Subject: [Harp-L] RE: SPAH A great thread

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

I'd suggest that the majority of SPAH members (whose dues have and are  
still supporting SPAH for all these years)are not those on here complaining  
about SPAH being held in a Hotel. It's more than worth it to many of us to 
have  a comfortable place to relax while attending SPAH. Many people have 
difficulty  walking any distance...so the Hotel set up works.
 
There is also a valid reason Hotels close to Airports are chosen: it  
enables those of us who are forced to fly in have easy access without the  
additional cost of car rentals since the Hotels provide bus service.
 
Bottom line is: if SPAH ain't broke, don't fix it just because some  people 
complain on these boards. Someone's always going to find fault.  Basically, 
Buckeye cancelled one event and from the flurry of subsequent  posts (a lot 
by the same people), one might think the sky is falling,  especially on the 
other main Conventions (SPAH and Garden State). It isn't.  We've heard from 
Paul Davies and Val Redler. Both Festivals are perfectly  fine. Buckeye had 
a glitch this year. Apples and oranges.
 
Going to any SPAH entails some sacrifice for every attendee.  Eventually 
(as for all of us at some point), if an individual wants to  go badly enough 
they'll save up or otherwise figure out how to get there.  Perhaps those who 
are young can volunteer to work for the  organization,or share rooms/car 
rides? Checking the website bulletin board for  others who might need both and 
be willing to share has traditionally been part  of SPAH and can make the 
costs extremely affordable if one's within driving  distance.
 
There's absolutely nothing wrong with putting on any fairgrounds/outdoor  
camping style music venue for those who like that sort of thing, but  you'd 
lose a great percentage of the current SPAH attendees who very  much look 
forward to the great Hotels each year. Sitting outside in the middle  of summer 
with all of the attendant issues of a fairground set up: bugs and hot  sun 
and with no ability to go back to nearby rooms to take  
breaks,rest/change/whatever, would immediately dissuade a whole slew  of SPAH members from 
attending. I certainly wouldn't fly halfway  across the country for something I'd 
find so personally unappealing. SmoJoe's  already tried to explain that 
SPAH is instrument specific not a general music  festival, per se - so it is 
quite different from other such festivals. I don't  honestly see how that kind 
of set up would benefit SPAH or make it more  attractive. The idea of 
hordes of people showing up creating crowd-control  issues is even less appealing 
than an under-attended SPAH. SPAH  also attracts many people from overseas. 
I believe most of them prefer  the Hotels as well, based on their feedback.
 
I've no idea what it would entail to run an outdoor music festival and  
adding any new harmonica gathering is always a great idea, but don't  call it 
SPAH because it won't be.
 
Elizabeth
 
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:21:19 -0700
From: Robert Loomis  <ukulelebob39@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] RE: SPAH A great  thread
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:  <BANLkTi=74FBeDk_ybS8dnbM1QaUZ+abE-Q@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

If folks are mainly bothered by the  expense, one approach could be to move
the convention outdoors or to a venue  or venues where folks could either
camp or stay in the hotel(s) depending on  financial ability. Some of the
great music festivals are outdoor  camping-style events. Possible venues:
fairgrounds, college campuses, private  campgrounds/resorts. Just a thought.

Bob Loomis
Concord CA  USA