SELEM 2023 Sign Up Thread (SELEM 16!)

[HankLloydRight]

Should we start a GoFundMe get LazerJock to the Embassy Suites?

[cfavreau]

I am thinking about staying at the Holdiay Inn Express in Elkton. It is $100 less expensive for the week. Hard choice to make.

[Afturmath]

Damn!!!
I wish I would have known so many people were staying at Embasy Suites. I would have booked there too.
I just got off the phone with Holiday Inn and if I cancel my reservation I lose my deposit equal to 1 night!
Guess I'm stuck at HI.

Apologies for not communicating this ahead of time. Between the shenanigans last year with management and overall quality of the HIE Elkton, we decided to go for something a bit higher-end this year since our costs are split 3-ways. Glad to see we're not the only ones at the Embassy Suites. Now we just need a DD each evening between 5-7PM to drive a van full of us over to the "Manager's Reception" (free booze) in the lobby.

Ok, as I did last year, I put together a preliminary SELEM schedule in Teamup here: SELEM 2023 Schedule

I used last year's as a template, and added in what's different this year.

Please let me know if there are any errors or changes or if you'd like a spot on the schedule.

Thank you, Hank! Do we want to post hours for Club SELEM or leave it flexible like last year? I'm bringing my full Traktor DJ setup again, including a Xone 96 mixer with four available analog inputs for other decks and two for FX pedals if anyone cares to bring any. I am planning to play a 4 hour techno and trance set on Wednesday evening, probably 20:00-00:00 (maybe 21-01).

I'm still on the fence about playing a live synthesizer + graphics show this year. I don't want to play the same setlist I played the last 2 years, but I haven't put enough time and effort into a new set to be ready by SELEM. This could change in the next few weeks, but I don't expect to have a set completed along with the other work on my plate right now. I will still bring a big pile of synths and might just do some live improv ambient/electronica (leaning into minimal techno) on Thursday in the auditorium with everyone else jamming on graphics like we did in 2021 with JMJ's "Oxygene" album.

[HankLloydRight]

! Do we want to post hours for Club SELEM or leave it flexible like last year?.

That's above my pay grade. @Buffo ?

[Lazerjock]

So......I gave it another shot and tried to cancel my reservation at the Holiday Inn.

I spoke to reservations and they told me "if the deposit was not charged yet that I would be able to cancel without any penalties". It looked like this might actually work out.

They were going to have the hotel call me directly to verify. I spoke to Jennifer and she said no, the manager told her, it is up to the hotel to make the decision if I get charged or not and that I would be if I canceled.
The deposit is $198.00

I refuse to give them nearly $200 to cancel a reservation still weeks out.
This will be the last time I stay at that hotel !!!

I'm looking forward to hear how the Embassy Suites stay is. I will wave as the cool kids DD van goes by on their way to get free alcohol.

[Bradfo69]

Sorry I sort of dropped the ball on accommodations this year. I never got to the other Holiday Inn to discuss things with the manager there and see about a group discount. It's a little different than Newton for two reasons: Besides the Trotthouse which had limited space, most everyone stayed at the Holiday Inn since it was about the only game in town and, we could pretty much guarantee them 40 more more room nights over the span of SELEM to get a nice rate.

Here, between people using the Fairview Inn B&B, staying in campers, finding other hotels, the advent of AirB&B, and post Covid SELEM attendance dropping by more than half, it's really hard to tell a hotel you can guarantee a certain number of rooms.

What I will tell you is, we've had a relationship with Embassy Suites for 15 years now and, the vast majority of our weddings have used them. I've not heard of any major horror stories and, it's certainly convenient to the venue. It's a straight shot down 896 about 3 miles from there to here on a 50mph road. There's major construction going on at the I-95 interchange which you will drive past each day but, thus far it hasn't ever been congested that I know of. (That will happen week of August 6th I'm sure. Lol) Embassy was also going to be the hotel for ILDA when we were going to host the conference here in 2020.

Naturally we here have been chomping at the bit waiting for the hotel next door to the venue to be built. They've done an awful lot to that lot over the last year - mainly the underground infrastructure, sidewalks, roads, curbing, landscaping and the frame of the Wawa (convenience store) has gone up this week. I don't know how long it takes to throw up a hotel but "maybe" next year everyone will be able to stay within staggering distance. Hell... maybe we can do an outdoor show and terminate in your rooms window.

Embassy *used* to own a shuttle and some bridal parties would use them to get back and forth. I don't know if they still do. It was always a bit of hit or miss depending on management changes over the years and, if the bride thought to reserve it early enough. Might be something to look into. It's also only a few minute drive back and forth so I'm sure the occasional pick up/drop off won't be a big deal. There's a TGI Fridays in the parking lot of Embassy as well that's open until 1am for late night munchies or nightcaps. I'm sure we've provided them with a huge number of drunken revelers following weddings over the years. They probably hate us.

[DZ]

Just booked a room at the Embassy. Checking in on the 4th, out on the 11th. If anyone wants to share the room send me a PM. Edit- room taken.

Also, all the JHE stuff is still available and I can bring to SELEM anything you might be interested in. I made this video a couple months ago but didn’t have a chance to post it. https://youtu.be/ulBhGAM2G2o
Not in the video is the single mode RGB rig with compact506 scanners and an X-laser amp.

[Displaser]

Just booked a room at the Embassy. Checking in on the 4th, out on the 11th. If anyone wants to share the room send me a PM.

Also, all the JHE stuff is still available and I can bring to SELEM anything you might be interested in. I made this video a couple months ago but didn’t have a chance to post it. https://youtu.be/ulBhGAM2G2o
Not in the video is the single mode RGB rig with compact506 scanners and an X-laser amp.

Hey David,

PM going out for the Embassy Suites, let’s talk about the JHE stuff…

Greg

[djmatt]

Sadly I haven’t been able to find time for SELEMs in years due to kids…lol
miss you guys!

[hakzaw1]

very nice of you HANK..I was told that ES has a 'pick your own room' deal--MYB we can get rooms on the same floor--there WILL be lots of late nite snacks ETC at.."Greg and Hak's Shack.,,, BUT putting this idea off will lessen our chances-- I like the top (9th) floor at my MANY stays at ES Houston.

great free morning feed too.