Possible SELEM date change - need input

[buffo]

Hey guys;

Just got the word that North Carolina schools will be starting up earlier in the fall. Instead of the last week of August, they are going back on the first week of August. This has forced the venue manager at the Newton-Conover Auditorium to make a bunch of changes to his schedule, and the result is that we now have the option of changing the week of SELEM, if we want to. Note that we don't have to change anything if we don't want to. But if changing the date makes more sense for everyone, it is possible.

Right now, SELEM is scheduled for Thursday, Aug 16th (for setup) through Sunday, Aug 19th. This is the third weekend in August, which is typically when SELEM has been held in the past.

However, we now have the option of moving the event one week earlier if we choose to. If we do, SELEM would start on Thursday, Aug 9th for setup and finish up on Sunday, Aug 12th.

So what does everyone think? Would it be better to move the event one week earlier? Or should we keep it the same as before? Please reply with your comments. I have a week or two to make a decision...

Adam

[Bradfo69]

I have to lean towards the original weekend. I have already warned the wedding that booked that weekend that I would be in North Carolina and, the event Friday night was there for the first time during last years SELEM and was obviously pleased enough to rebook. On the 9th weekend, I have two weddings scheduled, one of which I may be doing lighting/lasers for and Sunday, while currently free, will probably get booked with something. As LEM's have been basically my only days off from work the last couple of years, I'd rather have the opportunity than not.

By the same token... I could do with not spending the money! LOL

[JohnYayas]

Both work equally well for me.

[djmatt]

Hmm what a great birthday present!

[hakzaw1]

?? bad luck to change dates?? no Brad?? mm nah-- We need Bradfo69. imo

2 cents

[Meatball]

I've always been very confused as to why SELEM is always scheduled for the weekend just before or after classes start. For college students on an ordinary 2 semester/year schedule, SELEM has become very inaccessible.

Why not during the summer, when students are also as free as anyone else working a full time job?

Apologies if I'm missing something obvious - I thought this would be a good place to bring it up.

[blowfly]

I can to the original date. Can't do the proposed date of Saturday the 13th. I'm 90% sure I can go this year!

Mike

[Ragdoll]

Adam,

Im still open for either weekend so please pick the weekend that will allow the most to attend. I will be there with photon and sound equipment in tow.

POSSIBLE INTERST FOR SELEM DMX CLASS will start new thread if enough interst. Would anyone be interested in doing a class/open sharing meeting on DMX. Adding ques to shows (triggers for standard lighting fixtures), possibly Lightjockey, and some MIDI tips as well. I will gladly bring some LED PAR's, Martin strobes with gel scrollers, and a few different Martin intelligent fixtures for demo/use in "class".


Ciao,
Ragdoll

[platinum]

I thought we were moving it back anyway. I'd be happy with the earlier date as I was thinking about working at Burning Man, but I can probably make both even if SELEM occurs on its normal weekend, I think.

- Jonathan

[buffo]

Why not during the summer, when students are also as free as anyone else working a full time job?

It's simple, really. When we first tried to book the venue, that was the only weekend that was available. Since then we've had first dibbs on the same date each year, so we've always locked it in as soon as we could. This has ensured that we've always been able to use the same venue each year, which is a huge plus. (We're very used to the place by now, and that makes things go much smoother.)

I thought we were moving it back anyway.

We *tried* to do this right after SELEM last year, but as before it turned out the venue was not available for that earlier weekend. However, now that the NC school year will be starting early, they have to shuffle a lot of different events, including the one that conflicted with us moving SELEM to the week prior. Since so many things have to be changed anyway, Reggie decided to give us first pick, which opened up the possibility for us to shift SELEM to the week prior, as we had tried to do before.

I can probably make both even if SELEM occurs on its normal weekend

So far most people seem to be happy with the original date. There was one person (Clandestiny) who thought he might have a better chance of making it if we moved it earlier, but he wasn't certain. On the other hand, several people (not just Brad) have said they can't make it on the earlier weekend.

So, unless I get a rash of feedback in the next week or so, I'm going to tell Reggie that we will be sticking with our original date.

Adam