I think every thread I start is inspired by another thread I’ve read, but I digress…
So I was reading another thread where someone brought up the fact that they’d never heard about an LA Dopefest. Now, I haven’t been a SDMB member very long, so I’m not surprised that I haven’t heard of one here either. But I was wondering, what exactly goes on at a Dopefest?
Back in my BBS days, when BBSes were still a local fixture, we used to get together for “meets” once a month or so. It was always at a restaurant and largely involved eating and just sitting around and chatting with people, enjoying putting faces with the names. I imagine Dopefests to be similar in nature, but I’m curious to get a take from those who have attended them.
And while I’m at it, what’s the normal impetus for such an event getting organized? I can recall seeing one or two notices when a Doper is relocating or visiting a place where other Dopers reside, but does area ever have “regular” Dopefests?
That’s it. They happen wherever you can get a few Doper together to talk, eat, drink, swap stories and just pal around. The last Dopefest I attended was Surfdope2004. Twas there I met Rico, Scout1222, Brahesilver, LVGeogeek, the Beckwalls, David Simmons, etc. Gigobuster drove in from Arizona. See here for a complete rundown.
I’ve attended and hosted Dopefests. Some were in restaurants, some at private homes, one at a museum, one in a park. They all seemed to involve food, drink, conversation, and a certain amount of silliness.
Personally, I like the park/private home option better. When you take over several tables in a restaurant, or even one big table, it’s hard to mingle. I want to host another at my place, but since I live in the middle of nowhere, I don’t expect a rousing response. Surely it’s not because of me…
As for the impetus - someone starts a thread saying: Who wants to get together <insert time/place/reason here>?? My personal opinion, it comes together better when you propose a specific day and place. Planning by poll is frustrating at best.
Back in the Day, bout five years ago, when the board was smaller, Dopefests were bigger, noted gatherings, with lots of pre-fest posts, and muy post-fest comment and photos posted. Twas a big deal. I attended a few, and enjoyed them.
I’ve been in and out of time spent here since those heady days, and when checking in, see that the Fests are smaller and don’t have as much buildup around them. The core of that community five years ago seems dispersed now. Prolly, like me, time spent here is diluted by msg board repetition over time, and an ever expanding pool of posters; a lot to keep up with.
I’d like to hear other long-term posters weigh in here.
I’m not an old-timer, but I think Gettysdope – with discussion about a July or August event starting now – might be turning into an institution.
You’re right, though, most of the gatherings I’ve been to (with the exception of last December’s Dope the Halls at Ginger and WeirdDave’s), have been anywhere from a few to a bunch of people meeting up for dinner.
In Britain, they will happen in a pub, and they will involve drinking. Lots of drinking. Occasionally a quiz or some baked goods will make an appearance, but the drinking is the main thing.
If you want to set up a Dopefest, MPSIMS is the place to do it. Be sure to read the sticky about real-life meetings at the top of MPSIMS forum. It’s a disclaimer, and it says something like, "If you want to get together, The Chicago Reader is not responsible for any damnfool trouble you encounter. The Reader will not bail you outa jail, nor will it pay for the lampshade you were wearing when you fell down the stairs. Yawn yone."
I’ve been to three; two were Indy Dopefests, and one in NYC. I started one of those “I’m coming to your town soon. Wanna get together?” threads. It’s really a fascinating experience to talk face to face with folks you have conversed with in print. They’re strangers, but they’re not strangers. They’re old friends you never met. Later on, you can mentally put a face with the people you met.
I tried to host a dopefest a few years back for Sac area folks.
It was, in my opinion, a dismal failure.
Myself, Zenster, snooooopy, and a handful of others showed up. I had plans for the Fox and Goose, and pretty much fell down on follow up or backup plans.
We all walked to another bar (Old Ironsides) but it had a cover and I was shamefully broke… so we didn’t do that either.
A few hours after it started, it ended.
I felt bad, as several Dopers had driven from the Bay Area to attend.
Ever since then, I’ve been gunshy about trying another one.
But since I understand the Western PA Dopers have them often…
