Songfight LIVE 2008 Tampa, Hot & Sweaty

[frankie big face]

I love that you have to "register" for this. Can I also get graduate credit?

[Spud]

Thanks for bringing that up, Frankie.

There are several points to registering, which, like everything at SongFight! is optional. However, in this case, it would be nice if people did it.

First, it provides hoblit with a sense of who is coming. This enables him to plan the venue and activities more appropriately.

Second, it provides him with the ability to put together a contact sheet for those who are coming. You probably don't want your phone number posted on the board, but you probably don't mind if the others there in Tampa have it.

Third, it is part of a level of organization, planning, and credibility that people appreciate when they are going to spend their time and hard-earned money on a SongFight! event. Even though he may rent a venue, hoblit will probably be the one with the least out-of-pocket, since he doesn't have to fly there and already has a place to stay.

Fourth, it creates a sense of (some level of) commitment on the part of those registering. Part of planning an event is getting people both excited and committed.

Fifth, it helps us to build on that commitment here on the board, where people want to know who else is coming. This helps them to make up their mind. Sometimes it can be hard to read through the entire thread and figure that out, so a page of who is currently registered will be provided, with pictures and bios as available.

I hope that you really DO love it. Thanks again for the opportunity to clarify.

SPUD

[Paco Del Stinko]

I think the registration is a very good idea. I was wondering if people that said they were coming would, and this only seems fair to Hoblit, at the least. I'll send it in when I know more about specific travel plans.

[Spud]

Thanks, Paco. Feel free to submit a partial now and another later, to get the ball rolling. We won't think there are two of you.

SPUD

[Paco Del Stinko]

OK, I sent off the form, but my travel plans aren't finalized yet. It really depends on how gas prices are looking to be, as I'd prefer to drive but it may cost too much.

[Spud]

And it was received and forward to hoblit. Thanks for helping to test the system.

[Paco Del Stinko]

You're welcome, sir. And kids, it's quite painless. Do sign up!

[Hoblit]

I wanted to publicly thank Spud for the registration form. That will be helpful.

I also wanted to mention that I am working on a website as well. I was hoping to have a venue announcement first but I'm going to go ahead and work on both.

[Hoblit]

Ok, I am currently negotiating a killer venue for Saturday August 16th. Its a PRIME location and once solidified anybody who is coming will be experiencing Tampa the way that Tampa's night life SHOULD be experienced.

I'm not going to talk about costs specifically. I am gonna say this though; I'm not a rich man. I'm in tech support and I live very humbly. I will be putting forth every effort to this event and starting with this great venue location.

On the web page (Spud? you ever get my IM on the webpage that is pretty much ready for display? Probably didn't want to move it or link to it because there wasn't a venue yet? I think were just about there buddy) I will add a pay pal link. I will also add that link to the first post of this thread, and of course one here to.

Donations towards the event can be made via Pay Pal hoblitygoodness AT yahoo DOT com
(you'll need to click the 'send money' link)

This venue is a little pricey and I doubt donations will cover the full costs, BUT if there is any surplus it will definitely be used towards this event in some other way. This is not a 'for profit' adventure for me so please feel confident that your money, if you are one of the fortunate ones that can afford it, will be put to community use. Please feel free to use Spud, JB, ADD, Glenn Case, Jack Shite, Ken, and anyone who else knows me from past events for character assasina... I mean character witnesses. If you don't feel comfortable with paypal (and I"ll post a mailing address as well) or sending money, its cool, I understand. If you feel compelled to AT the show, we can discreetly discuss that then.

I know that other past events didn't rely on donations. I'm also trying NOT to RELY on donations. I'm just not quite in the same position in life as other organizers have been in the past.

[Spud]

Untrue, Hoblit - the Seattle show in 2003 broke even due to donations. Even though the venue was free (a source of funds, in fact, since we got half the door), and the beer was donated by the brewery, there were still printing costs, pizza, gas for picking up and delivering everyone to the airport, etc. Several songfights stepped up to the plate on the night of the show and pitched in, and it was very much appreciated. I hope that the spirit lives on. I will check on that pm and get back to you shortly.

SPUD

[Hoblit]

They are sending me a contract via email today and I just have to fill it out and fax it back.
I have to pay 1/3 of the total cost today. (Which I got)

We're pretty much in.

Note: The more that is donated, the better the chance we can get a bartender for 4 hours of the event.

We're looking at a 4:30ish to 12:30ish event. This will leave a little time to party more after the event.

[jack]

yeah, for the santa cruz shows, i put up money for the venue (about $500 for both nights) but i just looked at it as about the same it would cost me to go somewhere else, and there were alot of folks that wanted to come to santa cruz that year and were willing to spend much more than that. i tried to get back some of the money at the door by charging the locals a minimum but that barely made a dent (and was mostly due to the fact that bjam's mom was collecting money and amber's awesome kids were sandwich-boarding the show out front).

anyways, it was money well spent i think for me and anyone else that came (i can only hope for that last part).

as for hoblit, he rocks! he flew in late the first night, showed up, and didn't even want to play his own set. what a selfless and dedicated d00d. hoblit embodies the spirit of songfight live and i will either disgrace him with an appearance this year or a donation for the cause of keeping a fine tradition afloat (and a poor brother out of debt).

[Caravan Ray]

Hard to see myself getting over this year (though I'm still not ruling it out completely - too many variables in my life just now - having just quit my job and about to move to a new country....)

But I'll happily chip in a few bob to go towards supporting a worthwhile event - will get back to you on Paypal soon Hoblit (when I sell my house and car)

remind me if I forget

[jack]

ok chris, here's an interesting idea......

for anyone that donates to "the cause" via your paypal, you put a songfight tune of their choice (it can be any songfight tune, doesn't have to be one of theirs) on a CD that you burn for the event.

in between sets (or before and after the show), you play the CD at the venue over the PA with songs by those that donated.

for each $5 you donate, you get a song on the CD. i'd be good for a few songs anyways.......

just an idea.

[Hoblit]

ok chris, here's an interesting idea......

for anyone that donates to "the cause" via your paypal, you put a songfight tune of their choice (it can be any songfight tune, doesn't have to be one of theirs) on a CD that you burn for the event.

in between sets (or before and after the show), you play the CD at the venue over the PA with songs by those that donated.

for each $5 you donate, you get a song on the CD. i'd be good for a few songs anyways.......

just an idea.

Thats an effing good idea. I'm going to incorporate that.

OK, I filled out the contract, credit card authorization form, faxed it back. This is almost in stone.

Meanwhile I'm going to start organizing stuff and get everything streamlined. Spud, is the website THAT bad or are you just pressed for time to figure out what we should do with it? No rush.

Accomodations page will be added soon and the lady I'm talking to about the venue mentioned a possibility of 'block' rooms over at a local hotel in Ybor City. More on that later. (its kind of an expensive hotel though)

I want to thank everybody who is chiming in and I want to especially thank PACO for his donation. We have a long ways to go but I'm ready to take on whatever *I* can. I picked a venue that is kind of expensive but its LOCATION is ... well, I don't think I could do much better in the way of location.

As of right now we are only doing a one night show and I assume that we'll do practices at my (tiny) place. I might mention that I can house exactly ONE other person (two if that two were a 'couple') at my place if somebody can afford to get down here but can't afford to stay anywhere.

[Hoblit]

*BUMP*

Ok, both sides of contact signed and we even negotiated a fair price for a bartender that evening. (SO TIP WELL)

We're on.

Now lets drum up some activity. Lets get some people down here in Tampa for August 15-17th. (Event on the 16th) Lets get hot and sweaty!

[Spud]

Chris, I don't see where you posted the URL...

http://chris.hoblit.net/sfhs/

There you go everybody. Start calling those airlines now!

[jack]

d00d, is that the venue?

puttin on the ritz indeed!

[Spud]

What is it with these signs, anyway? I thought Austin was rude...now this.

[erik]

Hobbo: I just paypalled you a pittance. Enjoy!

[erik]

Okay, here is my money-generating idea for SFL08:

Everyone who is attending should cover one song by another SF artist of their own choosing. However, if people want, they can auction off the rights to their cover to the highest bidder. It could be a silent auction, or some sort of open auction. All high bids are paypalled to Hoblit. High bidder tells the artist what song they have to cover, and then when the artist plays at SFL08, they play that cover.

There's no way to enforce it (other than shame) and maybe people don't want to give up one song from their setlist to play a SF cover (because sets are generally short as it is). But people like 1) coverfights, and 2) helping people out and shit, so maybe people would like this.

[Hoblit]

d00d, is that the venue?

puttin on the ritz indeed!

Now thats what I'm talking about

Yes, and Spud's picture next to the Austin Motel IS the place. Now, (and I'm going to add this to the venue page on the website) let me make it clear, The Ritz (formerly The Masquerade, yes the sister to the one in Atlanta) has four different 'areas'. The BIG stage was something like 3,000 + a night... so uh, no.

We will be in the Rivoli room. Looking at the picture we would be on the left side. There is a room on the right, there is a room on the left, and strait back there is a main room. (and another room buried somewhere else in there as well) We will enter through the center there, right under the marque and then turn left into our area...complete with a bar and its own restroom.

This place is walking distance from a gazillion bars and restaurants...starting with a pizza joint directly across the street.

And I see that I have mail exclaiming more donations! SO THANK YA'LL for that as I'm off to check on that now.