12/16/09: We have had Zydeco on Wednesday for some
time now. But that day, we walk smack into someone else's Christmas party, that someone had booked there. (Well so much for
being "safe.") Unfortunately, we have become used to this kind of surprise, lack of coordination, and notice. Apparently,
nobody felt it incumbent upon them, to notify us! We do not even get so much as an apology; like this sort of thing is perfectly
normal. Somehow, we manage to squeeze ourselves into a corner to go about our business as well as we could.
However, at least half of the
Zydeco crowd decides that this situation was "too weird," turns around.
and leaves.
That
same evening, we are informed that the remodeling is supposed to start on Monday, 12/21, and everything is going to happen
all at the same time.
12/18/09: Called the hotel and got confirmation: Skies will be
closed for remodeling for the next two weeks. Looks
like tonight's event will most likely be the last one this year....
12/21/09: Took a look at Skies and yes, the remodel has actually started. Looking through
the back windows, I saw debris everywhere. All the benches had been removed and put outside. The stage was the primary victim
of the remodel. It looked like everything had been taken out, including the big-screen tv, all the way to the cabinet that hold the electrical service panel.
The small TVs however, were covered up! The black ceiling was still intact; however the cables that connect the speakers and
the lights to control panels appear to be gone(?)
12/22/09: Progress at Skies. All the debris has been cleared. I could see that the carpet
and the marble-tiled dancefloor has been removed. The left wall and the inside doors to the entry way had been removed. The
wall on the right (the one with the window,) was still there. Plastic sheeting covered the bar and access to it for as far
as I could see. Looked like the entire bar area was still pretty much intact.
12/23/09: I got there at 7pm, so it was already
dark. Someone had left a light on behind the bar, so looking through the windows, I could see that all the plastic sheeting
was gone and cleanup had been started.
Now, several months ago,
we were assured by the owner, that during the remodeling, we would be moved to the Montfield
Room. Then, last week Fridy, we were told by catering,
that Montfield would not be available on weekdays;
it was needed to accomodate "Goverment Contractors" staying at the hotel. As a consequence, we had to cancel today's
and next week's Zydeco Wednesday events. HOWEVER, so far, Montfield has not been in use. NOBODY was there!
12/24/09: Spring talked to the catering manager and he gave the impression that the
future of Skies as an entertaiment location may be in doubt. As we suspected, he is chafing at the bit to turn the room into
a meeting place.
12/25/09: Noticed new wallpaper - about 50% complete. The wallpaper gives the room more of a nightclub ambience,
although I cannot draw any conclusion from my impression, since it would be in direct conflict with yesterday's post.
12/31/09: Remodeling ia complete - for now(?)
1/1/10: After months of indifferent (and sometimes
worse) treatment, we decided it is time to move on.
1/3/10: The big Salsa Festival which for the last three years has taken over the entire hotel for three days in September, is pulling out of the Four Points
and moving to a new location (Town & Country.)
[AS THEY SAY: STAY TUNED - MORE TO COME]
