I would offer to host, except that I am a bit too remote. Any ideas?

I will consider having it at my place in York, Pa...if enough people want to come.

I'm sorry I missed this thread.
Ed and JML, I'm in Columbia, MD and wouldn't mind hosting it. Or as I posted in the other thread, I'll travel for 1-2 hours or longer depending on how many we can get. JML, my sister lives in Shrewsbury and I have a brother in New Freedom.

It would be nice to get some response from Philly or Virginia people.
Where in Southern Maryland are you, Ed?

I live in Alexandria, Virginia and wouldn't mind at all to drive to Baltimore or Columbia for a forum meeting depending on the date and time.

gtd,
If they decide to have it a little farther away, I'd be glad to meet on 95N and drive together. Or I wouldn't mind meeting in Virginia. I figure Columbia may be good because it's centrally located.
What about you Steve Cohen?

I'm all the way down in St. Mary's County (MD's southernmost county), but I would find Columbia doable on a weekend.

gtd and I share a common model of piano, so it would be interesting to exchange our thoughts.

johnmoonlight,

I overlooked that you were in PA. Would Columbia work for you?

justme,

Is this topic quickly becoming, ah, justus...? :rolleyes:

It may be time to cast out some bait in the Piano Forum.

I live in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, so York, PA would be quite feasible for me, depending, of course, on the date and time.
On the other hand, DC/NorthVa would not be possible. Even Baltimore would be a "stretch."

Regards,

Dear All,
If you wouldn't mind having a getogether in a store, I wouldn't mind hosting it. (I promise, no "sales pitches")
Harl Pianos is located in Old Town Alexandria, VA.
Best regards,
Cathy Harl

Hi Cathy,

I met you when you were in Leesburg. Hope your new business is doing well. I promise to drop in next time I'm in the metro area.

Interesting idea having a party at a store. I know the NYC contingent has considered it, or at least broached the subject. Old Town would certainly be logistically feasible for many, though we have yet to hear from many NoVa members. Though the weight of the interest expressed thus far looks more like north and east of DC, it's still too early to get a good sense of the "interest demographics."

Initially, I was inspired to start this thread when justme (Columbia, MD) and johnmoonlight (York, PA) suggested a Baltimore meeting in the New York thread. In my mind, the Baltimore, Annapolis and DC (including NoVa) region comprises a "natural" cluster of communities from which to draw a piano party crowd. But a central location between these sites doesn't work so well for folks like BruceD (Philly) and johnmoonlight. My tendency to be all inclusive is perhaps too optimistic. No doubt it is unrealistic to expect to find a single party site to accommodate folks as widely distributed as the Va/DC metro area to York and Philly.

Unless it's a really, really good party site...

Well, enough rambling. Lets see how this all shakes out as more members respond.

Ed, I don't know about you but, I'm almost willing to go both North and South depending on when and where everyone can meet. There are people I look forward to meeting in both regions.

Cathy, I'd love to see your store and wouldn't mind in the least meeting everyone there. I'm surprised that more people from Virginia haven't responded.

But, let's not just talk. Let's definitely do this!

From my understanding of the Forum membership demographics, the only direction I can go, given my location, is... NORTH.

...or WAY south...

:D Ed, I just visited you website for the first time. Looks to me like you could fly in to just about anywhere!
My sister is married to a Naval pilot. Their wedding reception was held at your officer's club. You may know them...

edit:answered my own question. Yes, you definitely do like to read non-fiction.

If you're coming to see pianos, Cathy's in NOVA or Keith in Gaithersburg would be great.

If your coming for fun DC and Annapolis.

Count me in either way!!!

Maybe we can have a blindfolded piano comparison at $20,000!

What a coincidence! There are a lot of Navy pilots down here, as you know. I know many of them and fly with many of them, but there are just as many that I don't know. Who did your sister marry? Hmmm, for privacy sake, better to email me off line (off forum).

What was your question, now answered?

Steve,

Glad to see you're in!

I think, regarding the term "piano party," that the emphasis is definitely on the "party" part, "piano" merely being the common thing facilitating the party. I also think that that doesn't preclude having it at a member's store.

As long as everyone doesn't try to play at the same time.

justcurious where you went to school. Then after seeing the list of schools you've attended I figured, yes, you have done an awful lot of reading!

Back to topic: We probably are being too ambitious to think we can combine PA and VA people.

Steve,
Annapolis and Old Town both sound good to me. What do you think about going up to see BruceD and JML?

Well, at least I have a lot of books on my shelves...

I don't know. It could be a contest. I managed a very, very large bookstore for two years and am an avid reader. But, my books are mostly history books, classics and fiction! Their my pride posessions.

I can't wait til we all get together! I think it should be soon though, Steve Cohen, and Cathy Harl, because we're gonna start getting busy! I hope.

Here's an idea to toss into the mix.

I live about 8 minutes from Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport, about 15 minutes from Annapolis, and 30 Minutes from downtown DC.

My house, because of my hobby, was designed to entertain upto 120 people. I have restored to like new condition, the following which are fully functional and displayed throughout the house:

5 - 1940's Antique Jukeboxes
15 - 1890's - 1930's Antique Slot Machines
4 - 1900's Victrolas
6 - 1800's Cylinder and Disk Music Boxes
A 1013 Mills Violano Virtuosa (player piano that also play the violin)
A 1923 Chickering Ampico A Reproducing Grand
Plus assorted pinballs, claw machines, soda machine, etc.

[BTW, I fully expect that the fact that I am just a big boy with lots of toys, will not be disclosed outside the Coffee Room!!!! ]

I need to check with Margie, but I think we would be willing to host a party here. I can guarantee you, you'll all have fun. It is a "party" house. Every Christmas I have the employees, contractors, teachers, etc. and their families for a big party. Usually 70-90 show up, so we know how to handle any size group. This year were having a Halloween Party and expect about 80.

Just something to think about....

Are you sure? You best talk to Margie. This is a busy time of year. But, it would be great for people who may want to fly in. We'd want to plan that. Tell Margie that I would be happy to help.

But, how about a smaller informal gathering until then?

Off topic: We were busier today. I hope you were too.

I'd sure like to show up where the mid Atlantic meeting takes place. I vote for Cathy Harl's store located in Old Town Va. Of course I happen to live in Arlington Va. about 7 miles away. However, in additon to a few nice Estonia grands she has a almost new Schimmel grand and a vintage Steinway M. All nice to play. Just let me know where and when.

Rich

Ed,
Off topic. I visited your website.

I'm impressed (and envious).
Recently took up flying, but the &#&$*@ FAA is
holding my medical hostage.

http://www.pianoworld.com/Flying/PIC_at_10000_feet.html

- Frank B.
Piano World

Frank,

I think it's great that you've taken up flying as another of your life's adventures! Great pictures of you at the controls.

What's the deal with your medical certification? I can probably provide some insight if you're wondering. Please contact me off forum if you wish.

Steve,

But do you have a standard piano?

I'm intrigued; I think it would be great to attend a party at your abode, heck, even if the party we are discussing here ends up somewhere else!

I think you have my vote for a big party.

And we can have a little one at Cathy's shop, or justme's house,

or...

I know where Rich D. lives...

Or all of the above.

I ditto the vote for a big party. Has anyone been reading the New York thread? Wish I lived a little closer to New York. That sounds like a lot of fun. Anyone interested in driving up together?

It's just a thought...

hey, if any of you want to come to new york and join us, please weigh in on our thread asap so that we can pick a date that will work for you. we want to be as inclusive as possible.

Do you mean, justathought?

pique,

Thank you for the invitation.

I certainly find the idea appealing, but don't expect to have that kind of time in the forseeable future. I have been monitoring your thread, however, and will not completely dismiss the concept.

Back to this thread: If I don't have a chance to post for the rest of the day, please be advised that I will be overseas for the coming week, and as far as I know right now, I will not be able to participate in the party decision process until I return (unless I discover an unexpected means of internet access). I hope to log on next weekend and see a plan in place.

Godspeed.

My boss Margie says it OK with her. The problem will be coming up with dates that work.

What did you all have in mind. The 1st three weeks in September are difficult, but not impossible for me. We rent about 1000 band and orchesral instruments during that time.

I do, however, have a big enough and competent enough staff to make it work.

OK...

Managed a quick break from the travel preparations...

How about the weekend of Oct. 4?

That would provide time to invite members from other parts of the country who would then have time to arrange travel.