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Jack Habich
Interesting comments…..and people are tuning in.
One of the problems with a seminar style (“program” “reunion as stage show” “game show”) reunion is that invariably, after a lengthy presentation, someone has to say “That concludes the program”. What you are telling your seated audience, perhaps not by intent, is that this reunion is over. You're saying “Thanks for flying in, thanks for listening to us, but we’re out of material. You’re free to go, or socialize at your own risk.”
It’s like inviting people to dinner, serving it, offering them a cognac, and then saying “Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our activities for the evening”.
A good reunion should never be killed, it needs to die on it’s own.
In 2004, after the presentation, there was some sort of primitive sound system in the corner. Like somebody brought a record player. There were a few seconds of music, some problems, and it never took off. People milled around for a while and went home. With David Gaston and others, I ended up at a party of obnoxious 20-30 year olds.
In 2009, after the conclusion of the program, I went out to sit on the deck stairs where Ed Stanfield offered me a cigar….or maybe I asked. We had a pleasant conversation, and after taking a few puffs I happened to turn around and was surprised to see people (non smokers) standing there wondering what now. A mini reunion was trying to form. By the time less than half the cigar was smoked, the vast majority of the audience had filed out of the main room. Music would have given people a signal and the cover to stay. The ending was a fairly well attended and somewhat fun party at Jim’s Steakhouse, but except for Jim Hastings (who’s always there for a good time) I remember only locals.
There absolutely needs to be some stage presence at reunions, for purposes as mentioned by others and as a warm-up for the audience. The main event, though, needs to be the attendees.
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