Okay, I have the place....

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:23 pm

...who wants to see Canada? I talked to the owner of my favorite pub here, explained the songfight concept thing to him, told him we like to congregate once in a while, and that his bar wold be perfect for it- he seemed actually very enthusiastic about the idea...

The Vat pub, Red Deer, Alberta. What can they offer?
-Full soundstage, including lights, mixing desk, awesome P.A. system, etc... I've played here several times, the sound is phenomenal. Friendly staff, great clientelle. Seating cap. about 250.

He's willing to allow us to sequester the place (while still keeping it open to public, of course) an entire weekend, at my scheduling, T.B.A. for free. He makes money on booze sales, we get a place to jam out for a weekend. I promised him 15+ acts (owing to previous SF Live events) advertisement, etc, he will cover. (think free exposure) This would be basically a 'bring your guitar/keyboard and rock out for a weekend' thing, would promote songfight, and would be awesome (I've had dreams about hosting a SF Live event at this place, it's so perfect)

Enough selling the venue, who would be interested, and what would be a good weekend? I'd need at least a couple months in advance to get everything sorted.

bz£ · Post by **bz£** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:37 pm

Sweet! Can you get a few underage folks in? I know, the drinking age in Canada is like twelve, but still. And how's transportation? I suppose Edmonton isn't too far away, but how easy is it to get people in and lodged for a weekend?

Sounds like you've got pretty much everything you'd need for a big SF live show if you want to volunteer for that. I'd wait until summer, though.

Post by **Lunkhead** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:39 pm

How would far away Americans and the like get there? Fly into Calgary and drive? Connect in Calgary? Or Spokane? What about accommodations, like hotels, motels, etc.?

jack · Post by **jack** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:53 pm

what kind of timeframe are you looking at here?

also, if gert can make it, i'll make it.

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:00 pm

How to get here: Well, we're directly between Calgary and Edmonton. About 90 miles from either city. You'd have to either rent a car or bus in from one of them, or if you are so inclined, there are connecting flights to Red Deer airport (warning: expensive)

Lodging: Plenty of hotels/motels, ranging from about $50-$150 night, depending on your richness quotient. I could probably arrange something for a few people, too. (don't quote me on that)

Underage: How underage are we talking, bzl? The legal drinking age (thus, the age at which you can legally be in a bar here) is 18. As long as nothing crazy happens, I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem (within reason. don't expect to be 14 and get in)

Any other questions, just ask

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:04 pm

jack wrote:what kind of timeframe are you looking at here?

also, if gert can make it, i'll make it.

That's what I'm asking you!

jack · Post by **jack** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:10 pm

the place looks jumpin!

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:13 pm

heh heh hehe

It looks almost exactly like that now. Except for the methheads. And hookers.

jack · Post by **jack** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:50 pm

hookers? well shit, why didn't you just say that to begin with.

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:01 pm

So you're in then?

Also, get over to somesongs and rate my beerbelly song already.

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:38 pm

Google Maps wrote:967 mi (about 21 hours 18 mins)

Portland, OR, USA to Red Deer, Canada, that ain't so bad a drive. Who wants to go in on renting a van?

The bad part is having to spend 42 hours with me, and trapped in a van, heh.

Denyer · Post by **Denyer** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:57 pm

what about hookers?

mkilly · Post by **mkilly** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:04 am

rabid, get a $50 plane ticket to spokane and you, me, and glenn will road trip with a more-reasonable 10 or 12 hours.

one drag is starting in january a lot of international travel will require passports.

Caravan Ray · Post by **Caravan Ray** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:10 am

Canada? I think I've heard of that. Isn't that one of those little countries we always shit on in the Commonwealth Games? Sort of like New Zealand but with slightly less stupid accents.

Hell yeah! Sounds good to me.

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:20 am

Mkilly wrote:rabid, get a $50 plane ticket to spokane and you, me, and glenn will road trip with a more-reasonable 10 or 12 hours.

one drag is starting in january a lot of international travel will require passports.

Shit, Spokane's just an 8 hour drive from here. Albatross can fly up to PDX, we'll drive to Spokane, and then boom, it's a foursome across the border into the deepest darkest Great White North.

Although flying would be cheaper. Hmmm. Passport application's sitting on the bookcase. And getting into our neighbor to the north ain't a problem... it's getting back out that warrants the blue leatherette.

Hell, I'm in, by hook or by crook.

ken · Post by **ken** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:30 am

Damn, I was gonna try and get in on this. How many does this van hold? Can it make it through the Canadian winter?

Ken

jack · Post by **jack** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:53 am

maybe a winnebago or 2 is in order.

it could second as a sleeping option.

maybe fly to spokane and rent there? i'm game. what about taking it out of the country though?

songfight planet caravan!

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:08 am

I'd like to be there. If this happens.

boltoph · Post by **boltoph** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:16 am

jack wrote:if gert can make it, i'll make it.

Ditto that, especially if jack can make it. I've heard the Canadian west coast is absolutely beautiful. Personally, for me, Spring/Summer 2007 would be best. . .

I made my first trip to Canada this past August, and aside from the full body cavity search prior to my flight home, it was a great trip.

deshead · Post by **deshead** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:44 am

It's not very close to the west coast Boltoph.

And yeah, summer would be a much better time <shiver>

Smalltown Mike · Post by **Smalltown Mike** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:30 am

I don't know Canada too well, but I'm pretty sure I can walk to Alta. from here.

jack · Post by **jack** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:51 am

so i just looked into flights from san jose. assuming this happens in say june of next year, it's about $280 RT from san jose to spokane. san jose to calgary is about $430. either way, it looks feasible for me if this was to happen say next summer. i think summer would be the best time myself.

another cool idea would be if glenn could coordinate a show in spokane a couple days before sven's proposed show, and have a bunch of the caravanabago crowd play a spokane show as well. i'm up for the 2fer1 deal!