****tland Proposal for Convergence 13
by "Damien"
Event Date: May 25-27, 2007
Proposal Web Site: http://www.altgothic.com/c13****tland
Proposal Text Date: 3/31/06 PST
Questions - Contact: pdxc13[NOSPAM] @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Introduction
2=2E Theme
3=2E Accommodations
4=2E Venue
5=2E Activities
6=2E Trans****tation
7=2E Special Needs
8=2E Why ****tland?
9=2E Committee
10. FAQ
11. Links
----------------------------------------------------------------
1=2E INTRODUCTION
The sun has set on another day in the City of Roses, and you've
played well after dark. But even as the Sandman kisses you goodnight,
you know there is no rest for the wicked. In the land of Dream you're
trans****ted to another time and place, a time of top hats and capes,
silk and satin, ornate neo-Gothic architecture, curiosity, invention,
and industry. And something else, profoundly unexpected...
Welcome to the ****tland, Oregon Convergence 13 Proposal.
Let us entice you with our vision for the thirteenth anniversary of
Convergence!
Our Dark Victorian Dream will engage and amuse; an intoxicating blend
of nostalgic tradition and enticing new delights, an assemblage of
activities and events inspired by ****tland's rich culture, history,
gardens and scenery. We hold dearly that Convergence is first and
foremost a social gathering: we will have parties and scheduled events
galore, but leisure-time aplenty is also for you and your friends to
relax and catch up, and to tour the many wonderful sights that are
unique to our region.
For our proposal, we pay homage to Convergence past, taking notes and
collecting advice from many of those before us. We hope to honor
Convergence this year by bringing you the best our city has to offer.
We invite you to spend a few moments with as we describe ****tland's
potential for one of the most memorable Convergences ever.
What is Convergence?
Convergence is headed toward its thirteenth year, yet this question is
still universally addressed by almost every Convergence proposal
committee. Defining Convergence has become an annual ritual; it
reaffirms the proposal committees are aware and focused on not just
what they're doing - but why they're doing it.
Convergence is Alt.gothic news group's North American Net.Goth annual
congregation. A not-for-profit event benefiting the people who make use
the Alt.Gothic group, Convergence is affiliated with numerous other
online forums, newsgroups, and e-mail lists. The event is a continuous
three-day and three-night dark festivity, and an op****tunity for
friends both old and new to come together.
Convergence proposal committees are conscientious of the purpose of the
event. Convergence is about people, and we'll never forget that our
reason for being is you, our guests. ****tland hopes to honor
Convergence 13 with all it has to offer. Our primary role will be your
gracious host, taking extra measure to ensure your visit here is both
pleasurable and memorable. We will coordinate compelling events and
engaging activities and be attentive to your desires at all times.
Every year, past attendees and folks who register with altgothic.com
vote to determine where the next Convergence will take place. Details
of the voting process are posted on the altgothic.com website, as well
as in the altgothic and alt.gothic.convergence newsgroups. Please vote
- if you need to register, the deadline is for mail-in registration
is 0:00EST 03/01/2006 and ends 0:00EST 04/05/2006. Convergence voting
begins 0:00EST 04/05/2006 and ends 0:00EST 04/12/2006.
2=2E THEME
..=2E.Bodice and bustle, corsets and lace, friends brought together by
night's dark embrace...
Convergence committees often look to the past to find inspiration for
their gatherings, with one eye cast forward toward creating new
traditions of their own. ****tland's Convergence proposal committee
looks back to the Gilded Age as inspiration for its theme, while paying
homage to the traditions of Convergence past, blending the old with the
new with sometimes surprising (we hope!) results.
It is in this spirit that we bring you our theme for Convergence 13: A
Dark Victorian Dream.
Many of our most beloved traditions are rooted in the Victorian era:
Corsets and bustles, pointy boots, and fishnet stockings. But the
impact Victorians had on the modern Goth scene extend far beyond
fa****on. Authors such as Edgar Allen Poe, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelly, and
Oscar Wilde redefined literature; Pre-Raphaelites redefined art;
science, spirituality, and theosophy redefined traditional views of
religion; a continent away, Jack the Ripper redefined mass murder. And
hidden just beneath the prudish exteriors of the Victorian genteel,
people everywhere looked desperately for an escape from the grim
elements of an industrial society, and indulged themselves in new
attitudes toward ***, religion, and a passion for the unknown.
3=2E ACCOMMODATIONS
We're pleased to announce that the ****tland C13 Proposal Committee
has selected Hilton ****tland & Executive Suites as the official hotel
for Convergence 13. Through special arrangements with the Hilton
****tland & Executive Tower, we are able to offer the following rates to
Convergence 13 attendees:
Single or Double Occupancy Main Building: $109.00
Triple/Quad Occupancy Main Building: $129.00/$149.00
All standard rooms will be located in the main building. Upgrades to
suites, or rooms in the Executive Tower across the street are available
at a slightly higher rate. Also, bear in mind that Oregon has no sales
tax. Convergence pricing will extend three days before and three days
after the scheduled date of May 25-May 28, 2007.
For a close up look, virtual tours, a full hotel and room amenities
list and more, visit the website here:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=3DTMPJD0K3NNFNOCS=
GBIX222QKIYFCXUUC?moreDesc=3Dtrue&ctyhocn=3DPDXPHHH
****tland's C13 committee and Hilton ****tland & Executive Suites has
blocked out 150 rooms (of 782 guest rooms) per night as a starting
point for Convergence 13 - depending on attendance, more rooms can be
added to the block. For your added security and convenience, Hilton
Hotels will also provide the PDX C13 Committee a custom website feature
that will allow advance booking directly from the PDX C13 website.
In addition, Hilton ****tland & Executive Suites has blocked out the
entire Plaza level of the hotel to accommodate C13 events and
activities that happen at the hotel. This includes over 6,500 SF of
space for vendors and artists, a 4,000 SF foyer for the Meet & Greet
and general hook-up meetings (plus a cash bar for drinks and
refreshments), 2,700+ SF of smaller "break-out" rooms for our LAN
party, Library readings, workshops, and the Plaza Suite, which will
serve as a communications center, Mapster, and more. All told, C13 PDX
attendees will enjoy over 13,700SF of space on a level reserved
exclusively for C13 attendees and their activities.
Hilton ****tland & Executive Suites has also committed the use of their
in-house Hilton event staff to work closely with the C13 PDX Committee
to ensure that everything at the hotel is set up exactly according to
specs and that all hotel-related activities run smoothly.
The hotel is conveniently located only one block from the Max Light
Rail station. For people arriving at ****tland International Air****t,
you can take the train from the air****t to this stop, and it will cost
you only $1.85. Shuttle service from the air****t to the hotel is
available every 30-minutes for $13 per person (each way); a cab will
cost about $25.
Once there, getting around is easy - the hotel is within a 330-block
area downtown referred to as "Fareless Square", and all downtown
trans****tation is free (except taxis) - by bus, by trolley, or by Max
Light Rail. Located within the heart of downtown ****tland's Arts and
Entertainment District, you'll find over 40 restaurants and
microbreweries within a three-block radius. Area attractions nearby are
the ****tland Art Museum, Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Rose Garden
Arena, PGE Park, The Wa****ngton Park Zoo, OMSI, Oregon Convention
Center, ****tland State University, Classical Chinese Garden, Japanese
Garden, Forest Park (the largest park within city limits in the United
States, and unique tax-free shopping op****tunities. All of these
attractions are available by walking or by the MAX Light Rail system.
If you're driving or renting a car, Hilton ****tland & Executive
Suites has its own on-site parking garage for hotel guests and
visitors. Current self-parking charges are $18 per day for hotel guests
and $22 per day for Valet. Both parking options feature in/out
privileges.
Hilton ****tland & Executive Suites is conveniently located less than a
mile from the Crystal Ballroom, the main venue we've selected for
this proposal. During evening events, shuttles will run to and from the
hotel and venue every 30-minutes starting one hour before the event and
one hour after the event, to make sure everyone returns safely.
Standard rooms feature large dormer windows, two-line telephones with
personalized voicemail, high-speed internet access (fee), working desk,
coffee/tea maker, iron/board, hairdryer, Lodgenet movies and video
games. All guestrooms also feature the Hilton Serenity Collection with
luxury Suite Dream beds and linens with plush-top mattresses, upgraded
bath products from Crabtree and Evelyn, and easy-read clock radios with
mini-plugs for MP3 players. Guests will enjoy views of the city,
mountains, or river.
Upgrades to suites offer separate bedrooms and a living room parlor
area making them spacious in size ranging from 615-900 sq. ft for a
one-bedroom suite and 950-1200 sq. ft for a two-bedroom suite. All
suites offer plush furniture sets, dinette table, two full baths, and
are located on the corner of our higher floors in both towers, giving
you a commanding view.
The main building's lobby features a dramatic winding staircase,
accents finished in mahogany and original Northwest art. Alexander's
Restaurant and Lounge provides a panoramic view of the Cascade
Mountains, the Willamette River and the ****tland skyline. Other
amenities include a full-service business center, concierge desk and
the full-service Hilton Athletic Club. The 12,000 sq. ft. Hilton
Athletic Club offers an indoor pool and Jacuzzi=AE, extensive
cardiovascular equipment, free weights, sauna and steam room, personal
fitness training, and massage services.
If you're hungry at the Hilton, you have several options. Hilton
****tland & Executive Suites has three onsite restaurants: Alexander's
Restaurant, Bistro 921, and ****to Terra Tuscan Grill and Bar.
Alexander's is open for dinner, and is located on the 23rd floor of
the Hilton. Enjoy dinner with a spectacular panoramic view of ****tland
while savoring Northwest cuisine. Alexander's selects fresh fare for
delicious pastas, steaks and seafood, has an extensive wine list and
impeccable service. Bistro 921 is open for breakfast lunch and dinner.
The open pizza oven and display kitchen mean delectable cooking. Try a
Northwestern brewed beer in an interesting, fun and relaxing
atmosphere. ****to Terra Tuscan Grill and Bar serves Northern Italian
Tuscan cuisine, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also
features a full bar, award-winning wine list, and specialty cocktail
and martini menu. Room service is also available from all three
restaurants.
If that's not enough choices and you want to dine in, you can order
delivery from over 40 of ****tland's best restaurants through
Delivered Dish - view menus, and order by phone, fax, or through
their website, http://www.d-dish.com.
4=2E VENUE
McMenamins Crystal Ballroom is actually three venues rolled into one:
The Crystal Ballroom, one of ****tland's premiere live music and party
venues, Lola's Room, little sister to the Crystal Ballroom located
one floor directly below, and Ringler's Pub, a traditional brewpub
with a wide selection of beer, wine, and food. Ringler's Annex,
located just across the street, offers another pint-sized pub and
espresso bar. Our guests will have full access to all of these
facilities during Convergence events. Elevators in the Crystal provide
service to each floor, making it easily accessible to bands, wheelchair
Goths, or other special needs. Below you'll find a little more
information about each space.
The Crystal Ballroom:
The Crystal Ballroom enjoys national recognition for a reason. No local
venue and indeed few in the nation can challenge this elegant
ballroom's 90 years as a premiere place to hear live music, dance,
and have memorable experiences. The Crystal opened its doors as a
ballroom in 1914, in the days when frisky ****tland residents could
still be arrested for dancing the Tango. As a live music venue, the
Crystal has played host to many musical legends. People still argue
about whether it was really Jimmy Hendrix whom Little Richard fired in
the middle of a performance here. The Crystal has accommodated hundreds
of artists ranging from The Grateful Dead to Billy Idol, James Brown to
Nick Cave, Ike & Tina Turner to Liz Phair, and Sonic Youth to Front 242
and the Sisters of Mercy.
The sound quality in the Crystal Ballroom is amazing. In June 2005, the
Crystal completely overhauled the sound system, from microphones to
speakers. Twice the speakers, each with twice the power. Eight subs
under the stage instead of four. EV speakers, Soundcraft mixing boards,
triple the amplifiers, digital controls, new mezzanine delay
speakers... the works. The result? No dead spots, and improved
articulation and tonal quality throughout the entire room.
While the action on the stage has always thrilled, one thing everyone
remembers about the Crystal is its astounding "floating" dance
floor. The dance floor is suspended by a complex (and newly restored)
mechanical system that results in a feeling that has best been
described as "dancing on clouds." It is unique on the Pacific
Coast, and may be the last dance floor of its kind in the United
States.
You will also appreciate the gorgeous d=E9cor, flamboyant wall sconces
and light fixtures, grand paintings, and gigantic windows everywhere.
People who come to the Crystal seem to be inspired by an energy
emanating from the site itself; phenomenon social scientists call the
"power of place."
Lola's Room:
Lola's Room is the little sister of the Crystal Ballroom, located on
the second floor directly below the Crystal. Lola's Room is a
smaller, more intimate space, which makes it an ideal place to take a
break from the action upstairs.
Lola's room is smaller, but it's no closet - it can accommodate
up to 200 people (The Crystal Ballroom has a capacity of up to 1,000).
It has its own stage area, a large wooden dance floor, and a full bar.
Lola's Room is home to Hive, ****tland's premiere weekly
Goth-Industrial dance night. It boasts an outstanding sound and
lighting system, booth and table seating, and a floating dance floor
all of its own. Lola's Room is connected to the Crystal Ballroom via
audio and video feeds, so the folks downstairs can see what's
happening upstairs at all times.
The C13 ****tland Proposal Committee envisions Lola's room as being
the place to take a break, chill out, and enjoy some great conversation
with friends. It also provides an excellent alternative venue just one
floor down from the main events.
Ringler's Pub:
Nestled underneath the floating-floored Crystal Ballroom & Lola's Room
in downtown ****tland is Ringler's Pub. Named for the Crystal's
originator -- dance aficionado and entrepreneur Montrose Ringler -
Ringler's features a tall, wooden-beamed ceiling and massive, tiled
bar. The crack of pool cues makes a merry soundtrack in the cavernous
interior. Before or after a concert upstairs, treat yourself to ales
from the Crystal's brewery along with some hearty pub fare.
Ringler's Annex:
Located directly across the street from the Crystal Ballroom, Ringler's
Annex is a pint-sized pub and espresso bar, a tiny window on the world
of bustling West Burnside, a fishbowl-like main floor and mezzanine
tailor-made to observe the city in motion. Drop by here to enjoy an
espresso in the mezzanine, or a bistro-style lunch. During warm
weather, sidewalk seating offers a more intimate view, as well as an
entrance to the Annex's subterranean bistro. Downstairs, you'll find
what is easily the most unique bar in ****tland - the Cellar. Cut off
from the light and hubbub, the basement bar is a subterranean cave
evoking a hideout for the French Resistance.
5=2E ACTIVITIES
****tland is dreaming up a variety of activities and events that will
include Convergence traditions, such as the Friday Meet and Greet,
Vendor's Bazaar, Art Show, and Workshops, and help coordinate other
traditional functions such as the alt.gothic.fa****on clothing swap and
AGF shopping trip. We also wish to continue some of the new traditions
that have proven popular in the past, such as the Rookie Rendezvous and
the Sad Old Goth Cocktail hour. We've put a few new twists on some
traditional activities, continued some of the newer ones, and made up
some that are our very own.
Below you'll find some of the proposed activities and events we're
working on - please keep in mind this is a work in progress. Final
decisions on events and activities will be made as we move forward
based on interest, cost, capacity, and scheduling. We're also open to
adding activities that will be fun or helpful to attendees, and are
very open to hearing your suggestions.
One final note: While we've put together an exhilarating list of
possible activities, we want you to be aware that ****tland is a great
city to just relax and hang out in. So feel free to enjoy as many -
or as few - of these activities as you want!
Thursday, May 24, 2007:
- Early Check-in: For those of you arriving a day early, come by the
****tland C13 Committee HQ and pick up your laminates and goodie-bags to
free up your Friday for fun, exploration, and an early rendezvous with
old (or new!) friends.
- Unofficial C13 Pre-Convergence Party: 18+, 21 and over can buy
alcohol. Join us at the Fez Ballroom, one of ****tland's premiere
Goth-Industrial venues, for an evening of dancing and debauchery. Your
C13 laminate gets you in free.
Friday, May 25, 2007:
- Official C13 Check-in: The C13 ****tland staff will be available
throughout the day to get you checked in, hand out laminates and goodie
bags, and help get you oriented to ****tland and all the Convergence
activities.
- Mapster: Looking for something? Some place? We'll be standing by to
print out walking or driving directions, even plot out how to get there
using Google's one-of-a-kind transit planner for ****tland. Let us
know what you're looking for and we'll help you find it - and how
to get there.
- C13 Meet & Greet: Meet up with old friends or make some new ones. If
you haven't picked up your laminates yet, now is the time.
- C13 Rookie Rendezvous: We're planning a special reception where
newbies can meet up with Convergence veterans, learn everything they
would ever want to know about Convergence, and start meeting people
from the very first day.
- C13 Models & Photographers Hookup: With so many attractive models in
our scene, and so many talented photographers, we thought it would be a
good idea to continue this Convergence staple. Bring your ****tfolios
and make some great connections, and dress to impress for some great
photo ops!
- Apothecary Run: We'll take you from the hotel to one of many
****tland downtown liquor stores (from the official Convergence hotel,
less than =BD-mile away). Need beer or wine? We'll get that too. Stock
up on all your strong medicine now!
- Elder Goth Cocktail Reunion: Join us at Ringler's pub to hook up
with old friends, reminisce, share sappy stories, and lift a pint to
the good old days.
- Evening Event: H.G. Wells' Time Machine @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
the Crystal Ballroom:
Join us as our live bands and DJ's take us back and forth through
time at the Crystal Ballroom for the official opening ceremonies for
C13. Take a break from the action in Lola's Room, and be sure to
visit our very own Dorian Gray for a timeless ****trait that will last
throughout the ages.
Saturday, May 26th, 2007:
- Fairy Sightings: In England under the reign of Queen Victoria, Fairy
sightings were abundant and increasingly captured in paintings and on
film. We're going to capture the spirit of Victorian Fairy
Photography here and now: As you're out and about, keep your eyes
peeled for our C13 fairies - capture one (on your digital camera),
and bring it to HQ for extra goodies (think of it as a kind of urban
hide-and-seek with prizes)! At the end of convergence, we'll put
together an online fairy album, with pictures of our fairies and the
people who captured them.
- Pre-Raphaelite's Art Exhibit & Silent Auction:
The Pre-Raphaelites were an artistic movement in Victorian England, and
played a role in the revival of Gothic architecture. While the original
members of this unique brotherhood have long since passed, their
spirits inspire as we bring this perrenial Convergence favorite to
life.
- Ballyhoo's Boutique: The traditional Convergence vendor's bazaar
kicks off Saturday morning with clothing and merchandise from an
astoni****ng array of vendors - travel the world without leaving your
hotel!
- AGF Shopping Trip: ****tland, with no sales tax, is a great place to
go shopping. This perennial event will take you to the best fa****on
shopping that ****tland has to offer.
- AGF Clothing Swap: Here's a great way to update your fa****ons and
accessories without spending a dime! The clothing swap is another
time-honored Convergence tradition - just swap your old fa****ons and
accessories with someone else, and walk away with a brand new style!
- ****tland Saturday Market: Can't get enough shopping? Then come with
us to ****tland's Saturday Market! The ****tland Saturday Market -
open Sundays too - is the largest continuously operated open-air arts
and crafts market in the nation.
- Shanghai Tunnel Ghost Tours: All along the ****tland waterfront, from
the North End (today's Old Town, Skidmore Fountain, and Chinatown) to
the South End (today's southwest downtown area), "Shanghai Tunnels" ran
beneath the city, allowing a hidden world to exist. These "catacombs"
connected to the many saloons, brothels, gambling parlors, and opium
dens, which drew great numbers of men and became ideal places for the
shanghaiers to find their victims. The catacombs, which "s****d" their
way beneath the streets of what we now call Old Town, Skidmore
Fountain, and Chinatown, helped to create an infamous history that
became "cloaked" in myth, superstition, and fear.
"Northwest Paranormal Investigations" has proclaimed that the shanghai
tunnels are the most haunted place in Oregon and, perhaps, the most
haunted place on the West Coast.
We'll meet at Hobo's Restaurant before and/or after tour for drinks
and/or food. Space for each tour is limited to 45-people, so sign up
early!
- PDX Garden Tour Part One: ****tland Classical Chinese Garden: A
year-round wonder, the ****tland Classical Chinese Garden is an
authentically built Ming Dynasty style garden. Covered walkways,
bridges, open colonnades, pavilions and a richly planted landscape
frame Zither Lake, creating views that are never twice the same. This
urban oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony, built by Suzhou artisans
will inspire and engage all who visit.
- War of the Worlds: H.G. Wells released an alien invasion on an
unsuspecting public when he first published War of the Worlds in 1898.
We tip our top hats to Mr. Wells and the C11 San Diego committee by
bringing back another round of epic battles in the C13 LAN party!
- The Library: Some of our most beloved literature has roots in the
Victorian era. Where would we be today without the work of Edgar Allen
Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, among others? Before you
head out to dinner, join us for an intimate afternoon in The Library,
where performers in costume offer readings from classical tales of
horror and the macabre.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: Jack the Ripper is a continent away,
but in our hilariously twisted version of the traditional Convergence
formal dinner, no one is safe! Who's the victim? What was the cause
of death? Is the killer seated at your table? Is that cheesecake? Join
us for a new tradition in our interactive audience participation
mystery theater!
- Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde's Night of a Hundred Elixirs at the Crystal
Ballroom: Are you naughty or nice - or, like most of us, a little bit
of both? Let your dark side run wild with live musical entertainment,
DJ's, a costume contest, and more potions and elixirs than you'll
want to remember the next day. Don't forget to let our very own
Dorian Gray capture your inner beast with a timeless ****trait that will
last through the ages.
- Magic Lantern Theater: A precursor of the modern movie projector,
magic lanterns came into popular use in Victorian Britain. Our
"theater's" technology is a bit more advanced, but our name is a
nod to this legacy. We will continue this new tradition from C12 by
screening vintage horror classics and scene movies 24-hours a day!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
- Fairy Sightings: In England under the reign of Queen Victoria, Fairy
sightings were abundant and increasingly captured in paintings and on
film. We're going to capture the spirit of Victorian Fairy
Photography here and now: As you're out and about, keep your eyes
peeled for our C13 fairies - capture one (on your digital camera),
and bring it to HQ for extra goodies (think of it as a kind of urban
hide-and-seek with prizes)! At the end of convergence, we'll put
together an online fairy album, with pictures of our fairies and the
people who captured them.
- Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Art Exhibit & Silent Auction:
The Pre-Raphaelites were an artistic movement in Victorian England, and
played a role in the revival of Gothic architecture. While the original
members of this unique brotherhood have long since passed, their
spirits inspire as we bring this perrenial Convergence favorite to
life.
- Ballyhoo's Boutique: The traditional Convergence vendor's bazaar
kicks off Saturday morning with clothing and merchandise from an
astoni****ng array of vendors - travel the world without leaving your
hotel!
- Picnic at the Pittock: Picnics were popular with the Victorians,
perhaps because it supplied them the op****tunity to escape from formal
dining rituals. Weather permitting we'll converge upon the grounds of
the Pittock Mansion, a fully furnished, magnificent, turn-of-the
century, architectural treasure offering a sweeping view of the
surrounding Cascade Mountains and the city of ****tland. Tours of the
mansion are available for a small fee, but the picnic and croquet on
the lawn will be free! Limited space is available, so sign up for this
early!
- Mad Hatter's Tea Party: Lewis Carroll was another influential
Victorian era author, and his masterpiece, Alice in Wonderland, is the
inspiration for yet another twist on a Convergence classic - the Tea
Party. Costumes and hats are highly encouraged, but not required.
- PDX Garden Tour Part Two: Wa****ngton Park - International Rose Test
Garden: ****tland has long had a love affair with roses. ****tland has
200 miles of rose-bordered streets and had been dubbed the 'City of
Roses. ****tland's International Rose Test Garden is considered the
oldest official, continuously-operated, public rose test garden in the
United States. It is designed in rows to allow visitors to get up close
and personal with the 8,000 rose bushes located here. In the southeast
corner of the Test Garden is the Shakespeare Garden. Containing
botanicals mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare, this garden
features a formal walkway, a raised sitting area, and immaculately
tended flora.
- Shanghai Tunnel Ghost Tours: All along the ****tland waterfront, from
the North End (today's Old Town, Skidmore Fountain, and Chinatown) to
the South End (today's southwest downtown area), "Shanghai Tunnels" ran
beneath the city, allowing a hidden world to exist. These "catacombs"
connected to the many saloons, brothels, gambling parlors, and opium
dens, which drew great numbers of men and became ideal places for the
shanghaiers to find their victims. The catacombs, which "s****d" their
way beneath the streets of what we now call Old Town, Skidmore
Fountain, and Chinatown, helped to create an infamous history that
became "cloaked" in myth, superstition, and fear.
We'll meet at Hobo's Restaurant before and/or after tour for drinks
and/or food. Space for each tour is limited to 45-people, so sign up
early!
- War of the Worlds: H.G. Wells released an alien invasion on an
unsuspecting public when he first published War of the Worlds in 1898.
We tip our top hats to Mr. Wells and the C11 San Diego committee by
bringing back another round of epic battles in the C13 LAN party!
- The Library: Some of our most beloved literature has roots in the
Victorian era. Where would we be today without the work of Edgar Allen
Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, among others? Before you
head out to dinner, join us for an intimate afternoon in The Library,
where performers in costume offer readings from classical tales of
horror and the macabre.
- Masquerade and Bohemian Ball: We officially end our Convergence 13
weekend at the Crystal with Music, Theatre, Drinking, Dancing & Extreme
fa****ons. It's Paris, circa 1850, at the height of the Bohemian
Revolution. Our grand finale will blend live music, and DJ's with a
stunning fa****on show, burlesque with the Green Fairy, and of course
you'll want to have your timeless ****trait made with Dorian Gray.
Monday, May 28, 2007
- The Mourning After: Official Convergence 13 activities end on Sunday,
yet you're still here? Join us in our abbreviated version of the
Victorian mourning rituals: Yes, we'll wear black, and yes, we'll
lament Convergence's passing. But those of you who are still around
can join us for breakfast and clear those cobwebs from your head before
returning to your respective homes. Breakfast kicks off our period of
deep mourning, half-mourning commences at lunch.
- Evening at the Fez: For those of you staying a little longer, we're
planning another wonderful night at The Fez Ballroom, one of
****tland's premiere Goth-Industrial venues. 18+ to enter, 21+ can buy
booze. Your C13 laminate gets you in free.
6=2E TRANS****TATION
By Air: ****tland International Air****t (PDX)
Travel to ****tland is convenient and affordable. ****tland is the
largest city in Oregon; second largest in the Pacific Northwest (only
Seattle is larger.) ****tland International Air****t (PDX) provides
trans****tation to over 1 million passengers a month, with direct and
nonstop service to more than 100 cities worldwide, making PDX a truly
international destination. Numerous other cities, both domestic and
international, connect to ****tland through one or more major hub
air****ts.
PDX also boasts a light rail link (nicknamed MAX) - the nation's
first train-to-plane connection to ****tland's downtown hotel core.
Taking the train downtown to within 2 blocks of the hotel costs less
than $2 (that's two dollars - not a typo!) If you're renting a
car, you'll get to the hotel a few minutes faster. The hotel has its
own parking garage; parking is $15 per day with no in-out privileges,
$22 per day with in-out privileges. If you take a cab from the air****t,
the average fare is about $25.
We have scheduled our proposed dates early enough to take advantage of
special travel rates, before the busy summer travel season. We will
negotiate special event pricing/discounted rates with the major
carriers at PDX. Here are some current May '06 weekend rates from
CheapTickets.com (taxes and air****t fees are not included). These rates
will, of course, be completely meaningless by May 2007, but it will
give you current snapshot (as posted 2-16-06):
American Cities
City State Price (US $)
Austin TX 199
Boston MA 229
Chicago IL 284
Dallas TX 243
Denver CO 220
Houston TX 225
Las Vegas NV 197
Los Angeles CA 198
New Orleans LA 262
Norman (via OK City) OK 197
NYC NY 229
Orlando FL 198
Phoenix AZ 188
Raleigh NC 189
San Diego CA 207
San Francisco CA 139
Tucson AZ 197
Tulsa OK 182
Salt Lake City UT 206
Seattle WA 176
Wa****ngton DC 187
International Cities
City Country Price (US $)
Frankfurt Germany 643
Montreal Canada 496
Toronto Canada 480
Vancouver Canada 274
London UK 690
If you choose to travel to ****tland by air, you'll be happy to know
that PDX offers free wireless Internet service and great shopping -
with no sales tax.
By Train: ****tland Union Station Passenger Train Service
For travel of less than 500 miles, trains offer a cost-effective
alternative to flying. It also offers a great way to see the region
while letting someone else drive. ****tland Union Station is served by
three scheduled Amtrak intercity passenger trains.
With three daily departures between Seattle and ****tland, as well as
daily service to Vancouver, B.C., the Amtrak Cascades is a convenient
link to the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Amtrak Cascades'
European-style trains offer laptop computer outlets; bicycle, ski and
snowboard racks; and regional food and drink. With service between
Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., Amtrak Cascades is perfect for both
business travel and weekend getaways.
Amtrak's Coast Starlight operates daily, connecting the West Coast's
most popular destination cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco,
****tland and Seattle.
Amtrak's Empire Builder takes you on an exciting adventure through
majestic wilderness, following the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. The
Empire Builder begins in ****tland and heads east to Chicago with stops
at the following destinations and more: Spokane, Whitefish, Glacier
National Park, Minot, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee.
Below are selected published round-trip fares for weekends in May 2006:
Amtrak Cascades
State/City/Country Price (US $)
Eugene, OR 40
Seattle, WA 52
Vancouver, Canada 80
Coast Starlight
Los Angeles, CA 172
San Francisco, CA 134
Empire Builder
Spokane,WA 82
Minneapolis, MN 308
Milwaukee, WI 268
Chicago, IL 308
As with air travel, Amtrak provides connecting service to many more
cities across the country. Discount fares are also available: Amtrak
offers groups (20 or more) traveling together a discount of 20%, and
students always receive a 15% discount. Check the website for current
rates, travel packages, and promotions.
By Automobile
Unless you're taking an extended vacation and want to take in the
natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest, you're probably not going
to drive to ****tland. Many of you will probably arrive by air, train,
or bus - there are a handful of American or International cities within
650 miles of ****tland:
City/State/Country Distance Est. Drive Time
Seattle,WA 173 Miles 3 hours, 41 minutes
Spokane, WA 351 Miles 6 Hours, 11 Minutes
Vancouver, B.C. 312 Miles 6 Hours, 27 Minutes
Boise, ID 430 Miles 7 hours, 6 minutes
San Francisco, CA 634 Miles 10 hours, 50 minutes
Reno, NV 577 Miles 11 hours, 52 minutes
Happily, once you are here, you probably won't miss your car.
****tland has one of the best public trans****tation systems in the
country that combines light rail, bus, and streetcar. Best of all,
****tland's mass transit is free in a 330-square-block area known as
"Fareless Square." The hotel and main venue are located within this
square. Finally, Google has created a very special tool that
complements ****tland's transit system - see the info on Public
Trans****tation for more details!
Weekend car rentals are extremely affordable, and recommended if you
want to get out and visit some of the regional attractions: Waterfalls
and wineries, the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, or Mt. St. Helens
volcano are all short day trips from here (there's much more in the
About ****tland section!).
Weekend car rentals can be found for as little as $17 a day with
unlimited miles. Charging the rental with a gold or platinum card will
provide Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) at no additional cost. Some
useful website that list internet specials on car rentals are
http://cheaptickets.com
and http://www.bestfares.com.
****tland Public Trans****tation
Thanks to forward-thinking city officials and an economical,
easy-to-use transit system, you can explore even the farthest reaches
of the ****tland metropolitan area while concentrating on enjoying the
city - not navigating it.
About Google Transit Planner - From the Google Transit Planner FAQ:
Do you live in or near a city? Want to go someplace-to the air****t,
to dinner, to work every day-and not worry about the hassles and
expense of driving and parking? Google Transit Trip Planner enables you
to enter the specifics of your trip-where you're starting, where
you're ending up, what time of day you'd like to leave and/or
arrive-then uses all available public trans****tation schedules and
information to plot out the most efficient possible step-by-step
itinerary. You can even compare the cost of your trip with the cost of
driving the same route!
At the moment we're only offering this service for the ****tland, Oregon
metro area, but we plan to expand to cities throughout the United
States and around the world.
www.google.com/transit
Bus and Max Light Rail
****tland has long been known as a clean, green and friendly metropolis,
with lots to do and even more to see. Leading the "City of Roses" into
the 21st century is its economical, easy-to-use public transit system,
which every year trans****ts millions of visitors and residents through
the city and its surrounding neighborhoods.
On the TriMet bus system, which covers the city and its suburbs
thoroughly, you'll find low fares, friendly drivers and full wheelchair
accessibility. And since most buses are now equipped with bike racks,
mass transit has become more user-friendly for the cycling set.
TriMet's 44-mile MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) offers train-to-plane
service, and door-to-door access to one of the richest collections of
visitor attractions. A 10-minute ride from downtown will deliver you to
Wa****ngton Park station, the deepest underground transit station in
North America. The stop, 260-feet below the Earth's surface, provides
nearby access to Wa****ngton Park, the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry
Center Discovery Museum, the Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial, Hoyt
Arboretum and the ****tland Children's Museum.
Transit Mall
More than half of TriMet's bus lines run through the transit mall along
Southwest Fifth and Sixth avenues, including ART, The Cultural Bus
(Line 63), which stops at ****tland-area attractions.
****tland Streetcar
The ****tland Streetcar system links ****tland's downtown Cultural
District, the Pearl District, the Northwest/Nob Hill neighborhood, and
****tland State University. The sleek Euro-designed streetcars follow a
six-mile loop route that travels through the PSU campus, downtown
****tland, the art gallery-filled Pearl District and Nob Hill, known for
its outstanding restaurants and upscale shopping. Like all ****tland
buses and MAX light rail trains, there will be no fee to ride the
streetcar in ****tland's "Fareless Square" district. Outside Fareless
Square, the streetcar fare will be the same as those charged for buses
and MAX light rail.
Downtown on Foot
****tland's short blocks (200' x200') and street-level attractions make
the city a pedestrian's delight. Voted one of "America's Best Walking
Towns" by Walking Magazine, the downtown area is full of architectural
landmarks both old and new.
The Visitor Information and Services Center, located in the heart of
downtown ****tland at Pioneer Courthouse Square, offers brochures, maps,
itinerary-planning assistance and advice on restaurants and lodging,
and perusing the calendar of local events.
For a perfectly lovely stroll - or ride - along ****tland's downtown
waterfront, follow the promenade in Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park to
the historic Steel Bridge. On the lower deck of the bridge, visitors
will discover a bicycle/pedestrian crossing that links the downtown
side of the Willamette River to ****tland's new Eastbank Esplanade. This
1=2E5-mile pedestrian/cycling trail offers a great view of the city
skyline and features a 1,200 foot floating walkway as well as easy
access to four of the bridges that cross the Willamette River.
Downtown Parking
SmartPark is ****tland's most affordable and conveniently located
parking. Shoppers, business clients and visitors enjoy seven downtown
City-owned parking facilities with nearly 4,000 public spaces. To help
you pay nothing to park downtown, SmartPark partners with over 700
businesses to offer you two hours of free parking with qualifying
purchases of $25 or more.
New to areas of downtown ****tland are the solar-powered SmartMeters. At
one meter you are able to pay for multiple parking spaces within a set
area (usually one side of a street block is covered by one meter). You
can pay by using coins, credit/debit card or smart card. Click here for
more information about SmartMeters and how to use one of these
state-of-the-art parking meters.
7=2E SPECIAL NEEDS
Veggie/Vegan Goths
According to PETA, ****tland is #4 in a top ten list of Vegetarian-Vegan
friendly cities in the America. PETA says: "Every neighborhood in
this funky little corner of the Pacific Northwest offers an abundance
of options for the adventurous eater. In ****tland, a place described
more like a large town than a small city, veggie and vegan living is as
common as rainfall. Best of all, a healthy meal won't leave you
penniless. ****tland is quickly becoming America's darling, and the
young hipsters who inhabit this city are also super-sweet to animals.
Vegetarians in ****tland are as plentiful as celebrities in Beverly
Hills-and they're happy and well-fed, thanks to the city's many
vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants."
For the whole article, follow this link:
http://www.peta.org/feat/vegcities/crop4.html
****tland's C13 committee is planning a special list of restaurants
and grocery stores that are veg-friendly. In addition, depending on
interest, we're open to setting up dinners or picnics or other
activities that our vegetarian and vegan friends will enjoy.
Pride Goths
As ****tland's 25-year vision plan notes, "vibrant, diverse
neighborhoods are home to all manner of people, but it's the other
things that give a place its soul - the cafes and markets, the art,
parks, plazas, vistas and sanctuaries." But it's ****tland's
people who contribute to its reputation as a friendly, progressive
city.
Southwest Stark Street is ****tland's most visibly gay thoroughfare
and is the backbone of an area that comprises a triangular set of city
blocks known by some as the Burnside Triangle. Bounded by Southwest
Alder, S.W. 14th Ave., West Burnside Street and Southwest Broadway
Street, the district contains a combination of entertainment,
independent retail, restaurants, housing and social services. It has
been a meeting place for ****tland's GLBT community since the turn of
the 20th century.
Wheel Chair Goths
We don't want anyone to feel excluded from any activities or events,
so we've been mindful of wheelchair accessibility needs during our
planning. Both of the hotels we've selected are wheelchair friendly,
as is the venue - our wheelchair guests can access any floor of the
Crystal Ballroom via the elevator. You'll find ****tland's
trans****tation system is very wheelchair friendly, too.
Parent Goths
We want to welcome attendees with children, and let you know that some
of our committee have children of our own!
The Hilton ****tland Executive Suites is child friendly; children with
their parents stay free. The hotel also offers a variety of other
services for people traveling with children, from crib setup to helping
you find a sitter service for the night (the concierge will help with
this!)
Also, most of the daytime activities we've planned can also be
enjoyed by children with their parents - shopping, picnic at the
Pittock, the Library, and garden tours are all family friendly. At the
International Rose Test Garden, there are three different trains that
make the 1 =BD mile run to and from the ****tland Zoo. We'll work on
putting together a comprehensive list of things for Parent Goths to do
with their children, and make it available on our website so you can
plan your activities before you get here.
Overseas & Thrifty Goths
Anyone traveling from abroad is painfully aware of how quickly their
expenses can add up. We want everyone to have a great time, and get the
most "bang" for your buck. That's why we've planned many free
or inexpensive daytime activities, and kept our overall hotel and
ticket pricing extremely low. In addition, wherever you're traveling
from, we'll help you find your way around, the best deal on phone
cards, the best brewpubs and wine-bars, and help you learn how to deal
with our strange currency. If you need an inexpensive place to stay
(from $20 per day), there are convenient hostel facilities within
3-blocks of fareless square - just contact us for more information.
8=2E WHY ****TLAND?
It's the little things that give a place its soul - the cafes and
markets, the art, parks, plazas, vistas and sanctuaries."
****tland's districts do indeed possess distinct personalities, which
is perhaps unusual for a relatively small city. Within these districts,
the "Rose City's" culture simmers in coffeehouses, art galleries,
ubiquitous bookstores and lively brewpubs. Like much of ****tland, these
areas encourage exploration on foot.
A slow, relaxed pace is the best way to people-watch, window shop and
see the sites. Built on a European model, ****tland is indeed a
walker's paradise. The city's streets, which feature statues,
fountains and half-size city blocks, prompted ****tland's selection in
1998 as one of America's best walking towns by Walking Magazine.
For visitors covering a larger ****tion of the city, public
trans****tation is both accessible and user-friendly. MAX Light rail
trains, the ****tland Streetcar and an easy-to-navigate bus system move
riders through town efficiently - and all offer free service within
the downtown area.
Feel like a relaxing cup of coffee and a good book? Look no further -
****tland, Oregon, is home to countless one-of-a-kind java joints. Or
perhaps you prefer another type of beverage. The city's love affair
with beer stretches back more than 100 years, when Henry Weinhard
proposed pumping ale through the Skidmore Fountain. Today, more than 25
craft breweries have earned ****tland the nickname "M=FCnich on the
Willamette."
Speaking of traits ****tlanders are extremely proud of, you don't have
to be in town long to hear locals bragging about Powell's City of
Books, the world's largest independent bookstore. Housing more than a
million volumes, Powell's occupies a full city block and boasts one
of the world's only three-door elevators.
Powell's eccentric elevator is just one of the whimsical touches that
make ****tland special. Add that to the nation's smallest dedicated
park (just 24 inches in size), Stark's Vacuum Cleaner Museum, and a
sculpture that daily predicts the city's weather, and you've got a
destination of unusual appeal.
And ****tland's appeal isn't limited to summer. The city's annual
"Big Deal" program offers terrific off-peak hotel rates
(October-May) accompanied by a full menu of cultural events, tax-free
shopping, dining discounts and more.
Rivaling the city's manmade art are the spectacular masterpieces by
Mother Nature. Crowning the city's skyline is Mount Hood, the tallest
peak in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range. Within the metro area are
37,000 acres of parks and green spaces that include sizeable chunks of
prime downtown real estate, fabulous rose gardens, waterfront
promenades and the ****tland Classical Chinese Garden.
Oh, yeah, here's a pretty good reason to visit ****tland - the Goth
and Industrial scene is thriving here. Almost any night of the week you
can dance at a different club, hear a different band, or both -
****tland has one of the highest concentrations of DJ's and Musicians
per capita in the country.
9=2E COMMITTEE
DAMIEN is still new to ****tland, having moved there from Dallas, Texas
last July. He is best known as someone who knows how to throw a great
party. As the face of The Sin Factory, Damien produced many live shows
and events, from Front 242 to Clan of Xymox, Faith and the Muse to VNV
Nation, not to mention the spontaneous Dallas loft parties held under
the banner of 2nd SiN. Since arriving in ****tland, Damien has been
working quietly in the scene, helping other local promoters with their
activities, and co-producing the Attrition 25th Anniversary Tour. He
likes vanilla white russians and dancing the Tango in his mind.
TAINTED has been DJ'ing events up and down the west coast for over 5
years and promoting bands and other club events. He has also written
music reviews and helped do PR work for many different bands and
labels in the Goth and Industrial community. Most recently, Tainted
has been throwing shows and events under his newly formed Production
company, Industrial Fallout Productions.
TIARA has been producing and promoting events for over 10 years. She
has worked for many clubs in the D/FW metroplex, and has helped with
event planning & promotions for many bands, production companies &
artists. She has also worked with numerous Ballroom dance studios,
coordinating Interstate Competitons and Showcases, fa****on shows &
elaborate theme parties. She moved to ****tland from Dallas Texas July
'06 with her family and significant other, Damien. Tiara's favorite
things are dancing, her camera, her family, and friends.
ALGERNON is a Goth Performer/Writer and Owner of "Digital Victorian
Productions", who has been for many years, involved with the Goth
Community on different levels including helping run the website,
"Cor****ate Goth". Algernon has Produced or Performed at events from San
Diego to Toronto, including Conventions such as "Fantasm" and
"GothCon". Currently Residing in Baltimore, Maryland, Algernon has a
reputation of being a Intense and Electric Master of Ceremonies whose
main objective is to make sure everyone has an memorable time.
ANNABEL escaped from the small towns of Kansas when she started
clubbing in Kansas City in the 90's. In 2001 she became a part of the
promotional team Graveland, then onto Industrial Area Productions.
Djing and promoting for the next few years, she made her way up through
Cleveland and now resides in New Haven CT. She has recently become
involved with promotions in NYC for The Church and Crash Mansion.
Annabel is now a co-promoter for the Endless Night Festival
(http://www.endlessnight.com
), staff member/DJ Manager for the
Blacksun Festival ( http://www.blacksun-festival.com
), and is
currently involved with the next Bats Day In The Fun Park (
http://www.batsday.com
).
She likes candy, traveling, and enjoys a good zombie movie! :D
MISERY TREE is best known as a chrome toaster fanatic. He is a leader
in the local ****tland-area Goth scene, where he has been actively
involved for the last four years. Currently, Mr. Tree labors to promote
dark artists on the Happy Death Show on 88.7 FM KBVR in Corvallis,
including a recent interview with Information Society to promote their
upcoming album. Misery Tree also now leads the annual ****tland
Industrial-Goth event "Das Beach". In previous years he assisted with
operation of downtown Studio 111, a live venue featuring artists like
Voltaire and Faith & Disease; he now books dark artists for live shows
at a variety of local venues. In his spare time, Mr. Tree develops
environmental technologies as Director of Process Development for an
Oregon-based engineering company. He is currently involved with
treatment projects in both India and the Dominican Republic.
10. FAQ
While we obviously don't have any frequently asked questions yet
(we've just finished writing this thing!), we can answer up front
some questions we anticipate. We'll add more as needed, but here are
a few things you might be wondering about:
Q: What are the dates again?
A: We have selected Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2007 to be the
official dates for Convergence 13, if we win the vote. These are great
dates for many reasons, first and foremost because it gives many people
an extra day to explore and party in ****tland - Monday, May 28th is a
national holiday, and many folks have that day off. For anyone wanting
to extend their stay, Thursday through Monday gives them five days. And
we're planning activities for those days, to ensure our guests have
fun and interesting things to do. Also, Convergence has for many years
been a spring event, with a few exceptions. If we move backwards to
April, we're too early in spring, and the weather might not
cooperate. Move it later, and we're into the summer months, which
translates into higher travel and hotel expenses.
Q: What about the weather?
A: The weather in ****tland at the end of May is mild during the day,
and cool at night. Daytime temperatures will most likely be in the
60's-70's, conducive to just about any style of dress you may
choose to wear - vinyl, velvet, etc.
Q: Doesn't it rain a lot there?
A: The amount of rainfall in the ****tland area is about 37-40 inches
per year - the same as most US east coast cities. Whereas it can
rain 2-3 inches in a hour or two in Wa****ngton, DC, or many mid-western
areas, it will take days to accumulate 2-3 inches in ****tland.
Nevertheless, we are in the Pacific Northwest, so there is always the
chance of rain. In keeping with our Victorian theme, consider bringing
a parasol (or umbrella). Also, we will be planning alternate
activities, in the unlikely case that any outdoor event is rained out.
Q: What about the theme? Do I have to dress Victorian Goth?
A: No. As with other Convergences, the theme exists only as a fun and
playful context in which we wrap our activities. We know that some
people are going to go all out and do the Victorian thing, and for
others, Victorian is not their thing. One of the beautiful things about
our scene is the degree of diversity within it. Just be yourself and
have fun!
Q: What hotel will we be using?
A: The Hilton ****tland & Executive Suites. There's a big section on
where and why in the body of this proposal, and here's the link
again:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=3DTMPJD0K3NNFNOCS=
GBIX222QKIYFCXUUC?moreDesc=3Dtrue&ctyhocn=3DPDXPHHH
Q: What if I don't want to stay at the Hilton?
A: ****tland has dozens of large and small boutique hotels to choose
from within the hotel core, many with very competitive rates. We
recommend, though, that you stay at the Hilton for a couple of reasons:
Proximity to activities being held in the hotel, convenient shuttle
service to many daytime activities and of course the evening events,
and proximity to other attendees. We do understand that even with these
benefits not everyone will stay at the same hotel, so we will provide a
list of recommended alternate hotels that will fit a range of budgets
and needs.
Q: How much will you charge for a ticket?
A: We hope to keep ticket prices as low as possible, in the $55-$60
range. To do this, we want to implement strategies that will help
reduce costs - for example, offering some of the extracurricular
activities ala carte, so you're only paying for activities you want
to attend, and by offering many free activities, such as the Picnic at
the Pittock. If we win, we want to use our site as a polling space, too
- when you buy your ticket you'll have the op****tunity to select
items from a list that you have an interest in. This information will
help us plan/schedule our activities according to interest. It's not
scientific, of course, but it will help.
Q: What do I get for that price?
A: Your C13 laminate will get you into all of the activities and
services we offer at the hotel, C13 shuttle service, and all of the
evening events, including the bands and DJ's (of course!). Many of
the activities we're planning are free. Some tours, including the
Chinese Classical Garden and Shanghai Tunnel Ghost Tours, will charge a
nominal fee. We are working with those places to achieve a reduced
group rate, but even the regular rates are just a few dollars. Some of
the daytime activities, such as the Murder Mystery Dinner and Tea Party
are not included in the price of the ticket.
Q: What forms of payment will you accept?
A: We're looking at checks, money order, and PayPal right now, but
there are also a wide variety of online credit card processing options
to consider. For checks, we will of course need to wait until your
check clears before sending the ticket.
Q: I'm 18. Can I get into the evening events?
A: Yes, even the pre and post Convergence parties. Just like anywhere
else in the country, you have to be 21 or over to drink, but you can
enjoy all of the events and activities we're planning, even if
you're in the 18-21 age range.
Q: What about booze? I heard Oregon has very strict liquor laws...
A: Oregon has some very strange liquor control issues, few of which
have a direct impact at the consumer level. One issue that we do need
to plan for is that the laws provide no incentive for a liquor store to
stay open past 6PM. The solution is simple - just catch us on the
daily Apothecary Run (read: booze run via shuttle), and stock up.
Alternately, you can find a wide variety of beer and wine in
restaurants, brewpubs, and wine bars open late downtown, and there's
also the club, which serves alcohol until 2:00am. In short, if you want
to be drunk in ****tland, there's no reason not to be.
Q: What time does the venue close?
A: For Convergence, the Crystal will extend its normal hours until 3 or
4 am (we're still negotiating that point.) The bar does by law have
to stop selling alcohol at 2:00. If you really need the alcohol to keep
flowing, simply head back to the hotel for a room party, or stay at the
club and dance - both good choices.
Q: Can I smoke in the hotel/venue?
A: At the hotel, if you book a smoking room, you can smoke in the room.
There are also designated smoking areas in the public places of the
hotel. At the club, you may smoke all you want.
Q: How will you conduct your DJ selection process?
A: We plan on following the tried-and-true "blind taste test."
Basically, we'll accept submissions, copy them onto a CD with a
number only, and then sit the committee down to give them a listen.
We'll select the best qualified DJ's based on the quality of the
set, with no worries about politics and whatnot.
Q: What about bands?
A: For reasons most people understand, bands are a non-issue at this
point - it's way too early to predict the availability of any band
at this time. Rest assured, the ****tland C13 committee has years of
experience in bringing together live musical events, and we'll work
very hard to bring the best to C13.
Q: How do I contact the ****tland Committee?
A: Please visit our proposal website on the altgothic.com server and
fill out the contact form there. If for any reason it's not working,
email c13pdxinfo@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
directly. Please include the nature of your
inquiry in the subject line so we can forward it to the appropriate
committee member.
11. LINKS
Here are some links that you can follow to learn more about the places
talked about in the proposal, the ****tland scene, city and area
attractions, trans****tation, and more:
Hilton ****tland & Executive Suites:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=3DTMPJD0K3NNFNOCS=
GBIX222QKIYFCXUUC?moreDesc=3Dtrue&ctyhocn=3DPDXPHHH
- The Hilton, take a look, it's beautiful.
The Crystal Ballroom: http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3D2&id=3D504
- official venue for C13 PDX
Also see:
Lola's Room: http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3D64&id=3D144
Ringler's Pub:
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3D46&category=3DLocation%20Homepage
Ringler's Annex:
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3D45&category=3DLocation%20Homepage
The Fez Ballroom: http://www.fezballroom.com/index.html
- For our
unofficial Pre- and Post-Convergence Parties.
****tland Saturday Market: http://www.saturdaymarket.org/
- for those of
you who can't get enough shopping!
The Shanghai Tunnels FAQ:
http://members.tripod.com/cgs-mthood/shanghai_tunnels_FAQ.htm
****tland Classical Chinese Garden:
http://www.****tlandchinesegarden.org/
Pittock Mansion: http://www.pittockmansion.com/
Wa****ngton Park - International Rose Test Garden:
http://www.rosegardenstore.org/thegardens.cfm
The PIG Website (****tland Industrial Goths): http://www.pdxindgoth.com/
- information and links to people, places, venues, shopping, and more
scene stuff.
Gay ****tland: http://www.pova.com/glbt/
- Info from ****tland's
Visitor's Association, for our Pride Goths.
Craft Beers: http://www.pubclub.com/pacificnw/****tlandpc.htm
- a guide
to ****tland pubs and microbreweries. Where to get the good stuff!
Coffee, Beer, & Wine:
http://www.travel****tland.com/media/acmedkit/print_res/wet.html#brews
A ****tland Cultural Survival Guide to All Things Wet
PDX (Air****t): http://www.flypdx.com/Psngr_Airlines_UA.aspx
TriMet: http://www.trimet.org/schedule/index.htm
- Public
trans****tation
Google Transit: http://www.google.com/transit
- The only one in the
country!
Powell's City of Books: http://www.powells.com
- World's largest
independent bookstore
Delivered Dish: http://www.d-dish.com
- Dine from over 40 of ****tland's
finest restaurants without leaving your hotel room!
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