498 replies to this topic

[IanStark]

Hey Twin Cities!

What does everyone think of a mid-winter mid-season get-together?

I promise we can get better, more spacious accomodations that last time!

Question: Should we time a get together around a particular show? I mean, I'm sure we wouldn't be able to agree ... but snarking together at the television would most likely be fun!

(Sorry PTB, I thought this old thread had disappeared ..... Is there a way I can delete it? ... my wayward thread I mean.)

Edited by IanStark, Feb 11, 2004 @ 12:07 PM.

[melmn2002]

That would be great!

I do think, though, that it shouldn't be centered around one show...don't want to alienate anyone, right?

[alyssapurdy]

I would definately be in for TWoPcon, anytime.

[WWGeek]

Count me in, too. I've been lurking since the Fall of 2000, and am bummed that I missed the October Con.

[Rabrab]

I'll make the drive again. Maybe this time I'll get to talk to the folks who were at the other end of the table, too.

[Senor Audacity]

Me too. If you can get us a nice place, IanStark, that'd be great. As for a date, I would suggest the last day of May Sweeps for the symbolism, but that'd be too far off, wouldn't it?

[IanStark]

Well, it looks like we have a little bit of momentum in this thread now. I will look this weekend for back rooms we can reserve. I will shoot for weekends in May sweeps.

[Rhea13]

Just not Memorial Day weekend. I'm going to be out of town. ;)

heh.

[Garage Logician]

Please color me interested, as well. Would be fun to meet other posters!

[Senor Audacity]

Memorial Day Weekend wouldn't be good for me, either, but any other day should be fine!

[dsg21]

Did anyone ever figure out a date for the Twin Cities TWoPcon? I missed the last one and was looking forward to this spring's event. I am also not up for a Memorial Day thing. Too many conflicts for too many people. IanStark was going to be looking for a room. Any news?

[Aliera]

How about Saturday May 1st? Same Time, Same Place?

[Ebongreen]

As much as Kieran's has atmosphere, it also has loudness. I found it difficult to hear people very close by, and I'm much more interested in the people than the place. I'd choose somewhere else that's quieter - perhaps Diamonds on Central Avenue NE? They're already on the Meetup list, and highly regarded there.

[Petey]

Chiang Mai Thai, in Calhoun Square, has a lovely back room with comfy circular couches!

[erzulie]

Anything on Central Ave NE is fine by me - I live nearby! Is someone taking responsibility for nailing this all down? I'm very interested in attending. Flu kept me from the last one.

[suctionprints]

Here's a few thoughts:

Diamonds is most cool, but it doesn't serve liquor. And I do like a little tipple now and again. And again and again.

Grumpy's downtown has a good back room that leads into a patio - nice this time of year. They have tasty bar food in huge portions and an art gallery in the parking lot. It's swank.

There's Psycho Susie's on NE Marshall which is a tiki bar. It's way cool and kitschy, but also smoky. I did not have a tiki drink when I was there, but I enjoyed some marvy deep-fried hot dogs (scads better than they sound).

I also love the Acadia on Franklin and Nicollet, which is a smoke-free coffeehouse with good beer. They have a homey, living room style front room, and a theatre side room. They reconfigured the theatre room so that all the tables are on the same level now, and it possibly could serve as a private room if they don't have any music or plays booked.

I've heard wonderful things about Chiang Mai Thai, and that back room sounds like a winner.

Let me know what you decide, and if you need anything! I can help set up, etc. Like erzulie, I'm over nordeast too, but have easy access to everything...now that the buses are back.

ETA: I can't do Kieran's May 1st, if you're counting heads.

Edited by suctionprints, Apr 22, 2004 @ 3:57 PM.

[erzulie]

Forgive my denseness suctionprints, but can you just not do Kiernan's on May 1st...or anywhere on May 1st?
If the 1st is looking bad...the 15th is good for me. And I like the idea of a Tiki Bar.

[suctionprints]

Forgive my denseness suctionprints, but can you just not do Kiernan's on May 1st...or anywhere on May 1st?
If the 1st is looking bad...the 15th is good for me. And I like the idea of a Tiki Bar.

Sorry, erzulie, I mean anywhere. I'm going to see Einsturzende Neubaten with some friends. (Holy "Sprockets", Batman - Germans hitting metal!) The 15th sounds good, though. And like I said, I can do some legwork, order party favors from Oriental Trading, whatever it takes.

[Senor Audacity]

I feel like an asshole for declaring that I do not want to help in the planning. Such organization is much better left to one of you.

I'll go anywhere so long as it's in the metro area, but if we're looking for Nordeast, why not Nye's?

[suctionprints]

Oooooh...Nye's! That's good, Sr. A!

And there's Jitters across the street, which is a funky coffeehouse that serves drinks.

[Senor Audacity]

What does everybody else think? There seems to be fewer people talking about a potential TWoPcon next month than back in October. And if we're trying to get as many people as possible, I'd like to get as much input from as many people as possible (please do not take this as a criticism, suctionprints, your initiative is very much needed). Is a place like Nye's too noisy? Would people want to imbibe alcohol in copious amounts? Would Jitters be an acceptable compromise?

[erzulie]

I absolutely enjoy imbibing alcohol, but I confess I did wonder about the feasibility of meeting in any sort of "trendy" nightspot on a Saturday night. Only because those sorts of places are usually loud and standing-room-only on weekends. I don't have any partiular experience with Nye's though, so maybe that doesn't happen there? I'll go wherever, though. If we meet before the rush begins (say 7 or 8, as opposed to 9 or 10), noise and crowds may not be so bad.

[Ebongreen]

My high priorities are (1) smoke-free, and (2) relatively quiet. I like Jitters, personally - but I've never been there when it's late and/or noisy. I don't drink alcohol, but I don't require alcohol freedom from company, just alcohol sanity. :-, With those things in mind, I'm open to suggestions and ideas.

[suctionprints]

I tell you what, I'm going to talk to Grumpy's (the back room opens out to a patio, fresh air for non-smokers) and Acadia (smoke free, off the beaten path and laid-back) first. Then I'll methodically work down the rest of the list. If that's okay with everyone. Now, what dates should we think about, and should we be looking at early June? Let me know.

[B]ETA:[I]This is just research, there is no way I am going to confirm a place without plenty of input from the board. These are just the places that seem to fit the qualities we want (quiet, booze, and low/no smoke). Also, more suggestions mean more options!

Edited by suctionprints, Apr 28, 2004 @ 10:45 AM.

[erzulie]

I was really hoping it could be May 15, cuz June just sucks for me!

[suctionprints]

Well, looking at my calendar, the 15th stinks for me. Tell you what I'll do. I'll get the ball rolling, and call Grumpy's and the Acadia and find out the possibility of booking their back rooms for on the 15th. I'll send the info to Ian. If those places don't work for May, then maybe we can use 'em for October.

[alyssapurdy]

I am definately in. I don't know the hot spots all that well, so I will leave that up to the experts. However, I can do nametags and markers (if we want to go that route) or anything else to help out. I am available the 1st or the 15th.

[suctionprints]

Okay, just looking at the Acadia's website tells me that it isn't going to work if a lot of people show up. They reserve the theatre side up to a year in advance, although I do see looking at the calendar it's not just for performances - some groups apparently use it for large gatherings. I'll call Grumpy's and find out what's up with their back room. ebongreen, there used to be a great listing of smoke-free Minneapolis venues on the Web. I couldn't find it today, but I'll keep looking.


ETA: I called Grumpy's. For some reason, everyone wants the back room on the night of the 15th. Normally, there's no problem getting the room and there is no charge for it. I like it because it opens onto the patio - nice if it's warm. Anyway, I'm going to email the phone numbers of those to places to IanStark. Doesn't hurt to have some extra resources in the cool bar department. Have fun, youse guys!

Edited by suctionprints, Apr 29, 2004 @ 2:07 PM.

[suctionprints]

Bumped so people can see new developments.

[Ebongreen]

suctionprints, is this the List-O-Smokeless for which you were searching?