From: Diva Las Vegas organizers (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Date: Fri Jun 27 2008 - 19:26:39 CDT
In this mailing:
Org List
Moving forward
Murder Mystery Party
Activity discussion
Timeframe discussion
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2009 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
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Moving forward:
We're on a roll as far as discussing activities, so this mailing
is going out early.
No further discussion on the Administrative Committee motion.
Last call for discussion, if none comes in over the next list
cycle, we'll proceed to a Call For Votes.
Please keep those activity ideas coming in, gang! :)
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Murder Mystery Party:
Holly writes:
>>Go4it! Let's hear your ideas!
>Okay... here goes! I'd like to hostess a Murder Mystery party!
>I think I have found one that would be perfect for our group...
>Killing For the Crown. Here's a synopsis: An Evening Filled
>With Backstabbing, Blackmail & Bribery Among Beauties.
>After a week of competing in the nation's most prestigious
>beauty pageant, the contestants, judges and coaches are invited
>to a pre-pageant party the night before the final round of
>competition.
>With the crown on the line, everyone seems desperate to gain
>the competitive edge on their rivals... and for one guest
>that means murder!
>Will it be the whiny Miss Wisconsin who is obsessed with
>winning?
>The ambitious Miss Alabama whose acting career is at stake?
>The tawdry Miss Texas who uses her sexuality to get ahead?
>Or possibly the reigning queen who does not want to give up
>her crown.
>With a pageant that has been plagued with scandal from its
>beginning, there is no reason this year should be any different.
>The game will accommodate 15-20 participants. Players can dress
>up as the beauty queens we all know that we are!
>In a perfect world, I would like to have dinner served as part
>of the evening. This would require coordination.
>I had thought Blyss would be good but that option is off the table.
>So finding a location may be a bit tough but I still think it is
>doable. If the consensus of the group is to place this event on
>the schedule, I will get busy finding a place... maybe Alexis Park?
Thanks, Holly! Lots of good thought here.
Ok, gang, whadaya think?
Here are my thoughts, questions, and concerns.
This is one of the most unique proposals I've heard throughout
the years of DLV!
The only way we're gonna know if something like interactive
theater will work is to try it.
IMAO, as you say, this would work best as a dinner, similar
to the interactive dinner-theater productions.
When you say 15-20 participants, how flexible are these numbers,
both in the long and the short term? I'm just thinking of the
real-world headcounting issues that we see in DLV. Do these
15-20 have to commit in advance, or prepare in advance, other
than dressing the part?
As to venue, I agree that Blyss would have been close to ideal.
Moot point now. Escape Lounge comes to mind, but they don't
serve food.
There's rumor/speculation that Elvis Nargi is contemplating
assuming Blyss' lease with the intent of re-opening Elvis'
at the former Blyss location. If this happens, it may be an
option for something like this.
Comments, gang?
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Activity discussion:
Susan writes:
>I'd like to do the jam session again. There seemed to be interest
>in a more electric show. Interested people could contact me and do
>a few songs on there own or join in. More of a show. I'd have to
>find a venue that would accomodate being plugged in.
I really think that the Jam Session has the potential to become a
popular recurring activity from year to year.
The Jam Session this year was rated 4.66 on the enjoyment scale,
which is very good!
As for venues to host such a thing (and you do know that they do
come and go and change all the time) the Escape Lounge comes to
mind as a possibility for a plugged-in session, particularly on
one of their slower weekday evenings, assuming they exist in more
or less the same form next year.
Should the new Elvis' materialize, I think that's a possibility
too.
Maybe Zodies could be convinced to allow an electric night,
particularly on one of their slower nights, for the additional
bar business that such an activity would bring in.
In any case, there's discussion on this over at the Discussion
Forum, so we know this has the support of the Teeming Millions.
>There is a magician who works at Royal Suites on Sat. nights named
>Dixie Dooley. He used to work at Zingers and is TG friendly.
A smaller magic show will be a good option for any of our
multi-track evenings. Please continue to watch the schedule
as the DLV dates approach. I do know that these things come
and go all the time.
>This was my first time at Bahama Breeze. I enjoyed it. The food was
>good. But I wonder if there is something more that we could have
>done. Even just introducing some of you who are so important to
>making DLV work.
About the only thing I can think of as I look back is that we
could have encouraged people to mingle more during the Happy
Hour portion, but as was reported, the staff was encouraging
our people to find a seat and stay put.
I think the overall mingling and circulating was much better this
year, adding to the Quality Social Time<tm> factor of our major
get-togethers.
. . . . .
Gina writes:
>As much as I'd like to do Air Tours again, it isn't going to
>happen.
>I don't own any airplanes anymore and renting one would just be
>ridiculous. The cost per hour is $190 and it takes about two and
>a half hours from chock to chock. So figure 4 people splitting
>(even the pilot has to pay since we can't operate as a commercial
>pilot.) So that's $120 each, plus a share of the five hours to
>get the plane there and back. Easily $250.00 each. But it
>would be great...
Thanks Gina.
Your numbers are a bit higher than the ones Densie quoted last
spring (to which she got essentially zero response) so I think
that unfortunately this is not gonna go unless we find a
sugar-mommy with plane and fuel.
. . . . .
Kumiko writes:
>There are several good ideas that have come up.
>One is a fashion show, the other a more formal type dress up
>glamour/glitzy ball/dinner, and the more gray area of a
>costume party.
>These are very good ideas, and they have been brought up in
>the past. I don't want to be negative about these ideas,
>but I need some clarification.
>This time I haven't seen the usual reservations on these
>activities like I've seen in the past, specifically that
>these event types follows events similar to a 'convention'
>which DLV isn't following.
>DLV has stated its more of a 'vacation'. Nor did DLV want to
>have events found at conventions, normally at some hotel.
>We have used the term 'rubber chicken' in the past.
>If we are changing, then thats ok with me, but I need to know
>are we changing our stand?
To answer your question, the Readers Digest version is no, we
are not changing, but yes, we have been continuously changing
since 1997. :) :)
Now for the War And Peace version ...
I think the reason you haven't heard any concern that these
activities will push DLV in the direction of becoming a
convention is that there is no significant concern at this
time that DLV will become a convention.
Back in the early 2000s, yes, there was some pressure to mold
DLV to be more like the mainline TG conventions, and the
concerns you heard then were the push-back against this pressure.
I was one of the loudest in the push-back gang.
It's been 5 years or more since there were any serious thoughts
about trying to make DLV a "SCC West" or anything like that.
You can rest assured that if DLV moves in the direction of
being yet another TG convention it will be over my dead body!
We have something that is unique, and we don't need to replicate
what happens already, countless times, in more or less the same
form, at many locations and times.
This is all to let alone the fact that some believe that the
heyday of what we know as the mainline TG convention has passed,
and that a shakeout is impending. Reports are fairly consistent
that turnout at several of these is diminishing, and that the
audience is aging.
The repetitive things that happen at the conventions are the
seminars, the keynote banquet, the pageant, the talent contest,
things like that.
I really don't see any of those happening at DLV. (Yes, yes, I
know that there was one person trying to bring a noted TG
orator to town at the time of this year's DLV, but we had no
plans to place a "keynote address" on the schedule!)
Most of the TG conventions are very much centered around one
hotel, which an attendee does not have to leave for the duration
of the event.
It's been a few years now since we've had any serious "one hotel"
proposals, even if just for sleeping, and it's been a longer
time since any serious "hospitality suite" or "activities room"
proposals.
Here's what I envision coming of these various suggestions:
1. Costume party. I can see this coming about several ways,
anything from a small gathering with a theme, such as the
"Little Girl Night" a few years back, to a theme that's
tacked onto one of our larger gatherings, such as "Red Shoe
Night" was back in 200{mumble} or "Retro Night" was in 2007.
2. Fashion Show. The original suggestion was to pursue a
partnership with a major department store, but what I think
is more realistic is one partnered with any of our major
supportive vendors, such as (in alphabetical order) Glamour
Boutique or Studio Lites. Possibly even Dress Barn.
Most likely happening might be a fashion show as an add-on
to an open house session.
More elaborate might be a luncheon show or a cocktail show.
3. Formal/upscale/ball/whatever. Several similar suggestions
here. When the idea was first bounced off me, which happened
at DLV, I envisioned kind of a cabaret type thing, a mixer
with drinks and Quality Social Time at first, a dinner, and
then some kind of entertainment, possibly followed by more
QST.
The intent was to have an upscale affair, an overall other
than informal evening in dress, in food, in entertainment.
Along with the original idea, some challenges were presented,
such as where this would happen, and, more importantly, the
finances involved.
There were multiple suggestions along this line on the survey,
but I don't think the suggestions were an orchestrated effort.
Many of our people like to dress up, when and where appropriate,
and this reflects that desire.
All of these activities are still in the "Coffee Cup" stage
right now, and in order for them to happen, somebody here has
to speak up and say "I VOLUNTEER" for each of them. Those who
volunteer will, of course, be the ones who shape the activities
into what they want them to be.
Note to all (yes, you): Do we hear "I VOLUNTEER" for any of these?
. . .
Now allow me to circle back on these with respect to both your
"convention" concern and also with respect to the ongoing
mainstream vs. alternative discussion.
1. Costume party. Yes, costume parties have happened at the TG
conventions. No, I don't believe that having one will push DLV
down the proverbial slippery slope of live infomercials and
rubber chickens.
As for a venue, it will most likely have to occur in a venue
that's on the alternative side of that mainstream/alternative
chasm, just due to the nature of the activity.
2. Fashion show. Again, TG conventions had fashion shows even
prior to FanFair! And again, having a fashion show does not
push us toward keynotes and a Miss DLV Pageant.
As for the venue, I can see it either being at one of the
vendors' locations, or at a restaurant (for a luncheon show)
or at a lounge (for a cocktail show). Again, such an activity
will most likely not happen in the general public spotlight.
3. Upscale/glamour thing. Yes, the conventions will typically
have big dress-up affairs. I daresay that for most of the
attendees, the opportunity to dress is the main reason for
attending the mainline conventions, far more so than for DLV.
There was a comment that DLV has become more casual in dress,
which it has. We also had quite a few "downscale" activities,
on both sides of the Divide.
I don't think we have a shortage of activities at which it's
appropriate to dress up. (Just as I don't think we have a
shortage of activities in mainstream venues.)
This calling I hear is for something where dressing up is to
be expected, as opposed to just being permitted.
An upscale dress-up affair could be mainstream or could be
alternative. Again, Blyss could have been a great venue for
a dress-up evening, but ...
If Elvis' should re-open at the Blyss location, I have a
feeling that it will be somewhat downscale from what Blyss
was and would fail to satisfy the desired upscale criteria
for such an activity.
Such an affair could be small or large. We could put an upscale
and dress-up spin on one of our big gatherings. It could also be
a more intimate affair.
Now, will having one upscale dress-up activity send us down
the road to becoming a convention? No more than having NSD
sends us down the road to becoming a non-stop orgy! :)
. . . . .
Joan writes:
>>+We need a shooting match!
>I know someone who works at an indoor shooting range who might
>be able to help.
Can you please get us some contact information? I know that Gina
and Aiko (among others) are interested in making this happen.
. . .
>>+It would be nice to have an expression meeting on the better
>>+understanding of the different TG cultures.
>>All this needs is for somebody (like you, yes, YOU) to "adopt"
>>this and make it happen. :)
>Good idea.
. . .
>>+How about a Cirque show?
>>Show fans? How about it? :)
>Cirque shows in LV.
>Mystere at Treasure Island
>O at Bellagio
>KA at MGM Grand
>Zumanity at New York New York
>Love the The Mirage
>NEW SHOW: Criss Angel Believe, at Luxor, opening September 2008.
. . .
>>+Burlesque nite,
>Check out Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce at Mandalay Place.
. . .
>>+What about Magic shows?, there were none on the DLV list
>>+this year.
>Criss Angel Believe at Luxor beginning September 2008
>Lance Burton at Monte Carlo
>Anthony Cools at Paris
>Amazing Johnathan at the Harmon Theater
I think our selection of shows this year, one big one and one
smaller one, worked very well.
A Cirque production could either be our Big Show of the week,
with a magic show as an option one night, or one could be a
"Theater Night" smaller thing, with a magician headliner such
as Lance Burton being our Big Show.
. . .
>>Venue selection for maximum-attendance things is critical to
>>getting an optimal turnout. We can't force hardcore mainstream
>>IMAO, Blue Ox is a perfect venue for this. I think Alexis Park
>>has possibilities, assuming the management is realistic about
>>things.
>Blue Ox was OK, but I must admit it was kind of cramped and the food
>was kind of mediocre. I was also concerned about them running out of
>food.
I think the smaller size of Blue Ox worked to our advantage in that
it facilitated mingling. They assured us that they could handle
"over 100" with a licensed capacity of close to 200. Using the
"Never rent a hall that you can't fill" criteria, it worked well.
As for the food, at first I thought it was kind of a hodge-podge
with no theme, but it worked. I enjoyed it, there was enough variety
for most picky eaters, and the acid test was the lack of any outspoken
complaints on the survey, such as what we got from Suede in 2007.
The evening rated highly on both the enjoyment and comfort scales,
so there's no question that this was a success overall.
>I was really impressed with Alexis Park. As we grow, I think we need
>larger and more expansive (not crowded) facilities with track records
>for dealing with large groups.
I think Alexis Park will work for a larger bar activity, or for a
dinner activity which can be accommodated in the main restaurant
area. These constitute a venue which is "mainstream enough" for
those who are concerned about it and "safe enough" for those who
are new or uneasy appearing in public.
It's also somewhat upscale from many of our other venues.
The subject of a rented room at Alexis Park seems to come up
with respect to several different things, and I think that's
an area which can get tricky, expensive, or both, along with
other issues, such as some perceiving it as too closeted.
. . .
>>I am starting to hear comments about Bahama Breeze becoming
>>repetitive. Any thoughts on this?
>I think Bahama Breeze, as nice as it is, is becoming played out. I
>think we're also outgrowing it.
Bahama Breeze has stated that they can accommodate "well over 100"
easily. The area they had us in this year was smaller than the
area we had in 2007 and we also had a larger crowd than in 2007,
so it was obviously more crowded.
The thing I like about Bahama Breeze is that they allow even the
largest groups to order right off the regular menu. This kills
much griping about food selection, but this year I did hear that
some did not find anything there to their liking and therefore
planned to socialize there and eat elsewhere.
. . .
>>+If possible to have a formal event with a banquet style meal and
>>+entertainment.
>>I think it would be a Good Thing if we could do some kind of a
>>dress-up maximum-attendance thing. To get our optimum turnout, we
>>would probably have to have "nice casual at minimum" dress for
>I think we should keep it business casual at a minimum. Some are
>probably not inclined to dress up so much. We want to reasonably
>attract the largest audience.
It depends.
If it's intended to be one of our maximum-turnout things, we do
have to give some leeway in dress in order to maximize attendance,
but if it's one option on a multi-track evening, it could be
designated "black tie" and those who didn't want to dress up
could have other options.
>>The only question is where. :) Ideas?
>Not sure of a specific location yet, but I think we need to look at
>places that can comfortably accommodate 150 or more at one time.
I don't think we will have to worry about accommodating a crowd of
150 for a few more years at our current growth rate.
The largest crowd we see at any activity is determined by the
number of our people actually in town at the time (which tends to
run 70%-ish) and the number of our in-town people who will actually
show for our larger activities (which again is 70%-ish). This comes
to about 56% of our total overall headcount. We'll have to hit a
total headcount of 250 or so before we'll start seeing 150 or more
in one place at one time.
Now as far as what we can expect next year, my hunch is that we
will see slightly less of a total headcount than we saw this year
in 2008.
Why?
Two reasons, really.
1. Natural variance. The headcount of 175 appeared to be a spike
and not a trend. We've seen one year-to-year decrease already in
our history.
2. General state of the economy. Higher fuel prices, higher air
fares, more of our potential attendees out of work, other
priorities for what would have been disposable income, etc.
Slight mitigating factor might be lower hotel rates, which they
(the ubiquitous "they") are predicting for next year.
. . . . .
Jamie (Renae) writes:
>As far as the "Voting List" is concerned Jamie lives in
>Arkansas, Ar. Not Alaska, Ak.
Uh, well, {blush} I should know that, maybe I'm just going
prematurely blonde or something. :)
>I am also willing to do an English Tea again in 2009.
Thanks, Jamie. We've got it noted although we won't seed the
activity database until the dates are voted upon.
>You might consider using Jamie Renae, in case any other Jamie's
>come on board.
True, Jamie seems to be a fairly common name. I'll change you
on the electorate list.
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Timeframe discussion:
Susan writes:
>I think that the last week in April works best.
>But why either or? Why not run from Sun. to Sat.
Because we don't have the total volunteer resources available
at this time to provide a full and rich seven-day schedule of
activities.
We did fairly well this year, as far as filling six days with
quality things, but we did have a couple weaker evenings, such
as Wednesday and Friday, and we scrambling as the DLV dates
approached to fill in the holes.
>Opening dinner could be on Mon. Last dinner on Fri. It would
>accomodate the most people.
>I'm sure that we would come up with some cool things to do on
>Sun. and Sat.
Oh yes, I'm sure we could come up with things to do on that
seventh day.
It's not the Nth+1 day that's the hard part, it's the overall
dilution of the volunteer effort to cover seven days instead
of six that's the killer, and the job of recruiting the
volunteer help and filling the schedule (that's my job this
year, assisted by the other senior volunteers) is directly
impacted by the length of the event.
People are always in favor of a longer and longer DLV. That
call goes silent, however, when we ask those who speak out
for a longer DLV to actively recruit additional volunteer
help! (That's ADDITIONAL, not one more activity from those
who already do multiple things!)
Let's propose the same thing for this year that Aiko and I
proposed last year when this topic came up.
Let's go for an initial 6-day schedule, and if in December or
so, which is long enough in advance to see what our volunteer
response will be but soon enough so that most will not have
made their reservations yet, if the 6-day schedule is fully
covered, with volunteers lined up for the major activities
each evening, then if the group here feels it appropriate, we
can consider voting on a extending to a seventh day, which we
can do with a simple majority vote.
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