Recommendations for improving Balktoberfest
We've put on our flame-resistant suits and are ready for your candor about where we can improve things. Be polite though; we don't respond to well to meanies. 
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Blogtoberfest - A place to share your Balktoberfest experiences: Recommendations for improving Balktoberfest
If there's a way to find a little more practise space/warm-up and tune-up space for musicians, that would be nice. I realize the ballroom doesn't easily allow for that.
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Hi,
My only 2 things that could improve are that the location is difficult to get to/from without a car. And I'm getting too old to stay up so late! Hopefully I can stay awake longer this year!
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The person running the sound system should not be the person who is hardest of hearing! I don't know if he/she is hard of hearing, but after last year's event he or she may very well be hard of hearing. Turn the volume down!
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Mel,
I'm sorry to hear that this was your experience. We do take sound volume and sound quality seriously and I personally keep an "ear" on things throughout the evening, providing comments to our sound crew with regularity. We also periodically check the sound levels at the center of the room with a sound meter to keep levels below 90 Db. The sound level as heard by any particular person can vary greatly depending on their proximity to the instruments, the speakers and the stage. As well, sound sensitivity can be dramatically different from person to person and we face the tricky task of accommodating those who prefer the music louder while keeping it tolerable for those who prefer it quieter. All that being said, this only explains our approach and factors that contribute to what you heard and in the end doesn't change your experience. We'll make note of your comment but I would suggest to you, as I have to others and as I do myself, to bring a pair of earplugs with you just in case. This will provide you with ultimate control over what you hear.
Thanks,
Bryndyn Weiner
Balktoberfest Organizer
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