Okay, I know this idea may be a bit far-fetched, but what if?.

What if in a WAY future date we actually had a REAL recital somewhere. Say in a location in where everyone could plan a mini vacation trip around the actual recital like Las Vegas, San Diego, Disneyland etc.

We could all chip in a few bucks to rent out some small setting along with a really nicely prepped piano and not only finally get to meet one another in person, but perform for each other as well.

Yes, I know, at first this idea may seem a bit unrealistic, especially knowing that we have active members from all over the globe but it could happen if we really wanted it too.

A plane ticket, a hotel for a night or two and it could become a reality!.

Personally, I would do it and would love the chance to meet our other members as well and listen to them perform. Finally putting a face to a *user-name* would be kind of neat as well.

Like I said, this (for now) is just a far fetched thought but I would like to know what everyone else thinks about doing this and if we actually did it, would you attend?.

Well, since I'm in Southern California and your proposed sites are all within 5 hours of driving -- sure! If, on the other hand, you were to propose someplace in New England in, say, January -- probably not (my blood has thinned since I left there in 1955).

In reality, sure, I'd consider almost any location even though I'm new here and not anywhere near as good piano player as most of the people on this forum.

Ed

I think we should do some kind of world tour.

Anyway, I doubt I would attend because flying to the USA is expensive and they'd probably turn me back at the border.

Unless I can get me some fancy job that involves flying around the world...

A European event would be cool, though.

Perhaps London would be good on the tour, as we can't all get to USA, even if we wanted to.

You know, I picked U.S cities as by Coppers maps, the vast majority of the ABF members live here in the U.S but that does'nt mean we can't look for an excuse to travel abroad!.

I would'nt mind visiting my family if Holland but for everyone else, it might be a little chillier than say going to Monte Carlo!.

I do think a U.S based location may have a better turnout just because of the amount of members we have over here; but then again, I DO have a lot of flyer miles built up just waiting to be used!.....Hmmm!.

Holland sounds good.
I propose Amsterdam.
Lots of fun to be had there.

Or there could be two: One in USA and one in Europe.

With the US $ so weak, going to Europe, especially the UK, would be mucho expensive!

On a realistic level, I feel a bit torn as to whether to attend. I would love to meet everyone in person and really get to know all of you in physical (vs cyber) space. I would feel terribly nervous about playing for you though. A live audience would be orders of magnitude more scary than the red dot. The hesitancy is 1. I feel like I would be deserting my hubby who isn't involved in anyway with ABF; 2. I really don't like to travel that much. Now may be if the gathering were in San Francisco... It's a very nice city to visit, lots of restaurants, good weather, wine country nearby, beautiful Pacific Coast, world famous Golden Gate Bridge, etc, etc. Interested?

Gosh. And what about the cognitive models we've constructed of eachother. I'm comfortable with my imagery of Tina as a 22 stone body-building javlin thrower - do we really want reality to get in the way of fantasy...?

Hey, I vote San Francisco too :-)

This sounds very interesting. My vote goes for the United Kingdom.

Uh Oh, I can see it already. Location chosen by committee!!

.

Hey Hunk since we're talking less then seriously - in today's world, why not a bi-oceanic get-together? You know, video uplinks from a major hotel in both cities (not really that expensive for a group) with big screens at both ends.

Anyone who can make either would be welcome, and maybe an excuse to visit London or Paris or Amsterdam or San Fran or even Omaha or Kansas City, or Montreal or Tronto/Detroit.

Would'nt that be cool, all the North Americans go to Europe and all the Europians come this way?

It does sound like a really fun week-end kinda thing. I would even go to Arizona, especially if in March (spring training for the Mariners).

I'd give it serious thought. If I could afford it I'd definitely come.

Yup, sure does. We could all wave to each other from the window seats in our planes!

LOL!!!! Oh my gosh, I log in to catch up on the day and this is what awaits me!? LaValse, you're a hoot! And YES - yes, we want reality to get in the way of that fantasy! (Err, unless it works for ya!) Besides, these days I'm more of a 9 stone Q-Tip thrower

Seriously though, this is a great idea and sounds like so much fun. I would definitely consider, depending upon location. For me, I'm in the same boat as Rosanna in that although my husband dabbles here and there with piano, he is not involved here and therefore convincing him to take a long trip such as this would present a challenge that would cause me to feel too selfish to press - unless y'all want to hit up some mountain bike trails afterward! But, have I ever mentioned how wonderful and beautiful Virginia is? There's something for EVERYONE here!

Tina

Come to think of it, MrSH's gorgeous adobe mansion house can certainly host us all...?

I was thinking about Isaac Stern Auditorium (2000+ seats) in Carnagie Hall... then we could all fly to MrSH's mansion/house.

And he has llamas.

Hey, I've got the room and a soon to be delivered 7' M&H "BB" (currently in storage}, but the twist is that we are now at our ranch in northern Arizona and the weather is cold. (8k feet elev).

We are however less than 2 hours from the endless summer of Phoenix and not far from the grand canyon so who knows!.

Well, I'd love to do it, but there's absolutely no way I'd be able to.

Great idea though!

Trust me, in my case this would not be a good idea!

Ed

I share your opinion!

That would be very cool.

East Coast I'd drive. West Coast I'd fly. There's always a conference in my field around LA, San Fran, or San José. UK I'd consider it if timed properly with a vacation. The wife and I have always wanted to visit.

San Francisco gets my vote, been there a few times and as the big man says "left my heart" there...

Cheers


Text

What if... we could finance this whole thing by making some money on the internet?

It's relatively easy to do so, especially when you have a fairly large group of enthusiastic people.

I don't have any specific ideas yet, just some experience making a living off the internet.

If we could make, let's say, $50.000 in the next year working together, we could host an nice ABF party anywhere in the world and fly everyone in for free.

This is a very good idea! It may be difficult flying to another continent, but planning a meeting in a location 'close' to your area can be a total success

I would try my best go to any city in Europe you may chose Amsterdam, London, Berlin...

So I will not have my once-in-a-lifetime big excuse to go to US then........

Ragnhild

$50.000?
I'm just going to assume that this is because of where you live. I'm American, you confuse me!

At first glance $50.000 looks like 50 bucks, until I realize what's going on.

Just my $0,02...