DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '10 II => Topic started by: Midnite on December 31, 2010, 10:29:58 PM

Title: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Midnite on December 31, 2010, 10:29:58 PM: That's a quote from the topic "ShadowGram Update #232 -- 2011 Fest Dates, New DS Comic Series, more":

Quote from: Charles_Ellis on December 31, 2010, 08:24:44 PM
Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!! Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Tarrytown is preferrable to Newark, which is in the middle of nowhere!!!!!

From Charles_Ellis', er, keyboard to Jim Pierson's ears!!!

If anybody else feels that way (or not), may we hear from you?
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: ClaudeNorth on January 01, 2011, 08:02:31 AM: Well, the Hilton Gateway in Newark wouldn't be bad, as it is connected to Penn Station, which makes it very easy to get into NYC. Plus, that's where the DS Festivals were held back in the day, so it would make for a rather nice homecoming. However, I don't know if the area surrounding the hotel has much to offer in terms of restaurants and other amenities, so the Gateway could be just as isolated as the Newark Airport hotel.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Taeylor Collins on January 01, 2011, 01:11:14 PM: I heard from on of the Festivial committe that it's going to be in Tarrytown. So let's hope...:)
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 01, 2011, 04:35:12 PM: Quote from: Midnite on December 31, 2010, 10:29:58 PM
From Charles_Ellis', er, keyboard to Jim Pierson's ears!!!

Please, yes!
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Teresa on January 01, 2011, 04:38:34 PM: I'd opt for Brooklyn first then Tarrytown. What hotel was the last Tarrytown fest held? Was it a Marriott?

[a_xmas]
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 01, 2011, 04:48:52 PM: Yes - both Tarrytown Fests were held at the Westchester Marriott. [santa_smiley]
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Bette on January 01, 2011, 11:30:57 PM: I certainly agree--anywhere but NEWARK! And that includes any other hotel in the vicinity of Newark airport. [angry1]
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: LdyAnne on January 02, 2011, 06:09:25 AM: No place in New Jersey. and people the fests are always at a Marriott (or at lease the last 10 years) so likely not going with a different chain
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Phil on January 02, 2011, 06:53:33 AM: Brooklyn and Tarrytown both provided nearby diversions from the fest (just to take a walk, even), and it was nice to have meal options besides hotel food, which is tougher at an airport hotel. I'd prefer Brooklyn or Manhattan, but Tarrytown is swell too.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: DLA75 on January 02, 2011, 09:08:27 AM: Quote from: LdyAnne on January 02, 2011, 06:09:25 AM
No place in New Jersey. and people the fests are always at a Marriott (or at lease the last 10 years) so likely not going with a different chain

LdyAnne let me defend my home state though i do have my own issues with it.

Their are many Hotels in New Jersey that would be fine for the fest and no worse then Burbank or Westchester. The New Jersey Crowne Plaza Meadowlands for one has been home to Beatlefest and other major conventions for many years and i have never heard a bad thing about it. Your right that the Dark Shadows Fest seems to have a good relationship with Marriott so it is unlikely they switch to Crowne Plaza.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Mary on January 02, 2011, 09:10:20 AM: I agree -- anywhere but Newark!!
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Teresa on January 02, 2011, 02:32:56 PM: I wonder why the delay in announcing the hotel. Surely with a festival this size the accommodations must be secured at this point. The fest is now just a little over 7 months away~!! [8_2_59]

From what I remember about the hotel in Tarrytown, we had to drive to restaurants but they were fairly close. Were there plaes within walking distance there? I seem to recall a small diner.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: DLA75 on January 02, 2011, 07:09:34 PM: They have a Ruth's Chris Steak House in the Westchester Marriott but the steaks are like $40 or $50 each i think.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Bob_the_Bartender on January 02, 2011, 07:53:29 PM: Quote from: DLA75 on January 02, 2011, 09:08:27 AM
LdyAnne let me defend my home state though i do have my own issues with it.

Their are many Hotels in New Jersey that would be fine for the fest and no worse then Burbank or Westchester. The New Jersey Crowne Plaza Meadowlands for one has been home to Beatlefest and other major conventions for many years and i have never heard a bad thing about it. Your right that the Dark Shadows Fest seems to have a good relationship with Marriott so it is unlikely they switch to Crowne Plaza.

DLA75,

If they want to hold the Dark Shadows Festival in New Jersey again , they should really have it at the Hilton Hotel in Long Branch, New Jersey. The Dark Shadows fans would be afforded with a spectacular view of the beauty of the New Jersey shoreline. In additon, fans would also be able to observe the majestic New York City skyline (not to mention breathtaking views of both Bayonne, N.J. and Staten Island) from Mount Mitchill, overlooking the Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook on the Atlantic Highlands, where the beautiful beaches of New Jersey start as they extend down all the way to the equally stunning Long Beach Island.

There are so many beautiful seaside communities along the Garden State's coast, including Deal, West Allenhurst, Spring Lake (the world-renowned "Irish Riviera") and Sea Girt to name but a few. In addition, you can always hop on the Garden State Highway (regarded as one of the most beautiful state highways in America) and travel down to either the Monmouth Race Park (Exit 105 on the GSP) or drive down to Atlantic City and its popular casinos (Exit 38 on the GSP).

Let's not forget that Carl "The Comedian" Collins met his lovely soulmate, Pansy Faye, on the much-acclaimed Atlantic City boardwalk.

And, as the late, lamented Michael Stroka (a proud son of Passaic, N.J.) was wont to say:

"Always be proud that you're from the Garden State!"

Bob, an unabashedly "proud" Jersey boy!
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Charles_Ellis on January 03, 2011, 01:50:35 AM: Well, may I point out that here on Staten Island we have a Hilton adjacent to public transportation and several shopping centers and a multiplex! (OK, it's also about a mile from my house!) This hotel has a lot of room for DS fans and the stars, and a cabaret restaurant.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: jennifer on January 03, 2011, 04:36:51 AM: Tarrytown please!
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: LdyAnne on January 03, 2011, 04:48:58 AM: No offence meant against New Jersey but It was difficult to get to NYC from the hotel and it was nearly impossible to go get anything to eat outside the hotel
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 03, 2011, 05:46:47 AM: Quote from: DLA75 on January 02, 2011, 07:09:34 PM
They have a Ruth's Chris Steak House in the Westchester Marriott but the steaks are like $40 or $50 each i think.

At the '04 Fest I ate dinner at both restaurants at the Westchester Marriott. I had a chicken dish that was like dying and going to heaven at one, and I had some delicious shrimp dish at the other. Neither meal was $40 to $50 - they were much more reasonable - like 20-something. (But then I didn't have steak at either, mostly because I'm not a big beef person.) And I have to add that other fans I'd dined with really enjoyed the meals they'd ordered, and none of them paid anything like $40 much less $50.

Of course, prices may have been raised at the '07 Fest. I don't know because I didn't attend...
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Nancy on January 03, 2011, 08:42:39 AM: Brooklyn or Tarrytown if not midtown Manhattan.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: LdyAnne on January 04, 2011, 03:50:44 AM: I agree Nancy It would e great to be in Midtown NYC
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: mm#7 on January 04, 2011, 06:56:55 AM: I prefer Tarrytown.I was at the 04,and 07Festivals and had a wonderfultime. Since I live Brooklyn,its nice to get away from the foracouple of days.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 04, 2011, 05:16:18 PM: Quote from: Nancy on January 03, 2011, 08:42:39 AM
if not midtown Manhattan.

Could you imagine a return to the Marriott Marquis?! [santa_thumb] Though I seem to recall hearing that they're not as willing to be as accommodating to the Fest pricing structure as they once were, so that's probably not likely. [santa_cry]
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: michael c on January 05, 2011, 12:22:04 AM: i vote for the brooklyn location. since the event hasn't been held in manhattan in about a decade it seems as though it's become price-prohibitive. [santa_sad]
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: ClaudeNorth on January 05, 2011, 12:28:23 AM: Quote from: Mysterious Benefactor on January 04, 2011, 05:16:18 PM
Could you imagine a return to the Marriott Marquis?!

Oh, the days of $99/night rooms at the Marriott Marquis! Not long ago, I was in NYC and decided to make a pit stop at the MM. Such memories!
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Taeylor Collins on January 05, 2011, 02:13:33 PM: When I was visting NYC my friend took me to the Marriot to eat at THE VIEW and what a lovely hotel to have a fest in! :)
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: CastleBee on January 05, 2011, 03:52:45 PM: How about midtown Manhattan – Algonquin Hotel?
Okay, I know it isn’t big enough but, wouldn’t it be cool? And, it’s not that far from the old DS studio if I recall.

Not to mention it’s vaguely spooky and they have a cat. [cat]

What more could you want?
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: LdyAnne on January 06, 2011, 12:21:52 AM: Quote from: CastleBee on January 05, 2011, 03:52:45 PM
How about midtown Manhattan – Algonquin Hotel?

Wonderful Hotel but
The Fest committee always go to Marriotts
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Dawn on January 06, 2011, 02:06:11 AM: I would love to go back to Brooklyn. So many food options as well as some nice watering holes, as I recall. Tarrytown would be a good option too. Newark was just an all around, bomb, imho.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: CastleBee on January 06, 2011, 12:36:36 PM: Quote
Wonderful Hotel but
The Fest committee always go to Marriotts

Oh, I know...the Marriotts are always good and, it could give you a chance to build up points for future stays. I was just having a little fantasy...I've always wanted to stay at the Algonquin. One of these days!
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: frank b on January 06, 2011, 04:14:39 PM: I agree with Charles and everyone else who dreads having the Fest in Newark. I have attended festivals in eight different locations, and Newark was by far the worst. I live in NYC, so it was only a half hour drive. The problem with Newark was two-fold. First, it is extremely difficult to find, even for a New Yorker who is familiar with the area. I made a few wrong turns, delaying me about a half hour. Furthermore, I heard horror story after horror story from people who were driving from other states, many of whom got lost for up to two hours. If this was an isolated incident, I would call it an anecdote. But I heard this from several people. One couple was stranded in an awful neighborhood and had to be guided to Newark by a Good Samaritan in his car.

The second problem with Newark, as others have mentioned, is that nothing is conveniently reachable. Not restaurants nor sidewalk hot dog vendors. Traveling to Manhattan is not realistic nor convenient. Tarrytown is fine. Brooklyn is preferable because it's a short subway ride to Manhattan, there are many places within walking distance, and for me, it's almost a short walk from home.

Unfortunately because of cost, I don't believe Jim will have it in Manhattan. I do hope that he has gotten sufficient feedback that no one wants it in Newark. We will see.

Frank
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: DLA75 on January 06, 2011, 06:48:19 PM: i agree that Brooklyn is the best east coast location. I one thing i like about Tarrytown it is the only DS Hotel where i have not had to pay to park my car. But the lot fills up fast.

As i said in a earlier post the Medowlands Crowne Plaza in Secacaus is to home the Beatlefest and would be probably be a great place for a Dark Shadows Festival. It is around 3 miles away from large Nj Transit-Secaucus Junction Train station. I have never been there so i have no first had Knowledge of the hotel.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/nycmd
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: D_Friedlander on January 07, 2011, 10:21:15 AM: Another voice in protest of God-Forbid-Newark.

Nothing like being in clear sight of a hotel and not being able to find the way to reach it for a couple of hours, circling hopelessly and driving through neighborhoods where there should be signs that actually say "Welcome to another high-crime area."
And this from someone who is in love with "Weird New Jersey!"

Now if you said Atlantic City, that would be interesting.

But in reality, please please PLEASE, let it be Brooklyn or Tarrytown.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Taeylor Collins on January 08, 2011, 06:24:49 AM: Marie posted on her Facebook it will be August 19, 20, 21 "somewhere in NYC" she says! Thank GOD! Now I hope I get to go!
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Julia99 on January 08, 2011, 06:43:34 PM: Quote from: Taeylor Collins on January 08, 2011, 06:24:49 AM
Marie posted on her Facebook it will be August 19, 20, 21 "somewhere in NYC" she says! Thank GOD! Now I hope I get to go!

She said "NYC area" and that could still potentially include...Newark folks...
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 13, 2011, 04:25:48 AM: Speaking of the Marriott Marquis, while going through captures from Ep #1126 for the "Complete This Phrase / Fill In The Blank(s) - 1840/1841" board, I came across captures from an ad that KLS did for the '97 Fest:

(http://www.dsboards.com/images/97Fest.jpg)

Ah, the memories...
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: DLA75 on January 13, 2011, 07:28:58 AM: Comcast had just aded Sci Fi and i had gotten into the 1840 storyline over the summer of 1997. I seriously considered going to the 1997 Fest but I was still a new viewer and was a bit intimidated not knowing anything before 1840 other then what i read in Books and online. I wish i had gone( I never go to meet Dennis Patrick or Louis Edmonds). I finally went for the first time in 2003.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Miranda on January 21, 2011, 10:56:59 PM: You know, it is so interesting, what got me back attending the Fests was Jonathan coming back to the Tarrytown one in 2007, and I have been to the last two East Coast ones, and I agree, Newark was a poor venue. I had a good time, but even with those two, the Fests have a same old, same old quality, but now when I hear that David Selby will be coming to this summers, that is an added plus, I am not sure he and JF have been to an East Coast Fest together for many many years, if at all..
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 22, 2011, 01:41:57 AM: I don't believe they've ever done an East Coast Fest. Selby was interested in attending the 2007 "Weekend", but we'll recall how that played out...

To my knowledge, the only time Frid and Selby have both appeared was last year. Up to then it's been either or.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Gothick on January 22, 2011, 04:54:50 AM: Great captures from those '97 ads MB! It is strange how ... old they look now! But yes, beloved, it was 14 years ago...

G.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: michael c on January 22, 2011, 04:44:40 PM: i must say that certainly no other actor has marketed their time on DS with the same level of "enthusiasm" as kathryn leigh scott.

the promotional videos. the dvd commentaries. the festival attendance. it's obviously been well worth it for her to keep interest in the program high...the better to keep sales of those books and cd's humming. [snow_wink]
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Taeylor Collins on January 23, 2011, 02:49:28 PM: I personally think that the haircut KLS is sporting in the Screen Cap makes her look older than she does now. I like the way she has her hair in 2011. I think KLS still looks good and Lara certainly is holding up to be her age. In Night Whispers I could not believe how old Jon Frid sounded. Nevertheless he is 85 I think so I guess that is why his voice sounds so frail. I mean no disrespect when I say that. He was able to play a very sad old Barnabas, I felt you could hear the wear and tear in his voice. I have never seen him at a Fest so I don't really know how he sounds there.

I just wish they would invite some of the people back that haven't been in quite a while. I really wish that Terry would be at the 45Th anniversary celebration. I have gotten acquainted with her on Facebook and she is a total sweetheart.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Teresa on January 23, 2011, 04:46:28 PM: I agree Taeylor about KLS hairstyle. It's much more flattering now but honestly not too many 80's hairstyles were flattering now that you look back on it! [snow_smiley]

I also agree that it would be awesome if Terry would return to the fest for this special anniversary year! I've had the opportunity to speak with her at the old Halloween parties and she was always so lovely. I'm kind of hoping it's in Tarrytown this summer because I'd love to see Lyndhurst again and visit Sleepy Hollow.
Title: Re: Anywhere but NEWARK!!!!!
Post by: Taeylor Collins on January 27, 2011, 01:28:27 AM: I think it's a 90's hairstyle which sometimes I think are far WORSE. Isn't that an ad from SCI FI? It really doesn't matter which time it was from but I wanted to point out that the ones from 90's in my opinion were worse. I would love for the fest to be in Tarrytown as I haven't been there--yet!~