HBkahuna
Another idea would be a legends workshop where you get group instruction, a lecture and jam with one or more of the legends. Admission is like $30 to $50 to compensate the legends for their time. Just a thought.
I can set this part up..

Beautiful idea...

This is gonna open up a whole can of worms, but hey, this is just my opinion. I'm all up for having one or two legendary bands play, if they are true legends that would really bring in a bunch of people and don't just play a bunch of weak cover songs and one or two of their vintage hits. I haven't seen many of the 60's bands that play CA, but I usually hear a wide variety of reviews about them. In my mind, the only 60's bands that I'd really want to see at an event like this are the Trashmen and the Ventures. Maybe one or two others, but those are the ones that come immediately to mind. I think the 60's bands would ask for A LOT more money, and most of them just aren't very good - I love their 60's recordings, but I wouldn't come down just to see a bunch of old men (most of whom aren't even original members) wearing Hawaiian shirts playing "Roll Over Beethoven" and "House Of The Rising Sun".

I really think Vegas, in an established concert venue with a PA and their own security, and possibly downtown, is the way to go. You can find cheap flights to Vegas from anywhere in the world, plus downtown Vegas is cheap. Plus I can envision some very cool posters using downtown Vegas/4-Queens imagery. I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I just think Vegas would be a lot more fun and you'd probably get a lot more people attending. Judging by the interest so far I'd say we could easily get 200-400 people, and with some advertising maybe twice that.

Sean
Double Crown Records
www.doublecrownrecords.com

Surf CD's / Vinyl / Fanzines / DVD's
The Desolate Coast - Without A Planet CD
Hipbone Slim aka Sir Bald - Wiggin' Out With CD
Continental Magazine - Issue #36 w/21 Song CD

Eddie B, Surfaris, both versions, Chantays, DD, all based in so Cal. Just to name a few. There is no issue as far as venues in so Cal. Plenty. The promised land for surf is not in Vegas, with all due respect. So Cal spawned the culture, not vegas.

bigtikidude
Don't forget all the guys that have to ASK their wives if they can go.
they will need to fill out in triplicate a please release my balls from your purse for the weekend pass.

Man, you really know how to hurt a guy

Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook

The choice on location should depend on how big this thing is going to be.

If it's only going to be a medium-sized collection of the regulars on this site, I'd say holding it around LA is the way to go since most of us are scattered about California.

If this event is going to have sponsors and big name musicians like some are brainstorming about, Vegas is probably the better place to hold such a large event. It'd be much more cost effective and convenient for people on the East coast (yes, there are a few over here that enjoy surf as well ).

Honestly, I'd say we should keep it small this time around and have the convention in Cali and then see how things turn out. If it goes well, then we can try to assemble something larger in a place that can accommodate such an event, like Vegas.

Also, it'd be a good idea to set up a poll on here seeing which of the two locations (or others locations yet to be determined) would work better for everyone.

There's my two cents...

"Hope is a waking dream." - Aristotle

B_Zilla
Honestly, I'd say we should keep it small this time around and have the convention in Cali and then see how things turn out. If it goes well, then we can try to assemble something larger in a place that can accommodate such an event, like Vegas.

Also, it'd be a good idea to set up a poll on here seeing which of the two locations (or others locations yet to be determined) would work better for everyone.

Start small. Let it grow. See what works.

Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook

My vote is for Vegas, with SoCal as 2nd choice for many of the reasons Sean gave. It is certainly cheaper for a Canadian band from Halifax to fly to Vegas (if we were invited to play... ).

The Viva Las Vegas shows seem to go big there, as do the Rockin' 50's shows in Green Bay, WI (that might be a place to consider).

Maybe some touristy types hangin' around in Vegas might come to the show (there're lots of tourists there, right?)

The Trashmen would certainly be a highlight for me!

Rev

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

HBkahuna
There is only one place to have the first one. Ground zero, Surf City USA

I agree. My sis-in-law will let us use her place, and its only about 50 miles south of me via the Garden State Parkway.

Oh. Not Surf City, NJ, huh.

I am 3000 miles away in Hell's Kitchen, yet ready to jump on a plane to attend something like this

I like the reasoning for LAS VEGAS

Someone also said EUROPE b/c SURF has a very big following over there

But in the end, so many of the bands are CALIFORNIA based, and might need to stay closer to home (family, 'real jobs') -- then again, VEGAS ain't so far away

I also think you might not want to be too adventurous, and keep it down to 2 days, max, of music; (SAT + SUN?); throw in a pre-festival party on FRI,....Hell, throw parties THURS and FRI, put some crazy SURF/GARAGE/TIKI/POLYNESIAN DJ's spinning, maybe 1 or max, 2 bands each of the 'party' nights, prior to the BIG EVENT - the 2-days of surf.....

this is kind of the way it went at the WIPE OUT FESTIVAL in 2004 in Calella Spain.....& I thought it went pretty smooth

and of course have booths set up at the 2-day event for people to sell their wares

but if it starts to come together....let us know the ink is 'almost dry' on the deal so us East Coasters and those further away can book cheaper flights way in advance

thx to all of you for getting this together

UNSTEADY FREDDIE

http://www.facebook.com/unsteady.freddie

Last edited: Jan 23, 2008 22:47:38

I will make some calls to some close rockabilly folks to see what they or how they do it for "Viva Las Vegas" with the bands that come from all around but my main idea was to have it like a big convention with band booths, swamp meet like with surfin' related goods, an open mic have Sg101ers in teams go up and jam and do a few songs per team the whole point of this is to all meet up in one place for 2 days and have work shops for those that want to learn
guitar tech stuff etc.. but this event can evolve over time and that's where I need you guys!

SoCal will be ground zero that's my vision
and yes we would charge a small fee of $10 for the 2 day entry pass so we can pay the bills for the event etc.

Jake most bands have merch cds, stickers, shirts there is never a guarantee that you'll sell anything at any show you gamble take a chance and hope for the best.

-Kyle

Beyond The Surf YouTube channel
Beyond The Surf Instagram
The Verbtones @ Instagram
The Verbtones @ Facebook
The Verbtones @ bandcamp