, there was a circle of standees  3-deep as he answered questions..and 
demonstrated his playing. With the wide  variety of pros participating this 
year, there was something for everyone. And  ALL voluntary. 
 
Also at this SPAH there was a great outdoor patio with wonderful seating  
areas - with two fire pits, an outdoor bar with food service..so it lent 
itself  to great conversation and acoustic music. 
 
There are always guitarists on hand to accompany anyone willing to play  
along - so it gave that 'playing around the campfire' feel well into the 
night.  But even with the 400+ attendees, it never 'feels' crowded. I was hard 
pressed  to find groups at times...there was a quiet, lazy quality to this 
SPAH I've  noticed in other years..it IS taking place during August, after all. 
It's  Summer. There is no 'frenetic-Convention' atmosphere as you might 
imagine with  crowds of people bumping into each other....not at all...even up 
on the floor  area where the Vendors had their set up (with windows this 
time - and in a huge  area).  One could wander along just 
'window-shopping'...greeting old  friends and new (I had at least 6 'new' people introduce 
themselves as being  lurkers/harp-l members who wanted to meet me due to my posts 
here, or who are  friends-of-friends.  A couple will now be friends because 
of how amazingly  well we bonded). The vendors I know personally are 
themselves mostly familiar  and huggy-type people who warmly greeted me as they do 
all of their old  friends. 
 
Despite the relatively few and mostly minor complaints one might have...the 
 bottom line is that this Festival (which is a decidedly better description 
than  Convention to my mind) is put on by volunteers who give so much of 
themselves to  make it better and better each year, and imparts the warmest 
feeling when one  sees familiar faces of the nicest people after a long year's 
absence.  
 
It struck me anew just how under-appreciated the people manning the tables  
were, and those who do all the work behind the scenes...read Paul Davies' 
post.  He's always right there in the thick of it.  I know I couldn't do what 
they  do...I have medical issues preventing me from volunteering, and I do 
think it's  a shame when the same people do the same jobs year after year 
with very little  thanks. So I'M thanking them now. I know who you all are - 
from those behind the  registration desk, to those doing the raffles, to the 
ladies in the hospitality  rooms, to those who photograph, edit and put 
together the 'happenings' and the  website.  As well as the volunteers from the 
host club. These people kill  themselves with almost no awareness from the 
membership at large.
 
Marv Munroe came without his sorely-missed brother Roger....a large card  
was set out for us all to sign - those who really missed Roger's whacky sense 
of  humour. He was simply not well enough to travel this time...has been 
such a  fixture in all of our lives. Marv still played his two XB-40's in his 
rack  while strumming along - providing backing for anyone who wanted to 
play despite  how much he clearly missed his brother by his side.  You can't 
buy  this. It comes from the heart....and is what SPAH is ALL about, for me.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 2
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 03:17:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tim Bete  <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: SPAH convention
To:  harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx

I've never been to SPAH but the sales info I've read  makes it sound like a 
huge convention that would be intimidating the new, casual  player. 
I think Jon Gindick is on the right track with his Jam Camps.  Jon is 
getting people who have never played before to spend a grand to come to  his 
camps. I think he's successful partly  because of how he describes the  
experience:
"A Limited Enrollment 5 Day Jamming and Learning Vacation...with  a Focus 
on You"
"the Fundamentals of Blues and the Joys of  Jamming"
"We love all levels of harmonica players. Raw Beginners: we have a  strong 
program for you.. Including preseminar phone lesson. Advanced and  
intermediates: no worries, we offer separate classes on separate  levels."
"Let Jon Gindick and some of the world's most talented player/  coaches 
help you go there and beyond."
I realize Jon's program has a narrower  focus than SPAH but I think he's on 
to something. Jon's all about enjoying  playing TODAY, even if it's the 
first time you've picked up a harp. People want  immediate gratification and 
Jon delivers that combined with a long-term focus.  When I hear about things 
like comb tests, it makes me think of high school  science class, which 
doesn't conjure up memories of "fun." ;-)
I haven't been  to Jon's Jam Camp yet but I'm saving my money. For me, the 
description of SPAH  just isn't the same.
Tim"