From: Diva Las Vegas organizers (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Date: Wed Jan 13 2010 - 05:53:28 CST
In this mailing:
Org List
Moving forward
Downgrading not an option
Pity Party thoughts
Rantings of an Old Woman
Alexis Park NOT
Ending thoughts
Working schedule
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2010 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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moving forward:
Who will be 100? :)
We're now sitting at 97 validated attendees. :)
Will we break 100 before newcomer registration opens?
. . . . .
Decisions to make:
Please continue to discuss plans for the ending activities,
and please focus on specific plans.
I really don't see anything of controversy here, there
should be no reason to raise any angst among us in any
form! We have a job to do, and we need to focus on it.
Everyone's opinion is valid, out of the box thinking is
encouraged. Everyone should speak (type) freely. :)
Most of the suggestions which have come in seem to keep
circling back to the Italian American Club in one way or
another. I think we need to either move forward with plans
for this (some kind of ending get-together at the IAC), if
we're to go with it, or abdicate totally and remove anything
that's hanging.
To try to digest things into some concise questions which
we can answer in general terms, we have some major questions
which need an answer to allow us to move forward:
1. Do we want to keep the Italian American Club plan, for
better or for worse, at the $55-ish-plus price point, food
included, as the featured activity (Pity Party or not) for
Friday evening? This is a question regarding the venue and
the price point for an ending activity, any activity.
Yes? No?
Comments?
2. Do we want to include the Pity Party as a combined
activity with the ending Formal/Mixer/whatever, or spin
it off as a stand-alone activity, in whatever venue?
I'm asking this to all, not just Pity Party fans.
. . . . .
As a clarification ...
The topic of the weather in the last ORG mailing was brought
up only as an incidental data point since it's a recurring
theme here and it appeared as a daily spa^H^H^Hnotice sent
out from Las Vegas Advisor to their members and subscribers.
There was no intent to re-visit the DLV 2010 timeframe. There
certainly was no aim to move DLV 2010 to May! :) Sorry for
any misunderstandings here.
The timeframe for DLV 2010 is set in stone. The topic has
long been closed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Downgrading not an option:
Nora writes (first-person, no quoting):
>What if we had a simple menu spaghetti/meat balls or ravioli
>salad along with the Pity Party/Formal, could the price
>breakpoint at $40 not impact attendance negatively?
When the cost of the formal was proposed it included items
other than food. From what I understand the club has numerous
costs which are included in the fee. These include set up
charges,insurance, staffing etc. There is also a charge for
the disc Jockey which I believe is a few hundred dollars.
A change from the original "premium" food selection and
the proposed "pasta" menu would not result in much of a
savings. definitely not the 20 - 25 dollar difference
between the original 60- 65 dollars and the 40 dollar
cost that was suggested.
The food selection is only one, and a relatively minor
factor in the formulation of a price for an event.
In addition it is my feeling that even if it was possible
to offer a pasta only menu there would be complaints about
the quality of the food.
>From what I can determine the suggestion would not be
possible.
. . . . .
Thanks, Nora.
Gang, it appears that if we use the Italian American Club
for anything, the use of the facility will be bundled with
food and other services, holding the price point at $55 or
more per person. This appears to be a bottom-dollar figure
if we use the IAC for anything which has been proposed.
In light of this, I don't think we can propose anything at
the IAC which will not have a mandatory $55+ entrance fee.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pity Party thoughts:
Jennifer writes:
>Hi Girls,
Hewwo :)
>Those of us that work the pity party drag show (or
>"trangender showcase" as I would rather call it) want
>the org committee to keep in mind the need for a place
>to perform the show at the pity party.
>Several of us expressed delight when the Italian American
>Club was nominated. The real stage at the I/A club would
>solve a host of our problems: seating, sound, lights,
>changing rooms, dance floor.
>In the past we have made-do with what ever was available.
>It would be great to do it right!
Pity Party fans, any further comments?
Just keep in mind that the Italian-American Club is turning
out to be a high-priced venue. It apparently comes bundled
with food and other services. (See Nora's note above.)
If you have the Pity Party, stand-alone or combined with
any other activity, at the IAC, it will be $55-ish or more
per person "just to walk through the door", so please consider
this.
>Love all you girls for what you do,
Thank you. :)
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Rantings of an Old Woman:
Holly writes:
>I am a bit frustrated so I will apologize in advance if
>some of the things I am about to say are found to be
>offensive or objectionable... sorry.
>Let me start by addressing the Ending Event (or in this
>case, the lack thereof, so far). One of the things that
>the founders of DLV and subsequently those of us who have
>joined in along the way, envisioned is the uniqueness of
>this event.
>Rejecting the convention format and emphasizing opportunities
>to interact socially not only with one another but with John
>and Jane Q. Public was a stroke of genius.
>But even in the relatively short time I have participated in
>DLV and helped out with organizing (5 years now), I'm sensing
>a floundering of direction.
>I think some others have as well, as we have instituted the
>Hotel Hostess program this year to try to increase the points
>of contact with the organization by the participants and
>provide additional opportunity for participants to network
>with one another.
>My understanding of the maximum attendance events was that
>they were to provide an opportunity for the greatest number
>of people to get together in one place at one time and
>enjoy each others company. And because not all participants
>attend DLV from beginning to end, it has been a standing
>practice for some time now to have one event at the
>beginning of DLV week and another near the end. I think that
>is a good model on which to build. Am I not getting it?
You are "getting it" quite well.
One of our former volunteers (who is now heading up the
volunteer force of another highly-successful TG event)
used the term "Quality Social Time" to refer to the
larger activities where the theme was to do just that,
socialize. This is really the emphasis of the maximum-
attendance activities we host(ess).
You are also correct in that we want to keep DLV unique
and there is considerable intertia to keep it "as
un-convention-like as possible" from several perspectives.
The original basis for this is that we do not want to
simply replicate what's already available at many other
events several times per year.
>It is a time of bonding and acceptance that many of our
>sisters (and brothers) have none of when they are home.
>It's a time when SO's, many of them feeling like they are
>in the closet with their partners, can engage a larger
>segment of the community and catch perspectives not
>available to them in their one-on-one relationship with
>their respective partner.
>And it's a time when we can all celebrate ourselves as
>ourselves. So to that end, here's my suggestion... let's
>drop the Pity Party from the ending event and make it a
>night of recognition of who we are and what we do.
>The Pity Party can (and has) function as it's own stand
>alone event. Make the ending a gala awards event in which
>we celebrate ourselves. Some of the things that could be
>done is each organizer could award one of their participants
>an award for outstanding participation, Big Sisters could
>award their respective Little Sisters an award for becoming
>independent (just thinking out loud... I'm sure better
>wording can be thought of), the organizers could be recognized
>and awarded for the work that they do, one event could be
>awarded the DLV Event of the Year by popular ballot (secret,
>of course) by those members present, and so on. The awards
>themselves could be certificates or some other inexpensive
>memento the recipients can take with them.
>Persons wanting to be part of the entertainment could
>volunteer to lip-sync something or Karaoke is another
>possibility. I am suggesting that this be a food event
>and that it be held at the Italian-American if Amy is
>still willing to work with them on our behalf.
>As for the food itself, I don't think spaghetti is an
>appropriate dish to be serving at a formal affair. It
>should be something nicer than that. One alternative I
>suppose would be to provide Hors D'oeuvres and dessert
>as opposed to a full sit down meal. Plan the Awards
>function for 9PMish and each person have dinner on their
>own or in groups prior to coming.
Thanks, Holly. Gang, we need comments on this idea.
If I'm hearing you correctly, you're proposing that we:
1. Unbundle the Pity Party from the Ending Formal.
2. Retain the overall Italian-American club proposal, as
presented by Amy, with food included, as our Ending Formal.
3. Adopt the theme of "Awards Banquet" for the Ending Formal.
Is this what you are proposing? Just want to be sure I'm
hearing what you're saying. :)
I have some thoughts and concerns about this. First and
foremost is the $55-ish-plus price point "just to walk
through the door" if the Italian-American Club is used.
This will impact attendance, as has been previously
discussed, and evidence presented. IMAO, Quality Social
Time needs to be the primary objective of the ending
get-together, and that cannot be achieved without a
significantly-optimal turnout.
I'm not at all opposed to awards, when appropriate, but
speaking very freely, the "Awards Banquet" is about as
"convention-ish" as can be! It's a staple at many of the
mainline TG conventions. Is this what we want to do?
Comments, gang?
Plus, if we add entertainment such as lip-syncing, Karaoke
and the like to the program, we end up with something that
is very close to, yes, the Pity Party. Almost full-circle. :)
According to Nora's note, a simplified menu ("horses de
ovaries", desserts, etc.), even if it could be arranged,
would have minimal effect on the price point.
>I would also suggest rearranging the schedule and have the
>ending event on THURSDAY instead of Friday. This is to fit
>into the reasoning of having DLV Sunday-Friday this year,
This is where we may run into some issues.
I'm not sure just how "in stone" the arrangements with CR
are at this time regarding the Thursday the 22nd. NSD plans,
but I very seriously doubt if they (CR) would want to swap
evenings and have NSD at their location on a Friday, which
is typically one of their most busy nights.
This means if we move the Ending Bash (whatever it may end
up being) to Thursday, we displace NSD to an evening other
than Friday, which means something else is displaced and we
end up with a "grand reshuffling" of evening schedules,
which in the past has been very messy. I can see several
issues involved with displacing any of the other evening's
plans.
>As I recall, the object was to schedule it so that
>participants would not have to arrange accommodations on
>the more expensive weekends. It would be inconvenient at
>the very least to try and get ready for a formal event when
>you have to be checked out of your room by noon.
Yes, one consideration of our Sunday-Friday timeframe was
to mitigate to some extent the mass exodus which has
occurred just prior to the weekend due to higher room rates.
It does allow full participation on weekday room rates if
hotel check-out occurs on Friday. Some may be willing to do
this, others may choose to bail Friday rather than pay the
higher price for a Friday evening stay. These individuals
will then miss only one DLV evening, as opposed to two with
an ending on Saturday.
>Okay... have at it :o).
My main comment is that we seem to keep circling back to the
Italian American Club idea, with some kind of self-provided
program or entertainment, whether or not we use the term
"Pity Party" to describe that part of the program.
Is this what we want to do as the feature activity of the
ending evening?
Do we want to move the ending bash to Thursday, and find
another timeslot for NSD? Is the reshuffling of evening
activities a can of worms which we want to open?
Comments, please.
. . . . .
>A few comments about the Hard Rock Cafe (HRC), strip location.
>My wife and I had lunch there last month. I must say the
>facility is impressive... high tech sound systems, touch
>screens all over the place, and plenty of memorabilia to keep
>someone occupied for hours.
I was able to visit the new HRC one evening on a quick in-out
trip just prior to the holidays.
>But I have to say, the parking is horrible. The entrance is
>off of Las Vegas Boulevard (strike one). You have to go up a
>rather steep driveway to get into the structure as the parking
>starts on the 2nd level. The structure supports parking for
>several businesses in the area, including a multi-screen theater.
>Parking is $3.00, no validation. We wound up of the fourth level.
>The signage is poor and nowhere is the HRC mentioned in the
>structure or elevators. We took the elevator down to the main
>level and found ourselves near the entrance to the theater
>which is on the side of the building. We had to walk around
>the side of the building (no sidewalk) to get to the front and
>the entrance to the HRC. We found out from staff at the HRC that
>there is no access to the business directly from the parking
>tructure without either walking around the building (as my wife
>and I did) or walking down the steep driveway we entered in
>from. Those with physical challenges will not find this friendly
>(strike two).
I admit that parking in that area sucks! I was hoping that the
new HRC had valet parking, as HRC in Chicago does, but it does
not look like it.
We valet parked at MGM and walked, knowing that part of the
Strip would be slow and sloppy. IMAO, this may be the best
option for those who will be driving.
I really don't know anything we can do about parking, for
that particular activity or any other activities we have
on the south Strip. :(
>My wife and I had lunch and were treated very nicely. Lunch
>for two with no alcohol was a little over $45. Add tip and
>you are past half a C-note. There is no hamburger on the menu
>under $10. I had no issues using the restroom in the main
>dining room.
>Overall, the experience was pleasant enough but I would have
>to think twice about going again.
I was actually impressed with the HRC. The group I was with
had a few drinks at the bar on the second level and then got
a booth and pigged out and had too many more drinks. :)
Here are a couple shots of parts of the interior I took
while I was still somewhat lucid:
http://i49.tinypic.com/e1f62u.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/5d1bo9.jpg
I also took a few night shots on the balcony which overlooks
the Strip.
I had a fun time (too much, actually, and really felt it the
next moring when getting up early to make the flight). One
thing I noticed was that even though the music was prominent,
it was less "mid-rangey" than I had expected and it was
actually very easy to converse, both at the bar and in
the booth.
>One thing for certain, I would give serious consideration
>to using public transportation (taxi) and leaving the
>vehicle parked at the hotel.
I would agree. All of our suggested hotels have Monorail
connections and the HRC is a semi-easy walk from the MGM
Monorail station. In fact, HRC is not that bad a walk from
Paris. That portion of the Strip is a total cluster{f-bomb}
for driving!
It might be good to be sure that sharing of rides is
organized and emphasized at the Monday hotel get-togethers.
Hmmmm ... would City Center be an option for parking? (I
don't know, I'm asking. Anyone familiar with it?) It may
have a sneak route around the back.
In any case, we should probably post very explicit parking
instructions and transportation instructions on the final
schedule in the LFM.
>I did check out the third floor where we will be having our
>welcome event. It's huge with several smaller rooms off to
>the sides. It looks as if it is set up primarily for
>entertainment (which in truth, it is) or presentations
>with areas for breakout sessions.
I did not venture to the third level. I assume it's right
upstairs from the reception podium by the bar. I thought of
checking it out, but it just never happened that evening. :)
>The question I have, after visiting the HRC, is are we having
>the welcome event there because it shows the world DLV "has
>arrived" or because it's the best facility to accomplish our
>goal?
I would say both.
I can't think of a better place for our opening mixer! The
venue itself is a drawing card. The facility exudes class!
Our mainstream afficianados cannot possibly say that the HRC
is "not mainstream enough", while the semi-private facility
on the third floor offers a degree of comfort to those who
are just taking their first steps out.
I wouldn't use the term "show the world that DLV has arrived"
but more like "show our attendees that DLV has arrived!" :)
>I'm not trying to be divisive here and Susan is to be
>applauded for her work and generosity. I just wondering if
>this facility is a bit too mainstream and has too many
>distractions that would discourage social interaction in a
>large group? I can see it as an upscale dining out option,
>easily.
>Please throw soft stones.
Well, the only soft stone I will throw is that the HRC
opening mixer, for 2010 at least, is a Done Deal. Suzane
was given the go-ahead to "pull the trigger" some time
ago, so unless something totally unforseen (HRC burns down,
financing falls through, etc.) happens, we will not be
reconsidering Monday evening's plans. The proposal for the
activity passed with very little opposition. We need to
support this activity, as we will support the ending
festivities when they are solid.
We need to focus our attention and our energy, as you
have above, on our ending evening's plans.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alexis Park NOT:
Nora writes:
>>Alexis Park? [bobbitt] should we want to go down that road.
>Let's eliminate the Alexis park before it is even considered.
Ok, as Emily Litella would say ... Never Mind<tm>. :)
>Originally, (a few years ago ) when I approached the Alexis
>park to discuss using their restaurant for opening night
>they tentatively agreed but were noticeable hesitant. They
>tried to push using their catering facilities which charged
>five hundred to a thousand dollars up front. On top of this
>the price of a dinner would run from 40 to 50 dollars.
>The finally agreed to use of their restaurant. After several
>weeks and being unable to contact the restaurant manager and
>other officials of the hotel it was obvious to me that they
>did not want us there.
>Recently I tried to go to dinner at the Alexis park restaurant.
>It was closed when I arrived and I was told that they were
>closed because of lack of business. The closing was on a day
>to day basis. I was told they would be open the next day.
>Curious about this I returned the next day and the day after
>only to find it still closed. This took place on Thanksgiving
>week which many restaurants rely on for large volume of diners.
Thanks, Nora.
It looks like Alexis Park is not one of our best options, or
even a serious option at all.
As I look on the Big List, Alexis Park is already yellow-light,
and I'm going to add a "possible irregular hours' note to it as
a heads-up.
I'm wondering if Alexis Park has a cash flow issue?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ending thoughts:
Kathy writes:
>hi
>my comment to the last event on fri as i hear it is no deal an
>well not be. some the places that was ideas ONLY would take max
>about 50-70 people an that is with there costomers to the german
>res is 50 dollars a person an maybe 40 people. a lot of ideas but
>not thought though.
>an as for CHEAP has the event at mcdonalds or wendys some
>people save up to have a good time an enjoy doing thing they
>other words would not do other places. as of now you have no
>finale event an lest that 3 months to pull some thing out of
>you now.
>the people here now what is an were is an they cant make
>head way.
>to bad only 2-3 people deside for 150 people sorry i just
>have to say being CHEAP is ok but cant get things FOR FREE.
Let's please clarify one thing, and that is the number of
people involved in the decision-making process here. We do
not ever have only 2-3 people making decisions.
There are currently 31 people of voting status, those who
have the final say in things we can't decide by consensus.
We have over 80 ORG members, a high ratio of volunteers
to attendees when compared to other TG events. All 80-
some have a voice in the process and many do choose to
be heard.
Now let's talk about being cheap. Yes, we have a few of
us who are downright cheap! Yes, we do. That's a fact of
life. We also have attendees who, while not "cheap", are
of modest means and do not have a bottomless pocketbook.
We do have some of significant means who choose to spend
their money cautiously.
When planning a maximum-attendance DLV activity, we need
to consider, among other things, the spending patterns
of our attendees when making decisions such as "where",
"how much", etc.
You also bring up the issue of urgency. While we can't
let things drag on for several weeks, we need to think this
item through and make some carefully thought out plans. We
want everyone who has something to say to have their say,
and we need to consider all options and this may take a
while.
For those who feel a need to move things along faster
than they are, please feel free to submit very explicit
suggestions and plans. That's the way to speed things up.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working schedule:
Diva Las Vegas 2010 schedule
Tentative and subject to change
All times Pacific Daylight Time
Sunday, April 18:
0:01am: Rocky Horror Picture Show (Onyx Theater) - sv
10:00am: Religious services (Metropolitan Community Church) - sv
2:00pm: Studio Lites Open House (Studio Lites) - mv
6:00pm: Happy Hour options (various)
6:00pm: Irish Pub Happy Hour (McMullan's) - ms
7:00pm: Dinner options (Various)
7:00pm: Irish Pub Dinner (McMullan's) - ms
9:00pm: After-dinner common gathering (TBA) - mv
Monday, April 19:
10:30am: Makeover Tips with Stacey (Bare Escentuals) - mv
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (TBA) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (See notes) - sv
6:00pm: Happy Hour (Hard Rock Cafe Strip) - mv
7:00pm: Dinner (Hard Rock Cafe Strip) - mv
8:00pm: Welcome Meet and Greet (Hard Rock Cafe Strip) - mv
Tuesday, April 20:
8:00am: Diva Las Vegas Invitational Golf (Desert Rose) - ms
10:30am: Makeover Tips with Stacey (Bare Escentuals) - mv
1:00pm: Lunch With Mary Beth (TBA) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (See notes) - sv
7:00pm: Murder Mystery Interactive Dinner-Theater (tba) - sv
7:00pm: Eating Out Night (Various)
7:00pm: Milano's option (Milano's) - mv
7:00pm: Joe's option (Joe's Crab and Steak) - ms
8:30pm: Mainstream-Alternative Night (Various)
8:30pm: Pub Crawl (TBA) - sv
9:00pm: Viva Elvis show (Aria - City Center) - ms
9:30pm: Divas - Frank Marino Show (Imperial Palace) - ms
Wednesday, April 21:
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (TBA) - ms
2:00pm: SO and Partners Get-together (TBA) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (See notes) - sv
6:00pm: Quiet Evening At Home HH and Dinner (See notes) - sv
6:00pm: Happy Hour (Trevi) - ms
7:00pm: Dinner (Trevi) - ms
8:00pm: Pajama Party (See notes) - sv
9:30pm: Limousine Tour (TBA) - ms
Thursday, April 22:
2:00am: Charles Bar (Bellagio) - ms
11:00am: Glamour Boutique Open House (Glamour Boutique) - sv
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (TBA) - ms
5:00pm: Night Of The Soiled Doves (CR) - mv
6:00pm: Local Happy Hour (TBA) - ms
7:00pm: Local Dinner (TBA) - ms
11:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris) - ms
Friday, April 23:
9:00am: Pistol/rifle shooting (TBA) - ms
1:00pm: Lunch With Kimberly (TBA) - ms
2:00pm: Walk off your lunch (TBA) - ms
3:00pm: High Tea (TBA) - ms
11:00pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris) - ms
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrivia:
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Diva Las Vegas 2010
April 18 - 23, 2010
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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