DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '06 II => Topic started by: CyrusL on September 11, 2006, 05:07:25 AM
-
For me, 9/11 will always have a deeper meaning than it would have had, if not for Dark Shadows. For the only times I had ever been to the Towers was because of the festivals. I always tell people, and most are unaware, that the Marriott was Tower # 3. I most especially remember in 2001, as we drove Diane's silver Honda right up to the door and unloaded. I remember walking straight out of the Marriott and into the Trade Center Mall. I still have two shirts I bought there, one was for the fest dinner that year. We took the subway into Times Square right from there, just took the escalators down. Conrad Brook shot some footage for one of his "no budget" films in the lobby, and Diane and I were extras. I have a funny memory of Roger Davis speaking from the stage that year, advising us of a great nearby store to get a great suit at bargain prices. The two things I will always remember most, tho, are first, eating breakfast in the Marriott restaurant, which had big windows that opened in the WTC courtyards. I can still see John Karlen sipping coffee two tables away, by himself. Another table seated Ben Martin, another Stuart Manning and his friends, and many more tables of fans with their badges pinned on, eagerly awaiting the day's events to start. From the table, the Towers stretched to the sky, like two opens arms reaching for heaven. My other memory is on Sunday night, after the banquet. First, we made many photos by that fountain and stairs in the lobby. After that, Diane, myself and a friend from Indiana decided to go into the Tower, # 2 I think, and go up to the observation deck. When we reached the end of the velvet ropes, the attendant told us, "Sorry. We've just closed for the night." We looked at each other and said, "Well, we'll be back next year or the year after that." And that opportunity never came...
We went to Ground Zero while attending the 2003 fest.For some reason, I had taken a photo from our room's window of the buildings across the street, and I used it to orient myself at Ground Zero, to try to place where the Marriott was. I looked at that gaping hole and wondered on which level the car had been parked. I often have wondered what I might have grabbed, had it been "that day" and we were at the Marriott. I don't want to talk politics, that will divide us. But, I think that in some small way, we Dark Shadows attendees of festival 2001 are lucky. Together we shared something very special, in a very special place. But also, because we were there, we may have just a little more understanding of the loss, than many who never saw them up close, two silver arms, that reached toward heaven. And a hotel, almost forgotten.
Michael
-
Hi Michael very nice tribute. We shall never forget those whose lost their lives.
May They Rest In The Peace Of Heaven.
Love Anne
-
Michael,
I appreciated your look back at the 2001 festival and tribute to the tragic events that followed. I can relate to so much of what you said because that was my first festival and I, too would never have seen the towers or experienced that part of the city had it not been for the fest. I recall it all in such vivid detail and also remember little details like Roger Davis talking about the Century store across the street (what a madhouse!) and eating at the restaurant that overlooked the courtyard. I've also revisited the area since to pay my respects (in December 2004) and was both appalled and moved by the gaping hole and amazed at how much of the general area that I recalled (like the church that was just across the street, the store Davis mentioned and the little deli where we got take out) actually survived so well. When the news broke that day five years ago, this board was one of the first places I went on the Net. We were all in a kind of surreal shock - especially those of us who had literally just been there. I really appreciated the way we all kind of came together to support each other.
Beth
-
The 2001 DS Festival was my first festival as well. My father and I flew in from Ohio and got to see the sights of NY. I am very glad that we did get to see the WTC before 9/11. I remember that my father got sick when he heard about the WTC on 9/11 because we had just been there. We also went to Ground Zero during the 2003 DS Festival.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved one's left behind and for there loved ones that were lost.
-
Just a gentle reminder to please try to keep the discussion in this topic about the DS Fests held at the WTC and the memories about them. This is a DS forum, after all, (with an often stated policy against the posting of topics relating to world events) and any OT discussion, no matter how heartfelt or well intended, runs the risk of possibly being pulled.
Thanks. :)
As for the Vista Hotel, it was where I attended my first Fest in 1989 and I was also at the 2001 Fest. I have nothing but great memories of the times I spent there (especially the 2001 Fest because it was the first one where I finally met in person many of the wonderful people on the forum) and it's still so surreal to me that it no longer exists...
-
Hi Michael very nice tribute. We shall never forget those whose lost their lives. May They Rest In The Peace Of Heaven.
The church bells here were ringing for the victims of the Pentagon, I think they chimed for each person that died. It took a while for them to stop.
My first Fest was also at the Vista, aka World Trade Center Marriot, in 1990. I remember walking thru that mall underneath in search of a muffin for breakfast before getting on the bus to Lyndhurst. I ran into quite a few fans doing the same thing. How did I know they were fans? They all had DS tees on, most of them made by our very own Selby D. Pearson! Don't recall if Bobubas was making tees that early.
I was also there a year later for the 1991 Thanksgiving Weekend Fest and as I was not staying at the hotel this time (was staying at a friends in Jersey) we went back and forth via the Path train and the stop was underneath this mall. I too have WONDERFUL memories of these two Fests and this hotel. Was sad when it was bombed in '93 and we ended up at the Marquis (which IS a gorgeous hotel and being in Times Square it's got the best location). Only wish I'd gotten to a Fest when they returned to the WTC and really regret that I never got up to the top of (was it Tower Two?) to view the city. But, like most fans, I always thought there'd be "next year"! :'(
-
I had taken a photo from our room's window of the buildings across the street, and I used it to orient myself at Ground Zero, to try to place where the Marriott was.
Back in 2001 during the forum's VantageNet incarnation, several members posted pictures they had taken of and from the hotel during that year's Fest. If I can locate my copies of them, I'll post them.
(And BTW, Cyrus, I haven't forgotten that project I volunteered to do for you. You should see results later today. ;))
-
I loved that hotel though the location wasn't always ideal for those who wanted to partake of the action in midtown Manhattan!
It's still hard to believe that it is gone. Another scary memory is that Jim Pierson was staying there on business and would have been there on Tuesday, September 11th but decided to check out on Monday and head uptown closer to where he was conducting business. Can you imagine how close that had to feel?
Nancy
-
I found the pics. But unfortunately my memory is a bit sketchy as to who shared what as well as who a few people are in the pics. :-[ So, if I don't credit you with having shared a pic or appearing in one, please feel free to take credit or to identify yourself and/or anyone else you recognize. :)
I'll group the pics in the order they were originally posted on VantageNet:
Up first, a photo posted on September 12, 2001 by Bobubas which features Vlad (on the left) and Bobubas (on the right). (I'm afraid I have no clue who the ladies in the center are.)
And a wintertime postcard which meant a lot to the poster, so they shared it.
-
A group photo posted on September 19, 2001:
(Standing, left to right - Vlad (in costume for the gala), ?, ?, NancyBe, Midnite, Bette, Nicky, ?, John_in_SC, Ben. Crouching - casper_collins.)
-
Photos posted on September 22, 2001:
Nicky and sheenasma
Two photos posted by Bobubas:
(Top - I won't even begin to try to idenify the people - though I do recognize two of them - and you know who you are. ;))
(Bottom, left to right - Nicky, ?, Gothick, NancyBe, Midnite, John_in_SC.)
-
A group of photos posted on the September 24, 2001, featuring someone's room and various views from rooms:
-
God bless America.
-
First batch of photos posted on September 25, 2001:
casper_collins on the bridge.
-
Second batch of photos:
(View of the WTC courtyard from a hotel room.)
(Various views of the WTC from different vantage points.)
-
That Fest was my first big Fest as well as my first real trip to NYC. I too remember John Karlen seated less than two tables away in the Marriott dining room, the huge lobby and fountain outside and standing in the courtyard and getting dizzy looking up. Our hotel room was right next the the glass walkway that stretched between the Towers and I have pictures of my Aunt standing in front of the windows with the walkway dominating the background. We actually still have the room key from our hotel room. My Mom mistakenly brought it home.
I think you're right in saying that those of us that were there for the Fest share a little something. We all have fond memories of that weekend at the WTC. It's horrifying to think that while we were there there was someone out there plotting such terrible things with those buildings as the target.
-
That was also my first official fest. I think I have the strongest memories of that one. I have have kept my hotel receipt for some reason. It was such an exciting visit for me. I met so many new friends,volunteered that year and it was a special time.
PS- Bob you still have not bought me that beer and it has been 5 years. What gives!! ;)
-
I was at the 99 Fest at WTC, and just by having been there, the whole tragedy was more personal to me. That fest was a month before DREAMS OF THE DARK came out, and in a lot of ways, I had the time of my life there. I got to meet many of the stars for the first time and lots of the fans with whom I'd become familiar.
Was also at the Halloween gathering in 2001, just over a month after 9/11. Several of the stars went down to ground zero to pay their own respects. Beth Massie and I had a table right across from Chris Pennock, and he and Jim Storm and I sat together for probably 45 minutes or so talking about WTC, DS, and life in general. It was one of those moments when there were no stars, no fans, nothing but people sharing their own personal feelings. I'll remember that forever.
-
I almost didn't go to the 2001 Fest, but decided to at the last minute, like the Saturday of the event. I drove up from VA and vividly recall making that turn to the right on the NJ Turnpike where the towers came into view. I got lost coming out of the Holland Tunnel and called the hotel and a nice lady stayed on the phone with me until I pulled right in front of the hotel. MUCH to my dismay I found out that the Fest was booked to capacity and they wouldn't let me in, they said try again first thing Sunday morning before they had a chance to sell out. Fortunately, I'd gone to KLS's table and purchased her book, where I left my wallet. Ben Martin, her ex, called me in my room, and when I came down to get it, I told him my story, he pulled some strings and got me in. Thanks again, Ben!
I'm so glad that I made that trip and was able to be there. I'm very grateful that this fandom got me there. It was a very special trip that even more special now and seems like yesterday.
-
Thank you SO much for posting the photos, MB. I would give anything to be able to recover the topic from that old Forum, too. I remember it was Gerard who first spoke, saying he was relieved that the Fest was 3 weeks earlier and so his DS friends were spared. <sigh>
To help with ids, GingerCat and Happybat are standing between Vlad and Bobubas in Reply #8. They're also in the picture in Reply #9, and that's Sheilamarch standing over casper_collins and holding his braids. (Red pants... WHAT was I thinking?!)
In #10, that's Sally in front, though Nicky calls her Mom. That was taken in the bakery/restaurant in the Concourse. :(
In #11, that bottom photo was taken by John_in_SC from the gym of the WTC Marriott.
Sheilamarch took the photos in Reply #13 of casper_collins on the Brooklyn Bridge. That might be her artwork in Reply #8.
-
(Red pants... WHAT was I thinking?!)
That you had to bring enough different articles of clothing to try to change as often as Nicky does, which, if I remember correctly, was something like three times a day that year. ;) If a few of your choices seem a bit off in retrospect, well, just chalk it up to the insanity that is just trying to keep up with Nicky. ;D
And thanks for filling in the gaps in my memory for several of the pics. I realized that was Nicky's mom after I posted the pic, but I still had no clue those two ladies were HappyBat and GingerCat or that the other lady was Sheilamarch. :-[ But I'm thinking I must have been in midtown when you were hanging out with them on that Saturday and I guess I never ran into them on Sunday.
-
Sheilamarch took the photos in Reply #13 of casper_collins on the Brooklyn Bridge. That might be her artwork in Reply #8.
Thanks for the further information on the photos, etc. Midnite. I was just about to post something about the painting of the Brooklyn bridge in the snow with the towers in the background. I definately remember being amazed by that gorgeous art work when she posted it five years ago. I think of it from time to time to this day.
-
My first encounter with the Vista and the whole World Trade Center area came when I stayed at the hotel the night prior to the ' Dark Shadows Day in Tarrytown' back in June of 1992. I'd attended my first Festival the summer before in Los Angeles, and this was my first trip to NYC. I remember being in awe of the towers.
In later years, when the Festivals were in New York, it would become a tradition for a group of us to arrive early and see a Broadway show or two before the Festivals. There was a 1/2 price ticket kiosk located in building II that opened several hours earlier then the one in Midtown, (Duffy Square), and part of the tradition would be that I'd take the PATH train in the morning from New Jersey to the World Trade Center to wait in line to pick up our tickets for whatever show(s) we were hoping to see on that particular day.
Bob
-
That you had to bring enough different articles of clothing to try to change as often as Nicky does, which, if I remember correctly, was something like three times a day that year. ;) If a few of your choices seem a bit off in retrospect, well, just chalk it up to the insanity that is just trying to keep up with Nicky. ;D
LOL OMG, Nicky's gorgeous shirts!
-
Can't help echoing how hard it is to believe that those stunning photos were taken five years ago. I came to that fest knowing only a few of the VantageNet members via postings, but I left knowing I had made many wonderful friends. You all made me feel so welcome, and I so enjoyed being surrounded by your laughter and craziness.
It was my first time meeting Nicky, and I had a hard time keeping track of him because of his ever-changing wardrobe. He must have reserved a second hotel room just for his steamer trunks!
The photos and posts bring back a flood of random memories. Strolling the lower-level plaza shops . . . beautiful hotel rooms that were jumbo-sized by Manhattan standards (and whatever discount price we were paying was a steal) . . . hanging out in the Tall Ships bar/restaurant . . . hanging out in the Marriott hotel lobby . . . the impressive views of the surrounding buildings from my hotel room and the Hudson River from the fitness center . . . grabbing breakfast at the Krispy Kreme on the WTC plaza with Midnite and other VantageNet friends . . . waiting in line to meet KLS at her table . . . all priceless memories.
The Marriott WTC was truly a glamorous setting for our Fest. Little did we know that we were fast approaching the end of an era.
Ben
-
Every time we get together Criseyd, CynbD, Louceea and I take a picture lined up, in the same pose. Sometimes only three of us are there, last winter only two of us...
We started doing that at the WTC Marriot, and up til this year those pictures were the only ones that had all of us in them.
I have a room key card too, and a receipt for a sandwich and juice I ran down to the lower mall area to grab for CynD, who was at her dealer's table.
I have some other *stuff* too, but let's not discuss that.
The lobby there had the best people watching....
I'd forgotten about that picture with Nicky....and I don't have a copy, can you send Midnite or MB?
-
I'd forgotten about that picture with Nicky....and I don't have a copy, can you send Midnite or MB?
Just click on the link under the photo to download a copy. :)