Shari Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 This is a very short synopsis of what went on at the 23rd annual QUEEN Convention last weekend 28th - 31st March 2008 at Brean Sands, Somerset. UK. Not very well written I'm afriad, not up to my usual standard, but I hope you enjoy reading it and maybe getting lost in the occasion. If anyone wants to ask me anything else or to elaborate, then I will glady oblige.......... Friday 28th March '08 We got there after a 5½hr journey, which usually takes 3½hrs. We got stuck in rush hour traffic. I thought I was going to be late for the "welcome". Usually Keith who organises the event, has a chat over the mic and then introduces Jacky - our leader. (Runs the QFC) Then we get to see on huge screens, the personal message from Brian and Roger. The sound people messed up this year as Brian May was half way thru his message before they turned the sound up! Slightly annoying, but we were promised another viewing as the weekend went along. (I never did get to see the repeat but I have it on video.) The convention is held at a holiday camp company called Pontins and this year it was in Brean Sands in Somerset. We take over the whole camp before the summer season starts. The main attractions take place in the ballroom with stage, to which either side is a huge 20ft screen for the benefit of people near the back of the hall...and people who want to drool over RMT! I thought of Andy Fluffington this year as there is always a camera man following the stage events. The first event of the Friday evening was the karaoke at 7pm. This is usually held in a different part of the complex. I never usually go to that because I really don't like karaoke, but we sat thru it and found most could sing! I met up with my ebay pals who are Queen fans too. The official welcome was 8:50pm and then there was a special fans top 20 Queen songs/videos for us all to watch on the big screens. That took us thru the whole evening ending up with a Queen disco. Saturday 29th March '08 saw the opening of the "Market Place", where other Queen fans trade their wares, both Queenie and computer generated. There are some amazing things to buy and people are so nice, letting you take photos of their merchandise. I bought a few things including the final 3" mini CD that I have been missing from my collection for about 15 years. Also collaborated within the hall, is an Arts and Crafts exhibition where some people have laboured hours over their creations. A Queen cross stitch picture <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=Queencrossstitch.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/Queencrossstitch.jpg" border="0" alt="Queen cross stitch"></a> was a joint winner with 4 hand made dolls to look like Queen and their instruments. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=Queenband.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/Queenband.jpg" border="0" alt="Queen dolls"></a> It always surprises me how much effort people put into making this stuff. Another item I was impressed with was a couple of Freddie's made from Lego. 2 months it took the guy to make them! <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=DSC01333.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/DSC01333.jpg" border="0" alt="Freddie's from Lego"></a> Also in this hall, there are a couple of Queen experts who value items and tell a bit about the history etc. That is always very interesting. One thing they say every year, Freddie never signed his name with a "y". Please don't buy off ebay anything signed with a "Y" or after 1991 because Freddie died in 1991! In the market place hall, there is an auction lot preview. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=DSC01335.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/DSC01335.jpg" border="0" alt="Some of the charity auction lots"></a> Some of the things that Brian Roger, John and even Jim Hutton (Freddie's last partner) have donated towards the 2 specified charities. Vitalise which used to be the Winged Fellowship and the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Usually, it's clothing that has appeared in video shoots, signed stuff, Rogers drumsticks etc. They all go for many hundreds of £'ssss. The grey t.shirt with Under Pressure written on it went for a staggering £990.00 <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=UnderPressuret.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/UnderPressuret.jpg" border="0" alt="Under Pressure T.shirt"></a> Not sure how much was raised in total. We usually find that out after the event. Back to the ballroom for the Queen Quiz elimination round and we were anticipating guest interviews from Terry Giddings (Freddies chauffer) and John Brough (Queen producer/engineer) but neither turned up. They were both at the convention last year and were quite humourous. After that is the Q-Factor (like the x-factor but Queeny) All had good voices, that were being judged by Jeff Scott Soto, Phoebe a member of the public and Jim Jenkins (Queen officianado) All did well especially a girl from California, singing Don't Stop Me Now. Later on there was an interview with Freddies old school friend Bruce Murray. Quite interesting and he brought along an old pic of Freddie at school. Bruce now manages the Quireboys, if anyone from the 90's can remember them! Following on from that, another guest interview this time with Phoebe. (Peter Freestone, Freddies personal assistant) He's a lovely and very approachable guy. Told some great stories and we all had a laugh. Especially one tale he told of Freddie experience of learning to drive! First lesson you go out with your instructor who drives. Freddie got half way thru it and said "Oh I can't be bothered with all this dear, please take me home again"! Later on, (this is still Saturday) there was a Queen quiz challenge, winners v. celebrities. I think the celebs won as they were allowed to cheat! The first band on this evening was a hungarian acoustic band called Queen Unplugged Project. There were 4 guys with only 3 instruments and they were amazing. Teo Torriate brought a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat. They were absolutely fantastic. I took some video, but you really had to be there to appreciate their talent. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/10...t=MOV01362.flv Stll packing things into Saturday, then came the fancy dress. The theme this year was Hallow'een. Everyone made a fantastic effort as usual and there were some very outrageous costumes. Dracula in his coffin, witches, zombies etc, but I think the winner was Mr Staypuft (Ghostbusters). A great costume and everyone looked incredible. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=P1000495.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/P1000495.jpg" border="0" alt="Mr Staypuft"></a> Then the Red Sox came on (Spike Edneys group. He usued to play extra piano in the 80's for Queen), they are the only group allowed to play music other than Queen! It was like an intimate jam session, funnies and messing about, plus they can really do it live. Proper musicians. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=SpikeandJamie.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/SpikeandJamie.jpg" border="0" alt="Red Sox"></a> Finally rounding off another hectic Saturday night with Queen disco again. People still in their fancy dress costumes, it was a funny sight to see dancing. Part 2 to follow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shari Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 Sunday 30th March '08 The morning saw us get up at our leisure and potter about to catch up with the people we know and have met before at this function. Have a lovely Sunday roast dinner to set us up for the rest of the day. Meanwhile there is always something else going on in the grounds of the camp. 5 a side football, darts, swimming pool, crazy golf, snooker etc. We head for the ballroom for what's next on our itinerary, being the scavenger hunt. This involves people begging or borrowing items that they can find from a pre organised, Queen influenced list. It's great fun seeing the initiave some people go to. For instance, Brian May's Red Special guitar. A photo will not do, you have to use your imagination. Someone went to the trouble to cut up an old box and make it into a proper sized guitar! Last year someone actually built Wembley Stadium out of smartie tubes and toilet rolls. It was amazing. In the afternoon we hung about for Mike Moran being interviewed. (yes Mike Moran and Lyndsey de Paul sang Rock Bottom for Eurovision once in the 70's) He is a really nice guy. Interesting and plenty to say. We all laughed when he told the story of how Freddie wanted him to be the conductor on the Barcelona video. He had to hold a luminous baton to conduct his orchestra but when he tapped it on the bar, he got an electric shock which Freddie had some dealings in! Guest interviews with Spike Edney and Jamie Moses, interspursed with Guess the song/name that tune session. They are such funny guys. Another guest interview followed with Queen archivist Greg Brooks. He played some rare and unheard Queen and solo material. We were not allowed to tape that bit incase anyoen puts it on youtube. Brian is quoted to have said, "If anyone uploads any of this rare stuff, it will never be done again" I hope no-one does upload it. It will spoil it for the rest of us. It has been known in the past. Leading you to think, there's always 1! Then comes the raffle and prize presentation...we didn't win anything this time. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=l_3fd157972037f9fdb71a688f3ce3c80a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/l_3fd157972037f9fdb71a688f3ce3c80a.jpg" border="0" alt="Queen 2008 raffle prizes"></a> The evening starts off with abrilliant group from Italy called Queen Mania. The lead guy, dressed like Freddie but the others did not. You could feel the love in the room, it was an awesome performance and the band really enjoyed it too. I would recommend them. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/?action=view¤t=DSC01434.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Queenie/Queen%202008/DSC01434.jpg" border="0" alt="Queen Mania"></a> Finally, we are treated to some rare video's that you only get to see at conventions for a couple of hours. Body Language, Great Pretender 12", Man on Fire, Strange Frontier etc...then dancing again. All to Queen music, drinking and having a bloody great time! Monday 31st March '08 We have to be out of our chalet at 10:00 am. We drift around to say good bye to hangers on, and then set off ourselves, weary but psyched by the great weekend even if it flew past with a blink! Till next year......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babspanky Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Sounds fun Shari, if you are a real Queen fan. I don't think Mika is at the stage to have anything like this done for him, that's my personal view. Also, I wouldn't be ready to have such a Mika focussed weekend, without him being there either. Maybe Alton Towers is a good idea, just to meet friends and mess about. I am sure a lot of people would disagree with me though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet-dreams Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Wow Shari! That sounds amazing. You must have had so much fun! I would have loved to have heard from Peter Freestone because he was so close to Freddie. *sigh* A whole weekend of nothing but Queen. One can dream! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhMyMika!! Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 A whole weekend of nothing but Queen. One can dream! Indeed! Thanks for this Shari! must have been so fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandilambi Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Sounds like a blast, Shari. I attended one of the US converntions years ago and it was a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBlackQueen Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 WOW!!! Thank you for sharing such special moments, you made me feel like I was there as well, what a blast!! :punk: I'm going to watch the vids right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queenie Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Thanks for sharing, Shari!!! It seems amazing! I always wanted to go to a Queen convention since i was a kid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamacatt Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Thank you for a wonderful report, Shari! Sounds like an absolutely terrific Queen event- very cool! It was kind of strange to see QFC instead of MFC listed in your post! LOL Your photos/vid are wonderful - the lead for the Italian band looks so much like Freddie in your pic! Especially love the idea of trivia contests, messages from band members, and the dancing all surrounded by Fans! Rock on! Patty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertina Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 thanks shari, i was so expecting this! i'll go through any link, but now i've just enjoyed your report, daydreaming about a mika convention with MIKA himself.................... mika...got the hint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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