AMICA Convention - St. Louis - Day 1
By Terry Smythe
The AMICA Convention got underway this morning with a Monkey Organ Rally at Union Station. Awesome setting, flawless weather, mid-70's, gentle breeze, clear skies, lots of people.
Some 15 organs were present, most fairly new (mid-80's) and 1 vintage. All played their little hearts out, to a huge appreciative crowd, local television news coverage appeared 3 times (likely 3 different channels). Most of the organs played outdoors on the entrance to Union Station.
Union Station is a huge turn-of-the-century railway station where the car barns and track area have been turned into a giant store filled with boutique shops. The original public area, the Grand Hall, is now the foyer of the Hyatt Hotel. This Grand Hall is something very special, a magnificent restoration, with marquetry, mosaics, stained glass, and absolutely stunning showpiece. It was in the shop area that a number of the monkey organs were playing indoors.
The Hospitality Room opened up at 7:00 pm this evening, and was an immediate success, with some 200+ registrants filling the place up nicely. Highlight of the evening was a Barber Shop Quartet group that put on a smashing show of lovable old tunes accompanied only by themselves.
The St. Louis folks have done themselves proud, and should be commended. They've done a fine job in pulling together a great display.
Tomorrow - workshops, a Ragtime special presentation, and a Ragtime Banquet. Details still secret.
Stay tuned.............. :-)
Regards from beautiful downtown St. Louis.
Terry
Terry Smythe (204) 832-3982 (voice/fax)
55 Rowand Avenue smythe@mts.net
Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J 2n6 smythe@freenet.mb.ca
Home page: http://www.mts.net/~smythe |
(Message sent Thu 27 Jun 1996, 05:25:25 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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