August 29, 2015 Email Poll: Daytime vs Nighttime Gig
Dear Classmate:
It may seem a bit early to you that we are writing about the Fab 40th Reunion--13 months out.
However, I want to solidify a contract in 30 days, so I can launch the gig one year out on October 1, 2015.
Naturally, we are not looking for RSVPs or money on October 1, 2015 (although, that would be nice J) but I knew we need to get a sense of not only how many people might attend, and I don't necessarily need a headcount (but, that would be nice too), but more importantly feedback from you if you're willing to allow me to possibly "switch up the type of event."
For the past 40 years, the Saturday night gig was on Saturday night. What if the Saturday night gig was during the day on Saturday from 1 to 4:30PM? Why, you ask? Frst of all it's the restaurant! I want to close the restaurant exclusively for our class. And, it's a very fine French country restaurant. If you're local, you know it. La Ferme, in Chevy Chase. The enclosed link will give you the look and feel for who they are and what they do.
If we had our event at La Ferme, I can do a deal that would include a three course meal of very fine food, and an open bar for any kind of cocktail, wine served with the meal, and dessert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqhwcUIIeb0
We will have a DJ, but the dance floor will play appropriate music during the cocktail hour and give you kids the disco and rock you want to dance to after dinner. As you can see in the video, we even have a grand piano in there, should we want it (for a few extra bucks). As you can see, the venues are plentiful (the main dining room, the upstairs, and the outside porch) and best of all, free parking for everyone. Furthermore, we can't beat the price under $100 for all booze included in that covers the picnic on Sunday as well, along with all the other moving parts that goes into planning a reunion.
Now, we can have all of this and more with all the same possibilities on Saturday night, including closing the restaurant strictly for us, but we're talking about $150 a head. And, I'm working at trying to shave about $20 off the ticket for spouses.
Now, at this moment, do not hold me to the dollar on these ticket prices because I have a whole lot more math to do. I'm coming to the table with a broad stroke number!
The most important point of this email is to simply ask you:
How do you feel about switching up the Saturday evening gig to Saturday afternoon?
And, the upside, and "I'm not selling it" is that it gives you the opportunity to meet up with friends and go out with them later that night! We will also provide you with referrals of places to go! J
We will continue with the Friday night cocktail party where you carry your own tab, and the Sunday picnic at Seneca State Park with kegs of beer, burgers, dogs, soda, and chips all tied to the price of the Saturday reunion ticket.
As you all know, there are many other costs tied in and we have to absorb that in the reunion ticket price.
At the 35th, we were "Fortunate to Have a Few Devoted Donors" to support us in offsetting some of the costs in financing this 3-day weekend. Should that happen again. It will help defray the hardship.
Any Volunteers?
Dear Classmate, your response is critical so that this decision may incorporate your feedback. Our goal is to get as much participation in this event as possible, as this will make for the most meaningful and enjoyable gig.
Keeping a scorecard here, so in your response, please be sure to give us a Yes/No answer regarding the Saturday day versus evening gig.
A response from me may be delayed, as you can well imagine, loads of folks to cover here.
And, as of today, we have 56 of you on record as coming. Of course, 13 months out, that number will double or more.
Only good things for you....
Richard "Bedard~Moonblatt" Peterson
Senior Class Prez