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kidshowvent Elite user 410 Posts |
Hi All..
Just wanted to personally thank all of you who supported the Vent Haven ConVENTion this past year, either by attending or in spirit. I wanted to share a few statistics about the ConVENTion that yoube interested in: • We had the largest attendance of any VHC, or any ventriloquist gathering EVER in the history of vent. We had 536 attendees at this years eVENT. Our old record was around 435-440. • We had 14 countries represented including the following: USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom (England), Switzerland, Japan, Kuwait, Israel, Mexico, Germany, China, Indonesia, and India. • We had 38 of the 50 United States represented..including vents from Hawaii and Alaska. • AND..we have moved the conVENTion to a new home, the first time since it's inception 35 years ago. We have a new hotel, the Cincinnati Airport Marriott, and you can see for yourself by looking at: cincinnatiairportmarriott.com It's beautiful and meets our needs completely. Room rates are comparable to the Drawbridge Hotel at $99. per night (a real baragain as the hotel usually goes for around $119.-135. during the week and up to $189. on the weekends). I feel bad for leaving the Drawbridge. We all had many great memories there, but the memories were about our lecturers, performers and friends..not about the hotel. The Drawbridge was a tired, run down place but we had a long term contract with them starting in 2005. At the time of signing it was the only place with meeting rooms big enough to accommodate us..but since then we have more choices. I was almost at the end of the contract so I cancelled it and signed a new, two year agreement with the Marriott. I know you are going to like it. That's all for now..but I will keep you posted! Mark markwade@kidshowvent.com |
olivertwist Special user Nashua, NH 588 Posts |
Congratulations on a great convention, Mark!
I wish I could have been there. Next year I should be able to make it. |
creativemac Special user Tampa, FL 834 Posts |
We have a new place to start new memories.
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MT Elite user 414 Posts |
I hope we can top this year's attendance next year!
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
That would be something to top this year's, but do you think the Nelson tribute had something to do with the record attendance this year?
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
The Jimmy Nelson Tribute may have had something to do with the swollen numbers for this year, but since we were blessed with so many newcomers, all of whom had a great time, the possibilities of continuing with numbers similar or greater than this year are very good.
As long as Mark continues to put together a well organized show, with a good balance between learning, entertainment, vendors and social contacts, I think the possibilities are very good that we have just hit a new level and can continue to grow and get bigger than ever. Steve http://www.thedummyshoppe.com |
Chuck Lyons Loyal user Channahon, IL 264 Posts |
I am planning on attending next year and have never been to the ConVention before. But after watching the videos and hearing all the great things about it. I will be there next year.
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Dr. Solar Special user Citrus Heights, Ca. 526 Posts |
The Jimmy Nelson celebration was tantamount to the large numbers. There must be some puppet association that many can seek out and join? A little bit more emphasis on lip control might be sought for those clamoring for open mic nights. I'm sure there were many others that were not allowed at open mic due to sheer numbers of those interested.It really could make it a lot more entertaining. I heard this from many many there. Wonderful workshops were had by those that attended though.
I look forward to another time there. So many wonderful folks.
"look for me in all things forgotten"
www.drsolar.com |
Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
Lip control is an ongoing struggle for a lot of us, even the pros. A good lip control workshop could help new people and be a refresher for others.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-08-01 13:47, Dr. Solar wrote: Most of the folks doing open mic don't get much stage time. Nerves have a major effect on lip control. Until you are completely comfortable on stage, it can be hard to still the lips. Practice helps, but stage experience is invaluable. I've seen plenty of people concentrating so hard on not moving their lips, that their act was about as engaging as watching grass grow. I'm highly doubtful more open mic slots would make the convention more entertaining. |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Quote:
A good lip control workshop could help new people and be a refresher for others. That could depend....care would have to be taken on who to choose to run that workshop. It would have to be someone who was truly proficient in that aspect. There's one person that has DVDs for teaching vent, I haven't seen them, but from some clips I've seen of the person, their workshop would actually have to be called "how to hide your flapping lips behind the mic". I would hate to see someone like that running the workshop, especially if there were new people there. The only real workshop there could be, would be a short one, telling people to investigate different methods until they find one that works best for them and practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more. Open mics - now there's one time I couldn't even begin to criticize anyone. Theoretically, that should be the safest most supportive audience, but by the same token, as I've seen others mention, we all know in reality it can be the most intimidating audience anyone could face. I'll be honest, no matter how good I thought I was, no matter how comfortable I might normally feel on stage, I still don't think I would feel comfortable in front of THAT audience. So criticize anyone who does dare to face THAT audience - not me. Quote:
As long as Mark continues to put together a well organized show, with a good balance between learning, entertainment, vendors and social contacts, It may be too soon to count our chickens on the numbers, but at least we know we can count on Mark to do just that, year after year.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
kidshowvent Elite user 410 Posts |
I know we had a spike in numbers because of Jimmy Nelson. But that being said, we have had a steady progression of attendees coming each year. Our average count is somewhere between 420-440. My dream was always to get it to 500 and then maintain that number. Jimmy's bounce helped us this year and with a great program schedule for next year I think we can come close to that magic "500" number!
Mark markwade@kidshowvent.com |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Like Steve said, with so many newcomers, it may happen.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-08-02 10:10, blueshawk1 wrote: Already happened. If everything is fine on my side, I'll be coming next year. |
tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-08-02 05:59, blueshawk1 wrote: Agreed. I mentioned it to Ken Groves. He is the master at still lips and pronunciation. The problem with it is the practice part. Too many people either don't care, or aren't willing to put out the effort. When I started, Ken mentored me. I am still a long way from his mastery, but his ability shows me it CAN be done and it is something I work on EVERY day. I've gotten much better - but I'm no Ken Groves. Which makes me constantly try harder. I'd love to see him tackle that subject at ConVENTion. I believe it would make people aware of how good they could be if they work at the art. Tom |
Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
One additional factor has to be taken into account. We all know that Mark Wade "is a great man". He has in fact put together a well oiled machine, with many willing helpers to make it all work. However, there are things that go on behind the scenes that most of us don't take the time to think about or acknowledge.
Case in point. If we had the greatest possible show to go to (which I believe we do) and nobody got out the word to let it be known, then outside of the hardcore group of faithful nobody would get the word and the numbers of newbies would not have grown the way it has in the last three years. For those of you who closely follow the blogs, you know that there are a few folks who have all but given blood to get the word out, and I think there is a vote of Thanks that should go out to each of them. Immediately in my mind is Dan Willinger and Steve Hurst who even have their famous "countdown clock" on the daily blog for http://www.ventriloquistcentralblog.com . That blog is one of the most publicized forums of daily communications for the Vent and Vent curious world. Dan and Steve never miss an opportunity to blow the welcoming trumpets to attract new attendees at the ConVENTion. They don't get anything for it, and their only payback is their total love of the art. (Yes, Steve is also our webmaster and a darn good one at that, but he did not ask me to say this.) Lets not forget Clinton Detweiler and his blog. He is another who provides useful lip service for the ConVENTion. There is also Conrad Hartz, who on a regular basis makes announcements pertaining to VHC on http://www.worldvents.com. Not to be forgotten is Steve Axtell who selflessly promotes the event each year. There is so much that contributes to our GREAT ConVENTion and its continued growth. The only way we will see continued growth is by the combined efforts of both Mark, and all the others who get the word out. A little recognition never hurt anybody!! That said, Thanks Mark, Dan and Steve, Clinton, Conrad and Steve A. Some of us do notice and we appreciate what you do. Steve http://www.thedummyshoppe.com |
Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
[quote]On 2011-08-02 12:41, tacrowl wrote:
Quote:
I don't want to turn this into a Ken Groves thread, but I wholeheartedly agree with Tom's comments. I took a 5 hour private coaching session with Ken before the ConVENTion, and I am still reeling from all that he had to teach me. On lip control, he does have excellent tips. Getting him to do a session on it would be great. Tom is also right about practice and about the importance of performing regularly. I've had perfect lip control at home and then cringed when I later saw a video tape of a performance. I, too, practice still lips every day. Bob |
Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
Quote:
Tom is also right about practice and about the importance of performing regularly. I've had perfect lip control at home and then cringed when I later saw a video tape of a performance. I, too, practice still lips every day. That's my issue too. If I could get the audience to come to my house it would be great Seriously, I practice on it every day but I wonder if I am practicing the right way. Maybe I need some mentoring from Ken.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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