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Boxstock 2011

Hi everybody..I've been keeping my head down for a while...busy with work, guitar shows etc...but I'm back in the saddle for the run-up to Boxstock.

As you may know, we are back at The Public in West Bromwich this year. I had a tech meet with them this week, and will be finalising the running order shortly. Basically, on Saturday we will be kicking off at 10.00am, and running the morning sessons until 1.00pm The break for lunch will include a couple of 'showcase performances' in the ground floor lobby/cafe area, se we'll be keeping activities rolling all thru' the day. The afternoon will run 2 -5.00 pm, concluding with our first HGMC annual General Meeting don't worry, we'll keep is short and to the point!

The evening gig is underway at 8.00pm. This year we are in the theatre rather than the "Pink Tank" space, so it's a more intimate space for the evening gig, and they have a great PA system too. The bar will be open until midnight, and the building itself closes at 1.00 am. We are aiming to leave ourselves with a bit of time after the main performances to chill-out and jam to wind the evening down.

If you haven't bought a ticket yet, it helps retain what's left of my sanity to know how many people are likely to be arriving on the day. I particular, because we are aiming to repeat some of the players workshops for smaller groups so that you don't need to make a choice of one activity or another, it will really help me programme this. Of course I don't want to get too formal about it, but I do need to do some planning to make sure these activities work as well as we can make them.

OK..bye for now..and hopefully I'll be seeing quite a few of you in a few weeks time.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by smojo on September 17, 2011 at 10:14pm

Also like the idea of a show and tell too.

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on September 17, 2011 at 10:28pm

Yes..reckon that's a goer..I'll be sorting the timetable for the day shortly..but there'll be scope enough to do things on the fly.

Here's me doing a bit of promo work last weekend

http://yfrog.com/j23d9vqj

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on September 17, 2011 at 10:45pm

Good work John. Is it a coincidence you ststioned yourself right beside the ice-cream truck and wore your ice-cream eating pants?? I think not....

Permalink Reply by Malcolm Wright on September 18, 2011 at 3:45am

Arggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Just got back on the red-eye from DC only to be confronted by a video clip of John's arse!

That's it....I'm quitting my membership!

Malc.

Permalink Reply by Chris Tinker on September 18, 2011 at 10:21pm

Hi John, In terms of the open mic on Saturday, what equipment do we need for that, is it just guitars and stomp boxes again or do I need to lug an amp with me?

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on September 19, 2011 at 9:50pm

There will be amps around on the Saturday - I'm not sure how we will fit in impromptu playing sessions, as I'm concentrating the open mic session on the Friday night..so much stuff to fit into the day! Also, we have the after hours session if you are staying on until the very end on Saturday night. As well as the main space, we've got 'breakout rooms' for smaller workshops and sessions. If you want to bring a small amp that's cool, but you needn't lug stuff around if that's a hassle for you..we've got amps! As per last year, we have totally secure access to the space for the daytime, so leaving gear around is no problem.

Permalink Reply by Chris Tinker on September 19, 2011 at 10:02pm

Thanks John, that's helpful.

In terms of the day itself. How many cbg's should I bring? Is it best if we bring as many as we can (for instance I have built an electric full-size, an acoustic full-size, an acoustic 3/4 size, a decoupaged basic diddley bow, a pool cue diddley bow, a plank hair grease tin resonator diddley bow and a two-string diatonically fretted cbg).

Is the idea that it is good to have lots with us to show and pass around? Or just one to play? Or swapsies?

I wasn't able to be there last year, and I don't want to arrive with loads as though I'm showing off, but equally, if it helps to bring a good number, then I'm happy to.

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on September 19, 2011 at 10:45pm

Well..bring what you want..there's lots of space and people are really up for seeing other other stuff folk are building...the more the merrier.

John

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on September 19, 2011 at 11:41pm

Bring them all Chris - I wanna see them!Its not showing off, its just making the most of the event.

So you dont feel bad, I'll be bringing 14 cbgs, a diddly, a 6 string reso, maybe a 6 string F hole slide thingy, 4 amps, a big kick drum, my hobostomper, 5 or 6 hard cases, some effects pedals, some CBG parts, a few boxes and tins, all the HGMC stuff like T shirts & membership packs, some musically inspired furniture and, if I can fit them in the car, Juju and Banjo Ant! :o)

Permalink Reply by Chris Tinker on September 19, 2011 at 11:45pm

Thanks Ben,

I hope you don't drive a Nissan Micra, either that or I hope that Juju and Banjo Ant come flat packed....

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on September 19, 2011 at 11:50pm

Im planning on strapping them on the roof.... :o)

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on September 19, 2011 at 11:53pm

BOXSTOCK / HGMC RAFFLE

Bit last minute I know, but if anyone would like to donate any prizes to this years raffle, can you let me know? Its cool to turn up on the day with whatever, but itd be nice to know we have a main prize. If not, Il need to build something sharpish!

This year it will be in aid of the HGMC.

Cheers