Philadelphia Planning Thread | MetaFilter 10th Anniversary

Let's pick a date and time between July 17 and July 19 and a place to celebrate 10 years of metafilter!

I know there's going to be a NYC meetup, but I think we can give them some serious competition. Also, it seems like we have some super-talented mefi musicians here in Philly, so let's make sure our meetup has a great soundtrack. Maybe we can rent a space and have someone play or DJ for us?

Who's in, Philly?!

posted by lagreen to Philadelphia, PA at 7:18 AM (77 comments total)

Probably miagaille and I, if we're not out of town.
posted by dmd at 8:07 AM on May 6, 2009

I'm in, along with my SO, I think...
posted by Deathalicious at 8:17 AM on May 6, 2009

I should be able to make it.
posted by ludwig_van at 11:48 AM on May 6, 2009

I'll try to be there. And I sing, but don't play any instruments.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 12:42 PM on May 6, 2009

I will have just turned 35, so I will definitely need some entertainment from the whippersnapper contingent, because I WILL OFFICIALLY BE OLD.

My only request is a non-smoking place, if it's possible. If it's not, no big deal.
posted by shiu mai baby at 4:01 AM on May 7, 2009

I agree, shui mai baby, non-smoking is ideal. And chihiro suggested an outdoor meetup, which could accommodate smokers and non-smokers alike.

Does anyone have any suggestions of places in Center City? If we only have as many people as our usual meetups (not much more than 15 ppl), then I don't see the need to rent a private space. However, I'd love for it to be a big party, with mefites bringing their spouses, S.O.s, friends, etc, in which case we could stand a bigger, private space.

As for dates, according to the handy-dandy excel sheet I just created for this party, most cities have NOT picked their date yet, but of the ones that have, most are celebrating on Saturday the 18th. Is this a definite "no" for anyone?

And what I can I do to get those "maybe" attendees to change your response to "yes"?

Finally, if anyone wants to help co-plan, please just memail me or let me know in-thread. I don't want to do this alone!
posted by lagreen at 8:10 AM on May 7, 2009

Yeah, non-smoking would be all flavors of awesome.
posted by Deathalicious at 7:20 PM on May 7, 2009

I'm in Doylestown, not far away at all. I am available on the 18th, and would bring my SO, Grace, with me. I play drums semi-professionally. We recently had a gig at the Wachovia Center, playing in the sports bar there before Fleetwood Mac.

And, shui mai baby, I have more than twenty years on you.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 6:23 AM on May 8, 2009

I will have just turned 35, so I will definitely need some entertainment from the whippersnapper contingent, because I WILL OFFICIALLY BE OLD.

Pfft. Do I look old? Seem old? 'Cause I'm older than you, baby. Welcome to 35.

Anyway, I flirted with the idea of going to NOLA, but I can't abandon my Philly peeps. I'm in.
posted by desuetude at 10:50 AM on May 8, 2009

I have a garden in chinatown that is itching to have a summer party should people wish to go that route. 13th and Vine. Plenty of space for setting up a couple card tables and chairs, and access to my apartment for refrigeration/bathroom/music/hiding from the sun - as your needs require.

Just an idea.
posted by greekphilosophy at 12:24 PM on May 8, 2009

Ooooooooh greekphilosophy I vote yes.
posted by desuetude at 12:55 PM on May 8, 2009

I would be down with a house party at greekphilosophy's place, most definitely. We could go all crazy and do a big ole potluck. I could probaby talk Mr. Shiu Mai into smoking a pork shoulder or two, depending on how many attendees we're expecting.
posted by shiu mai baby at 4:59 PM on May 8, 2009

I'm definitely up for something – although 13th and Vine is a little far, I think it's still within "sane walking from PATCO" distance for me and anyone else coming from Jersey. I'd also like to add that the Saturday, July 18, option sounds best to me.
posted by graymouser at 4:28 AM on May 9, 2009

I would be down and know DJs that live and work in Philly. Any place will do good for me I hear the city has taxis and buses to get around. If you need anything just ask I'll see if I can get it or have the funds to.
posted by antisocialiting at 6:02 PM on May 10, 2009

Also voting yes for greekphilosophy's place, since he's offering. :-) And potluck sounds great! I love excuses to make Thai beef salad.
posted by chihiro at 7:58 AM on May 11, 2009

Hmm that sounds like fun! I have never been to a meetup, so I don't know what a good baseline for attendance is, but I would expect to see maybe twice as many people as usual at this one. How many would that make? Anyone hazard a guess?
posted by Mister_A at 8:01 AM on May 12, 2009

Mister_A, at the February meet-up we had about a dozen people, give or take.
posted by shiu mai baby at 9:29 AM on May 12, 2009

I definitely am in. I can bring cannoli or other tasty south philly treats, as well.
posted by 8dot3 at 9:58 AM on May 12, 2009

Thanks shiu mai baby. greekphilosophy, are you comfortable with maybe 25 or 30 people showing up at your place? I hope so, it would be nice to do this at a private place.
posted by Mister_A at 8:54 AM on May 13, 2009

If this is an indoor/outdoor party, then size isn't going to be a problem.

I have a modest trinity which has room for plenty of food and stuff in the kitchen, as well as a living room with space for eating/chilling for about 10 before we start having to stack one on top of each other (couch, loveseat, piano bench, movable chairs). But the garden is longer - and shaded by wisteria and morning glory vines throughout the summer and has spots for grills/drinks/cardtables/chairs and just general hanging out. (It's a pretty linear garden, so hanging out is best accomplished in clumps!) Also, it is a block from the Broad St. line, two blocks from Market East, six blocks from the 12th and Locust PATCO station, and is surrounded by numerous parking lots/meters for you drivers out there. I also have indulgent neighbors who don't complain about noise, parties, or strange* people milling about.

I think the question then becomes: do we risk a rainout if we rely on having it (primarily) in my garden? Would it be prudent to set a rain date? Or should we instead find a place where we can all comfortably congregate inside in case of rain?

NB: I have a dog who will want to be best friends with you and will gallivant in the garden, attempting to steal your food when you aren't looking. (misanthropicsarah and piratebowling know him and can attest to his habit of cuddling with strangers on the couch) But if there are people who have dog phobias in the group then that's something else to consider. But I assure you he's friendly. I just don't want to foist the presence of a dog on anyone who isn't comfortable around them.

*Not that you are strange. At least, not ALL of you.
posted by greekphilosophy at 12:09 PM on May 13, 2009

We can schedule a rain date just in case. I don't think we need to find an alternate space. (But if y'all behave yourselves, I'll do garden-party part deux at my place.)

Being petless and currently failing in pet-negotiation with my SO, I will accept as much puppy love within the bounds of reason as your dog can offer, greekphilosophy.
posted by desuetude at 2:13 PM on May 13, 2009

july 18 is good for me, as is greekphilosophy's garden party idea. i shall now try to change my reply from "maybe" to "yes".
posted by misanthropicsarah at 10:53 PM on May 13, 2009

Seconding July 18...
posted by Mister_A at 11:11 AM on May 14, 2009

Thirding the 18th.
posted by greekphilosophy at 12:13 PM on May 14, 2009

Your motion is granted: July 18th it is. Should we start the party at 7?

And do we pretty much have a consensus with doing an outdoor party and having a potluck, featuring dishes such as chihiro's thai beef salad, and south philly cannoli, courtesy of 8dot3? Does anyone have any reservations about this?

Finally, desuetude mentioned scheduling a rain date. greekphilosophy, would you be open to sharing the garden on Sunday, the 19th, maybe for a late lunch/early dinner get-together, if Saturday night's weather fails us?
posted by lagreen at 12:15 PM on May 14, 2009

I think a potluck is definitely the way to go, as a) it distributes the burden of feeding so many people, and b) it means we all get to try stuff that we probably wouldn't ordinarily.

We should make certain that we have several non-meaty options for our veggie MeFites, though. The very last thing we want is anyone of any $vore persuasion going hungry.
posted by shiu mai baby at 12:33 PM on May 14, 2009

I think a potluck is definitely the way to go, as a) it distributes the burden of feeding so many people, and b) it means we all get to try stuff that we probably wouldn't ordinarily.

Translation: Some of us totally want to show off our culinary skillz.

myself included
posted by desuetude at 12:37 PM on May 14, 2009

I would love to come but have to give it a maybe. As stated in original post we DO have a lot of music industry people here and I am one of them. I spin at Cavanaughs Riverdeck (~1500 ppl per weekend night), The Deck (old Lagoon ~1000 ppl), and a ton of other great venues and am positive I could keep the party jumping... buuuuuttttt... the likelihood of me getting a Sat night off is minimal. I would love it to be on Sunday the 19th.
posted by Addiction at 12:38 PM on May 14, 2009

Both dates are fine for using my place! We're just putting the garden together now. The crafty gaybors (as in, "creative and handy" not "wily and sneaky") are putting together window boxes, and something is going to have to be done about the giant planter down at my end which is currently lying fallow and serving as a hideout for feral cats. And once that's done, we should be set to go!
posted by greekphilosophy at 7:18 PM on May 14, 2009

i will spin for the event if its on sunday :-)
posted by Addiction at 7:56 PM on May 14, 2009

Darn, a garden party sounds absolutely heavenly but I think I'm scheduled to go camping that weekend already with my German group.

I suppose I'll stay with 'maybe' just in case it works out somehow.
posted by polexa at 7:57 PM on May 14, 2009

If there's a choice between the two, I do vote for Saturday over Sunday, only because the latter is a work/school night, and me and the Mister get up way, way early.

If the consensus is to have it on Sunday, we'll probably still be able to make it; we just won't be able to stick around for very long.
posted by shiu mai baby at 5:48 AM on May 15, 2009

Righty-o. I think shiu mai baby has a good point: I think our rain date should be set for Sunday afternoon/early evening rather than night. I suspect that will just be easier on people.
posted by greekphilosophy at 7:40 AM on May 15, 2009

i am from the midwest. anything i bring will be midwestern-potluck. some of you know what that means. other don't. for those of you that don't, well, you know that marshmallow fluff with fruit in it? i'm pretty sure the midwest invented that. also jello with fruit floating in it. and non-swedish swedish meatballs in an aluminum pan... so, i'm just saying, it ain't gonna be classy dining from my end.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 7:57 PM on May 18, 2009

misanthropicsarah: The Gallery of Regrettable Foods look familiar?
posted by greekphilosophy at 8:38 PM on May 18, 2009

lagreen and I are hosting a pre-meetup-planning-meetup at my place during the month of June. We're aiming for the 13th or 14th. Let's get a head count first and then decide which date works best.

Who wants to hang out, meet my dog, help decide how to rearrange the furniture and make some plans so that this is an awesome 10th Anniversary Meetup?! We'll probably order some pizzas - and the neighborhood pizza joint delivers beer for those so inclined.
posted by greekphilosophy at 7:10 AM on May 19, 2009

you know that marshmallow fluff with fruit in it? i'm pretty sure the midwest invented that. also jello with fruit floating in it. and non-swedish swedish meatballs in an aluminum pan

You say these things as if they were repugnant. BUT THEY ARE NOT, THEY ARE 100% AWESOME.
posted by shiu mai baby at 7:28 AM on May 19, 2009

greekphilosophy, I want to hang out, meet your dog, rearrange the furniture, etc.! I can't do it on the 13th, though - any hope for the 14th?
posted by chihiro at 7:59 AM on May 19, 2009

I'm definitely out, will be visiting relatives on Cape Cod that weekend.
posted by scalefree at 10:03 PM on May 19, 2009

June weekends are way busy for me -- I'm busy the first three weekends. I'm up for weeknights, tho.
posted by desuetude at 5:52 PM on May 20, 2009

Thanks for pointing that out, Geck... I'm doing a little email survey of people who said they might attend to get a sense if they would prefer the bar atmosphere, too.

One option to throw out there would be to do two different meetups on different days, similar to what a few other cities are doing. If a lot of people want to go to a bar, maybe we could do that Saturday night, and then have the garden party potluck on Sunday in the late afternoon.

I know we've already designated the place & date as "Scheduled," but we've still got plenty of time to plan and I want as many Philly mefites to join in the ten-year fun as possible.
posted by lagreen at 7:44 AM on May 21, 2009

I'm sure everyone's garden/potluck dish/bong is very nice

Bong?
posted by ludwig_van at 8:02 AM on May 21, 2009

I dunno. I'm a pretty socially anxious person, and the biggest obstacle between me and meetups is the fact that they ARE in public places. I'm just saying. I think what you meant to say was "I'm not comfortable going to someone's house for this." And that's totally cool and absolutely fair. But trying to pin it on introversion? Introversion is probably up there with Linux, 'how is babby formed' and whether a relationship is about to implode for "subjects that MeFites know intimately."

I agree with lagreen's sentiment - that this is something that we want to plan in order to maximize the number of people in attendance for optimal fun! And if that means not using my home/garden, then I'm absolutely on board.
posted by greekphilosophy at 8:46 AM on May 21, 2009

I'd respectfully suggest doing something at a public place, rather than someone's house, and more central rather than not. I'm sure everyone's garden/potluck dish/bong is very nice, but I think a public place like a bar or park is more conducive to the more .. introverted folks showing up.

Well, Chinatown is pretty much as central as we can get without renting City Hall. It's directly off the Vine St. Expressway and a short walk from Suburban Station, and Market East (which connects to PATCO for South Jerseyites.)

Geckwoistmeinauto, we try to avoid having stuff in bars all the time, too, because not everyone drinks or wants drinking to be the default activity. If you're seriously concerned about what would go on behind closed doors (re your bong comment) you can rest assured that no-one's going to be whipping out teh illegal drugs.

Perhaps we should have a pre-meetup at a public place so that anyone a bit nervous about meeting a bunch of new people can do so in a public space?
posted by desuetude at 1:27 PM on May 21, 2009

I would come to a pre-meetup meetup, is it okay even though I probably can't be at the actual 10th anniversary? I want to meet the dog! and rearranging furniture is a secret passion...

Either the 13th or 14th would work for me -- just fyi that 6/14 is Philly Pride. The 13th is the Dyke March in the afternoon, if anyone was going to those.
I can understand what Geckwoistmeinauto is saying about having the meetup at someone's house. If I hadn't met greekphilosophy once at the quizzo meetup, it could be intimidating or awkward to just show up at some random person's house. Whatever you want to call it, introversion, etc.

If people are up for two different meetups, it'd make sense to have one in a bar-type place and one at greekphilosophy's garden. I mean, it's just so awesome that he offered that it'd be a darned shame not to do it! Besides, two meetups increases the likelihood that I can go to one :)
posted by polexa at 1:39 PM on May 21, 2009

If you're seriously concerned about what would go on behind closed doors (re your bong comment) you can rest assured that no-one's going to be whipping out teh illegal drugs.

What? I thought the entire subtext of "garden" was "secret marijuana plantation". and "marshmallow fluff with fruit" = "space cake".
posted by polexa at 1:42 PM on May 21, 2009

Yeah, I noticed that was the weekend of Pride after I mentioned it. Urrr, how about the last weekend of June? That does still give us several weeks before the big 1-0.

Also, all are welcome.
posted by greekphilosophy at 2:41 PM on May 21, 2009

What I was trying to say was that in general, I think having a party in one's backyard can be far superior to going to a bar, especially if under age folks want to participate. However, selfishly, I would prefer to know someone before I go traipsing into their house with my endo and a keg o' Natty Ice.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 6:58 AM on May 22, 2009

meh. i would rather show up to a stranger's house than go to a bar. fewer people to gawk at me and make fat comments behind their hands.

i am the poster child for introversion.

and seriously, if it's at a public place, i can't bring my pistachio pudding/cream cheese/cool whip dessert. and even though it sounds totally ghetto, it is absolutely delicious.

there is definitely something to be said for low class eats.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 10:36 PM on May 26, 2009

While watching "The Pirates of Penzance" this weekend, desuetude had a brilliant idea. She suggested that we hold a pre-10 Philadelphia Planning Meetup at Vietnam Restaurant, which is a block from my place. Anyone who is interested in coming, and who would like to meet me and/or my apartment and/or bong (dog) would then have the option of doing so in a public place, and getting acquainted with some Philly MeFites before the big shin-dig.

Meanwhile, the neighbors held a Memorial Day party in the garden and it easily accommodated a crowd of 30 people - without any real spillover into the apartments. So while I was worried that I was over estimating the capacity for my garden, it turns out that I was not. And they've planted pretty flowers, so everything is loooovely now.

What do we think of June 21 at Vietnam? 7pm? (Planning something the weekend of Pride seems like a recipe for disaster. So let's go one later?)
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:26 AM on June 1, 2009

Works great for me, will serve as my pre-celebration as I wouldn't be involved in the planning part.
posted by scalefree at 9:50 AM on June 1, 2009

I'm in! Great idea, desuetude!
posted by lagreen at 10:36 AM on June 1, 2009

June 21 is a Sunday. This is what you meant, right? (Please say yes, I've got friends in town until the early afternoon on the 21st.)
posted by desuetude at 11:11 AM on June 1, 2009

Yes, I picked the Sunday because I knew at least one other person had a conflict earlier in the weekend, and because we've seemed to have good luck with Sunday dates over the last few months.
posted by greekphilosophy at 12:05 PM on June 1, 2009

Based on the survey of the "maybe" participants, and the "pre-meetup" meetup a few weeks back, it looks like we're confirmed for a potluck in Chinatown on Sat. July 18 at 7pm. However, if anyone wants to propose a second, "bonus" meetup at a bar on Friday, July 17, I would definitely be in attendance.
posted by lagreen at 8:40 AM on June 29, 2009

Also, new threads are up for people to sign up to bring their favorite foods to the potluck and coordinate who's bringing what, so that we don't wind up with 500 paper plates and no forks.
posted by lagreen at 8:40 AM on June 29, 2009

I'm dusting off the card tables, setting out my hawaiian shirt cheese spreaders (no, seriously, I have little cheese spreaders and the handles are hawaiian shirts...), and I'm getting the house ready for a partay!

As the date is fast approaching, I just figured I'd get everyone excited about it again and maybe pop this topic back on your radar if you had forgotten about it!
posted by greekphilosophy at 10:49 PM on July 7, 2009

We need some party food geekery. Who else is contemplating how to impress?
posted by desuetude at 6:14 AM on July 8, 2009

Woo hoo! Party tomorrow night!

The hour by hour forecast at weather.com says we'll get some rain tonight, but that around midnight things will start to clear up and that we can expect a warm clear - mildly hazy day tomorrow. So barring any mega changes in that forecast, it looks like the party is on.

I know lagreen has been around emailing people to see if they are still planning on coming, and finding out what people are planning on bringing. And other last minute confirmations and contributions people would like to make?

I'm really looking forward to this.
posted by greekphilosophy at 11:03 AM on July 17, 2009

This backyard garden situation is tempting! I just might hop on a bus from NYC for the occasion. Heck, there are plenty of people slated to attend the NYC meetup. Will it be safe for me to walk to the bus stop at 1 a.m. when the party's over? Bus stop is at 1021 Arch St.
posted by HotPatatta at 10:37 PM on July 17, 2009

HotPatatta, the biggest problem walking to the bus stop is avoiding the temptation to stop for noodles or roast duck -- you're walking right through Chinatown. (And yeah, totally fine.)
posted by desuetude at 12:45 PM on July 18, 2009

It was great meeting all of you tonight! Good eats and good company. Hope to see you again one day soon.
posted by HotPatatta at 1:42 AM on July 19, 2009

I just wanted to duck back in and thank everyone for a really wonderful evening.

Mega shoutout to lagreen, who did a phenomenal job planning this event and making sure everything happened! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Also, the foodie enclave in MetaFilte strikes again! You cooks and shoppers are brilliant and I haven't eaten as well as I did last night in a long long time! It is rare that I am confronted with so much delicious food that I can't possibly try it all.

And finally: who took a shit in my living room?!
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:31 AM on July 19, 2009

I need to know who washed my pi plate so I can metaflter marry you.
posted by miagaille at 9:41 AM on July 19, 2009

miagaille, it was me...I had to see what you were talking about when we discussed the pun earlier. Your sister is a good gifter!

Thank you so much greekphilosophy for letting us turn your awesome apartment and garden into a mefi haven for a night. I'd love to do a big meetup like last night's every year!

And thank you so much to everyone for coming and sharing your wonderful food and conversation. It was so great to meet so many new mefites, as well as hang out with old friends. Looking forward to the next get together!
posted by lagreen at 12:27 PM on July 19, 2009

Y'all were awesome. Hope to see everyone again soon.
posted by Deathalicious at 12:53 PM on July 19, 2009

Hooray!
posted by ludwig_van at 3:29 PM on July 19, 2009

Thank you all, again, for making my first official meetup very fun. Bonus points, of course, to greekphilosophy and lagreen for hosting and organizing such a relaxing, yummy party.
posted by 8dot3 at 4:03 PM on July 19, 2009

Thanks for not killing me for banjeing. Greekphilosophy, you are the man for letting us up in your spot like that :)
posted by [@I][:+:][@I] at 6:09 AM on July 20, 2009

What fun! Thanks everyone for indulging my gluttony, answering my creepster questions about other mefites, and making me feel as though it is perfectly normal to recite "how is babby formed," caveman voice and all. Can't wait for the sleepover.

Also, I just added a batch of photos to flickr, which you can check in the unlikely case that any of you have forgotten how pretty you all looked.
posted by youarenothere at 6:19 AM on July 20, 2009

Philadelphia, PA — Organizer: lagreen

Philadelphia Planning Thread
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Philadelphia, PA — Organizer: lagreen

Philadelphia Planning Thread May 6, 2009 7:18 AM Subscribe

Philadelphia Planning Thread
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