Well... I want some of those collards! Right now!

I'm not an active forum member but I am a true adult beginner who enjoys meeting others who have taken up the same challenge. So, I couldn't resist commenting on this thread. I see a very good idea here with little hope of execution as a single, nation wide event. This is an idea that needs to "walk before it runs". Why not try smaller, multiple, regional events - Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West coast for example. Local universities with music programs sounds like the best idea to me for auditoriums and pianos. Certainly we know piano teachers with connections that could help make these arrangements. If the smaller gatherings go well, there could be momentum for a larger gathering. This idea just needs some regional leadership by a few people with time and energy to pull it together.

I'm interested in this because I think the lack of experience playing in front of others is one of the elements that makes us (maybe keeps us) beginners. I've tried it once and it is a challenging experience for a beginner - at least it was for me - and very different from practice, lessons and even my teacher's recital. This seems like a challenging yet safe environment to gain some of this experience. I would try to attend a Midwest gathering.

IPlay,

Welcome to the forum!!

Walking before running isn’t a bad idea.
But…
Mr. S-H really has a knack for planting these ever so ingenious seeds.
The more I think about it, the more hyped I become. Although I have to admit, I would probably soil my fruit of the looms in the process.

I personally think 2010 is a conservative goal, 2009 reasonable, 2008 somewhat aggressive. If we do a poll, we should include how far in the future.
But yeah, let’s do this!!

Hello IPlay,

Welcome to the forums.

Actually there have been a couple of smaller gatherings around the USA. These gatherings tend to be informal rather than a more formal event I believe Mr. SH is envisioning. I believe there is one such informal gathering scheduled for this weekend in MA. In fact a couple of us ABFers in the Chicagoland area met this past summer at a forum member's home for an informal get-together taking turns playing for each other. That get-together was quite a boost for all of us in overcoming nervousness playing for others.

We have quite a few members in the Chicagoland area so it looks like we may be overdue for another get-together.

I don't want to detract from what Mr. SH is trying to do. I think it's a great idea and if executed would take us ABFers to the next level in our piano playing. We all would definitely benefit from such an event. Given that ABFers are worldwide, no one location will satisfy everyone. Nevertheless even if I am unable to attend such an event I would like to know that such an event exists that provides a genuine performance opportunity for a real amateur like myself and many other ABFers. However your point is well taken if we tried to expand on Mr SH's idea on a more regional scale within the USA and outside of the USA so that the majority of the ABFers would have greater access to a live performance opportunity.

I'm in. I'll bring GOMSB, my DH, and Erica, the lil geek-mini-me. She's been playing for over a year now and she's a hell of a salesman (woman). She'll get our money out of gradeschool children! "Hey, isn't that an ATM by the gym?" Girlscouts never had it so good until she quit.

You can view threads on a number of piano parties, piano factory tours, etc. here...

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/forum/22.html

This special edition of our newsletter talks about a couple of big upcoming parties and even a repeat of a famous "piano crawl" we had a few years ago in NY
http://www.pianoworld.com/Newsletters/Newsletter_Nov_26_2007.html

We've had PWPF get togethers at a number of piano dealers showrooms, which might be a thought for this project (lots of room and lots of pianos).

Or, if anyone is a member of an organization (K of C, Lions Club, etc.) you may be able to get a deal on a hall, and get a local dealer to supply the piano(s).

For example, there is a party coming up this Saturday (Dec. 1) at Larry Buck's Custom Piano Service shop in Lowell, MA ( http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/22/145.html ).

Larry is providing the space (and he has a lot of it), and Darrell's Music Hall in Nashua, NH http://www.darrellsmusichall.com/index.php is supplying two Schimmel pianos.

Now if you could just get a sponsor to help underwrite the costs, like:
The Piano Manufacturers Association International, or NAMM, or... Anybody know Oprah?

I've turned on the ability to create polls in the ABF, please don't abuse it.

That's it Frank...a ABF gathering on Oprah's show...Chicago...


HEY OPRAHHHHHH

Actually, I can see Oprah happily doing a show like this! Just sayin'! And then, in true Oprah style, right before the show is over she announces that she's giving us each a gorgeous grand piano to take home with us!

Tina

Tina, I like that last part!

Thanks for the welcoming replys. Please don't misunderstand my opinion of the original idea. I think it is a wonderful idea. I love the idea. It just seemed to me like I read 4 pages of messages that really didn't move the idea forward. I don't have the time to make it happen so I'm not being critical. I was just suggesting a smaller event that might not be as difficult to pull off.

I'll keep watching for something happening in the Chicago area (formal or informal) or if someone is organizing something specifically in this area please let me know. Thanks

Let's hope Oprah gives us each the money to pay the taxes on the grand piano.

IPlay, it seems like it happens often around on the ABF threads that ideas don't get moved forward after many posts!! We seem to like to digress and be silly - for better or for worse! Hope you don't mind joining this nuthouse group

Oh?

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/5421/1.html