Official: SELEM 2020 in Newton, NC has been cancelled

I took a look at the satellite view of Grainger Performing Arts Center in Kinston, NC and see a couple pros and one major con. Pros include a community center and gymnasium right next door. There is also a small park behind the PAC that might be suitable for droning activities. The con is that the PAC is literally attached to an apartment complex with poor ratings. Oh . . and its a place that caters to retirees with 1 and 2 bedroom apartments available. Can you imagine how many noise complaints we would rack up from 6PM-2AM???

-David

I suppose it depends on how much sound insulation there is between the auditorium and the apartment building. But I agree it's a question we have to address.

Adam

This is weird. I put "Grainger Performing Arts Center" into Google Maps, and it took me to "Kinston Lenoir Performing Arts Center" (2601 N Queen St, Kinston, NC), which is another PAC in Kinston, but it's right next to a high school (Kinston High School) with all the amenities we're looking for.

Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/MmQL1oaFV26d6R6P9

There's a page about facility rentals here: https://www.lcpsnc.org/domain/74
Policies: https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/lenoir/B...d=9G23MF712F2F
Application and rate sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KU1...PdjDIZg1-/view

Non-profit rates are much lower. No alcohol allowed. I don't know how the posted 4-hour rates would translate to what SELEM needs and if buffo could negotiate a week-long rate. It's interesting, though. Lots of possibilities for space usage. There's nothing nearby so I don't think sound would be an issue. Hotels are a little further out.

No drones on campus. Checked for you. We are in the flight line of a helipad for a hospital. Cost is way high too.

Check it out. There actually is a disinfectant fog machine.

Look up vector fog.

I never heard back from anyone at the fairgrounds. I think they must be shut down until this is COVID thing is under control. I hope there is a vaccine in the near future because things aren't going to get back to normal without one.

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Originally Posted by HankLloydRight

This is weird. I put "Grainger Performing Arts Center" into Google Maps, and it took me to "Kinston Lenoir Performing Arts Center" (2601 N Queen St, Kinston, NC), which is another PAC in Kinston, but it's right next to a high school (Kinston High School) with all the amenities we're looking for.

Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/MmQL1oaFV26d6R6P9

There's a page about facility rentals here: https://www.lcpsnc.org/domain/74
Policies: https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/lenoir/B...d=9G23MF712F2F
Application and rate sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KU1...PdjDIZg1-/view

Non-profit rates are much lower. No alcohol allowed. I don't know how the posted 4-hour rates would translate to what SELEM needs and if buffo could negotiate a week-long rate. It's interesting, though. Lots of possibilities for space usage. There's nothing nearby so I don't think sound would be an issue. Hotels are a little further out.

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please remember er those of us that have to drive and fly from long distance. That adds like 4 hours to an already 8hr drive and it looks like there are no airports anywhere near by.

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Originally Posted by kecked

please remember er those of us that have to drive and fly from long distance. That adds like 4 hours to an already 8hr drive and it looks like there are no airports anywhere near by.

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I don't think the Kinston location will work out for various reasons but RDU (Raleigh Durham International) Airport is only about an hour away.

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Originally Posted by kecked

please remember er those of us that have to drive and fly from long distance. That adds like 4 hours to an already 8hr drive and it looks like there are no airports anywhere near by.

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Since people are coming from all directions to SELEM, any change in venue will make it closer for some people and further for others. So I'm not sure what your point actually is? We should find a venue that's only better for you?

Thanks for all the input folks! Yeah, lots of venues are still operating on minimal staffing so I expect we'll have difficulty getting some answers - at least for the time being. But the search continues!

I agree that any change in venue will cause problems for some people. With that in mind, I'm less worried about how far off the beaten path a given venue is and more concerned with the facilities they have and the cost. (There's a good chance that a venue located in a small out-of-the-way town would be more willing to give us the freedom and autonomy that we want.) Admittedly though I'd like to stick with a location that is within an hour's drive (more or less) from a major airport if possible.

Adam