An open letter to entirety of KG

[FreakySeekers]

Well, yeah, the jobs are kinda important, since without them we dont have food, clothing, shelter, transportation, etc. Do you want us to show up at Sanctus if we havent had a place to take a shower since the last one?

Prior to September, we rarely ever missed a Sanctus. Since then, our schedules have changed, making it much harder to get the next day off. Maybe if we were 15 years younger, we could do it...but getting up at 4:30 am Monday, working full time jobs, then littleseeker's night job and my night school....kinda hard for us old folks to pull that off on no sleep.

We love Sanctus. Any time we can arrange it, we'll be there. We WILL be there in December.

But damn....we gotta survive too, ya know?

[badkiity]

I always have a good time at Sanctus! And I would definately miss it! I have only missed one Sanctus since I started coming back out ( my first one was the last Masked Ball....and I was sooo incredibley thrilled to see Arkady and Micheal Xi ! It makes me happy that some of the old crowd are still around!) I REFUSE to stop supporting the scene. And I am always recruiting new blood. ( Unfortunately only a few of them ever show up for whatever reason) The company is always great! The conversation is always interesting!(And the drinks never seem to be weak ) So I am in agreement. Show a little support for your community. Where would we all be without the support of our comrades? Living lonely, boring, dreary lives...thats where. Sitting alone in a dark corner with a razor blade carving " No feelings" in our flesh! (I know a few that would too) So make it a point to come out if you can... I have classes at 8:30 am Monday mornings and I deal with it!But I sometimes wonder if its just because I like having the no sleep crazies. SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY!

[Bone]

.... And I am always recruiting new blood. ( Unfortunately only a few of them ever show up for whatever reason) ....

This is exactly the kind of support we are asking for right now... This is not about guilting any of you to coming out to Sanctus. The entire scene needs your support as a community to continue to function. People will tire, not every thing is everyone elses thing. However in order to make this scene and community thrive is all of you taking responsibility to make it happen. we have a wonderful thing here that can be MUCH MUCH more. But it always requires an infusement of FRESH BLOOD!

Right now all we are asking is help to support the community by getting word out to people as to what a cool thing is we have going on. You don't have to come out to Sanctus if you don't like it. I have said many times that I perfer that people who aren't into it don't come, it ruins the overall vibe of the night. But if you meet someone or know someone who wuold dig it... tell em about it. Help convince em it might be a cool thing to them. That's the kind of support we are asking for.
Show community pride in what a cool thing we all have, and make sure it continues for years to come.

As to Sanctus, things are always changing in what we do and allways will. Discussions are being made on it's future and how to improve things. I'm not to say that Sanctus is going away or anything like that... But apparently some changes are needed and will be coming. But not in any place to discuss them right now.

I hope we can maybe make some announcements in the next few days.

In the meantime we appreciate all the support from everyone..... Thanks

[karlaBOO]

.... And I am always recruiting new blood. ( Unfortunately only a few of them ever show up for whatever reason) ....

This is exactly the kind of support we are asking for right now... This is not about guilting any of you to coming out to Sanctus.

Yeah, I didn't say what I did in the first post to make you feel guilty.

We need to be more pro-active in letting people know we are here. I've said this for years, and it's the reason why I did the scandalous Metro Pulse Article, I know there are kids growing up here or coming to college here that think that they are "the only ones". "Alas, I am so lonely. No one here understands me.".........etc.

Getting better with flier distrubution would be a HUGE help. We used to have gangs of people printing out fliers and putting them up everywhere. Jason and I would go around with some, and they would already be up everywhere that we went.

Thanks to the people saying you were trying to bring in "new blood". That helps.

[Mother Mo]

Yeah, if its not your thing, don't bother. Sanctus is a goth dance night, so if live bands & different music genres are your thing, those can be found elsewhere. Also, if you don't feel comfortable, either try talking to more people (we're actually a very friendly bunch), or stay home. Bars aren't great places for those suffering from social anxiety, not without a buddy system & a clear line of escape (though I spend a significant portion of my evenings making sure the more socially anxious folks I know are doing alright). Just be careful not to confuse uneasiness with social situations in general with a bad time specifically due to a particular event.

Abby & I did some flyering this month & will be doing more next. I encourage others to do the same. The replacement theory is sound. Some folks have moved away, others have had career changes that necessitate earlier evenings, so we need to replace them with new faces. Seekers, we know you both give as much support to all aspects of the community as your busy lives will allow & we all appreciate that. No one is trying to give anyone a hard time, just convey the seriousness of the situation.

I'd also like to point out that Knox Co (& I'm sure other counties) schools will be out for winter holidays the Monday following next Sanctus, so more of you parental types might be able to find proper sitter arrangements & make it down.

We'd all like to see everyone who can & wants to, make it down for the next Sanctus. If you can't make it & you know peeps who might enjoy it, spread the word. Pass out some flyers. Do what you can. All efforts are appreciated.

[tat2jay]

i find this line of reasoning much more acceptable than the "you must go, pay your dues" kind of thing -
no one should feel forced to do anything, if they do , they will prolly not enjoy it
bone hit it right on the head when he said people that are there because they feel like they have to be will most likely lend a negative vibe to the whole thing
karla is right about flyering, kasi and i go hit the hot spots usually every other week with temple stuff -
that is key, ALWAYS new faces - keep the flow fresh and new - keep spreading the word - its a lot of hard work on the part of the promoters to do so, but if you want a successful night, its what must be done.

i make it out when i can - i have been able to attend at least early the past 3 months or so - and when i am able i am there -
next sanctus falls on the day before my birthday, so i am hoping to be able to secure that night and celebrate a bit

[gothic_spleen]

Am I gonna stomp on anyones toes if I make copys of this flyer???? If not then Im gonna post them everywhere down here. Ive got a 15 passenger van...that never gets used. Well I think this is a good cause. So Im gonna see if i cant get some people to show up with me!!!!

[karlaBOO]

Am I gonna stomp on anyones toes if I make copys of this flyer???? If not then Im gonna post them everywhere down here. Ive got a 15 passenger van...that never gets used. Well I think this is a good cause. So Im gonna see if i cant get some people to show up with me!!!!

Nope. Print out as many fliers as you want.

[rec|use]

Sanctus is a goth dance night, so if live bands & different music genres are your thing, those can be found elsewhere.

i still don't see where it could hurt the night
to impliment live acts within the genres
or expand upon the play list

but that's just me

that's how curse and i did it in tampa with the a.s.p. dj squad
we also turned the dj sets into a spectacle as well
using looping gear , samplers, and fx as part of the dj rig
along with precut video assaults

more stimuli is good stimuli
stimuli is what attracts people to come to your event

do you guys sell booze there
if so
do you have drink specials
those help as well

[miz kitty]

I want to salute karlaboo for having the guts to post what some of us have suspected for some time. I also want to thank Bone, Arkady, and Vader for all their hard work.I have supported Sanctus from the begining. I have been in the scene for almost thirteen years now. There are about ten or twelve of us left that are the last of the mohicans so to speak. I have watched the numbers gradually drop off. I feel some of the reason is venue and some of it is the fact that it is a on Sunday, but some of it is due to the fact that it is the same Djs, same playlists, etc. It's not that we don't love all you guys. I don't mean to be critical, but I think it is time for Sanctus to evolve, grow, and yes...the dreaded word.....change. It doesn't have to be drastic change. Have we ever considered moving it to a Friday once a month? Maybe some new methods of promotion? More guest DJs? Change of Venue? I agree we should all support the scene, but the mentality that it is a "duty" is crap. And even the hint of an "us against them" mentality needs to be nipped in the bud, because a scene devided cannot survive. We do need to encourage new people to come out, but we also need to ask ourselves where do we find the new people? It's a different world out there than it was 4 years ago. We need to approach this from a business stand point....what market are we going for and how do we get it? There is nothing wrong with having some classic elements to Sanctus, but the lack of turn out it not solely due to the scene not supporting it. Let's think positively about growth. What can be done to improve? We need to all work together on this. Negativity will kill a scene. We need to avoid that at all costs.

[Sir Diddimus]

I, for one, try to make it out as often as time allows....

A 9 month old baby means that I can't really get out as much as I used too, but I try. And, I will continue to venture out to Sanctus and Temple (usually both the same weekend) as often as time and my wife will allow.

I shoot for once every other month....... Sorry, just can't make it out every month anymore......







Trust me, I don't post flyers, but I do still carry some KG business cards (only have 3 or 4 left)..... I have given most of them out (to people other than baby play group parents (unless they might fit in) )





Regardless, Arkady, Bone, and Vader. Thank You!!!!!

[Hardcoregirl]

Yes, I so agree with miz_kitty. It seems whenever some of us want to suggest things that might help we fear upsetting our friends, Arkady, Bone, Vader, Michael Xi, etc.

I hate it that I don't feel like I can be honest about it because I may upset people I genuinely like...

Can you guys be open to constructive critisism finally in order to keep it going?

Change is the only way it will survive. Period. Bringing in new people will help only slightly, but soon enough they will tire of the "same old same old."

I never realized so much how business and friendship must be somewhat exclusive...

[junkie christ]

i agree with karla, i agree with bone, i agree with jay, i agree with kitty.

ive been really vocal about how you should support all the shit going on because its probably responsible for so much of who you are its to a fault.
that being said.
i see alot of people just bitching antiScene because they are insecure.
i see people afraid to back because of some drama everyone knows is a lie yet two or three people that didnt have fuck all else to do just pushed it.
i see people who got tired of the same two or three people and instead of dealing with it, disappeared.
i DONT see almost anyone that came out when i started coming out.

but then i see a really strong scene thats taking advantage and growing lazy.
i have alot of faith its just another downcycle, but im wondering after reading this thread and the blogs today.
THOUGHT: next sanctus, remember how you used to call in work on monday in advance, that one time you had enough liquid confidence to tell that girl hello and you didnt fuck it up. the friends you made, the friends you ran off by being a dildo, and how cool it would be to have things recycle a bit with some new blood and better times.

then tell me if its worth bitching about your disaproval or if you wanna get up and change it.
i know people who meet their husbands, wives, best friends, babys parent in this scene.
wonder how the next phase is gonna run.

[Mercurygriffin]

There have been live bands and that is always cool. There have been guest DJs and that is always cool. I think the main thing though is the word. The word has been dropping for a while. People are saying "can't make it out to this one, maybe next one." I'm not saying that I'm guiltless or that anyone person is guilty. I'm not saying that this is some obligation. I am on the other hand saying that these guys have poured heart and soul into this just to make sure that there is a place to go. When there was nothing they made something. When there was other things, they showed up and supported it. I agree that maybe things do need to be re-invented and remixed and new faces should be added, but it all comes down to choice. You can come out if you want. You can flyer if you want. You can tell others if you want. But if you feel anything for this issue then do at least one. How many of us have Xangas and Myspace blogs? How many jpegs can we put out there? How many little darklings do we run into on the street? How many people do you know that are curious about the whole goth thing? Send them out. Something.

[JaNell]

You can flyer if you want. You can tell others if you want. But if you feel anything for this issue then do at least one. How many of us have Xangas and Myspace blogs? How many jpegs can we put out there? How many little darklings do we run into on the street? How many people do you know that are curious about the whole goth thing? Send them out. Something.

I already feel like the KnoxVegas pimp...

"Hey, you, yeah, cool clothes, I'd bet you'd like Wasted Potential"
"Yes, 11th St. is open, no matter what the MetroPulse said, the food is at Mocha Cabana, about 6 blocks away, and Adam Deal hangs out at 11th again so come on by."
"You might like Sanctus, it's a monthly goth night at BlueCats, look for the MetroPulse ad."

Anyone connected with any of these can feel free to pimp my jewelry or either of my online stores...
I guess I quit putting blog entries up about them because it's a pretty one-way street and I need to support myself some too if I'm gonna spam my blog.

So, maybe I'll pimp Sanctus again. They do employ me when they can...

Anywho.

[JaNell]

Oh, yeah, unbanning people banned for personal dislike (who've never been to Sanctus, therefore have not caused a problem there) would bring in several more paying guests every month, plus good word of mouth.
Just a thought.

[Arkady]

Oh, yeah, unbanning people banned for personal dislike (who've never been to Sanctus, therefore have not caused a problem there) would bring in several more paying guests every month, plus good word of mouth.
Just a thought.

Like Who?

[JaNell]

I'll PM that.

[Asher]

my ass sits up here in Gatlinburg wishing there was somewhere to go other than the farking "party Hut" or "Blaine's" I actually know the people who own the party hut ( i am so embarassed at that damn name..party hut..god) and could probably arrange a goth/alternative night on friday nights if the night was ever switched...but sunday is just hard to get to. Impossible most of the time, with the 45 minute drive from up here..kids in school blah blah same ol same ol..

I love you guys..and i love this scene..i do what i can to drag others into the black with me..(i never come out with any less than 2 guests)but i can only do so much i guess. The core of it is interest..people will flock to a. what looks interesting..and b.what they know about. It took me years to realize the KG forums even existed..or that there even was goth nights anywhere. [in tampa we had whole clubs devoted to the scene more or less..i thought since there wasnt any goth clubs..there must be no scene..durr]

its very true that this should never come off as an obligation..then its too much like church..pretty soon you get people in black showing up on your doorstep asking where you were on sunday..cause your heathen ass sure wasnt at sanctus.

anyway..just some thoughts.

[Bigun]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Sanctus held Sunday? No way anyone out of town can even think about doing that unless they had Monday off.