Good News?

I've been working overtime on getting The Spongetones to play the party.

Rumor has it my hard work will pay off!

Keep those party fingers crossed.

Machinations

OK, here is where we stand music wise:

1) I've got a request off to Jamie Hoover of the Spongetones. He was going to "run it by the lads" but I may not hear back until they get back from Japan. (Or maybe I will - but I'm not expecting to hear anything right away.)

2) I've discovered that Webb Wilder does duo acoustic shows for the right price (i.e. $1500 plus air fare/hotel/food - hell I'd throw in beer.) This would be for a Friday night living room show.

Now, since I've no idea what it would take to get the Spongetones ($-wise) if they are up for it, there is no way I can move forward on Mr. Wilder yet...but it is an intriguing possibility.

Spongetones Anyone?

I've got a feeler off to Jamie Hoover of the Spongetones to see what it would take to get these guys out to River Falls. They have been really cool and helped out the Pure Pop Pub with station ID's, so there is some hope. Plus they are simply great.

Doing covers...





Doing cool originals...





I'll let you guys know when I hear anything.

Well....Shit

I just got the word, and it's not good. Splitsville cannot play my party.

I can't say how much this sucks for me. They would have been the perfect fit.

As of right now I don't have a Plan B.

Accommodation Guide

I thought folks, especially those who like to plan things in advance, might want a primer on the places to stay in beautiful River Falls. Here they are with a few notes from yours truly.

Crossings River Falls:

I stayed in this hotel back when it was a Country Inn & Suites. It is a nice property. It has a nice (indoor) pool and spa. It is within stumbling distance of the American Legion, although a little further from downtown. Price range: $100-$120

UPDATE 7/14: Evidently The Crossings has no rooms left that weekend.

Best Western - River Falls:

This is a brand new hotel, opening only this August. I've not stayed there (obviously), but I've walked through the place and it is gleaming. They also have an indoor pool and spa. They also have a restaurant, though our first visit there was not encouraging. This hotel is a little further from the Legion, but it is in the heart of downtown. Price range: $110-$130

America's Best Value Inn

I have stayed here. It is much more basic and a little old. However, it's clean and cheap. It is right across the street from the Legion, and right next door to the River Falls Family Restaurant, which is good. Price range: $65-$80

Highland Inn - No website: Phone: (715) 425-8388

Never stayed here. It used to be a Super 8 Motel. (If you look at the picture on their website you can see how they just pasted their new sign on top of the old one. Classy.) Their online registration was down so I'm not sure what they charge. It can't be much, though they do have some jacuzzi rooms. They are also very close to the Legion hall. Price range: ?

Kinni Creek Lodge

This is the B&B in town. It is pretty close to the Legion hall and downtown (about midway between the two.) I've never been there, but it looks nice. It is right on the Kinnickinnic River and caters to folks who fish for trout (it is a Class 1 trout stream - whatever that means exactly), or who kayak the river. They have three rooms or the whole cabin can be rented out. Price range: $120-$130 per room (could be more for holiday weekend) or whole cabin $196/night for up to 4 people and $49/night extra per person (up to 9.)



As always, if you have any questions let me know.

More Info, More Music

Well, after a flurry of activity during the summer things have slowed down a little bit. That doesn't mean there isn't (what I consider) big news. I've invited the band The Lackloves (from Milwaukee) to act as the opening act for the bash. They seemed to think it was a little weird that I was asking them over a year out, but they said "Yeah, sure, sounds great, thanks for the invite."

Sounds good to me.

Oh, here they are with an outstanding tune. (Please note the old school video. The stalking undertones are only slightly creepy.)



In other news, I'm instituting a PBS style "premiums" program for those donating money for the party fund.

For amounts up to $30, you will get the "official" HortonFest 2010 T-shirt (or whatever I wind up calling this thing - HortonQuest was a pub crawl that took place in Champaign-Urbana Illinois in 1994, so don't confuse the two.)

Amounts over $30 will get the T-shirt AND another item(s) to be determined.

Any thoughts as to what the second item might be? I'm open to suggestions.

Here Comes The Money!

The first of the "outside funds" for the party have just been deposited (and the running total has been adjusted accordingly.)

Remember folks, if you get left money by that great aunt you never really knew, well, be sure to send a little of that this way. The party will only get better.

Moving At Lightning Speed!

Okay, maybe not, but progress is coming a lot faster then it was.

1) I met with the guy for the American Legion hall on Tuesday and I rented it. It turns out I misheard him over the phone. While the hall rental was indeed $250, the kitchen rental was only $50 and not an additional $250. I put $50 deposit down and secured the date.

2) As for the date, the Legion guy gave me the option of picking Saturday night. When I asked him what about the chicken fry scheduled for that night he said, "It's Labor Day weekend. Who wants to eat fried chicken then? We might as well rent the hall out if we can." Good point. The upshot is the big night for music will be Saturday, September the 4th.

3) After I knew the date, I got a note off to the manager of Splitsville (name of Rob) and let him know when I wanted to book the band. He said he would "run it by the boys" ASAP. They have a gig in LA this weekend, so I think they are a bit busy, but they will at least be together in one place. But who wouldn't want to come to beautiful west central Wisconsin? I mean, its not like its planned for January or anything.

4) I've got the name of the guy who runs the bar at the Legion. I'm gonna want to spruce up the offerings behind the bar, but they have to do all the buying. Still, if their distributor can get it, we can get it. I won't finalize that until next summer, but it is something to keep in mind.

So, see. I haven't been just sitting on my ass here.

Update

It's been awhile, but things are still progressing. I've set up a meeting with the guy who books the American Legion hall here in town. The hall itself only runs $250 (!!!!), though if we need the kitchen it will set us back another $250. Still, that is roughly half what I had budgeted.

This will also be simpler as they have a bar already, which means this will be a cash bar folks. (Hey, it isn't as if anyone's getting married here.)

One slight snag, however. There is a chicken fry on the books for Saturday the 4th. This means the power pop show featuring Splitsville will have to happen on Sunday the 5th of September. This could work for people trying to fit this into a busy schedule as it allows folks to travel on the Saturday, party down on Sunday, and travel back on the holiday Monday. For the rest of us, we will just have to find some way to amuse ourselves the rest of the weekend.

A Winner?

Alright folks, I've pretty much decided Splitsville will be one of the bands to play the bash. They are great, and they won't destroy the budget, which allows us to think bigger.

Examples:



and:



and:

A Wilder Possibility?

Well, we could probably get Mr. Webb Wilder and company.





Webb's website says specifically he plays "mid-life crisises."

Update Number One

I've been asked for an update, so here it is.

Hmmm....

Well, the new Best Western they are building in town continues on pace. I'm considering one of their ball rooms for the Saturday night, but they gotta finish building the place first.

Another place I had considered, a bar/pizza joint called American Pie, has gone out of business. I'll still consider that place an option if we want to take this thing "squatter style."

On a positive note, cousin Aaron has pledged $1000 towards the entertainment fund. He wants me to either A) Hire the Pixies as the band, or B) Hire the remaining members of Material Issue to play with myself as the lead singer.

I'd need a hell of a lot more money than $1,000 to do that.

I may be a fool, but I'm not cheap.