Now that more people have committed, we really need to decide what we're doing about Prom. Both of the polls have indicated that only about 20 people are coming, but that may be low.

Using the ballroom would be a net cost of about $900 (since we'd pay less for the hospitality suite), plus food plus drinks plus bartender. I think we can bring in party trays pretty inexpensively, but we're still talking about dividing up about $1,300. The advantages of the ballroom are:

• It's in the hotel.
• We'll have it all day, so we can use it for other things
• We can dance and have our own music

Disadvantages:

• Cost
• More work for us, since we'll have to arrange food, buy drinks, hang a disco ball, etc.

Alternately we could go down the street to Manuel's. The room would probably be free and they have some pretty reasonable party trays, plus people can also order whatever they want. However, the drinks would have to be purchased from the bar.

Advantages:

• Cost (Most of the cost would be paid by people ordering food and drink, not a lump sum.)

Disadvantages:

• Not entirely separate from the rest of the bar
• Can't really have own music

There are a couple of more restaurants around that have rooms for private parties, but we'd have to drive, although not far, and many of them will want $40+ per person. Also, the dancing and music thing will probably be a problem.

Can everyone who's coming weigh in on this?

I like the convenience of the hotel - good to have my room nearby for changing or retreating, as needed. I think the decorating and getting food and so forth would end up being another fun Buffista thing to do, especially if it really is a small group.

It's kind of hard to do that sort of thing on my phone.

Sorry Tom. I was on my phone at the time too, which is why I'd asked. I know that they accept reservations--I just didn't know if they were sold out.

Anyway, I checked, and Sunday tickets are available at a variety of times. I don't know if ND and I will join you guys since we just went to the open house this past Monday and I have some work I may need to do, so maybe you and the Miracleborns should compare notes about if/when you want to go? There are also tickets available each evening, so we could do something like the Hollywood Cemetery on Sunday and then you guys could go the Observatory on a weekday...?

(Not coming, but can't resist weighing in anyway.) So with those numbers you're looking at 60-65 per person for the prom cost.

SUZI! I'm so glad you posted a reminder. I need your address AGAIN. Insent.

Bay Area-istas (and anyone else visiting the area) - just a reminder about brunch on April 21st at my place, 11am for Daisy Jane.

In case I haven't made myself clear I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!

Also SQUEEEEEEE!

::points at tag::

If there are only going to be 20 or so of us, I think I'd rather just unofficially take over Manuel's or another lounge/restaurant venue nearby and not have anyone have to deal with the headache of meeting space rental, food & bar setup, and so forth. A big meeting room can start looking awfully empty and forlorn if there are only a few handfuls of people present. And I've had very enjoyable times when medium-sized groups of Bronzers or con attendees have gathered at a place with couches and pool tables or a dance floor.

I'm leaning towards how Matt's thinking, but the convenience factor of the hotel is nice. The money (if the calculation of 60-70 a head is correct) isn't an issue.

Which means I'm not being very much help.

The convenience factor's not that big a worry to me when we're talking about a few blocks, but then again I like to walk and won't be wearing heels.

My thinking is similar to Matt's. If we have a small group it seems less effort to just go somewhere close by. Walking is fine with me, but we have a lot of vehicles too. I'll be driving and I know a number of other people are driving.

If we are a bigger group then the convenience of being in the hotel wins.