We’re now just a few days away from this once-in-a-lifetime event! Which – in case you’ve somehow forgotten – happens this very Saturday, October 1st.
We've had a number of returned tickets, so if you're interested in coming along, drop us a line here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
If you already have a ticket... read on for the FAQ containing everything you need to know for the weekend, including the timetable of events. If you're coming along, you might want to print this out and bring it with you.
We've had a number of returned tickets, so if you're interested in coming along, drop us a line here: digitiser2000@gmail.com
If you already have a ticket... read on for the FAQ containing everything you need to know for the weekend, including the timetable of events. If you're coming along, you might want to print this out and bring it with you.
WHERE IS IT AND HOW DO I GET THERE?
Block Party 2016 takes place here:
Centre for Computing History
Rene Court
Coldhams Road
Cambridge
CB1 3EW
The Centre for Computing History can be a little tricky to find, as it’s on an industrial estate down a side road. Basically… you’ll probably drive down there thinking “It can’t possibly be down here”. And then – surprise – it is!
For further details, please go here: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/pages/37731/How-To-Find-Us/
Parking is a little limited at weekends, but there are enough spaces in the surrounding streets to ensure you’ll find somewhere to stash your car. The train station is about a 30 minute walk away, or 5 minutes in a car.
All the travel details, if you’re coming by car, are on the CCH site. In the unlikely event you do get lost, the number of the museum is 01223 214446.
TAXI NUMBERS:
WHAT TIME DOES IT START?
As you may be aware, we had to offer two tiers of tickets, due to limited space during the day.
Doors open at 10am. Everyone will have access to the Centre for Computing History all day, which includes the exhibits, plus teletext-related stalls and drop-in workshops – though sadly only all-day ticket holders will be able to attend the daytime teletext panels in the “Classroom”.
Unless loads of people don’t show up, in which case… who cares? Anything goes!
The Centre closes at 5pm to the general public, at which time we’ll have the place exclusively to ourselves.
Doors to the main room will open at approximately 6pm, with Digifest getting underway about 6.30pm, following a retrogaming DJ set by the sublime GamerDisco.
Your ticket is your confirmation email, and if you don’t have a confirmation email with you on the day… that’s okay: your name will be on the door regardless. Just give it at the desk when you arrive, and you’ll be given a wristband, the colour of which denotes whether you have an all day ticket, or an evening ticket.
This will ensure you’ll be free to come and go as you please, and get all-day ticket holder access to the daytime talks.
WHAT TIME DOES IT FINISH?
We’re aiming to wrap things up a little before 10pm, so people who need to get home can catch the last trains. However, the bar will stay open for a while longer, and we’ll be hanging around to chat and have a drink with anybody who wants to join us. The Centre must close at midnight. That might not stop us, though.
DO I HAVE TO STAY ALL DAY?
No! It’s a long day, so we’re fully expecting people to dip in and out, or just be there for the parts they’re interested in. Plus, obviously, if you need a wee or something during a talk, we’re not going to stop you. That would be inhuman. If you’re a Digitiser fan, however, make sure you don’t miss the evening events…
WHAT CAN I EAT AND DRINK?
The Centre has a basic snack bar selling crisps, chocolate and soft drinks. However, there are supermarkets close by, as well as a Frankie & Benny’s, if that’s your kind of thing.
From 5pm we’ll have a paid booze bar, as well as a fast food van parking up outside, offering burgers, sausages, chips, and the like. That will be hanging around until about 9.30pm to give you plenty of time to grab a bite.
WHAT CAN I BUY?
Glad you asked. There’ll be a stall selling our brand new range of Digitiser merchandise, including three new t-shirt designs, featuring the Digitiser logo, The Man’s Daddy, and Zombie Dave.
We’ll also have our new Tea Prancer mugs, 2017 wall calendars, and a couple of different designs of sticker (Mr T and The Real Turner The Worm). Additionally, we’ve managed to find some copies of Mr Biffo’s old book, Confessions of a Chatroom Freak, which we’ll be offering at varying prices depending on how manky they are. You might also be able to buy an advance copy of Mr Hairs’ new travel opus, The Cyclist Who Went Out In The Cold.
T-shirts are priced at £15, mugs are £10, calendars are £12, and the stickers are a quid each. We’ll have pens on standby for anything you want signing by the guests – ensuring your items are uniquely personalised.
The Centre also has a shop, selling assorted retro computing merchandise.
Additionally, we’ll be holding a charity raffle in support of Teletext Facebook Group member Matthew, aka Karamoon, who is battling cancer.
We’ll have some very unique items up for grabs, and all proceeds go to his Fundraising campaign at: https://www.gofundme.com/2hk6vqk
IMPORTANT: Please bring cash for the merchandise stand, food van and bar, as we are unable to make credit card sales.
CAN I TAKE PHOTOS?
Of course! Not only that - but we insist you do, and post them to Twitter using the hashtag #BlockParty2016. There'll be a number of unique photo ops during the event, and we'll all be happy to pose for selfies.
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Here’s the official timetable (all times are approximate):
10am – DOORS OPEN
10.15 – 11.15am - Teletextr Podcast Recording Part One (Classroom)
A live recording of episode 5 of the Teletextr Podcast, the internet’s premier (and only) teletext podcast. Part One: Welcome to The Block Party!
11.15 – 11.45am - Teletext Recovery Demo Session One (Classroom)
Capturing teletext pages from VHS and Betamax is, amazingly, entirely possible. Bring your tapes and see what gems are hidden in the VBI signal.
11.30am – 12.30pm - Lunch Break: Make Your Own Teletext Art Drop-in (TBC)
Drop in to the teletext art booth for a sandwich and live teletext editing session.
12.30pm – 1.30pm - Teletextr Podcast Recording Part Two (Classroom)
A live recording of episode 6 of the Teletextr Podcast, the internet’s premier (and only) teletext podcast. Part Two: Meet The Guests!
1.30am – 2pm – Tea Break
2pm – 3pm – Teletext Designers Panel Session One (Classroom)
Just how do you make a teletext page? Can I make my own? Well, wonder no more, for the teletext artists Dan Farrimond, Steve Horsley and Paul “Mr Biffo” Rose are here to explain all.
3pm – 3.30pm - Teletext Recovery Demo Session Two (Classroom)
Capturing teletext pages from VHS and Betamax is, amazingly, entirely possible. Bring your tapes and see what gems are hidden in the VBI signal.
3.30pm – 4pm – Tea Break
4pm – 5pm - Teletext Designers Panel Session Two (Classroom)
For anyone who couldn’t make the first panel… here it is again! Just how do you make a teletext page? Can I make my own? Well, wonder no more, for the teletext artists Dan Farrimond, Steve Horsley and Paul “Mr Biffo” Rose are here to explain all.
5pm - Museum closes to public: 30min break before Digifest begins.
Other non-time sensitive activities and stands:
Peter Kwan live subtitle demo
Bamboozle challenge
Make Your Own Teletext Art
TEEFAX on various televisions
David Walford’s teletext software tech demo
Teletext screening area – 4T The Dog: The Movie, plus commercials and news reports.
Plus! You’ll have full access to the Centre For Computer History’s collection of old computers, consoles and arcade machines – all of which are free to use!
DIGIFEST!
6pm – GamerDisco (Main Hall)
GamerDisco are the UK’s premier retro-gaming DJ outfit – and they’ve teamed up with .mpegasus to bring their sounds to Block Party!
6.30pm – Screening (Main Hall)
Watch a very special, recently-unearthed, VHS tape from 1993… the contents of which are a mystery…
6.45pm – 8.30pm - The Ultimate Digitiser Panel (Main Hall)
Hosted by top stand-up and Digi fan Chris Coltrane, you'll be treated to the never-before-heard true story of Digitiser, courtesy of Paul “Mr Biffo” Rose, Tim "Mr Hairs" Moore, and Bad Influence icon and Digi panelist Violet Berlin. Expect surprises, whimsy and nonsense, as these three take to the stage together for the first time ever…
8.30pm – GamerDisco (Main Hall)
As we set up for the grand finale, listen to more fine retro sounds from the GamerDisco boys.
9pm – 9.45pm - Quiz-Me-Do! Hosted by Mr Biffo (Main Hall)
Audience members will be forced at knifepoint to choose a side, as team captains Mr Hairs and Violet Berlin lead their squad of surprise(d) special guests into a battle of gaming trivia, nonsense, and challenges.
9.45pm – WHENEVER – Drinks, Chat and GamerDisco (Main Hall)
The bar will be staying open, and we’ll be hanging around for a while, with anybody who fancies joining us, while GamerDisco accompany us with another fine set of retro gaming tunes.
Please be aware that panels may be filmed, so there’s a chance you might be in the background of the videos.
If there are any questions, please email us on digitiser2000@gmail.com
If not – we’ll see you Saturday!
Block Party 2016 takes place here:
Centre for Computing History
Rene Court
Coldhams Road
Cambridge
CB1 3EW
The Centre for Computing History can be a little tricky to find, as it’s on an industrial estate down a side road. Basically… you’ll probably drive down there thinking “It can’t possibly be down here”. And then – surprise – it is!
For further details, please go here: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/pages/37731/How-To-Find-Us/
Parking is a little limited at weekends, but there are enough spaces in the surrounding streets to ensure you’ll find somewhere to stash your car. The train station is about a 30 minute walk away, or 5 minutes in a car.
All the travel details, if you’re coming by car, are on the CCH site. In the unlikely event you do get lost, the number of the museum is 01223 214446.
TAXI NUMBERS:
- A1 Cabco Taxis - 01223 525555 / 313131
- Andy Cabs - 01223 571144
- Ace Taxis - 01223 462020
- CamCab - 01223 704704
- Camtax Cabs - 01223 242424
- Diamond - 01223 523523
- Kenway Cars - 01223 832515
- M.D Abdul Taxis - 01223 410310
- Panther -01223 715715
- Shelford Taxi - 01223 843488
- United Taxis - 01223 313131
WHAT TIME DOES IT START?
As you may be aware, we had to offer two tiers of tickets, due to limited space during the day.
Doors open at 10am. Everyone will have access to the Centre for Computing History all day, which includes the exhibits, plus teletext-related stalls and drop-in workshops – though sadly only all-day ticket holders will be able to attend the daytime teletext panels in the “Classroom”.
Unless loads of people don’t show up, in which case… who cares? Anything goes!
The Centre closes at 5pm to the general public, at which time we’ll have the place exclusively to ourselves.
Doors to the main room will open at approximately 6pm, with Digifest getting underway about 6.30pm, following a retrogaming DJ set by the sublime GamerDisco.
Your ticket is your confirmation email, and if you don’t have a confirmation email with you on the day… that’s okay: your name will be on the door regardless. Just give it at the desk when you arrive, and you’ll be given a wristband, the colour of which denotes whether you have an all day ticket, or an evening ticket.
This will ensure you’ll be free to come and go as you please, and get all-day ticket holder access to the daytime talks.
WHAT TIME DOES IT FINISH?
We’re aiming to wrap things up a little before 10pm, so people who need to get home can catch the last trains. However, the bar will stay open for a while longer, and we’ll be hanging around to chat and have a drink with anybody who wants to join us. The Centre must close at midnight. That might not stop us, though.
DO I HAVE TO STAY ALL DAY?
No! It’s a long day, so we’re fully expecting people to dip in and out, or just be there for the parts they’re interested in. Plus, obviously, if you need a wee or something during a talk, we’re not going to stop you. That would be inhuman. If you’re a Digitiser fan, however, make sure you don’t miss the evening events…
WHAT CAN I EAT AND DRINK?
The Centre has a basic snack bar selling crisps, chocolate and soft drinks. However, there are supermarkets close by, as well as a Frankie & Benny’s, if that’s your kind of thing.
From 5pm we’ll have a paid booze bar, as well as a fast food van parking up outside, offering burgers, sausages, chips, and the like. That will be hanging around until about 9.30pm to give you plenty of time to grab a bite.
WHAT CAN I BUY?
Glad you asked. There’ll be a stall selling our brand new range of Digitiser merchandise, including three new t-shirt designs, featuring the Digitiser logo, The Man’s Daddy, and Zombie Dave.
We’ll also have our new Tea Prancer mugs, 2017 wall calendars, and a couple of different designs of sticker (Mr T and The Real Turner The Worm). Additionally, we’ve managed to find some copies of Mr Biffo’s old book, Confessions of a Chatroom Freak, which we’ll be offering at varying prices depending on how manky they are. You might also be able to buy an advance copy of Mr Hairs’ new travel opus, The Cyclist Who Went Out In The Cold.
T-shirts are priced at £15, mugs are £10, calendars are £12, and the stickers are a quid each. We’ll have pens on standby for anything you want signing by the guests – ensuring your items are uniquely personalised.
The Centre also has a shop, selling assorted retro computing merchandise.
Additionally, we’ll be holding a charity raffle in support of Teletext Facebook Group member Matthew, aka Karamoon, who is battling cancer.
We’ll have some very unique items up for grabs, and all proceeds go to his Fundraising campaign at: https://www.gofundme.com/2hk6vqk
IMPORTANT: Please bring cash for the merchandise stand, food van and bar, as we are unable to make credit card sales.
CAN I TAKE PHOTOS?
Of course! Not only that - but we insist you do, and post them to Twitter using the hashtag #BlockParty2016. There'll be a number of unique photo ops during the event, and we'll all be happy to pose for selfies.
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Here’s the official timetable (all times are approximate):
10am – DOORS OPEN
10.15 – 11.15am - Teletextr Podcast Recording Part One (Classroom)
A live recording of episode 5 of the Teletextr Podcast, the internet’s premier (and only) teletext podcast. Part One: Welcome to The Block Party!
11.15 – 11.45am - Teletext Recovery Demo Session One (Classroom)
Capturing teletext pages from VHS and Betamax is, amazingly, entirely possible. Bring your tapes and see what gems are hidden in the VBI signal.
11.30am – 12.30pm - Lunch Break: Make Your Own Teletext Art Drop-in (TBC)
Drop in to the teletext art booth for a sandwich and live teletext editing session.
12.30pm – 1.30pm - Teletextr Podcast Recording Part Two (Classroom)
A live recording of episode 6 of the Teletextr Podcast, the internet’s premier (and only) teletext podcast. Part Two: Meet The Guests!
1.30am – 2pm – Tea Break
2pm – 3pm – Teletext Designers Panel Session One (Classroom)
Just how do you make a teletext page? Can I make my own? Well, wonder no more, for the teletext artists Dan Farrimond, Steve Horsley and Paul “Mr Biffo” Rose are here to explain all.
3pm – 3.30pm - Teletext Recovery Demo Session Two (Classroom)
Capturing teletext pages from VHS and Betamax is, amazingly, entirely possible. Bring your tapes and see what gems are hidden in the VBI signal.
3.30pm – 4pm – Tea Break
4pm – 5pm - Teletext Designers Panel Session Two (Classroom)
For anyone who couldn’t make the first panel… here it is again! Just how do you make a teletext page? Can I make my own? Well, wonder no more, for the teletext artists Dan Farrimond, Steve Horsley and Paul “Mr Biffo” Rose are here to explain all.
5pm - Museum closes to public: 30min break before Digifest begins.
Other non-time sensitive activities and stands:
Peter Kwan live subtitle demo
Bamboozle challenge
Make Your Own Teletext Art
TEEFAX on various televisions
David Walford’s teletext software tech demo
Teletext screening area – 4T The Dog: The Movie, plus commercials and news reports.
Plus! You’ll have full access to the Centre For Computer History’s collection of old computers, consoles and arcade machines – all of which are free to use!
DIGIFEST!
6pm – GamerDisco (Main Hall)
GamerDisco are the UK’s premier retro-gaming DJ outfit – and they’ve teamed up with .mpegasus to bring their sounds to Block Party!
6.30pm – Screening (Main Hall)
Watch a very special, recently-unearthed, VHS tape from 1993… the contents of which are a mystery…
6.45pm – 8.30pm - The Ultimate Digitiser Panel (Main Hall)
Hosted by top stand-up and Digi fan Chris Coltrane, you'll be treated to the never-before-heard true story of Digitiser, courtesy of Paul “Mr Biffo” Rose, Tim "Mr Hairs" Moore, and Bad Influence icon and Digi panelist Violet Berlin. Expect surprises, whimsy and nonsense, as these three take to the stage together for the first time ever…
8.30pm – GamerDisco (Main Hall)
As we set up for the grand finale, listen to more fine retro sounds from the GamerDisco boys.
9pm – 9.45pm - Quiz-Me-Do! Hosted by Mr Biffo (Main Hall)
Audience members will be forced at knifepoint to choose a side, as team captains Mr Hairs and Violet Berlin lead their squad of surprise(d) special guests into a battle of gaming trivia, nonsense, and challenges.
9.45pm – WHENEVER – Drinks, Chat and GamerDisco (Main Hall)
The bar will be staying open, and we’ll be hanging around for a while, with anybody who fancies joining us, while GamerDisco accompany us with another fine set of retro gaming tunes.
Please be aware that panels may be filmed, so there’s a chance you might be in the background of the videos.
If there are any questions, please email us on digitiser2000@gmail.com
If not – we’ll see you Saturday!
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