B'ham Pre-show Get Together

shananana · Feb 14, 2010, 12:30 PM

Ok so I know we got, what, 2 months or better til this shizzy goes down, but I'm a cancer and a natural planner and I'm just wondering what B'ham peeps' thoughts are on a pre-show get-together location. I don't live in B'ham (live in Montevallo, actually), and I don't make it to the ham as much as I used to, and I know my favorite spots for good beers (J.Clyde - what a selection - Daves - again, the selection - I'm a beer snob), etc., but I don't think that either of those are feasible/within walking distance of the AL theater. Soooo do any of you that are more familiar with the downtown watering holes have a good idea of a locale for the pre-show get together?

ALady · Feb 14, 2010, 08:46 PM

I love this idea! I'll be there with a friend from Northport, and definitely down for some beer snobbery ;D

At the risk of sounding kind of Pollyanna, would anyone be interested in organizing something charitable for the evening? Maybe gathering up some canned goods, or raffling off some Jacket goodies? I feel really thankful for all the joy this band brings to my life, so I want to try to give back a little if I can.

shananana · Feb 15, 2010, 10:37 AM

What a noble idea ALady! I love your thinking and I'm totally interested. I've never organized such an affair so am not quite sure how to get started... but am definitely down to help out as much as possible. Maybe something for Haiti... or maybe some music-related charity something-or-other?

Maybe we could even work with a pre-show venue to see if they'd be willing to help our efforts?

Next time I'm in the 'Ham I will ride by the AL Theater and see what's close by (for watering hole type action). Anyone else that already knows or beats me to the punch, please let us know your suggestions!

Soulshine · Feb 15, 2010, 11:29 AM

Hey ladies...I think this is a great idea! Doing something for Haiti or a local charity would be great. Best of luck in organizing this. Perhaps it will encourage others along the tour to do the same. Kudos to you! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

excmcr · Feb 16, 2010, 08:33 PM

All,
This is my first post here. I am from AL. Been to many shows at the AL Theatre. It'll be awesome to see MMJ there.
As with shananana, I am a beer snob as well & J. Clyde is probably the best beer bar in Bham area. Laid back atmostphere with decent food. But definitely not within walking distance.
Off the top of my head, Speakeasy is probably the closest bar to the Theatre, but really and truly J. Clyde is where it's at haha.
On a side note, downtown Bham is not the best place to be walking anywhere. If you do chose to do so, walk with a buddy for sure. Not trying to scare anyone, but after hours walking in downtown is not preferable. Take a cab.
Just my $0.02
-Phil

ALady · Feb 17, 2010, 01:45 PM

excmcr, I'm taking notes. Great suggestions on the beer bars!

Welcome to the board :)

excmcr · Feb 17, 2010, 02:58 PM

Also for folks interested in good brews, Good People Brewing Company is a local Bham brewery that just fired up recently (I wanna say withing the past 2-3 yrs, don't hold me to it though haha). They have awesome beers! J. Clyde and some other places in town should definitely have some on tap. Support your local breweries 8-)
-Phil

excmcr · Feb 17, 2010, 02:59 PM

Quoteexcmcr, I'm taking notes. Great suggestions on the beer bars!

Welcome to the board :)

Thanks for the welcome! :)

shananana · Feb 17, 2010, 11:55 PM

QuoteAlso for folks interested in good brews, Good People Brewing Company is a local Bham brewery that just fired up recently (I wanna say withing the past 2-3 yrs, don't hold me to it though haha). They have awesome beers! J. Clyde and some other places in town should definitely have some on tap. Support your local breweries 8-)
-Phil

Word to that on the Good People Brewery! And they have a pretty decent brown ale... esp. for AL's first hometown brewery (or at least I think it is...)

J. Clyde is DEFINITELY one of my fave places to drink... I have a Honda Pilot which seats 8... depending on how many people are interested we may can do a carpool type sitch to the venue... logistics would have to be worked out later... and I'd have to limit my beer intake (or, my boyfriend would, as he is employed and would have to work the next day, tee hee)... but I'll consider it. I'll also see what our options would be for like a minivan-type cab... if split between several folks that might not be too expensive. We shall see.

Welcome to the board, btw, and yay for a fellow bham MMJ fan!

Yimyames · Feb 23, 2010, 06:15 PM

I'll be there with a couple friends from Franklin,TN. I'm sure we will get in early and want to kick it with some MMJ fans.

smitmc2 · Feb 24, 2010, 11:23 AM

Shananana and ALady -
"At the risk of sounding kind of Pollyanna, would anyone be interested in organizing something charitable for the evening? Maybe gathering up some canned goods, or raffling off some Jacket goodies? I feel really thankful for all the joy this band brings to my life, so I want to try to give back a little if I can. "

I think this is a great idea. I know the Exec Director of the AL Theater (so I could talk to him), and I attend a church 2 blocks from the Theater. We are currently collecting "health kit" items for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) to go to Haiti. These items include:
1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27", No kitchen towels)
1 washcloth
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, No child-size brushes)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
$1.00 to purchase toothpaste

We collect the items and put them in gallon size zip locks. This could be one option...collect at the venue (or at the pre-party) and donate the items to the church from "Fans of MMJ." I could retrieve the boxes of stuff and take to the church the day after.

Now, the only problem would be getting the word out. I'm sure we could get the AL Theater and Speakeasy (the bar that's a block from the Theater) on board to do fliers, but if people don't know to bring these items, they're likely not going to have an extra bandaid, finger nail clippers, or toothbrush on them.

Ideas?

And, I would absolutely recommend Speakeasy as a pre-party. It's close and they have a decent beer selection.

smitmc2 · Feb 24, 2010, 11:28 AM

We could also collect money...with checks made out to UMCOR. By the way, 100% of all donations to UMCOR go directly to Haiti. They are able to pay administrative fees by doing seperate fundraisers throughout the year. Here's the site:

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/

Thoughts?

ALady · Feb 24, 2010, 12:07 PM

smitmc2, I love the idea! Let's run with it. PM sent.

shananana · Feb 24, 2010, 02:53 PM

ditto!

Soulshine · Feb 24, 2010, 07:40 PM

nice work peeps-you make us proud.

johnnYYac · Feb 24, 2010, 08:04 PM

I'm due into B'ham around noon. Once I get my car and hotel settled, probably around 2pm, I'll be available to help in any way I can. Keep me in the loop. I'm digging this idea.

If we're certain of an idea, I can hit up my students for $$$ to contribute to the cause. They'll probably assume I'll use it to party (anyone see The Hangover?).

smitmc2 · Feb 25, 2010, 10:26 AM

It sounds like lots of folks are interested. I think it would be easier (or less complicated) if we could set-up a booth at the Theater (next to the merchandise booth) and collect money...and supplies if people bring them. But, I'm still not sure how to get the word out about supplies.

I think I could round up a few folks to "work" the booth (who are not currently going to the show). This is what I'll do:

1. Email MMJ Management and tell them our ideas. Hopefully, we'll get some feedback/direction from them. If they have a certain charity they want us to support...excellent. If not, I suggest Haiti Relief via UMCOR.

2. Contact AL Theater's Director (I can do this tomorrow) to find out what it will take to make this happen. They may only need an "ok" from MMJ, but I'll know more soon.

I think support from MMJ is crucial to making this a success. Also, I think people would be more inclined to write checks rather than haul in supplies, but we could collect both.

Please continue to provide any ideas...

ALady · Feb 25, 2010, 11:09 AM

Excellent, smit :) I'm guessing they may already have certain charities they want to work with, maybe something local. They've had folks set up booths at other shows (I remember in Chicago '08 there was a no-Olympics booth). Also, folks may prefer to donate to a non-denominational organization, so that might be something to keep in mind as well.

Cameron · Feb 25, 2010, 12:09 PM

you guys have talked up this j. clyde place so much that i gotta check it out. i land around 3 then i'm gonna check in to the hotel and head there for some grub and strong beers.

shananana · Feb 25, 2010, 04:06 PM

QuoteI'm due into B'ham around noon. Once I get my car and hotel settled, probably around 2pm, I'll be available to help in any way I can. Keep me in the loop. I'm digging this idea.

If we're certain of an idea, I can hit up my students for $$$ to contribute to the cause. They'll probably assume I'll use it to party (anyone see The Hangover?).

Yes, saw The Hangover - that's hilarious - AND a great idea. Got a copy of the email smitmc2 sent to the band so hopefully we'll have a word from them soon.