B'ham Pre-show Get Together

[shananana]

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.

The grub there is not half bad, and they use some local/organic/clean-meat ingredients (which is rightu p my alley)... food can get a little pricey, as can too many beers, but this IS a special occasion, soooo do it up :)

I will probably grab some food and a beer or two at j.clyde as well, and then hit up the speakeasy afterwards, if that's where our official pre-party/charitable effort is to take place.

Woot woot, can't wait! 8-)

[johnnYYac]

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.

The grub there is not half bad, and they use some local/organic/clean-meat ingredients (which is rightu p my alley)... food can get a little pricey, as can too many beers, but this IS a special occasion, soooo do it up :)

I will probably grab some food and a beer or two at j.clyde as well, and then hit up the speakeasy afterwards, if that's where our official pre-party/charitable effort is to take place.

Woot woot, can't wait! 8-)

Hey 'Bama Gang!  If we can settle on some pub/grille venue for preshow and make some committments, maybe we could arrange a deal regarding food/beverage per person, particularly if attached to participation (time and/or money) in our charitable efforts.  Just a thought.  

[ALady]

I like it, I like it...keep the ideas coming!   :)

[johnnYYac]

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...

Okay, here's an idea.  

I am feeling both shame  :-[ and joy  :D because I upgraded my 23rd row aisle seat for 4th row right orchestra via eBay.  I didn't think I was dealing with a scalper, per se, and was looking at face value with less than 3 minutes to go, but the final price ended at around double face value (I didn't want to lose them).  I have bitched about scalpers and fear I fell for the temptation.  

My first and only show was in Boston in 08 and I was way the fuck back.  As you know, I've got a big 3-show trip planned for April and really hoped to score good seats.  I'm pretty happy with my tickets for Nashville and Atlanta, but had hoped to score at least one show up close.  

My proposal is to offer the second of the two 4th row right orchestra (right in front of Jim!) tickets in a raffle as part of our charitable efforts.  Someone can spend a few bucks for a chance to upgrade their ticket and the money goes towards our cause.  The only downside is that the winner gets stuck next to me. :)

What do you think?

P.S.  Looks like I've got a Row W center orchestra aisle seat available, face value.  Email me if you're interested.

[ALady]

I think it's a great idea, but we should check the Alabama laws on running games of chance; we may need a permit to do a raffle (sorry to be a bummer, but I've been doing a little research in advance of the MPP tailgate).  It may be easier to do as an auction, though we may run into similar issues.

I wonder if it might be wise to pair up with an existing Birmingham nonprofit, and donate the ticket to them to auction or raffle as they please?  

Or:

http://www.charitybuzz.com/

[johnnYYac]

http://www.ago.state.al.us/consumer_charities.cfm

[ALady]

Thanks Johnny - that's a good start, but it doesn't apply in this situation since we (the fans) aren't a charitable organization.

Here's where we start thinking about starting up a Jacket fan 501(c)(3)...   ;)

[johnnYYac]

Thanks Johnny - that's a good start, but it doesn't apply in this situation since we (the fans) aren't a charitable organization.

Here's where we start thinking about starting up a Jacket fan 501(c)(3)...   ;)

Sorry, I found the link when searching Alabama law.  I didn't have time to fully explore, so I thought others might be able to.  Thanks.  Sounds like you know what's up.  Let me know if you think my ticket idea is more trouble than its worth.  If so, I could still post it and apply the $$$ to charity on my own.  

[ALady]

I think the ticket idea is fantastic - definitely not more trouble than it's worth.  It might just be a matter of figuring out how to approach it.  PM sent   :)

[johnnYYac]

This is copied from another thread.  I decided to put the 4th row ticket up for auction on eBay, with 100% of the final price going to the American Red Cross.  The original posting is below, with links to a seating chart and the eBay listing.  Thanks for your ideas and feedback.

[highlight]Check out a 4th row ticket available, with all proceeds to the American Red Cross![/highlight]

http://cgi.ebay.com/My-Morning-Jacket-Ticket-4-20-10-Birmingham-4th-Row_W0QQitemZ190381335738QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Tickets_all_in_one?hash=item2c539ca4ba
I was bummed when I pulled Row W for this, my second MMJ show.  It is an aisle seat and in an intimate venue. Still, I wanted something special.  My first show had me way the fuck back.  So I scored a pair of 4th row seats, in front of Yim (assuming he still favors that side of the stage).  

Check out this seating chart.  



I hope someone from this forum ends up standing next to me having the time of their life.  Every penny from the winning bid goes to the American Red Cross.  

[ALady]

Good luck yyac!  Really generous of you!  

Do you mind if I cross post the link on some other forums to spread the word?

[johnnYYac]

Good luck yyac!  Really generous of you!  

Do you mind if I cross post the link on some other forums to spread the word?

Please do!  Only about an hour to go and no bids!  8 people watching it, and I'm one of 'em.  

If you've never watched an eBay auction wind down, this one could be kinda wild.  In the last minutes, you wait to see who has the balls, and presumably the money, to raise the bid.  I was in quite the battle for these tickets orignally.  Had them to myself with a bid around $60.  Then, with about 3 minutes left, someone started a bidding war with me.  I finally outbid him/her in the last 5-10 seconds, for $260.  Once I saw them posted, I had to have those tickets.  It doesn't matter to me how much they go for tonight, financially.  I'm not getting any of it, so its more to see how much the ARC will get.  

[johnnYYac]

C'mon people!  Almost 5 minutes left and no bids!  WTF!

[Cameron]

people hate to go solo i guess.  i'm going solo but have a seat a few rows behind you or i would have grabbed it.

[johnnYYac]

people hate to go solo i guess.  i'm going solo but have a seat a few rows behind you or i would have grabbed it.

Yeah, I have no choice but to be travellin down South solo.  I'm wondering if a group sitting further back might want to get this ticket and take turns heading up closer.  Not that I want musical chairs going down next to me all night.

Ticket didn't sell, so its relisted, slightly more enticing, and will stay listed until sold, or else I'll bring it with me and see what happens.  Here's the listing:  http://cgi.ebay.com/My-Morning-Jacket-Ticket-4th-Row-Free-Shipping_W0QQitemZ190383327214QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Tickets_all_in_one?hash=item2c53bb07ee

[johnnYYac]

So, as already mentioned in 2 other, related threads, the 4th row seat earned a paltry $81 for the American Red Cross.  I just hope the winning bidder is a good neighbor to me at the show.

Any new ideas regarding preshow in Birmingham?  Just as my idea to use my extra ticket for charity fell short of expectations, I can understand if our ideas regarding charity events in Birmingham are not coming together.  Lots of good people and good will, but coming into B'ham from all over might be hard to coordinate.  

Is there going to be a primary site for preshow?  Plans for a food/can drive or other charitable component?  

(If MMJ ever comes to NH, I'll take the lead.  The Capitol Theater in Concord is a nice small venue.  The Verizon Wireless Arena is a bit bigger.  C'mon boys.  You know you need your granite fix.)

[johnnYYac]

I can't hold back.  Technically, its just under 13 hours premature, but...

[size=24]ONE WEEK!!![/b][/size]

Any final thoughts on the best preshow spot for a drink or six and some food?  What about postshow?  Forgive the duplicate post in the Roll Call thread.  :)

[johnnYYac]

Okay, I've decided to commit to a plan of sorts and hope to run into as many of you as possible.  

I land in B'ham at noon, rent a car, and check into my room at the Medical Center Inn.  I may head to J. Clydes in the mid afternoon (2-3pm).  I will definitely be at Speakeasy around 5pm.  The show is at 8:00.  My real name is John (no way!) and my cell number is 603-568-6123.  

I am bringing at least one, maybe both omnichords with me on this trip and might drag 'em along to the bars if folks want to play with 'em.  I need, however, a suggestion as to where I might stash 'em right before the show.  Does anyone know people working at Speakeasy?  Maybe they'd let me leave my gig bag behind the bar or in a back room until after the show.  

Remember, I am not a musician, so don't expect me to perform.  I'll play along but still refer to post-it notes with the chords on 'em.  Might be fun if some folks show with guitars.  If the weather's nice, we coud go outside and jam!  I've never played with another person or instrument.

Anyway, can't wait for next week!  

[SplatSplatSplat]

We are aware that this is a 4/20 show, no?  4.20.   Four. Twenty.

So, if I may ask:  where is the REAL get together?  If you catch my drift/draft.

[BH]

120 more hours B'Ham!  RRRRRRRRRR UUUUUUUUUUUU RRREEAAAAADDYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!