Dec. Community Meetup at VGO concert?

Waterborn

I know thatAtlus was talking about getting together next month for the next Boston pre-PAX_EC community gathering. Is anyone interested in getting a crew together to check out the Video Game Orchestra concert on Dec. 4th at Berklee? If you have not seen this ensemble perform, it is pretty cool. We could catch dinner and drinks and talk social stuff before hand. If anyone is interested, let me know. The show is on Dec. 5th at 7 pm and costs $15 ($10 for 18 & younger).

UPDATE
So Far here is who we have confirmed (or maybe'ed) for this event

Confirmed

Waterborn
Usagi
heels +1 enforcer
Atlus Parker
lucazzo
SWATJester
elektra168

Maybe

SirCuddlez
undead
VisionOfClarity (dinner only?)
DaNerd
Death Prawn
BlahKrax
Avatrix (dinner only)

Dinner Options

It looks like we are going to go with the Cheese Cake Factory due to its varied menu and ability to seat large groups. If you are dead set against the CCF, speak now or forever hold your tongue. We will plan to meet there for dinner around 5 pm to give us time to get to Berklee by 7 pm. The address is:

115 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 399-7777

Other suggested dinner options:
- Summer Shack (souther seafood)
- Bukowski's (not sure if minumum age is 21)
- Cheesecake Factory at the Pru
- P.F Chang's at the Pru
- Cactus Club (although to be honest there will be a line on a Saturday)
- The Other Side Cafe
- Other Suggestions

So just post your preference as a reply and I will keep track. Or if one of the mods can change this into a poll, go for it. Have to run, late for work! Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.

Here are some updates from Shota Nakama of the VGO regarding the December 5th Concert

Posted 11-9-09

"Video Game Orchestra’s presents ~Awakening~

Full group's comeback to Berklee Performance Center on December 5th, 2009

Boston, Massachusetts – October 12th, 2009 – Video Game Orchestra
(VGO) will hit the Berklee Performance Center (BPC) stage again on
December 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm, nine months after its previous premium
sold out success at the venue.

Nearly a hundred musicians will be presenting new arrangements of the
classic such as Super Mario and Final Fantasy, as well as music from
newer games such as God of War, Silent Hill, and Metal Gear Solid.
Featured guests include Wataru Hokoyama, an accomplished film/video
game composer. His score for the SONY Playstation3 game “Afrika” has
won him both critical acclaims and industry awards.
(http://hokoyama.com) He will be guest conducting a orchestral suite
of Afrika.

“This concert ~Awakening~ is going to feature the full VGO, as it is
waking up from a long 9 months of sleep,” said Shota Nakama, the
founder and director of VGO. “We will be representing diverse styles
of music and our renowned symphonic rock style with even better,
impressive performance quality. We WILL surprise you.”

The concert is $10 for students or 18 under, and $15 for the general
public ($5+ on the day of). Purchase can be made at either
ticketmaster.com or Berklee Performance Center, located at 136
Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. (visit berkleebpc.com or call
617-747-2261 for more information.)

A pioneer in raising awareness of video game music repertoire, VGO
makes its tribute by performing non-stop at different venues and video
game related events. The show this early May in front of about 5000
people earned VGO praise for its outstanding performance and
contribution to the video game industry. As what Boston Local media
described, VGO “is the new sound for the new generation.”

About the VGO

VGO is a contemporary orchestra that performs orchestral arrangements
of video game music. Founded in May 2008, VGO is the first and only
student-run orchestra that showcase these interactive media
compositions. It comprises of a 45-piece symphony, a 40-piece choir,
and a 5-piece rock band. The regional and international award-winning
musicians come from over 20 countries. This multi-cultural diversity
contributes to the source of VGO’s unique signature.

Contact info:

Shota Nakama
Creator/Artistic Director/Arranger
253-468-8196
shotanakama@gmail.com

Po-Ya Chang
Production Manager
poya.chang@gmail.com"

UPDATE: 11-15-09

Subject: Guest Announcement & Official Flyer!

Greetings, VGO fans!

We are proud to announce that Wataru Hokoyama, the composer of AFRIKA and Resident Evil 5, is attending our concert to guest conduct his own AFRIKA Suite!!! Wataru is one of the upcoming composers in Hollywood, and his critically acclaimed AFRIKA soundtrack received numerous awards including Hollywood Music Awards, G.A.N.G. Awards, and Ubeda Film Music Festival Goldspirit Awards. We are all very excited to have him working with us - Don't miss his performance!

The next Video Game Orchestra concert tickets-- subtitled 'Awakening'--will be available for purchase. You can get them at Ticketmaster or if you are in the Boston area, you can purchase your tickets in advance at the Berklee Performance Center in person at 136 Massachusetts Ave. Boston MA 02115.

Ticket prices are as follow:

Student or 18 under: $10 ($15 the day of)
General Public: $15 ($20 the day of)

Please note that you may download/view the concert poster at http://www.facebook.com/l/e7f5c;vgo-online.org/news.htm


** Ticketmaster link:
http://www.facebook.com/l/e7f5c;www.ticketmaster.com/Video-Game-Orchestra-presents-Awakening-tickets/artist/1368972

See you all on December 5th! : )

- VGO Team

SirCuddlez

I actually might be interested in seeing this. Could be interesting. I'll know better in a week or so

Waterborn

Cool, Shota Nakama and the VGO crew put on a great show and apparently they are performing some new material this time around as well. At their last concert, I was able to meet Gerard K. Marino (Composer for the God of War Series). I later was able to do a full-length interview with Gerard thanks to meeting him there. Pretty cool guy BTW. Anyway, I figure we can get a group together and catch an early dinner and some brews (if folks are 21+) prior to the show.

Usagi

This is a great idea, I've been meaning to catch the VGO for a while now and I'm going to be out of town for PAX East meeting #2

heels

I think I'll head up for this, rumor is I owe Atlus a drink.

Atlus Parker

heels wrote: »

I think I'll head up for this, rumor is I owe Atlus a drink.

Scuttlebutt says many.

Waterborn

heels wrote: »

I think I'll head up for this, rumor is I owe Waterborn a drink.

There, fixed that for you sir.

heels

Fiiiiiiiiiiine, drinks for Atlus AND for Waterborn after the concert.

Anyone else planning on joining us?

DaNerd

I'm definitely interested. I'll know whether I'm going or not closer to the date.

SWATJester

I would be very interested in this. It's just a short train ride up from DC for me, so no worries.

Waterborn

Atlus has suggested in his other thread about the November meetup that we do dinner prior to the concert, perhaps even something formal. I am not much for suits and dressing up, but would love to grab a nice meal before the VGO show. I will update the first post with those who have expressed interest. If you are a definite, let me know. If I get your status (definite, maybe, not coming) wrong, just let me know and I will update it. Looking forward to the VGO show, dinner and seeing everyone.

We need to start pulling together suggestions for places to eat. Anyone have input on this? Also, if you plan to have a significant other join you, let me know. Once we get a confirmed head count and decide on a place for dinner, I will take care of making reservations if needed. So who else is in on this?

Waterborn

OK folks, since the other thread has November in the title and might be confusing to some, I am going to use this one to update everyone on the December Meet-up and VGO show. Check the first post for updates from Shota Nakama of the VGO. Also know that Heels (who is NOT Khoo BTW) has confirmed his attendance at this event. So next on the agenda is dinner and attire. Some folks have suggested formal attire and a limo. Given my current economic status, a cheap dinner and 2x $15 for tickets to the VGO show is about all I can handle. However, if other folks want to gather in a more formal setting, please feel free to hijack this thread to make arrangements. I will also update the first post in this thread with a list of folks who are planning to attend.

So who else is going?

DaNerd

Though I am still officially a maybe, I'm almost certainly going. I would also prefer a cheap dinner due to my budget.

Moe Fwacky

Waterborn wrote: »

OK folks, since the other thread has November in the title and might be confusing to some, I am going to use this one to update everyone on the December Meet-up and VGO show. Check the first post for updates from Shota Nakama of the VGO. Also know that Khoo has confirmed his attendance at this event. So next on the agenda is dinner and attire. Some folks have suggested formal attire and a limo. Given my current economic status, a cheap dinner and 2x $15 for tickets to the VGO show is about all I can handle. However, if other folks want to gather in a more formal setting, please feel free to hijack this thread to make arrangements. I will also update the first post in this thread with a list of folks who are planning to attend.

So who else is going?

I think you may be a little confused.

heels != khoo

Wormdundee

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

I think you may be a little confused.

heels != khoo

Lies! They are symbiotic.

Moe Fwacky

Well, they're still different people.

Exhibit A: Khoo

Exhibit B: Heels

I rest my case.

Robert Khoo

wait what i'm not going to this i am in seattle on 12/4.

dskaitlyn

Moe Fwacky wrote: »

Well, they're still different people.

Exhibit A: Khoo


Exhibit B: Heels

I rest my case.

Best picture of Heels ever.

DeathPrawn

Count me in as a maybe - I'm much more likely to be able to make dinner than the concert.

Waterborn

Sorry Khoo, for some reason I am always getting you two mixed up! Shame on me! Attendee list corrected.

Waterborn

This event is coming up fast. Where does everyone want to meet for dinner? Any suggestions in the area of Berklee?

heels

It looks like I'll have at least one Enforcer joining in for the fun.

Usagi

I'm going to be unexpectedly in Georgia for work the end of next week, so this is out for me

Sorry guys!

BlahKrax

Already bought my ticket, so, are we meeting up somewhere in specific before?

DaNerd

Any plans for when/where/if people are meeting before hand for food?

EDIT: GRRR, OP has both 12/4 and 12/5 listed as dates and posts in the thread led me to believe it was 12/4. Since the concert is actually 12/5 I won't be making it.

lucazzo

I'm still up for it.

Places to eat around the area that I can think of:

- Summer Shack (souther seafood)
- Bukowski's (not sure if minumum age is 21)
- Cheesecake Factory at the Pru
- P.F Chang's at the Pru
- Cactus Club (although to be honest there will be a line on a Saturday)
- The Other Side Cafe

About 15min away there's a place on Comm Ave called The Lower Depths. They serve $1 franks and have quite the selection of beers. Not precisely in the area, but usually a good time.

If either Waterborn or Atlus want to make a poll or some such, or we can just figure it out on the spot.

Waterborn

Sorry to be out of the discussion lately. Crazy busy at work and home. I am up for anything food wise, though I am on a budget. I will update the first post with a poll, so be sure to vote or give your input.

I will be sitting down with Shota Nakama, Creative Director for the VGO, for an interview tomorrow. I hope to get this posted before the show this weekend. I will also be attending the Betson arcade auction in Canton with a group of coin-op collectors earlier in the day on Saturday. So if anyone is interested in checking that out and needs info, let me know. Previews begin at 10 am and bidding starts at 11 am.

lucazzo

I'd be partial to TOS Cafe. Can't wait for the interview to be posted!

Waterborn

Having lunch with Shota tomorrow. He is such a cool guy, can't wait to introduce everyone to him on Saturday. I am pumped for this concert.

BlahKrax

Does it have to be in Boston? Why don't we meet for food in South Carolina before the concert.

Usagi

Waterborn wrote: »

Having lunch with Shota tomorrow. He is such a cool guy, can't wait to introduce everyone to him on Saturday. I am pumped for this concert.

ok, now I'm super bummed I can't come

Waterborn

BlahKrax wrote: »

Does it have to be in Boston? Why don't we meet for food in South Carolina before the concert.

Hehe, we would have to do so around 8 am on Saturday to make it back to the concert. And given that I will be heading down to the arcade auction in Canton that morning, I would have to defer to a later date.

elektra168

Hiya - Could someone bring me up to speed on this event? I am in the Boston area and might like to attend. Where on 12/5 is it? Is it just an informal gathering of the forum community? Thanks!

-e168

Waterborn

Check the first post in this thread for details on the VGO concert, which kicks off at 7:30 pm on Saturday and will be held at the Berklee Center for the performing arts in Back Bay. Dinner will be beforehand, probably starting between 5:30 and 6:00 pm. Still trying to get a consensus on the location for dinner. All are welcome.

BlahKrax

Waterborn wrote: »

Check the first post in this thread for details on the VGO concert, which kicks off at 7:30 pm on Saturday and will be held at the Berklee Center for the performing arts in Back Bay. Dinner will be beforehand, probably starting between 5:30 and 6:00 pm. Still trying to get a consensus on the location for dinner. All are welcome.

All I care is just a place where I can get one dish which isn't too greasy, not too picky.

elektra168

That sounds like fun! I'd like to go. I worked at a building in the Pru for a long time My two cents on food: For seating a large group, I would think CCF, PF Chang's, or Legal Seafood would be the way to go. Places with smaller tables like Bukowski's or Other Side might be more difficult with a large group.

CCF will almost definitely have a wait time, but if it's early enough it might not be too bad. Also, I think it'd have the widest selection of food for peoples' preferences.

It looks like the Berklee Performance center has assigned seating? I assume we'd just split up for the actual show?

-e168

BlahKrax

elektra168 wrote: »

That sounds like fun! I'd like to go. I worked at a building in the Pru for a long time My two cents on food: For seating a large group, I would think CCF, PF Chang's, or Legal Seafood would be the way to go. Places with smaller tables like Bukowski's or Other Side might be more difficult with a large group.

CCF will almost definitely have a wait time, but if it's early enough it might not be too bad. Also, I think it'd have the widest selection of food for peoples' preferences.

It looks like the Berklee Performance center has assigned seating? I assume we'd just split up for the actual show?

-e168

I vote for seafood. And if they try to split the group up, we could all form a riot group and yell at people about how pterodactyls need us to be together.

Waterborn

Hehe Blah, your last statement reminds me of an episode of Big Bang Theory that I just saw where the tall guy (can never remember his name) is checking acoustics in a movie theater by cawing like a pterodactyl.

But I digress . . . . .

It sounds like CCF would work best. They have a good variety of non-greesy food and enough room for a good sized group. I could call ahead and see if they will take a reservation. To make sure we have plenty of time, does 5 pm for dinner work for everyone? If we have extra time, that just gives us more room to talk and have an extra drink or three.

The address for the CCF is:
115 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 399-7777

I can't remember if the tickets for the last VGO concert were assigned seating or not (I sat in the press section), but I can check with Shota today to see if he knows.

Waterborn

Just updated the first post with info about dinner at the CCF. If anyone needs my cell number, shoot me a pm.

heels

Excellent, I'll see you all there on Saturday!

avatrix

Would love to make it for this, but not sure I can. I won't make the VGO show, but perhaps for dinner beforehand. Waterborn, you can put me down as a "maybe" for that if you'd like. I'm completely flexible on location/choice.