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16 years ago
EDIT
We found an alternate location. It will be held at the Masonic Temple at 3550 Federal Blvd 80211. Same day, extended time.
Well.. The venue that we contracted with is refusing to host us. Just got a call from them. They (their board members, esp one guy in particular that raised flags) did a "background check" and decided that we were too much of a risk to their reputation (he talked about their facility being a "family-friendly" institution). The old guy who owns the lodge, who I talked to, was rather timid and didn't want to talk about the details of why they thought we were a risk. But he was very adamant about not having us, refunding our money, and stating that provisions in the contract allowed them to make the decision. Realizing that doing anything to keep us there would further bad feelings between him and us, I refrained from arguing the contract. Instead of trying to badger him, I assured him that what our group was about was really just centered around being fans of anthropomorphic animals and cartoon animal art, and that negative press over rare incidents or negative press that exploited and further perverted the views of select individuals that made up a small percent of the fandom has given us a bad name, and that whatever generalization they came up to did not represent our group as a whole. I gave in to his pleadings to cancel the contract and told him we would not hold our party at his lodge.
Trying to justify himself more, he also proceeded to accuse me of not living at the address I put down on the contract. He said he did web searches to try to tie my name to my address (all I could think was "WTF?"). I calmly let him know that if he really wanted to find out SERIOUS proof, he, or anyone, could just go to the Denver County Commissioner's website, and see that my name is listed as the owner of the house at my address. I told him that going to any county commissioner's website is an easy way to check public records and do some real investigation on an address. (Why he would really care is beyond me... and yes, I did and have always been using my real, full name with him).
Again, I assured him that we had no plans on being hostile, performing any sort of acts that would be considered illegal, or WHATEVER he happened to think we were going to do (said this very questioningly). I also told him that he could contact Jon at the Highlands Masonic Temple, and get a good reference for us, and that we had good references. (I could have also thought of the Downtown Crowne Plaza.) He seemed to open up a bit more and mentioned an incident in Fort Collins and fetishes.. I just said that fluke incidents happen and that mother was paying the price for what she did. I mentioned that some of us have fetishes like a lot of normal people, but the few in our Colorado group don't make it point to publicly display lewd acts or really show disrespect to the public. I said "But really what does it matter, you guys are going to have hard feelings against our group, it would be better for us to find a more hospitable location." He basically agreed and wasn't in the mood for arguing, so we arranged for a refund. He also mentioned something about it being "hard to get the smell out after something like our party." I just said "it isn't like that, but whatever."
When I talked to him before, when I was arranging the contract a couple weeks ago, he seemed really happy to have us. I warned him at the time that we had more "gay" persons than normal as well as a more PDA than normal, and that some of the costumes might be skimpy. He said "So? you guys will mostly be indoors."
So... I don't really want to think about what I am going to do now with the party right now. I'll try to figure something out tomorrow. Any help, of course, will be appreciated, but not necessary.
I'll post this to the yahoo group soon.
--Fritz
We found an alternate location. It will be held at the Masonic Temple at 3550 Federal Blvd 80211. Same day, extended time.
Well.. The venue that we contracted with is refusing to host us. Just got a call from them. They (their board members, esp one guy in particular that raised flags) did a "background check" and decided that we were too much of a risk to their reputation (he talked about their facility being a "family-friendly" institution). The old guy who owns the lodge, who I talked to, was rather timid and didn't want to talk about the details of why they thought we were a risk. But he was very adamant about not having us, refunding our money, and stating that provisions in the contract allowed them to make the decision. Realizing that doing anything to keep us there would further bad feelings between him and us, I refrained from arguing the contract. Instead of trying to badger him, I assured him that what our group was about was really just centered around being fans of anthropomorphic animals and cartoon animal art, and that negative press over rare incidents or negative press that exploited and further perverted the views of select individuals that made up a small percent of the fandom has given us a bad name, and that whatever generalization they came up to did not represent our group as a whole. I gave in to his pleadings to cancel the contract and told him we would not hold our party at his lodge.
Trying to justify himself more, he also proceeded to accuse me of not living at the address I put down on the contract. He said he did web searches to try to tie my name to my address (all I could think was "WTF?"). I calmly let him know that if he really wanted to find out SERIOUS proof, he, or anyone, could just go to the Denver County Commissioner's website, and see that my name is listed as the owner of the house at my address. I told him that going to any county commissioner's website is an easy way to check public records and do some real investigation on an address. (Why he would really care is beyond me... and yes, I did and have always been using my real, full name with him).
Again, I assured him that we had no plans on being hostile, performing any sort of acts that would be considered illegal, or WHATEVER he happened to think we were going to do (said this very questioningly). I also told him that he could contact Jon at the Highlands Masonic Temple, and get a good reference for us, and that we had good references. (I could have also thought of the Downtown Crowne Plaza.) He seemed to open up a bit more and mentioned an incident in Fort Collins and fetishes.. I just said that fluke incidents happen and that mother was paying the price for what she did. I mentioned that some of us have fetishes like a lot of normal people, but the few in our Colorado group don't make it point to publicly display lewd acts or really show disrespect to the public. I said "But really what does it matter, you guys are going to have hard feelings against our group, it would be better for us to find a more hospitable location." He basically agreed and wasn't in the mood for arguing, so we arranged for a refund. He also mentioned something about it being "hard to get the smell out after something like our party." I just said "it isn't like that, but whatever."
When I talked to him before, when I was arranging the contract a couple weeks ago, he seemed really happy to have us. I warned him at the time that we had more "gay" persons than normal as well as a more PDA than normal, and that some of the costumes might be skimpy. He said "So? you guys will mostly be indoors."
So... I don't really want to think about what I am going to do now with the party right now. I'll try to figure something out tomorrow. Any help, of course, will be appreciated, but not necessary.
I'll post this to the yahoo group soon.
--Fritz
*sigh* i dont know of any venues to suggest. srry
there's always noise to deal with and most of it is just ignorance.
The Masonic Temple is really cool and I can't imagine them doing the same. The problem is they have another Halloween party booked a year in advance, are 2-4 times more expensive, and really f'ing huge (was too huge in 2006).
i smell lawsuit!!
fucking do it!
That sucks dude. Sounds like the guy's watched a little too much Tyra Banks show and reading a little too much Cracked.com. I do agree to some extent that furries aren't really the best at keeping themselves under control (I should know (and I know you do), I've been guilty of it in the past) at times, especially in large parties. Part of me wishes I could host something at my place, since the halloween party is generally scheduled right on my birthday, but since my very awesome and beloved camera was stolen, I really don't want much of anything to do with most furries anymore, and Draegan shares that same feeling.
You could perhaps look into reserving the roof patio at Club Vinyl or something, or calling around for different gay-friendly (not necessarily gay clubs, just clubs that don't mind gays) clubs in LoDo, perhaps one of them will be willing to work with you. After all, many furries love to drink, so it would bring in lots of money for them ;)
Most clubs I've called already, are unfortunately prohibitively expensive, and/or hosting things on and around Halloween already. Lol club Vinyl. But you are probably right about them being more open/gay-friendly.
I wish I had something constructive!
Growing event, need a larger space?
Yeah, I'm looking at locations, and I helped find the current hotel for Califur. We've also got the Prancing Skilltaire parties down here, and that's 100+ people every month. It's overcrowded...
It's probably a little too soon to the party date, but have you tried calling the city Department of Recreation? I've been coldcalling my local ones to find locations. *chuckle*
I'm actually looking and setting up something early next year, sometime a little after FC. We've got a LOT of furs that are local. n.n
Their website is down, but here is a picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dansegers/2279409145/
The main ballroom is 4600 sqft (way too big) but I'm not complaining at this point :P The hallway that connects the main entrances must be 1000+ sqft and a great chill place too, and the bathrooms even have large rest areas that make great fursuit lounges.
I bet you have a TON of Locals! Sounds like with as many people as you have, you could make up a grand easily. Kinda tough to front the money, but such a great holiday for furs. How big is your place?
Got anything going or are you figuring too late/expensive? Is 270 laughably too small? Sounds like you are starting to get into small-con-sized things there.
And 270 is max, and there arn't any additional rooms aside from that. =\
(A small note: I also figure that Westword article that starts out over "smell" at RMFC 2009 is where the Norwegian guy was pulling his "sense"ationalized info from..).