VMMF wrap party

One think that’s always bugged me about Maker Faire is that the makers don’t get much of a chance to socialize. Typically, after the show closes, they break into many small groups and head in different directions for beers. It’s a missed opportunity to socialize and meet with our comrades. I’d like to suggest that VHS host a Vancouver MiniMaker Faire wrap party for all the makers, volunteers, hangers on, etc. I’m not thinking anything too elaborate, just a keg or two, maybe some smokies, and possibly a round of lighting talks.

I’ve sent a note to the Maker Foundation folks to see if they already have anything planned. If not, I’m proposing that it happen directly after Maker Faire on Sunday June 7th. This means that for practical purposes, the space would be unavailable for projects from 5pm on. Clean up will happen that night, and the space will be available on Monday morning. Of course all VHS folks are welcome to join the festivities!

If anyone has any objections, please feel free to PM me in the next few days.

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+1

I think that’s a great idea!!!

Suggestion: will Room 105 be available again to expand our space?

We should mention that we are interested in borrowing/renting it again.

Great idea! Can someone send me a contact?

The way that Room 105 works is that if its not rented at the start of the month we can borrow it as long as we clean it up afterwards. He is actively trying to rent the space so he will not be able to guarantee that the space will be available before the first of the month.

I will contact him and see if there is any problem with us borrowing it for after Maker Faire.

Love the idea.

Woo hoo! Sounds awesome!

Great idea!

Sign me up to help

Thanks everyone,

So we have the blessing of Maker Foundation. I’d like the vibe to be chill rather than the typical SHHH parties. People are going to be tired and hungry. Here’s the list of things I’d like to do:

  1. Create small business card sized BBQ invites to hand out with the VHS address (maybe a map), start/end times, entry instructions, and transit/parking options.

  2. Organize some mellow music (could be a play list or whatever)

  3. Get a few kegs. Can anyone provide me with contacts of folks that have donated in the past? Does anyone have Serving it Right that might be interested in bar tending? My concern is that a lot of the volunteers aren’t of age, and I don’t want to have the keg be a free-for-all. I’d like to also have a good selection of non-alcoholic stuff. Any thoughts on the whole cup thing, seeing as many of these folks wont have the opportunity to bring their own?

  4. Organize a few BBQ loans. I’ll bring my little webber down, but that’s not going to help. Probably 2 more BBQs should do it? Can we BBQ in the alley or something? I’d prefer to keep people off the roof.

  5. With regards to food, I’m thinking smokies and veggie dogs. I want to keep it as simple (and food safe) as possible. I’ll pick up the tab for this. I’ll probably grab everything at CostCo.

If you’d like to be awesome like @hectorh and help out with any of the above, please let me know ASAP. Or if you have any thoughts on the above, please share them. Maker Faire will be here before we know it!

Thanks!

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I have a Weber as well. It’s the mid size one (can cook 6-8 burgers at a time). I can bring it.

The building owner might let us use the loading dock.

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We have a perfectly good loading zone on the meridian of 1st ave!

For loading burgers. Into our mouths.

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Don’t we have two barbecues on the roof?

I talked to a VMMF veteran (3 shows so far, going to be there this year too) and his feedback is:

  • hold it on Saturday, Sunday is busy and tiring with the cleanup
  • Transportation: if the location is far, then it may be a deterrent to some crews that lack transportation
  • One of the drawbacks of being a presenter at VMMF is that you don’t get to see the show

His suggestion to address all 3 points is:

Try to convince VMMF to either close earlier on Sunday, or extend the clean up hours later and have the after party at the VMMF location after the public is kicked out on Sunday.

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All valid points. The last one is the reason I want to have this BBQ. When I was on the board of VMMF I also tried to get something like this going at the venue, but it’s incredibly expensive to have food there (all non-union food trucks must have some element of ‘makerist’ bent to them), and pretty much impossible to have booze. And of course there are security issues for the folks that can’t stick around to watch their booth.

The Saturday idea is great, but I wish I thought of it last month. I’ll make a note of this for next year for sure. Unfortunately, I’m not available Sat. Unless of course somebody else wants to lead? I could still help/lead the organization.

Otherwise, it’s going to have to be Sunday evening.

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I’m game for Sunday as a low-key VHS after-party at the space. We’ll have
to do clean up anyway and truck all the stuff back there. I find the usual
bashes at the hack space to be far too many people for my fine interoverted
self so if Sunday night means fewer people and more low-keyness rather than
full-on saturday night style party time, that’s a plus in my book.

If there’s anything I can do in advance let me know. Sunday is the day I’d
planned on being up there all day to help with soldering booth and also
with tear-down/bring back.

I think I got a Keg/Beer sponsor for this night.
It will be only one 30/50L Keg and we might need to get another one depending on how many people show up.

I will confirm Thursday night.

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Sweet! Thanks dude!

Does anyone know if the BBQs on the roof are ours? Can we move them to the loading bay for the day?