Jitterbugs Ireland

                                                              

 

                   

Amsterdam Convention 2008

It’s safe to say that we in Jitterbugs H.Q. were bitten by the convention bug during the hosting of ‘Near Dublin’ last year. We had barley left the Red Cow Hotel when we all promised to go to the International Convention in Amsterdam , to see what it would be like from a delegate’s point of view. A year passed very quickly and Linda (my good lady wife, who has now been to more Laurel and Hardy conventions than tent meetings!) and I found ourselves boarding the plane for Amsterdam . The convention was held in the AviFauna Hotel (and bird park!), which is just under an hours drive from the airport. As there was a staggering 243 delegates, a second hotel, The Golden Tulip, was also used and this was our first port of call. Although slightly nervous of missing our stop on the train (Pottsville anyone?), our fears were eased when we saw a fez bobbing along in the crowd in front of us – so we just followed it’s owner and the madness that is Sons of the Desert convention had begun for us!

 

For Convention pictures please click here

In all, nine Jitterbugs Tent members made the trip, a great showing for our small tent. Registration was a doddle (we got Liam to do it for us!) and the quality of the goodie bag was fantastic.

That evening the convention was officially opened with entertainment by Hula dancers and The Wanna Beatles tribute band. Also, and throughout the convention, there were Stan and Ollie films shown on 16mm, dealer’s tables, and an exhibition which boasted among other things costumes worn by Stan and Ollie in the Big Noise.

We were introduced to the convention special guest Jean Darling, of Our Gang Fame. We also met Stan and Ollie look-alikes Bill Leavy and Jamie McKenna whose act was just fantastic. They mingled with delegates throughout the convention and were really good fun, doing routines and posing for countless photos– but more of them later.

Next day if was off on the coach - (or was that mini-bus) - to Amsterdam , for a guided tour around Theater Tuschinski, a grand Art Deco theater.  We were taken on a lovely canal cruise, passing famous landmarks including Ann Frank’s house. After lunch in the famous d'Vijf Vlieghen restaurant we had free time in Amsterdam centre. We took dinner back at our hotel and decided to skip the evenings lecture by AJ Marriot on “The Life and Times of Stan Laurel”.

Friday morning saw the games competitions, with Bill and Jamie playing along. Sadly, this was the morning after the night before, and most of the Irish delegates skipped the games, me included. It seemed to go well though. We did however manage to make it to the Grand Council meeting although there is nothing of note to report about this.

That afternoon we took a boat cruise down the Rhine to Leiden. This was a nice relaxfull way to spend the afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable. In Leiden we had an extended photo shoot of all the various tent banners. Upon our return we were greeted by several Model-T cars and another Laurel and Hardy duo – Twice Two! It was good fun sitting in these old cars and yelling ‘fresh fish’ and such nonsense.

That evening we were treated to a magnificent buffet with every type of meat imaginable, cooked right before our eyes (don’t forget the onions!) and prawns that were to die for.

A highlight of the evening came from an unlikely source – the whipped cream machine which no-one seemed to be able to turn on, in spite of the oversized arrow pointing to its on button!

After the traditional quiz, with was a medal winning performance from Liam and I, there was an outdoor showing of The Bohemian Girl.

The following day we found ourselves back in the Tuschinski Theater. We were treated to a showing of Liberty, accompanied by live music, thanks to The Sprockets. This was, in a word, amazing, unforgettable, fantastic (ok that’s 3 words but it really was that good) - to see the films in such a fine theatre with the live music was special and was the convention highlight. Also shown were some rarities and of course Sons of the Desert. Bill and Jamie also performed a great magician’s act, reminiscent of the Hollywood Review of 1929. Such is the popularity of Stan and Ollie in Amsterdam that the audience included many members of the general public.   

That afternoon we had a choice of several guided tours including Rembrandt s house and the Van Gogh Museum. Or a tour of the Red Light District. No prizes for guessing which trip we went on!! We were very lucky to be accompanied by Bill and Jamie, in full Stan and Ollie garb. Now surreal is a much used word but until you have walked though Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District with two guys dressed as Laurel and Hardy you don’t know its full meaning! Their reactions to the various strange sights from the windows and smells from the ‘coffee shops’ were priceless and they fact that they stayed in character throughout really made a good tour unforgettable.

That evening we had the Fancy Dress Party, with every costume imaginable. We went as ‘Oirish’ and many a photo was taken of us. Overall prize went to Paul Allen from the Saps at Sea tent, who went as Charlie Hall in Tit for Tat, complete with feathers and a sink plunger stuck to his head –well done Sir! There followed the awards ceremony and passing of the pineapple to Another Fine Mess Tent in Sacramento, and the entertainment continued with music the band De Biet.

This really was an excellent convention. We know all too well the trial and tribulations involved with hosting them and we give a big Hats Off to our hosts- Perfect Day Tent- and in particular to its Grand Sheik Robert Radevan and Vice Sheik Map Boon. The convention was held in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and it was great to meet up with friends we made last year, and of course to make a host of new ones. The bar has truly been set high for future international conventions. For us at H.Q., the trilogy of conventions will be completed next May when we go to the U.K. convention in Ulverston.