SPAH 2023

[OhioMusicalSawMan]

East Coast spots for future SPAH could easily include:

Richmond, VA  (nice airport; fun eating venues, lots of historical sites nearby)
Virginia Beach/Norfolk, VA
Raleigh, NC (triad area)
Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Atlanta, GA

Of course, these options don't include all those in the northeast part of the country from DC to Maine.

Just me, but I'd like to see either Scranton or Pittsburgh for SPAH. Both are interesting areas, and were good Polka towns for years and years

[SlideMeister]

Anything closer to the Cleveland is preferable to me.

[Swatne]

I’ll go wherever it happens to be if I don’t have something else planned. That time of year, I rarely have conflicts. 

This year was light attendance, but very high quality entertainment - I think the best ever. The hallway jams were fewer, but higher quality - the seminars excellent.

I was lucky to score a great banquet table: Tom Stryker, Charlie Musslewhite, Michael Ruben, Tony Eyres, RJ Mischo, Dennis Gruenling, Kyle Rowland, and Bill Morris.  That was cool!

All told, a super convention!

Swatne.

[SlideMeister]

Wow! Sounds like an "all star" table; great company to be in.

[OhioMusicalSawMan]

Anything closer to the Cleveland is preferable to me.

I hear ya age . Pittsburgh is close to Cleveland, a unique and fun city to visit. Just don't wear any Browns clothing over there

[smojoe]

We never had any problem with the Browns. Cleve is our sister city.
smojoe

[SlideMeister]

Yeah, we just love to hate each other, but it's all for fun, kinda like the Aussies and the Kiwis.

[Scotty]

Pittsburgh would still work well enough for us North East-Coasters. I'd be in for that. FIRST there'd have to be a functioning
Club - I'm sure there'd be a whole slew of suitable venues. Val Redler somehow managed to find fantastic Hotels in New Jersey
when no one thought it was possible (for the Garden State Harmonica Conventions she was in charge of as President of the club). Took a whole lot of shoe leather and persuasion of the Hotel spokespeople (something she was so good at doing), to give over their hotel for 3+ days for a LOT of non-stop harmonica playing at a vastly reduced rate, so that's another good trait to have. SPAH is longer, nearly a full week. There's so much going on behind the scenes to get it done. Fwiw, the last Festival Val and Phil ran in 2011 was the BEST harmonica Convention I've ever been to. Brilliant performers, brilliantly run - and the final night was the absolutely best ever (we also said our goodbyes to a great and good friend Michael Polesky there). :'(

Danny got it on video, as did I. Mine is still somewhere on mini-dvd's.

scotty

[Scotty]

Sorry, meant to continue but was feeling too emotional. Lots of painful memories, of Michael, his wife and little girl. He came from California just to say goodbye--he was dying and knew it. David Fairweather traveled with him to help him manage. We sat together at one point (during a Sat. night jazz jam and hugged, chatted with me)--told all of us not to be sad. Most of us openly wept when they left.

My main point is that these Conventions/Festivals MUST be captured on video - and attended when possible (I wasn't able to go
this year - or the last few). Wasn't possible, but I will be back at some point. They're a lifetime experience. Appreciate those who
work so hard to provide us with this joy, and appreciate the friends you make there. Despite my not liking St. Louis as a place to travel to, I'll stiffen my lip and try to get there if next year is in the cards. Hopefully, there will be a City much closer for us to drive to - one of these years. The one year they held it in Virginia, my husband was in the hospital. Foiled again. IF it's within reach of your hometown, do yourself a favour and just go. You will love it.

scotty

[smojoe]

Harmonica conventions are intoxicating. I think my favorite was 2011 Va. Beach. My jazz jam was positively INSANE.

When you get caught between the moon and harp convention
I know it's crazy, but it's true
when you get caught between the moon and harp convention
the best that you can do
is fall in love

Arthur

[Lockjaw Larry]

The 2011 Virginia Harpfest was my first time going to a harmonica convention.  We had a fantastic, if tiring, weekend.  We met lots of new friends there, including Smokie, George Miklas and Scottie, amongst several others.  The year the SPAH was held in Virginia Beach I had to transport a granddaughter from our home near Charlottesville, VA, to South Carolina.  I’m still upset over missing that one that was just three hours drive. 
If SPAH ever comes East I hope beyond hope to attend my first SPAH.

[SlideMeister]

<snip> (for the Garden State Harmonica Conventions she was in charge of as President of the club). Took a whole lot of shoe leather and persuasion of the Hotel spokespeople (something she was so good at doing), to give over their hotel for 3+ days for a LOT of non-stop harmonica playing at a vastly reduced rate, so that's another good trait to have. SPAH is longer, nearly a full week. There's so much going on behind the scenes to get it done. Fwiw, the last Festival Val and Phil ran in 2011 was the BEST harmonica Convention I've ever been to. Brilliant performers, brilliantly run - and the final night was the absolutely best ever (we also said our goodbyes to a great and good friend Michael Polesky there). :'(

Danny got it on video, as did I. Mine is still somewhere on mini-dvd's.

scotty

Yeah, Barbara and I had a great time there too. (even though I had my SE-70 stolen from under the stage ) Got to meet and play with Mike Polesky too. Whatta cool guy! :'(