From: Diva Las Vegas organizers (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Date: Sat Mar 05 2011 - 08:43:33 CST
In this mailing:
Org List
Thoughts on the Welcome Celebration
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2011 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
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Thoughts on the Welcome Celebration:
Annie writes:
Well, it looks like the word is out, and a bit sooner than I
would have liked. Here's the main portion of the posting in
the Discussion Forum:
+In LV tonight at Firefly, consensus between cashiers, pit bosses,
+managers, that the renovations that are being done now will not be
+complete until end of Aug. They are introducing 7 new restaurants, and
+at this time Firefly is not one of them. According to two employees,
+when they came to work one day Firefly was gone with no good buy.
It appears that it's not just a delay or difficulty with access,
but a total closure.
Anyway, I posted a brief response, and asked all who wish to be
involved in the re-planning to contact us here and work with us
here. Likewise, I would ask all of you to please focus your plans,
comments, and suggestions here, on the ORG list, which is our
official planning medium.
. . . . .
I was hoping to be able to hold this weekend's general mailing
until we had a semi-consensus on which way we were going, but
since the word is out, we'll get a mailing out this weekend,
stating that we do have an issue and that we are considering
our options and working toward a solution, and that yes,
activity sign-up will be delayed.
. . . . .
Thanks to all who have provided input on this. Please keep
those thoughts and suggestions coming, and the sooner the
better, as we do need to keep this on the fast track.
In re-reading all of the material, it appears that we have
three reasonably-strong possibilities, so far presented,
that are workable:
1. The Downtown Cocktail Room, with or without a real meal.
2. Bahama Breeze, same plans, different venue.
3. Blue Ox, same plans, different venue.
None of these appear to be ideal, but I believe all appear
to be workable and potentially successful.
As of this minute and second, I am personally leaning toward
a preference of option 1, the Downtown Cocktail Room, but
we really need to hear Marisa's next report, which will come
later today at the earliest, before we proceed to locking
down any plans.
More comments below ...
. . . . . . . . . .
(Marisa)
>The Downtowncocktailroom just makes appetizers and if you want a
>meal, you hire a caterer, but that means $$$ per person and they
>charge $200/hour room fee for 61-100 people plus $500 for cleaning
>and security deposit.
>I'm planning on stopping in there tomorrow evening to check it out
>if we want to try the WC as a cocktail time before the Beauty Bar
>event, if they will let us just come in and spend about 100 x $15
>(or more) on drinks and apps without the deposit or room fee.
Thanks, Marisa, please let us know what you find out.
I think this is a viable option as long as things can be worked
out where we don't have a "just to walk through the door" charge.
If we could have a catered meal, Firefly food or whatever, I think
it would work if the meal is to be optional, like it was in 2008
and 2009 at the Blue Ox. If a full meal means a non-negotiable
barrier to entry ($$$) then I think DCR's appetizers are the better
option.
They (DCR) will do a dynamite bar business that night, and if we
can get them to work with us and be realistic on room fees and
such, I envision this as being a winner!
>Would the Beauty Bar work for this before karaoke?
I've only been to the Beauty Bar once, but it was my impression
that it would not hold 100 comfortably. On Monday last year, I
would guess that there were 50-some in there total, 35 or so of
whom were DLVers. It was comfortably full at the time.
>The FF on Paradise can't accomodate 100 people and I should limit the
>group size to 20 on the tuesday dining option there .
Ok, thanks. That was my initial thought, and I have never been
in that facility so I do not know the capacity.
>IMAO if we need to have the large group dining event, I could do
>with the BB twice and the music volume should be turning down some
>though.
I, personally, do not mind Bahama Breeze, but I do know that
we've had comments that some do not care for the food. We will,
of course, find that situation anywhere. There's also the
duplication issue. Not a mortal sin by any means, but one of
the factors to be considered.
It's my impression that Bahama Breeze does not have entertainment
on the slower weekdays, so concern about loudness should not be
an issue. Of course, if we should get stuck in another room and
not the Gazebo Room, the entertainment volume is a moot issue.
Please let us know about your discussions with the DCR folks. :)
. . . . . . . . . .
(Rosada)
>What about the Blue Ox? I think that is the correct name. Is
>that an option for us this late in the game?
Blue Ox worked very well in 2008 and 2009, but unfortunately
the location we used was a victim of the Great Recession and
is no longer in business.
There are three other Blue Ox locations in the area. We did
consider the one on west Sahara last year, but after some
thought, the manager there did not believe that they could
handle up to 100. They did invite us there for smaller group
things, so I know it was not the nature of our group that
was the issue.
Nora reported of another Blue Ox on Eastern, I think, maybe
it was Pecos, one of those main drags east of the Strip,
that would have room.
It might work if they have room for us that night. Of course
there's the issue of distance, and I'm sure there would be
the concerns about it being downscale from the two other
options (DCR and BB).
. . . . . . . . . .
(Cynthia)
>Oh, by the way, has anyone ever thought about or checked into
>the possibility of "The Artisan" as a venue for our opener??
>It's just a short hop west down Sahara and should have more
>than enough room for all of us on a Monday night.
I've never been to the Artisan. I've heard good and bad things
about it.
All: Any comments about the Artisan from people who have been
there in the recent past?
Here are my thoughts about it, based upon what I know and do
not know about it:
First, it's difficult to get to. Even with explicit turn-by-turn
directions, map, and GPS, it's easy to miss it. The address is
on Sahara, but in reality it's in that enclave off of Sahara to
the east of I-15.
Last I heard there was no self parking. Mandatory valet parking,
which a number of our people are too shy to use.
Has anyone eaten there recently? How are they riding out the
recession? Do they appear to be stable? I know that they did
get spanked by the TLA for health code violations a while back
and also had some staff/management turnover issues.
We had a lunch there in 2009 which scored only 3.26 on the
enjoyment scale. Granted that this still shows that more
enjoyed it than disliked it, but that number is definitely
out of cluster and was one of our lowest-rated activities,
enjoyment-wise, in 2009. Was anyone present at that lunch
who can explain reasons for the lower rating?
Can anybody refute (refudiate?) the concerns I have about
the Artisan?
. . . . . . . . . .
Sabrina writes:
>Hi, Its Sabrina, Beverly, I had the same thought dear about
>Bahama Breeze. Its known, I know I have had a good time there
>in the past. I liked the entertainment we had last year there,
>and perhaps we could all go somewhere fab afterwards for our
>group picture.
Of all of the options presented, I agree that Bahama Breeze
is viable, even considering the duplication.
IMAO, the group photo needs to be a secondary consideration.
If we get the Gazebo Room, either for the opener or for the
closer, that would work for a photo, and we could even decide
to do it in real time at one or the other or both activities.
>Maybe Paris afterwards.
We already have one strong after-opener option, that being
the Beauty Bar. Beauty Bar can't hold all of us, so if you
or someone wants to host(ess) a second track thing at Paris,
it could work. However, if you're thinking of the Cabaret
Lounge, IIRC they only have a deejay on weekdays. No band.
. . . . . . . . . .
(Cynthia)
>I do think the Downtown Coctkail Room is just a fantastic venue
>if it can be arranged, it is soooo lovely and comfortable inside
I really think this is our strongest option, with or without a
full meal.
It's unquestionably classy and unquestionably mainstream. I also
get the impression that it's secluded enough for our newer people
to feel comfortable, but not so much that our most vocal mainstream
afficianados will feel claustrophobic.
>It sound like the negotiations may get a little hairy but if
>anyone can work it out, Marisa can. This is really a grand
>opportunity to reverse a stroke of bad luck into a great new
>turn of good fortune. There's a silver lining and a rainbow
>in there somewhere.
Yes, Marisa is one of our go-getters and I shiver with antici ...
(say it!) PATION at her report on this.
. . . . . . . . . .
(Alanna)
>I would think having two events {Welcome Celebration and Closing
>Bash} at the same venue is a bad idea, esp in a town like Vegas
>that has so much to offer.
I had dinner with Ginger last night (she definitely does not
like the Omaha weather) and we discussed the situation briefly.
The two of us agree that there should be many places that will
be willing to take our money.
The issue is finding that special place and agreeing on it.
Most places have one-size-fits-all group solutions, and many of
those solutions simply don't work with a group with very unique
needs, desires, and peccadillos as we have.
Bahama Breeze, even though they do have those one-size-fits-all
options, seems to be willing to work with us in arranging
things that our group wants.
>It is also nice that this event is held downtown in contrast to
>so much time spent on the strip.
I agree that downtown does offer a variety and that's a Good
Thing for our group. :)
>I will be there cover or no cover so I won't comment on that issue.
I will be there too, but like it or not and call it whatever you
may, that "just to walk through the door" charge will hurt our
turnout.
. . . . . . . . . .
(Marilyn)
>Assuming we get the 'garden' room, I'm okay with Bahama Breeze,
>though it might be to mainstream for newcomers.
Yes, and I do agree that Bahama Breeze is more scary for the
newly-out. I think that's one reason it works best toward the
end of the week, when the newbees are more comfortable.
If we go with this option, we'll need to pay particular
attention to hospitality. The plannes carpool and escort from
the Beginner Open House will help, as would a DLV greeter right
at the main BB entrance. The offer of individual escorts from a
vehicle to the activity might also be in order.
. . . . . . . . . .
(Jill)
>I have only been to two DLV. But the thing I liked about the
>opening functions on Monday nights was the lack of formality.
>That is the ability to get up and buterfly around. We did not
>have to be taken in order by a waitress. The first bar was
>catered and you ate whenever you wanted. At flyfly you just
>called the server over when you were ready.
A venue which is conducive to circulating and mingling is
essential for our opener. That's why the Blue Ox worked so
well. It had seats, but seat vacancies were often not very
obvious. :)
. . . . . . . . . .
(Bob)
>I think that parking could be an issue. There is only so
>much street parking, although there is a parking garage
>about a block away.
Parking is an issue, and the parking situation downtown needs
to be considered along with all other factors. In many cases,
downtown is paid parking. I sure don't know if DCR and/or
Beauty Bar have any validation arrangements with any of the
public or private lots, but it might be something to look
into.
. . . . . . . . . .
(Sara)
>107 at Stratosphere isn't on the list yet. Might that be an option?
I have far more questions than I have answers on this one.
Can Level 107 hold 100 people?
Are reasonably-priced drinks available?
Is there any cover or tower-entry charge?
Is there still a security checkpoint at the elevator? Things
like that tend to spook some of our people.
Personally, I have never been up in that tower, knowing that
I would feel uneasy up there. That's my problem, not anyone
else's and if we have the WC up there I'll probably just
suck it up and do it, but I know I'll be eager to get down
on terra firma! Would the height deter (in reality or just
an excuse) any number of our people?
. . . . . . . . . . .
Further comments, gang?
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Administrivia:
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Diva Las Vegas 2011
April 3 - 8, 2011
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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