graphixman
Active Member
Are there any planned meetups coming?
Audio Club of Maine (ACMe)
I've been thinking of asking again! the last time around, one of us took a poll to guage interest/availability, but I suspect the response was not high enough at that time.
What kind of meet up would you all be interested in?
I attended my first FrankenFest last April -- long drive, but it was a lot of fun. I'd like to try and recreate something like that in the Cumberland County area (selfishly, because I'm in Portland).
Given we'd need a year or two to build to something at that size, i thought a first meetup around sharing music, listening to gear could be fun. I'd need to find us a space though -- and many spaces require some kind of cost to book (though not all do).
So...
FIRST QUESTION: What kind of meetup would you all be interested in? What kind of thing would be engaging enough to try and make it a regular, repeating event? What time of year works best for you all? (I ask this because a few years back when I started this thread, so many people seemed to imply that Football season was a "no go", but maybe I'm mis-remembering).
SECOND QUESTION: Do any of you have ideas for space that we could book at low cost, for either a meet and greet, or gear/music listening?
THanks in advance!
As for me, the last few weeks I've become obsessed with a daydream of opening an American style listening bar, inspired by Japan's jazz kissa. That said, because of the cost of opening such a place, and the cost of rent around here, I think it won't become anything more than a daydream. Instead, maybe an event like this, or some kind of pop-up thing? Any ideas you have to share around this are also welcome, but i think just planning a meet-up would be a good place to start
graphixman
Active Member
I've been thinking of asking again! the last time around, one of us took a poll to guage interest/availability, but I suspect the response was not high enough at that time.
What kind of meet up would you all be interested in?
I attended my first FrankenFest last April -- long drive, but it was a lot of fun. I'd like to try and recreate something like that in the Cumberland County area (selfishly, because I'm in Portland).
Given we'd need a year or two to build to something at that size, i thought a first meetup around sharing music, listening to gear could be fun. I'd need to find us a space though -- and many spaces require some kind of cost to book (though not all do).
So...
FIRST QUESTION: What kind of meetup would you all be interested in? What kind of thing would be engaging enough to try and make it a regular, repeating event? What time of year works best for you all? (I ask this because a few years back when I started this thread, so many people seemed to imply that Football season was a "no go", but maybe I'm mis-remembering).
SECOND QUESTION: Do any of you have ideas for space that we could book at low cost, for either a meet and greet, or gear/music listening?
THanks in advance!
As for me, the last few weeks I've become obsessed with a daydream of opening an American style listening bar, inspired by Japan's jazz kissa. That said, because of the cost of opening such a place, and the cost of rent around here, I think it won't become anything more than a daydream. Instead, maybe an event like this, or some kind of pop-up thing? Any ideas you have to share around this are also welcome, but i think just planning a meet-up would be a good place to start
I guess the first thing is what area are we talking about? I live in southern Maine so if the meetings are in western part of the state I'd say "drat it" and be out.
Not sure how other meetings were held, but I'd be up for a meeting that we could all introduce ourselves, maybe talk of our audio journeys, systems we miss that we once had, then morph into a swap meet kind of thing.
As far as what venues to hold it in, I guess it would depend on what locality the meetings are held at. Libraries?, Highschool cafeterias? College Campuses? etc.
F.
You guys have all heard about the horrible death of New England Hifi, right? Looks like lots of folks lost their stuff that was in for repair.
www.pressherald.com
Sudden shuttering of South Portland electronics repair shop leaves customers in lurch
Gretchen Ascher brought her family heirloom record player to New England Hi-Fi for repair more than a year ago. The shop closed, and she doesn't know where it is.
www.pressherald.com
graphixman
Active Member
Noooooo Unfortunately the article is behind a pay wall, but from the comments I get the gist of it. Looks like the owners got some nice electronic goodies to keep or sell on Cragslist. At least until the lawsuits arrive.You guys have all heard about the horrible death of New England Hifi, right? Looks like lots of folks lost their stuff that was in for repair.
Sudden shuttering of South Portland electronics repair shop leaves customers in lurch
Gretchen Ascher brought her family heirloom record player to New England Hi-Fi for repair more than a year ago. The shop closed, and she doesn't know where it is.
Last edited:
Gknokers
New Member
Hey Folks, Im in Central, NH. I see its been a minute since you've all had much to share. I;m pretty new to AK and learning my way around the site. figured i'd say hello!
Wow just read this. Horrible!You guys have all heard about the horrible death of New England Hifi, right? Looks like lots of folks lost their stuff that was in for repair.
Sudden shuttering of South Portland electronics repair shop leaves customers in lurch
Gretchen Ascher brought her family heirloom record player to New England Hi-Fi for repair more than a year ago. The shop closed, and she doesn't know where it is.
Greetings to @Gknokers and @Pup
Getting this group into something that might one day be in the vein of Frankefest down in MA has been on my to-do list for quite some time.
There are a couple of areas in Portland, where I live, that might be suitable to host a get together, but I don't have too many direct connections, and most cost money of some kind.
PLaces I've been thinking of, that could be suitable for meet and greet, listening, audio demos might be:
The Oddfellows Hall on Forest Ave
The Woodford Club, on Woodford Ave.
The Portland Public Library, downtown branch (they have an auditoriam, as well as some larger meeting spaces)
Once upon a time, I thought I might see about getting NE Hi-Fi involved -- but as previously posted, that place went down, somewhat mysteriously, in flames.
In other Portland news -- I'm thrilled to hear about Bad Neighbors coming soon to downtown. It promises to be a "listening bar" type place, and almost exactly the kind of thing I was daydreaming about opening myself last Spring.
So, let's get this ball rolling! We've had mixed interest over the years, and attendance often seems to be dependent on other conflicts (like for example, Football season, i guess).
For anyone potentially still interested in an actual meetup of this kind, likely located in Southern Maine (Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, Saco, Biddeford, etc) Please respond to tihs latest post with "Still interested!"
And, if you have any ideas about a hosting space in a different community that you are familiar with -- please let me know!!
Getting this group into something that might one day be in the vein of Frankefest down in MA has been on my to-do list for quite some time.
There are a couple of areas in Portland, where I live, that might be suitable to host a get together, but I don't have too many direct connections, and most cost money of some kind.
PLaces I've been thinking of, that could be suitable for meet and greet, listening, audio demos might be:
The Oddfellows Hall on Forest Ave
The Woodford Club, on Woodford Ave.
The Portland Public Library, downtown branch (they have an auditoriam, as well as some larger meeting spaces)
Once upon a time, I thought I might see about getting NE Hi-Fi involved -- but as previously posted, that place went down, somewhat mysteriously, in flames.
In other Portland news -- I'm thrilled to hear about Bad Neighbors coming soon to downtown. It promises to be a "listening bar" type place, and almost exactly the kind of thing I was daydreaming about opening myself last Spring.
So, let's get this ball rolling! We've had mixed interest over the years, and attendance often seems to be dependent on other conflicts (like for example, Football season, i guess).
For anyone potentially still interested in an actual meetup of this kind, likely located in Southern Maine (Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, Saco, Biddeford, etc) Please respond to tihs latest post with "Still interested!"
And, if you have any ideas about a hosting space in a different community that you are familiar with -- please let me know!!
PS. Just to get myself moving, I just sent emails to Woodfors CLub, Mechanics Hall, the Oddfellows Club, and the downtown Library to see what using their space for our first meetup might entail.
If you have a space in your greater Cumberland County area that you think would make a great meetup, let me know!
If you have a space in your greater Cumberland County area that you think would make a great meetup, let me know!
Charge attendees a couple of bucks and then tell your prospective sites that it's a charitable event.
You might also look for community spaces such as senior centers and libraries (though noise would be an issue maybe).
And, FF in West Boylston MA is April 18th, maybe a bunch could carpool on down!
You might also look for community spaces such as senior centers and libraries (though noise would be an issue maybe).
And, FF in West Boylston MA is April 18th, maybe a bunch could carpool on down!
infullview
Super Member
I like the carpool idea. I’ve always wanted to go to FF but it’s a bit of a drive.
Headed down Saturday. Check out the stuff for sale.
Little get togethers can be just a few and still be great fun! I've been involved in lots of small meets, general audio, headphone and bigger annual events around a 'brand' that were all tremendous fun!
Anybody that can get a few people into their place can host. Very few places can you put up a bunch of chairs and have a dozen in good listening positions, just doesn't really work. So usually, a few guys rotate into the hot seat with a couple more chairs and then after a few songs you gravitate away to the close by kitchen...or somewhere just a bit away to visit...to be able to not interrupt those that are now in the listening area.
Food, from finger food up to a bit more from smokers and/or grills can be a good thing and gives you something to gravitate around and share. A few years ago in nice weather, I set up an entire outdoor quad system with a pair of big stage subs and then did grilling and others brought sides and we setup a few foldout tables and chairs in the yard and just had a bang up good time. Listening to all the old 70's and 80's classic rock in an outdoor setting like that made a great afternoon!
If everybody just waits around, it'll never happen. Some get togethers, with luck on weather timing and lack of other events can be 8-10 or even maybe few more. And those times usually a few make it a bit later and others have commitments and have to go earlier, so even those aren't necessarily overloaded. But 5-6 guys getting together and sharing music, food, equipment and just having a great time with audio as a bit of a center piece is not to be missed!
I'm in a smaller place in Concord NH and maybe at some point could do a thing. But it'd about have to be nice weather to allow a little bit of it to be outside to work very well. I'm in Maine a lot and would certainly do any event that comes up if at all possible. May try to go down to the Frankenfest thing if I can slip away next weekend. Would love to spin up some music with others and hear equipment that I haven't had the chance to hear before!
EV3