DakotaDIY 2014

[johnnyrichards]

Gentlemen,

I am in early planning stages of DDIY 2014, but the venue I plan on using really likes some solid advance notice.

I am shooting for May/June (between InDIYana and MWAF), so am now soliciting preferences for any weekend during those months.

The venue I have is not large, but should seat 10-15 people with ease, maybe more if elbow-to-elbow is not an issue.

It has a full kitchen on-site, so lunch could be made considerably easier.

So far, plans are for anyone coming in Friday evening to meet up at my local favorite watering hole for dinner and drinks. Meeting at the venue Saturday AM ~8 or 9 for a day of listening and nerding out.

Saturday night, I'll have one of the wife's bands book a gig and I will reserve a table for us - she has just recently been hired to sing for a rock-a-billy band in addition to her blues rock/pop band so there will be a couple options there.

So if you are interested in attending and have ideas on the weekend(s) that will work for you, feel free to send me email:

gonecatfishin @ sio dot midco dot net subject: DakotaDIY 2014

Thanks!

Additional thoughts:

I can arrange for group transportation to the wife's show, if necessary.

I could have lunch catered in from my favorite watering hole, as well, if we do not feel like cooking.

I will create and update an official Facebook page in the near future, and link it in my signature.

[johnnyrichards]

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DakotaDIY2014

[johnnyrichards]

Friday June 13th and Saturday June 14th are the scheduled dates. Still waffling on a venue, but I have some activities planned including a live performance from my wife's band Saturday night.

This will be an entirely informal, run what you brung event with a possible appearance from Herb Singleton of Cross Spectrum labs. He has a friend that lives in Sioux Falls and claims to be looking for another excuse to visit so he may be stopping by to say howdy.

As I zero in a venue in the next couple of weeks, I will post some hotel/dining suggestions.

Have a great day!

[johnnyrichards]

Venue is basically secured, they do not allow bookings until 90 days out so the first Monday after March 14th, JR will be at the office door waiting.

It is very nice, medium sized with seating room for at least 20 people with lots of wiggle room beyond that. Flat screen television on the wall, couple of leather couches, plenty of padded chairs (not the folding type), a bathroom, a full kitchen, and direct parking lot access.

I would like again to ask that anyone planning to attend give me an official notice of some sort so I can start putting together the attendee list and notifying the sponsors I plan on contacting.

Thanks!

[johnnyrichards]

Just a heads up - one of the exhibitor spots will taken by my daughter.

[johnnyrichards]

Bad news, apparently when I reserved the venue they failed to inform me that it was already reserved. This is very disappointing and unacceptable - and I am very, very angry right now at that level of incompetence.

So a couple of options, I can try to secure another venue for that weekend - which will be difficult given the amount of wedding receptions booked around that time - when I started inquiring a couple months ago, most were already booked.

I can move it to the weekend after, which of course means people will have to make major travel plan changes. However, it means this venue can be used which is my preference for a lot of reasons.

I can cancel and try again next year.

The move it a week is the most viable, in terms of actually getting a venue. It also means a lot of people will be unable to attend due to tight summer schedules in the first place.

So let me know ASAP what you guys want to do.

[johnnyrichards]

I have a last chance venue for the scheduled weekend, not ideal but it will work just fine.

[bkeane1259]

Booked my flight and my hotel. Guesthouse Suites ( http://www.guesthouseintl.com/hotels/siouxfalls ) has deluxe king rooms for $80/night (that includes tax). Being from Chicago, you don't often see rates like that.

Now I have to figure out how to get a couple pair of bookshelf speakers on the plane with me without paying an arm/leg or being subjected to a full cavity search before boarding.

[johnnyrichards]

Just a reminder that if you want on the mailing list, send an email to dakotadiy@outlook.com

[johnnyrichards]

I am at 21 people who are definite or tentative, including Amanda and Willow - so call it 19 since little bear won't make a day out of it, and Amanda will probably be in and out throughout the day. Until a bigger venue turns up (or if), I am afraid I am going to have to limit it to the total already interested. The 21 count does contain eight tentatives, so there is nothing set in concrete - but the forms are in and the truck is on the way.

I will keep you updated, and I am still accepting tentatives, but within two weeks I will hear back from The Chamber of Commerce about venue options. If nothing turns up, I will stop all registrations and start seeking commitments from the current tentatives at that point. It will be first come - first served, however.

Looking forward to seeing you guys!

[johnnyrichards]

Still working on a better venue, but rest assured this will be happening! A friend has graciously offered a door-prize, and I will also have a few goodies as a give away. I will be contacting several vendors to see if they are interested in sending a couple of things, as well.

I am working out a basic schedule, but the show itself will be very casual and I will actually leave it up to you guys on who will play what, next - unless I secure a larger venue and open registrations up further. Then I will have to create a more organized flow to make sure everyone gets time to demo.

If you have not done so, please make your reservations if you plan on staying overnight for one or both nights - Sioux Falls can fill up fairly fast in the summer.

Still undecided on lunch plans for Saturday, but am leaning strongly to some spicy pulled pork sandwiches that my favorite watering hole makes. If spicy foods are not your forte, let me know and I will arrange for an alternative. I think side dishes and beverages will be pot-luck, but I may also get a price on those as well. I am still working on that.

I recommend the show venue for dinner - they have very good food and showing up in time for dinner will ensure we have plenty of good seating. I will reserve a "groupie" table, regardless. I believe the way the tables are arranged for shows will allow about 8-10 people to sit together. The venue has basic bar-type food, plus some very good broasted chicken and steaks.

The band will be "Hotel Oblivion", which is a blues influenced rock and pop band and they will probably perform a couple of their originals, as well. They are a very professional group of people - I doubt you will be disappointed. I will be providing earplugs for those wish to use them.

If you have any questions, concerns or otherwise feel free to call me at (605)940-9651. Please do not text me if possible, I am on a limited plan. A single five minute phone call will allow much more information to change hands. I may upgrade to an unlimited plan for May and June, however.

Have a great day!

[johnnyrichards]

Encouraging news on the venue front, will keep you posted.

[johnnyrichards]

https://www.threadmeup.com/ddiy2014

Get your t-shirts here!

[johnnyrichards]

I have booked a very nice venue, and things are really rolling along! We will have some more pertinent information put together by the end of this week as regards maps, area info, show info etc.

[johnnyrichards]

Hey guys, we finally got our official website updated with pertinent info to date. Check it out at:

http://midwestaudioclub.com/ddiy2014/

Please take a moment and fill out the registration form if you plan to be here, or even if you think you might make it in.

Appreciate it!