In the past couple of weeks, we’ve been ironing out the schedule of events – the goal being to make everyone forget all about whether Simon, John, Nick, Roger and Dom are there with us or not! (A lofty goal, no doubt – but we aim high.) Some details are still coming in, so I don’t have the entire schedule to post, but one key element has been worked out so I can share. I don’t think the irony will be lost on anyone, especially those who have been reading the blog for any real length of time.
On Saturday evening, we are having a banquet at Harry Caray’s – which is literally steps from the Hotel Amalfi. The banquet ends at about 11pm – and we definitely won’t be ready to call it a night yet. So, we did what must be done, and found a nightclub named Planet Earth (80’s night) at the Late Bar – an easy cab ride from the hotel – where the festivities will continue to the wee hours. I know what you’re thinking here, “Is that really the name?” Oh yes my friends, it is really the name – I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried! I won’t lie, I was sold on the place as soon as I heard the name. Amanda’s favorite song combined with one of my very favorites? Done! We’ve been in contact with the club, and they are VERY excited to be hosting our late night party antics – we will have a section of the club reserved just for us. (By the way, get some sleep now, because the club is open to 5am and we plan to close the place down, Duranie-style.) Things to note here: there is NO cover charge to get in, but save your cash, Duran-fans, because this bar takes cash ONLY. (Prices run $4-5 a piece for mixed well-drinks) No debit cards, no credit-cards, no leaving a bar tab open all night only to discover you’ve consumed your child’s college education…however, they do have an ATM on site.
We are also working on plans for Saturday – we hope to have one group activity outside of the hotel and then several other options (including free time to see the city) on Saturday afternoon so that way those of us on the committee can get the party ready for that evening. I wish I could tell you what we have up our sleeve for Saturday – all I can really say, and even this is probably too much, is that if all goes well, it will be the next best thing to going to a concert – so stay tuned here!
Additionally, I have a question for anyone interested in the convention – whether you’ve paid for tickets yet or not. We have been looking into options for convention communication, not only for those of us trying to get information out to you, but anyone planning to attend or interested in general. We want to allow avenues for people to meet, mingle and maybe even find traveling partners or roommates for the convention. Currently, we have a Facebook page and even an event page on Facebook just for the convention – and it seems as though it might be difficult to have fun conversations and trade messages there, but we don’t want to overload anyone either. Is that enough, or is there anyone out there that would love to have a message board for that sort of thing? Let us know because we want to do what is best for everyone.
In the meantime, go give a listen to “Bored with Prozac and the Internet?” and let me know what you thought! Drop me a line at dailyduranie@gmail.com or find @dailyduranie on Twitter or Facebook, I want to know what you’re thinking!
-R
FYI, Late Bar is VERY SMALL. I don't know what their idea of reserving “a section of the club” is, but it holds about 75 people tops, I think. It's a great place, great DJ, but don't get any ideas about it being a big club. The dance floor is maybe a little bigger than my living room, and I don't live in a mansion!
Also, I'd guess that's about a $15-$20 cab ride from the hotel. So easy, yes, but not cheap.
I don't think any of us on the committee had grand plans for the size of the club, but thanks for the information…most of the clubs I've been to in the city are fairly tiny anyway, so we weren't expecting the Taj Mahal.
As far as cabs go – that's the whole point in sharing??? Still a cheap cab ride, IMO…and besides, there's no cover for the club anyway.
Let's make the night fun – I think it's going to be a great time no matter what!
-R
The club is well-aware that we are coming and that the group will be large. They have assured me that they can accommodate us and will make it special. I have to trust them. I am totally looking forward to it!!!
-A
Late Bar is great but hella far away from the hotel. And if some people don't stay at Late Bar all night but want to leave early and bar-hop/walk around/see what else is going on in the city, Avondale is a rather distant, low-key, isolated local-yokel neighborhood to end up in for people who don't live in Chicago..
Did you also consider Neo? Not quite as good but bigger, definitely a club, and a much better location. Weekend visitors to Chicago might prefer/have more fun being on nearby N. Clark Street than all the way out on Belmont in the middle of nowhere (lots of things happening, easy to travel or even walk along Clark into the Gold Coast).
Just don't end up at Excalibur/Castle/Sanctuary or whatever it's called now. Dreadful overpriced place!
While the club isn't close, you can't beat the cover charge and the focus. After all, this is a Duran convention. Likewise, NEO plays harder, darker music on Saturday nights. We won't hear Duran there on Saturdays. Way different scene.
-A
While we really appreciate the comments – it would be even better to read something positive. Late Bar is 6 miles from the hotel – not really THAT far by any sense of the word. For crying out loud – I have to drive that far just to get to the highway where I live.
I said before – cabbing it REALLY shouldn't be a problem unless someone insists on going alone – in which case, sure – they can look forward to a $15.00 cab ride, which is still less than cover charges at some places.
Bottom line is that this club isn't a requirement for the weekend – it's merely where a lot of us are going after the banquet and we thought we'd share the info because it seems like a lot of fun and is a pretty natural fit for post-banquet partying. If someone doesn't wish to join in for fear of being too far away from the hotel and out of the city – which is a little bit of an exaggeration, they can certainly make their own plans and we will understand.
-R
I think it sounds great! When staying in a big city, I'm pretty sure people expect to spend a fair amount of money on Taxis, if a train isn't available. Who cares if it's 6 whole miles….maybe it's because I come from California, where 6 miles gets me to a freeway on ramp to drive and hour to go 5 miles in traffic.
It's really about perspective.
I think it's a great idea!! Keep up the good work…can't wait!!