Nancy and I took to the streets of Norfolk...Armed with flyers and on a mission to check out "EVERYTHING!" :elliottporsche:


First stop..."Wrong Kelly's"...Yes Etrain, there are 2 Kelly's in Norfolk!!! We are going to the one located at 320 Granby Street. :rotfl:


On to find the "REAL Kelly's" Found it...had to find a place to park. Get out of the car...Standing there looking around...Right before us..."The Tazwell Hotel"
across the street. :fangirly:


Noticed a cool sports bar directly across from the hotel named "AJ Gators" went in...flyers in hand...Not only are they going to hang them up, but they have an awesome private room upstairs we reserved for a "POST Concert gathering"
They are open until 2am...Lot's of time to celebrate Elliott's return to Virginia after the concert!!! (You only have to cross the street to get back to the hotel)

:cheers: :grouphug: :etrain:

Off to "The Tazwell Hotel"...A very nice, newly renovated historic hotel. Spoke to the front desk manager...He took a stack of the flyers and placed them in a nice display on the front counter...How cool!!! The manager was VERY accommodating...even let us see a room. It is going to be Great!!!
:thumbsup:

IMPORTANT: While we were at the Tazwell...We confirmed the Etrain reservations. Apparently some people did not tell them you were with the "Etrain Group" when you reserved your rooms...Sadly enough...you WILL NOT be given the $72 a night group rate. I also need to mention...They DO still have people from the Etrain reserved to arrive on "FRIDAY" night. IF you have not called to cancel your Friday night reservation...Be sure to do so a.s.a.p. You WILL be charged if the reservation is not changed...They are holding rooms for you!!! :no: :no:

Next stop...The "right" Kelly's...Etrain Family...I would like to share with you...
Kelly's Backsage Tavern is ready & waiting for the "Train" to arrive! Everyone there knows about us and are waiting with open arms to greet us!!! :hug:
This place is very upbeat and exciting...TONS of autographed decor EVERYWHERE!!! They have been waiting for months for us to finally arrive!!! The manager is ready, willing and able to do back flips for us!!! :cheerleader1:

We have made an executive decision to do a buffet. They have a wide variety of choices and I am going to look over the menu and get with her this week. I will post soon to let everyone know the cost per person (App. $10-15 per person) This will make it easier on them and the waitstaff. ALL Alcoholic beverages will be paid for seperately! We will be collecting the money at the doorway before you go upstairs (Cash Only PLEASE) We will also be checking people off from the reservation list...We are currently at about 50 people...You MUST be on the list to enter the upstairs!!! :cndlelitdnr:

Our journey progressed on to "The Norva" where we met the "Hospitality & Catering" manager. To all Mothers/Nana's...The Norva will prepare food for Elliott and his onterage. No need to bring food!!!Nancy & I did discuss...If anyone would like to bring some homemade "goodies" or Non perishable snacks, fruits, chips, sugarfree junk food...We will bring a basket and we can make them a "Care Basket" for the bus.
Bring your "Donation" to Kelly's!!! :elliottcap:

We then ventured across the street from the Norva to McArthur Mall to hang up flyers...(Bring your Christmas money...it is an enormous mall) :kewl:

Then down to the Norfolk waterside...Flyers to the Marriott...Sheraton and all over the Waterside Center. Several Clubs & restaurants now grace Elliott's flyers.

:elliottelliott: :cheerleader1:

6 hours later...Nancy & I had left our mark on Norfolk...Mr. Elliott Yamin is going to blow the rooftop off the Norva! We both left there with a true feeling of accomplishment...Our mission complete :dude: :dude:

The excitement is building...This is going to be a weekend to remember and I personally can not wait to meet everyone...to share the fun with others, those who really know "WHO" Elliott Yamin truly is...Our American Idol!!! :1word:

Hugs & Many Blessings to everyone!!!

Theresa

Theresa, WOW! You and Nancy really did the town! I am getting so excited to meet everyone, I have a hard wk at work this wk, but only a few more days til Norfolk! just called and confirmed my reservation at the hotel this weekend
and am ready to roll from NY on the 10th!
Great job and the plans sound excellent, will plan on little sleep and lots of partying, can't wait to meet you all. Hoping I can finally meet Elliott this trip as well! :grouphug: Sheryl

Some pics of The Tazewell Hotel

GREAT JOB GUYS...CAN'T WAIT!!!!! :1word:

Great job, you two! I'm getting more and more excited! Have you decided yet what to put on the buffet? I, for one, would like to know when you decide. My friend and I have been drooling over Kelly's menu for the past couple of weeks and trying to decide what we want to order. I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed we won't get to order whatever we want, but understand your reasons for making that decision. All in all, you've covered all the bases - I hope the NorVa is packed to the hilt!!!

I am more excited than ever now!!!! Great job Nana and Nancy for posting the flyers and staking out our destination. Thanks Deniz for printing the flyers. Norfolk, here we come!!

Apparently the menu online is not accurate...They have several destinations. We haven't made any decisions on the buffet yet...What is it that has the drool flowing? "Maybe" we can add it to the buffet. This is not something Kelly's normally does...BUT, they are doing it special for "THE ETRAIN!" They are all
extremely excited about us coming there. As we are now EEEEEEExcited about going there!!!

I promise EVERYONE...We will "try" to select a good variety to meet everyones tastebuds. (It will NOT be a meat and potatoes type buffet)

:grouphug: :etrain: :grouphug: :etrain: :grouphug: :etrain:

NANA HAS ASKED ME TO MAKE SOME OF MY ETRAIN "NAME BADGES" FOR E-TRAINERS GOING TO THE NORVA SHOW. SOME OF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE AND SOME OF YOU MAY NOT WANT ONE SO...IF YOU DO WANT ONE...PM ME AND LET ME KNOW. I WILL BE MAKING ALL OF THEM THIS WEEKEND AND WILL BRING THEM TO KELLY'S SUNDAY BEFORE THE CONCERT. THANKS!! CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU ALL! :1word:

Oh man, I am sooooo stoked for all of you!!!! And, admittedly, jealous as hell that I won't be able to join the Etrain party! :(

If ya'll PROMSIE to post BUNCHES of recaps & TONS of pictures, I think I may survive. ;)

First of all, thanks a bunch for all of your hard work Nana & Nancy! It is much appreciated. :awe:

I just purchased & printed off my ticket this morning from ticketmaster. I have a question. I know this is general admission, but I have "seat" number 358. Does this mean that only 358 tickets were sold to-date??? Anybody know?

Peppers - that is curious. I just pulled out my tickets and mine say 277 and 278. I bought them about 2 months ago. I don't know, but that's one theory I guess - that it's number of tickets sold through Ticketmaster. There are other places to get tickets though so no way to really know how many are sold, total. Does anybody know the capacity of the NorVa? I so hope we pack the place. If we don't, I think we'll come pretty close to it. Especially now, thanks to the weekend efforts of Theresa and Nancy!

Theresa:

What had us drooling? Everything in general and nothing in particular! LOL! Their menu looks so good, even if it's not the "official" one. I'm sure everything on the buffet will be drool-worthy as well. I trust your judgement as well as Kelly's. Thanks again for all your hard work!

The Norva holds 1500 people...We talked to the Hospitality manager at the Norva and he said sales were doing OK...But we want better than OK!!!

We want a FULL HOUSE...with a Huge Etrain presence at the very front to show Elliott our love & support!

Nancy & I are planning to hit a few places in Richmond...Gotta get with Deniz to place a reprint order!

We are 2 "Nana's" on a mission to fill the Norva to capacity!

:1word: :grouphug: :elliottporsche:

Theresa, did you and Nancy by chance get a peek inside the NorVa when you were there? I've looked at the pictures online, but not the same as being there. I just wonder when Kelly's escorts us in, where we'll be escorted to. With our great relationship with Kelly's, thanks to you and Nancy, I would think we would get the very best seats or is it a standing room only kinda thing? And the more I think about that buffet idea, the better I'm liking it! I'm soooooo excited waiting for this event! My heebie jeebies are out of control! LOL!

Way to go Theresa and Nancy, thanks for the "scouting"


I'm afraid that is what it means. I got mine the 3rd day of tickets way back in the spring and I believe I'm #27.

I'm think changing the date twice may have hurt the PR factor to promote it locally. The papers have promoted and printed postponed on 2 occasions. It's hard to get them to push after that. I really don't know about the radio stations or FOX channel here in HR but would seem like a natural.

Theresa
I'm sorry if you've answered this before, and I've overlooked it but what time for dinner again? Would you like us to pay you prior to that night? Just want to be sure I'm on the list with a guest.
It's my birthday present to ME.

Here is a link to the photos I took yesterday.

http://web.mac.com/nanassetta/iWeb/Site/Last%20Roll.html

We tried to get in to see the Norva. However; there was a band setting up and doing sound checks...They wouldn't let us in. :closed:

I will say...Kelly's Backstage Tavern will see to it we are the FIRST to be admitted to the Norva!!! It is standing room only (Wear comfy shoes) The entire front row will be lined with all Etrainers. We will have the perfect opportunity to show Elliott some Etrain LOVE & SUPPORT!!!

Watch out Norfolk...The Etrain has arrived!!!

:etrain: :dude: :dance: :rocker: :elliottelliott: :cheerleader1:

:cheerleader1: You guys are going to have a GREAT time. I can feel it.

I wish so much they hadn't changed the date to Sunday. Y'all are going to have the times of your life!!

I can hardly wait to see all the wonderful pictures!!

Getting so excited. Can't wait to FINALLY see Elliott in concert.

I JUST FOUND OUT I AM GOING TO NORFOLK !! JUST GOT TIX! woo hOOOOOOO

NANA CAN YOU SEND ME THE DETAILS OF WHERE YOU GUYS ARE MEETING UP AT PRIOR?

Hey Doxie...Where have you been??? I was worried about you.

We are all meeting at Kelly's Backstage Tavern at 3:30pm on Sunday. There will be a buffet dinner...Still working on the per person cost ($10-$15) We will get early entrance to the Norva...We can line the entire stage with all Etrainers. Is Bob coming with you? I am sooooo happy to hear you are coming. We are staying the night at "The Tazwell" hotel...some are staying Sat. & Sun. nights. Monday is a holiday for some....Some of us are just taking off.

Read all of my posts re: Norfolk in the Concert Planner thread...Been planning since the 1st show was scheduled wayyyyyyyyyyy back when!!!!

Thanks for the update, I've been very busy with work and other stuff so haven't been keeping up.
Are we collecting money to send food or invite the band to join us? Are trying to take food to them?
I'm more than willing to do either, just please let me know which way we're going with that.
I'm really getting excited and counting down the days, can't wait to meet everyone, but with 50of us maybe we should have a receiving line. :rotfl:

Hey Nana! Ole Dox has been busy as all heck....I have not had a lot of free internet time lately. Working, working, working!! ERR

I am very excited to be going to NORVA tho! Thx for giving me this info!

Can you PM me your phone number so i can put it in my phone in case something happens and i cant find ya'll on sun? I had your number at one time but dont think i still have it as i have switched phones..

My husband and I will only be able to attend the concert. What time will you be going into the Norva? I hope we can meet up with you there and get near the front too. Are cameras allowed?

We will have early admission. I'm not sure about cameras. I'm going to get there Saturday so I will check and let you know.

Thanks.

:elliottelliott: :cheerleader1: :elliottelliott: :cheerleader1:

They are filming the NorVa show for Elliott's DVD release!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:1word:

Nancy, please let me know also about bringing cameras. send to my email. Thx.