Minutes: Sinfonian Alumni Pizza Social at Shakey's Pizza

Sinfonian Alumni Pizza Social at Shakey's Pizza

Los Angeles Area Alumni Association

Location: Shakey's Pizza, Los Angeles, CA.

Present: Christopher Thaxter (CT), organizer, taking minutes; Andy Wolf (AW), Gary Carr, Greg Schreiner (GS), Joel Levitz, John Tribelhorn, Justin Denlinger, Justin O'Connor, Lee Stokes (LS), Roger Moritz, and Zach Nichols.

After an initial meet & greet, there were round-table introductions. Food was ordered halfway through introductions, at which point a few songs from the Red Book were sung. Introductions were then finished, and informal conversation sprinkled with discussion on ideas for future projects followed. At the end, we discussed what our next event should be, and sang some more songs.

Ideas for Future Events and Projects

Ideas thrown around were diverse and ranged from the group being a social outlet, to a musical one, and a community service one. Following are some specific ideas that were mentioned:

Put together small instrumental or vocal ensembles. AW works at a comedy house where such a group could perform.
A social opportunity for brothers new in the area to meet new people.
Community outreach and musical activism.
A partnership with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the group that organizes the Grammys, to participate in their "Grammys for Kids" project or other projects.
A Mills Music Mission: putting together some songs to sing at a retirement home or hospital.
Attend concerts, plays, shows, and other events that members are participating in. GS shared his concert schedule.
Attend initiations and province meetings.
Help out with colonization efforts; CSUN and UCLA are apparently possibilities.

Action Items

LS will look into NARAS projects and possibilities.
CT will put together a section of the website for member shows, events, and announcements.
Everyone: continue cultivating ideas for the group.
Everyone: join the listserv if you haven't already, in order to remain in touch with the group's activities.

Next Event

The next event will be a BBQ picnic for families (wives, girlfriends, partners, boyfriends, kids, pets) at a park or beach. Some ideas thrown out were the Kenneth Hahn Park in Baldwin Hills near Rodeo Road, a park near San Fernando (CT to specify), or a beach with BBQ pits near Long Beach (AW to specify). Since this pizza social was on Saturday, it was agreed the next event should be on Sunday to give those who can't do Saturdays the chance to attend. An event in October would be too soon to plan, so the second weekend in November (not too close to Halloween or Thanksgiving) looked like the prime candidate. A fallback plan would be needed in case of rain, such as a nearby restaurant.

Action Items

CT to investigate the best location and time.
Everyone: submit to the listserv any specific ideas. This needs to be solidified by the end of September, to give people the chance to plan.

Adjournment: Gathering ended around 8:15 pm.

Next meeting: The next event, a BBQ picnic, is scheduled for Sunday, November 12, 2:00 pm, at the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.