🥂 50th 50th Anniversary Celebration - West Coast*

In which city should the 50th Anniversary Celebration be based?

  • Downey

    Votes: 22 42.3%
  • Thousand Oaks

    Votes: 28 53.8%
  • Long Beach

    Votes: 4 7.7%
  • Other

    Votes: 2 3.8%

  • Total voters
    52
I hate to miss the 50th festivities, as I also missed the 1999 gathering.
It must have been awesome, Richard Carpenter is a class-act !


I loved watching this - thanks for posting it! I’m really sorry not to be able to join you for the 50th anniversary. I’ve been wondering lately whether it might be worth organising a mini party for U.K. Carpenters fans here in London, especially seeing as we were treated to so much publicity this week with Richard in town (and the RPO being at #1 currently). What do other UK folks think?

Meanwhile I will post some photos from when I went along to spot Richard leaving BBC Studios over in that thread later.

Paul
 
GaryAlan, THANK YOU for that video! It was fun to watch and to see faces of people I've only read about.
 
I realize that it is not a good idea to expect to see Richard, but in my heart or hearts I am really hoping we get to hear from him.
Up until this all seemed like it was very far in the future, but when I got word from Southwest Airlines that my flight was changed I realized how pressured I was to call and change the time because it is just around the corner!

I suppose being of a more recent Carpenters fan generation, this is as close as I will get to the thrill of a Carpenters concert. Still hoping one day to see Richard perform, but I don't know if that will ever happen.
 
I realize that it is not a good idea to expect to see Richard, but in my heart or hearts I am really hoping we get to hear from him.
Up until this all seemed like it was very far in the future, but when I got word from Southwest Airlines that my flight was changed I realized how pressured I was to call and change the time because it is just around the corner!

I suppose being of a more recent Carpenters fan generation, this is as close as I will get to the thrill of a Carpenters concert. Still hoping one day to see Richard perform, but I don't know if that will ever happen.

I think he would regret not making an appearance and I'm sure he's appreciative that 50 years later (a huge milestone itself) people want to have this kind of celebration of his music.
 
Hi, I will be coming to the 50th Anniversary Celebration in Thousand Oaks... Really looking forward to it and to meeting so many of you I've only ever seen or spoken to online! I've been wanting to come to LA and Downey to visit the Carpenters related places for so many years, and this will be a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true for me! Of course, hoping Richard will make an appearance, which will just be the icing on the cake!
 
Anyone else excited that it's only 14 days now until the event? :D

My journey starts this Sunday - I'm off to New York for a week then a couple of other places before I reach LA. One of the things I want to do while in NYC is walk around mid town while playing Karen's album in my headphones. West 48th Street (close to Times Square) was home to A&R Studios, where it was recorded. That will give me the biggest buzz!
 
Anyone else excited that it's only 14 days now until the event? :D

My journey starts this Sunday - I'm off to New York for a week then a couple of other places before I reach LA. One of the things I want to do while in NYC is walk around mid town while playing Karen's album in my headphones. West 48th Street (close to Times Square) was home to A&R Studios, where it was recorded. That will give me the biggest buzz!
That sounds so awesome! I am getting excited, too!
 
This final 2 weeks is going to be a blur...Got my hotel, plane, rental car reservations! Will be flying into Long Beach, an airport I dearly love to fly to - so easy to get in and out of. On final approach, the plane flies over CSLB to the point you can see the whole campus. I always think of Karen and Richard when it does. Bon Voyage!!
 
Anyone else excited that it's only 14 days now until the event? :D

My journey starts this Sunday - I'm off to New York for a week then a couple of other places before I reach LA. One of the things I want to do while in NYC is walk around mid town while playing Karen's album in my headphones. West 48th Street (close to Times Square) was home to A&R Studios, where it was recorded. That will give me the biggest buzz!
Please be aware of your surroundings and don’t get mugged while listening to headphones. I was once mugged in Atlanta while on a familiar route doing the exact same thing and I thought I was always aware.
 
Please be aware of your surroundings and don’t get mugged while listening to headphones. I was once mugged in Atlanta while on a familiar route doing the exact same thing and I thought I was always aware.

Thank you for the kind words. I will. Maybe a diner or cafe is a better place to take in the album :)
 
I’ll be there around 9 or 10. Going to hit lunch at the institution Ale House Brewery about 7 miles away with another Carpenterphile or two. You are welcome to join if you want.
 
I hope everyone has a fabulous time at the big get together in Thousand Oaks and across the Southland. As I noted a couple of months ago I will not be able to attend due to a previous engagement I have in Nebraska. Oddly enough I'll be arriving in Southern California on the 29th a few days after the 50th Anniversary event. All of you will be in my thoughts as you celebrate 50 years of the Carpenters with A&M Records.
 
Greetings from New York! I’m two days into my US trek and really looking forward to meeting up with everyone in Thousand Oaks in a few days.

I’m not really one for baring my soul online but three weeks ago I lost my lovely, beloved dad and seriously considered cancelling this trip. My dad was such a strong person and would have gone mad if I’d bailed on this trip because he knew how much I’d looked forward to it for almost 12 months. I talked to him incessantly about the sights I’d see on this trip and he was so excited on my behalf, because he knew my of - and supported - my love for all things Carpenters since I was 16. I’m now 44 years old.

So, after much soul searching and talking to my lovely mam and sister, I took the flight to NYC.

Anyway, I’m here and I’m on my way to Thousand Oaks in a few days.

See you all there.

I left a little tribute to my dad here, I know none of you know him but this was him to a T :)

 
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My stepdad just went into the nursing home after a month in the hospital and my Mom is following right behind. In fact, I’m writing this while in the hospital with my mom. Sometimes in life it feels like if there was a time we could cry we would never stop. My teenage years were spent with the same adoration up to today. We all probably have similar stories and when you recall yours it reminds us of our own and empathy and honor and love become a shared emotion as the emotion we feel listening to Karen and Richard Carpenter. Their music gives me and those I know who enjoy them floods of emotion that centers in our own life experiences. I’m looking forward to seeing all of your uploaded videos!
 
Stephen, I am so sorry for your loss. These moments are the most difficult. I think your father would be thrilled that you’re continuing your journey. May it help you find happiness and light.
 
Thank you guys for the lovely words and messages I’ve had, I did not expect that. I didn’t want to bring this thread down, hopefully I haven’t. I’m counting the days to Thousand Oaks, we have so much to look forward to! I can’t make my mind up what the highlight will be for me, there’s too much to choose from. I’m really looking forward to the panel discussion and seeing if my question(s) are asked. Safe travels to everyone else who is coming.
 
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