Blogtoberfest - A place to share your Balktoberfest experiences: Recent Comments

Comment on Tell us what you liked about Balktoberfest

Sema Deeds — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:44:29 GMT

This is a gorgeous event! I was there with my husband Darrell and at least a dozen of international folk dancers from N.C. It's difficult to describe how those hours went by. I can say this: I never danced with so much pleasure and so continuously in any point of my life, including well-prepared folksy wedding parties in Turkey where I came from. Such beautiful music and so many dancers on dance floor!

I thank Balkanics and everyone else who made it an extraordinary Balkan Festival by organizing, setting up, cooking, serving, playing, singing, dancing, performing and creating a Balkan Village in D.C.

We'll be there every year.
Sema Saatcioglu Deeds

Comment on Ride Sharing

Nicole — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:44:58 GMT

Looking for ride to and from fest. Live in Columbia Heights DC. Willing to share gas costs.

Comment on Recommendations for improving Balktoberfest

Balktoberfest Admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:19:55 GMT

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

Comment on Recommendations for improving Balktoberfest

Mel — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:09:40 GMT

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!

Comment on Tell us what you liked about Balktoberfest

sally — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:45:10 GMT

I thought you all did an amazing job on this event last year. I hope you aren't setting the bar too high for this year. Jamie did a good job with sound. The bands were excellent. They played a variety of dances that one could dance to and the special "sit-down-and-listen" music and dance was also very excellent. We hope to be there to frolic again, soon. Sally McIntee

Comment on Recommendations for improving Balktoberfest

Heather Livingston — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:27:47 GMT

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!

Comment on Recommendations for improving Balktoberfest

Craig — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:19:56 GMT

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.

Comment on Tell us what you liked about Balktoberfest

Craig — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:17:45 GMT

What a great evening. The variety and the energy were palpable and adrenaline-inducing! You did a good job trying to keep on schedule (always difficult with so many participating bands). Jamie was the right man to do sound--I hope he'll do it again: Thanks, Jamie. Please ask the vendors (same as last year or even more) to attend--Suze Stentz was a wonderful addition with "Opet."

As a performer, my only difficulty came in finding a place to tune up and warm up with the band. It was obvious that the ballroom is difficult to configure so as to allow much space for musicians, dance groups, etc. Weather permitting, there's always outside, but that's unreliable.

Thanks for arranging the food (very appropriate) and especially for getting the Georgian group to perform!

Kudos to all who gave their time and effort to make this first Balktoberfest a memorable happening.

Comment on Tell us what you liked about Balktoberfest

Lisa — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:36:34 GMT

I thought the whole night really built in excitement up to the second Balkanics set and the BG allstars, when the dancing was pure bliss!!