WEEKEND AT THE ASYLUM 2012

[Jarrett]

I would definately be interested in seeing a burlesque show, Hell if I were less chubby I'd volunteer to do one for you

[ladyelsie]

Children at The Asylum is always a sticky one. While we have met some very well behaved Coglings, and have allowed some of them to the Ball/evening features. We do have to keep within the law. re children in rooms where there are bars etc.

It is very nice to send them off to Granny's/Aunties/ Friends for a weekend to be spoilt rotton and have a weekend of grown up fun.

When my darlings were little I was lucky enough to send them off a couple of times a year , but had then to have my newphew in return, twice. I had two and my sister only had the one child. I do know not everyone is lucky to be able to do this.

If there is demand for a teen event and it covers costs we will have a look at it. What would you like to do. ?? It may also be of interest to some older 'teens'.

Having run a Nursery, and being an adviser to Parliament on under 8's the idea of a mobile creche does appeal, but again the cost is quite high. And the red tape and licensing can be a nightmare. I looked at a mobile bussines that offers this service and the cost per child was from £25  for 90 Min's . More for an entertainer. Some bigger conventions have done this although it was for a limitted time during the day.

We will keep looking at this and hopefully someone will come up with the perfect solution.

[Mimsy Beaucoup]

I would definately be interested in seeing a burlesque show, Hell if I were less chubby I'd volunteer to do one for you

One doens't need to be slim to do burlesque...just confident! I have seen many lovely burlesque artists thin and not so thin, hell i have done it and I am not slim!

[Jarrett]

The confidence is an issue too

[SteamBlast Mary]

Voted. Difficult to choose, but I've gone for the options that are harder to replicate outside the Asylum (i.e. there's chance to see quality comedy or bands* several times a year but there is only one Empire Ball.)

Let's face it, the Major and Elsie could list a "Let's poke badgers with spoons" evening and it would be a sell-out. (and with their planning and the Bon Homme of a Steampunk audience, it would probably be a smashing evening, too.)



*Comedians and musicians: that is not to say we have chance to see you ENOUGH. Get more gigs lines up! There's people out here wanting you to part them from their hard-earned cash, you know.

[TimeTinker]

Thanks for the confidence SB Mary - scary as it is.

May I use the title "Poking badgers with spoons" for the "Talk to Tinker about next year's Asylum" programme item for Sunday at Asylum 2011?

I think the Memsahib also plans to use it for the "Post-Dead-Dog-Staff-Get-Wasted-Party" Sunday night, bring your own badger - spoons supplied

[SteamBlast Mary]

I have unleashed a monster...

[Angelica Needle]

Is the poll locked once you've voted? Only I'm on our Tab, and it misclicked when I went to vote on the counter & submitted instead, and I can't see any option to change my vote. Sorry That's one more in counter.
If the vote is changeable, maybe I just don't have the option in Android, so will do it next time I switch the computer on.

I haven't voted for Thursday/Sunday options as I'd prefer something more fluid - I'm not bothered about organised entertainment & would prefer to be able to chat to people.

[darkshines]

Ok, ok, I'll burlesque dance for free if it makes things easier!

[TimeTinker]

I have unleashed a monster...

Quick - we need bigger spoons!


Sorry Angelica it seems that you cannot actually change your vote even though I thought I had set the options that way. (I can't find a way to change it.)  The trends are proving very helpful however.

[TimeTinker]

Ok, ok, I'll burlesque dance for free if it makes things easier!

That is really nice of you ma'am and I am sure there is now many a gentleman needing a brandy at the thought as their pulses race.

As a minimum we offer free passes to performers or payment.  It is only fair after all. (Fancy debuting this year at the Soiree?)

[Mrs Turner]

Ok I read through it 3 times before voting, so I hope I got it right!  
I am looking forward to next years Asylum as I was unable to make it this year.

[darkshines]

Ok, ok, I'll burlesque dance for free if it makes things easier!

That is really nice of you ma'am and I am sure there is now many a gentleman needing a brandy at the thought as their pulses race.

As a minimum we offer free passes to performers or payment.  It is only fair after all. (Fancy debuting this year at the Soiree?)

I asked Mr C and he said "hell for a free pass I'LL do a burlesque dance!". Somehow I don't think he would look so good in my sequin pasties and merkin.....

[Mimsy Beaucoup]

 That is two blokes that have offered! Not enough boylesque around, get 'em on...or off should that be? LOL!

[ladyelsie]

J.C.M.Rob and Mr C, on the same bill. Oh my... pass the smelling salts Major and a stiff Gin.....

[SteamBlast Mary]

I'll be polishing my opera glasses in anticipation.

 As others have said, a Burlesque act or two as part of the Soiree would be a treat, but a whole evening/event of it? Hmm. It does wear thin fairly quickly. Much better as part a variety performance.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

A Wilson Kepple and Betty themed burlesque? Strategic use of Fez would definietly win over the crowd.

[darkshines]

There were a couple of naughtier acts at The Waltz, a stripper and a dancer, and I can't see why I couldn't do that. I can even carry a tune! As long as its jazz, I can't sing anything else..... Hmmm, some sultry 1920s jazz......

[The Governess]

I have voted. The world may breathe again.

re: Burlesque. I do really like burlesque- when it's done well. A good example is the Candy Box in B'ham, which featured Imelda May as vocalist, a great  (numerous!) band, and two hour plus of great acts (the Markee de Saw got no kit off whatsoever, but played  the saw and sang in an aethereal way).
However, not all are anywhere near this standard, and dodgy burlesque is quite, well, dodgy.

While I'm happy to pay for the classy stuff, I understand The Major's points about funding, and it may be that a lower cost would yield lower quality, thus becoming a self-excluding event...

[Esme Moore]

I've voted, and with much the same rationale as SB Mary.

Not fussed about burlesque personally, I'd rather a music hall evening, a la 'The Good Old Days' as was on TV.  A bit of variety, kind of thing. As for street performers, I agree entirely, Major - if they're good enough, they'll make money busking.  A good classical guitarist or lutenist that entraces me can expect to find themselves on the receiving end of a couple of quid from me.. - heck, even a decent piper can expect something from me, so long as they play some decent tunes and not the usual rubbish most street pipers play.

Hmmn.. I was just thinking.. if one of the bars at the event had a piano that suitably talented patrons could play available, a bit of a sing-song around a piano could prove an interesting bit of imprompty DIY entertainment, too, perhaps?

[Elisheva Cog]

The Cogs have voted.   

Blimey!  That is what I call organisation.  Just as a comment and merely my own opinion : I think we have been given more than ample events without the need for anything  new!     We do want The Major and his Lady to keep their sanity!

[Just call me Rob]

 We do want The Major and his Lady to keep their sanity!

Isn't it a bit late for that?

[TimeTinker]

Blimey!  That is what I call organisation.  Just as a comment and merely my own opinion : I think we have been given more than ample events without the need for anything  new!   

Thanks for the kind words. 

We are having to look at new features though in order to increase capacity.  I must point out that we are not trying to grow just for the sake of it however.  It is not about simply being the biggest.  The objective is accessibility.

We do not want steampunk to become elitist and cliquey.  It's true strength lies in the welcome that people receive and the positive nature of the social interactions.  We have to find ways that mean newcomers to the community can attend this focal event and add their own creativity to the whole.

Since the venues are limited in capacity (we are OK for the moment for day features) we are having to look at multiple events for the evenings (as well as ensuring there are venues for folks who just want to hang out and chat etc).  It would not feel right to have two balls for example, since this could be divisive,  but having a variety of features increases choice and capacity hand in hand.  This is our plan.

We are delighted with the University accomodation being available this year.  We have been working towards it coming online for next year.  This and a new major hotel in Lincoln means there are a further 600 beds available for 2012.  We are also trying to organise a temporary site for caravans/motorhomes up near The Asylum (sorry but tents are proving to be more difficult).

Ideas and suggestions are fine but please try to stop and think for a minute before you post. The ideas need to be for things we can find venues for, set up, organise and market.  Impromptu features etc are for you guys to arrange with your friends and are not the remit of this thread.  Ideas need to be:

1. Legal  (Not as silly as it sounds - think about licensing, health and safety etc)
2. STEAMPUNK!   You can go to other events for other features.  This is our weekend for steampunk.  We only get the one huge event a year - let's not waste any of it.
3. Financially viable  (We have come a long way from when the memsahib and I signed the deposit cheques of our own savings with the words - can we really afford to lose 5 grand if this all goes wrong?)
4. Popular enough that they will be pretty full (otherwise other Asylum goers end up subsidising your pet feature)
5. Logistically practical. 

I hope this post helps people to understand.  I will continue to respond to ideas but having an overview of how we have to look at things may help your thought processes.

Meanwhile - keep voting.

Thanks.

[TimeTinker]

By the way - it looks like we need an alternative idea for Saturday night.

Suggestions please:  An event that will attract around 100 -150 people?

[aligov]

I've voted, and with much the same rationale as SB Mary.

Not fussed about burlesque personally, I'd rather a music hall evening, a la 'The Good Old Days' as was on TV.  A bit of variety, kind of thing. As for street performers, I agree entirely, Major - if they're good enough, they'll make money busking.  A good classical guitarist or lutenist that entraces me can expect to find themselves on the receiving end of a couple of quid from me.. - heck, even a decent piper can expect something from me, so long as they play some decent tunes and not the usual rubbish most street pipers play.

Hmmn.. I was just thinking.. if one of the bars at the event had a piano that suitably talented patrons could play available, a bit of a sing-song around a piano could prove an interesting bit of imprompty DIY entertainment, too, perhaps?

By the way - it looks like we need an alternative idea for Saturday night.

Suggestions please:  An event that will attract around 100 -150 people?

Music hall sounds great...variety acts etc  Wilson Kepple and Betty and the like.