From: Diva Las Vegas organizers (dlvorg@geekbabe.com)
Date: Tue Mar 08 2011 - 08:01:46 CST
In this mailing:
Org List
A decision to make
Artisan comments and concerns
Working schedule
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
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
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A decision to make:
Thanks to all who have commented so far.
We do need to keep this on the fast track.
Please read the comments below and if anyone has anything to
add or to echo, please do so without delay.
The wind does appear to be blowing in the direction of the
proposal at the Artisan.
Big Burning Question: Do we have a consensus here, or at least
enough of one to declare the Artisan by acclamation? If there
are any objections to this, please speak now, as in immediately,
today. :)
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Artisan comments and concerns:
Marisa writes:
I'm pleasantly surprised!
No room fee, no contract with a minimum purchase or security
deposit.
How many vehicles can the valet accommodate?
Their menu items look really good, I'll eat.
What if at least 75 people don't eat?
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Suzane writes:
This is a wonderful establishment and I have been there SEVERAL
time and have never had a problem!
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Bob writes:
The last I heard was that the restaurant at the Artisan was
expensive and everything was ala carte (separate prices for
each course).
What's the price range?
Not all of us can afford $30-60 per meal.
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Rosada writes:
The Artisan appears to be the better of the two choices to me.
Cynthia is pretty astute. I'm thinking she covered pretty well
all the bases.
Whatever she left to assumption should be clarified though. You
know what they say about "assumptions"!
I would also like to have a general idea of what the food costs
will be, and what is on the short menu and the full menu. Are we
talking appetizers only for the short menu?
. . . . . . . . . . .
Annie writes:
IMAO, the Artisan is clearly the better choice, and to a degree
that it's probably not worth doing a bullet-point comparison.
It's not ideal, but I'm confident that we'll be more than able
to work around the challenges.
Responding to some of Cynthia's talking points here ...
>We will have 100 to 120 attendees through the door and at
>the bar,
Lacking extenuating circumstances, that's a realistic estimate
of total attendance for the evening.
Of course that number also depends on our ability to promote the
affair, and a successful work-around of the transportation and
parking issue.
>and at least 75 diners in the restaurant beginning 6:00pm Monday,
If I were the one doing the negotiating, which I'm not, I would
have used the 50-ish figure as a comfortable minimum. However,
you (Cynthia) are the one doing it. :) :) It's your baby! :)
The 75 or more number is within striking distance, but it really
depends on a number of factors such as getting the people there
and keeping them there, availability of the full menu, what's
on that menu, and as Bob has noted, the price.
Of course, with a "sign-up requested", we'll be able to provide
"well within the ballpark" projections as the day approaches.
>I mentioned to them that many of us may be gone by 10:00pm,
We'll have the Karaoke crowd departing shortly before 10:00pm
but since the Artisan is in an area with few other venues, I
suspect that a portion of the crowd may indeed linger.
>I mentioned to Mr. Lurea that we may purchase more meals given
>a full menu with lots of variety.
Yes, that's a given, and the price is also a determining factor.
The only Artisan menu which I can find with a quick google is
the USmenuguide one, which may or may not be current.
Appetizers are in the $10-13 range. Salads are $7-10-ish.
As for entrees, Italian specialties go in the $14-18 range.
Meat dishes are mid $20s to mid $30s and do include a
vegetable side.
Not cheap by any means, but not outrageous either.
Do they have a current machine-readable menu?
>He stated that he could easily provide that, but with the added
>variety and choices he will have to bring in additional kitchen
>and wait staff and that preparation and service times
>will necessarily be lengthened.
Understood.
We can help out here by encouraging the early birds to order
during the Happy Hour period and suggesting to all that they
order dinner promptly.
>Less variety and choice means shorter prep and service times,
And also fewer meals sold and less to the bottom line of the
venue for the evening. IMAO, we'll most likely get a higher
enjoyment rating on the survey and more of a calling for a
repeat of the affair in subsequent years if we have the full
menu available.
>They flatly stated that they are very comfortable with our
>lifestyle and are most happy to serve us.
That's a big plus and we can emphasize that in our mailings
and promotions of the affair.
>we knew very well how to conduct ourselves among the mainstream
>public, and that our dress standards are strictly enforced.
For this kind of an affair, we'll use the standard verbiage
for suggested dress: "Casual to very dressy or formal, no
costumes, clubwear, or slutty/fetish yadda yadda."
>No mention of restroom usage was brought up or mentioned by
>either negotiating party.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
>I told them that we would like to self-park our vehicles. They
>stated that this may not be possible and that they could only
>offer valet parking at this time.
This is one challenge we'll have to discuss and work around.
>I'm assuming that this is a legal and or traffic code consideration
[munch]
>The parking lot does look smallish.
My guess it's due to limited parking space and their need to
block some vehicles with others and jockey vehicles around in
order to handle their crowds.
They want to offer us Group Rates on hotel rooms, and I told them
[bobbitt]
I'm always skeptical on these Special Group Rates<tm> but once
in the past Nora did manage to pull it off at the former St.
Tropez.
Let's see what they come up with.
As of this morning, Travelocity is quoting $49 per night at the
Artisan for check-in on the 3rd. and check-out on the 8th. That
is a good reference, since Travelocity will usually meet any
lower (on-line) price.
IMAO this is worth pursuing and announcing if and only if they
truly beat the Travelocity price.
>So, that said, they stated that they considered the entire
>affair a "done deal" and that they would look forward to
>serving us at the said date and time. We are in.
IMAO, this is close to a no-brainer. I think the Artisan offerings
and proposal are obviously better than the DCR proposal, and also
better than any of the other options and possibilities which we
have discussed.
We do need to keep this on the fast track, so I think we need
to make a final decision close to immediately and turn you
loose to firm up any loose ends.
>I leave it to you to make your final choice and finalize
>any further details with them.
The final "go" or "no go" is a group decision.
I'm hoping that we have enough of a consensus here that we can
do it by acclamation instead of a vote.
IMAO, the full menu, understanding that service will be slower
at the peak times, is our better option. I'm hoping that we
have a consensus on this as well. If there's dissension here
among the group on this item, it will be your call as the
primary coordinator of record.
You're our official go-between, and when we have a "go" from
the group here, you can begin to work out the picky details
with them.
Thanks again, Cynthia. :)
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Working schedule:
Diva Las Vegas 2011 schedule
Tentative and subject to change
All times Pacific Daylight Time
Sunday, April 3:
11:00am: Religious Services (Metropolitan Community Church) - sv
1:00pm: SO and Partners Champagne Brunch (Stratosphere) - ms
6:00pm: Happy Hour options (various)
6:00pm: Caesars Happy Hour (Caesars) - ms
6:00pm: Paris Happy Hour (Paris) - ms
6:00pm: PT's Happy Hour (PT's Pub Sahara) - ms
6:00pm: Margaritaville Happy Hour (Margaritaville Flamingo) - ms
7:00pm: Dining options (various)
7:00pm: Caesars Buffet Dinner (Caesars) - ms
7:00pm: Mon Ami Gabi dinner (Mon Ami Gabi) - ms
7:00pm: PT's Dinner (PT's Pub Sahara) - ms
7:00pm: Margaritaville Dinner (Margaritaville Flamingo) - ms
8:30pm: After-dinner options (various)
8:30pm: Mainstream Common Gathering (PT's) - ms
8:30pm: Alternative Common Gathering (Crewsn) - sv
9:00pm: Classic Rock N Roll with Bob and Susan (Crewsn) - sv
Monday, April 4:
8:00am: Air Tours (Henderson Executive Airport) - ms
11:00am: Studio Lites Open House (Studio Lites) - sv
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (Stratosphere Buffet) - ms
2:00pm: MAC Makeovers (MAC Town Square) - ms
3:30pm: Beginner Open House (Private suite) - sv
6:00pm: Happy Hour (TBD) - mv
7:00pm: Dinner (TBD) - mv
8:00pm: Welcome Celebration (TBD) - mv
10:00pm: Beauty Bar Karaoke (Beauty Bar) - ms
Tuesday, April 5:
9:00am: Some Like It Hot at Shiloh (Shiloh Horse Ranch) - ms
11:00am: Glamour Boutique Open House (Glamour Boutique) - sv
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (LV Hilton Buffet) - ms
2:00pm: Neon Boneyard Tour (Neon Museum) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (Private suite) - sv
5:00pm: Happy Hour (Chapala's) - ms
5:00pm: Happy Hour (Firefly Paradise) - ms
6:00pm: Mexican Dining (Chapala's) - ms
6:00pm: Firefly Dinner (Firefly Paradise) - ms
7:00pm: Dinner At Home (Private suite) - sv
7:00pm: Terry Fator Show (Mirage) - ms
8:00pm: Erotic Heritage Museum (Erotic Heritage Museum) - mv
9:00pm: Pajama Party (Private suite) - sv
Wednesday, April 6:
8:00am: DLV Invitational Golf (Desert Rose) - ms
9:30am: Bare Escentuals Makeovers (Bare Escentuals) - mv
11:00am: Harmony Nail Spa Gourmet Wine Day (Harmony Nail Spa) - sv
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (Harrahs Buffet) - ms
3:00pm: Beginner Open House (Private suite) - sv
3:00pm: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (Madame Tussauds, Venetian) - ms
5:30pm: Crossdress.com Social (PF Changs) - ms
6:00pm: Happy Hour options (various)
6:00pm: Buffalo Happy Hour (The Buffalo) - sv
6:00pm: PF Changs Happy Hour (PF Changs Planet Hollywood) - ms
6:00pm: Palms Happy Hour (Palms Casino Bar) - ms
6:00pm: Spotlight Happy Hour (Spotlight Lounge) - sv
7:00pm: Eating Out Night (various)
7:00pm: Milano's option (Milano's) - mv
7:00pm: PF Changs option (PF Changs Planet Hollywood) - ms
7:00pm: Palms Bistro Buffet option (Palms) - ms
7:00pm: Namaste Indian option (Namaste Indian Cuisine) - ms
8:00pm: Mainstream-Alternative Night (various)
8:00pm: Fremont Street Experience (Fremont Street) - ms
8:30pm: Alternative Bar Crawl (Buffalo) - sv
9:00pm: Sassy To Classy Nite - Talent Show (Crewsn) - sv
9:30pm: Frank Marino Divas Show (Imperial Palace) - ms
9:45pm: IMAX Movie Night (Brendan Palms IMAX) - ms
11:59pm: Late Night Clubbing (Krave) - sv
Thursday, April 7:
9:00am: Mount Charleston Excursion (Mount Charleston) - ms
9:00am: MAC Makeovers (MAC Town Square) - ms
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (Paris Buffet) - ms
6:00pm: Pre-Limo Happy Hour (Trevi) - ms
6:00pm: Pre-Fab Happy Hour (McMullan's) - ms
7:00pm: Pre-Limo Dinner (Trevi) - ms
7:00pm: Pre-Fab Dinner (McMullan's) - ms
7:00pm: Dance Lessons (Charlie's) - sv
8:00pm: The Fab (Beatles Tribute) (Brendan's Irish Pub, Orleans Casino) - ms
9:00pm: Limousine Tour (Caesars) - ms
9:00pm: Dancing at Charlie's (Charlie's) - sv
Friday, April 8:
2:00am: Charles Bar (Bellagio) - ms
9:00am: Pistol-Rifle Shooting (Discount Firearms) - ms
1:00pm: Lunch With Ginger (Imperial Palace Buffet) - ms
2:00pm: High Tea (Four Seasons) - ms
3:30pm: Makeover sessions (session 1) (Macy's FSM) - ms
4:30pm: Makeover sessions (session 2) (Macy's FSM) - ms
6:00pm: Happy Hour (Bahama Breeze) - mv
7:00pm: Dinner (Bahama Breeze) - mv
8:30pm: Farewell Celebration (Bahama Breeze) - mv
9:30pm: Dancing at Paris (Paris) - ms
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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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