One likes to get up and sing, “Me & Bobby McGee,” during Karaokes. The other likes to sit on a Mission rocker and play guitar. Together, Nat Finn & Morgan Voss will be filling in as co-hosts during this week’s Stop the Hush’s Open Mic night at Uptown Cafe in downtown Valparaiso on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 from 7pm-10pm.

What Is Stop the Hush?

Stop the Hush is a 5013C non-profit movement that helps give a voice to those who fight everyday against the ravaging drug problem in Porter County, Indiana. They provide support through such venues as the weekly Open Mic nights, art exhibits & fund-raiser events with special guest speakers. Their long-term goal is to own a local community center where they can educate, stimulate and provide a safe haven for those in need (I hope I said that right. If not, Stop the Hush President Laurie Jo Kjelstrom will set me right when she gets back).

As the Stop the Hush website says

Chris Gomez at a recent Stop the Hush Open Mic Night

“Stop the Hush began after watching friends and family struggle to let go of their addictions and find a way to stay sober and make positive decisions.“

“I am very much looking forward to it,” said Morgan on Finn’s Facebook wall. “And[I] am so happy to be of any help.”

She also claims she’s going to bring her tambourine & sing a song if we raise $500 that night (by the way, Morgan, I told them if we’d raise $500…)…

What to Expect at Stop the Hush Open Mic Night

The best of people
A fine crop of musicians
Great delicacies and drinks
That spark of inspiration and spontaneity that spurs from a fun-filled evening of engagement, friendship and music.

And with Finn & Morgan running the room, just expect the unexpected.

September 14, 2011 Stop the Hush Open Mic Night Quickfacts:

Venue: Open Mic Night
Date: September 14, 2011
Time: 7pm-10pm+ CST
Cost: $3
Can Anyone Play During the Open Mic Night?: Absolutely!
Food & Drink Specials: Uptown has daily food and drink specials. Come by and check them out!
Location:

Map to Uptown Cafe

View Larger Map

What Songs Do You Hope to Hear That Night?

For me, I want to hear Chris Gomez play Blind Melon’s, “Change,” as well as Chris Bake play anything on either his banjo or Resonator guitar.

Not to mention all those I have yet to hear!

Here in the #NWiTweetup world headquarters we are bit slow and way behind. Oh, I could offer up a ton of excuses like:

1. Finn has been out of town
2. Daver have been way busy with new clients & out of town
3. the weather has really been crappy
4. Richard – he really has not done anything to blamed for lately, but I will just so he does not get to comfortable

Well, we are getting caught up and so that time has come once again for Northwest Indiana to come together and hold our monthly #NWiTweetup. The April #NWiTweetup will be at…

*click the pic for the map

Here are the vitals":

• When – Wednesday April 27th from 630 to 830PM
• Where  – SMASH MOUTH BURGERS & PIZZA
                    764 E US Rte 30 
                    Schererville, IN 46375  – Route 30 & Cline Ave
• What – it is a tweetup, a meetup, networking and some serious sharing of ideas
• more what – it is pizza and burgers, Might, I add some damn fine pizza and burgers
• Why – cause you like taking the online offline

If you need more information just hit him up @DaveWoodson , call him at (219)872-8000 or you can email him at dave@nwitweetup.com

We look forward to seeing you all there, and we are working on a May NWiTweetup with a few places in mind, but if you have a suggestion. We would love to hear about them.

Dave

NOTE:  This discussion can be seen live on blogindiana.tv

We’ll be starting shortly.

The panel is assembled.

• @davewoodon – #nwitweetup (and Finn’s livebloggiing!)
• @dukelong – #Lafayette
• @danamnelson – Evansvile – #smcevv
• @amystark – Indy – #indysmm – Inaugural Indiana Social Media summit organizer! (at Scotty’s Northside of Indy)
• @willhardison – Indy – #indysmhh (Social Media Happy Hour) (held at Scotty’s downtown – helped promote)
• @cherylwatterson - Michiana – #tweetupmichiana

Summary of Tweetups around the State

Daver starts off, introducing #nwitweetup. And has been talking about growing, that it started with Kathy Sipple and how #NWITweetup is in the process of becoming a 5013-C charity. And how we’ve attracted media:  news media

Cheryl is talking about how they invited Michiana two weeks in advance via the local paper.

Duke is talking about how Lafayette is becoming more of a genera social media event, business networking, beer (thank you Scotty’s Brewhouse). Help from NWITweetup and Scotty’s Brewhouse!

Dana Nelson – just started …just started and recent…because their southwest Indiana they use #sweetup

Amy – started in the original #indytweetups with the legendary Dr. Thomas Ho. Original sessions were philosophical, coffee house chats. Not as successful, but intimate and engaging.

Will – had a lot of help from Scotty’s Brewhouse and Blog Indiana’s Noah Coffey – who created EventBrite which tweets out people who’ve signed up for  Social Media Happy hour event via EventBrite

Cheryl – tweetupmichiana is scheduled for 6 months out (already in 2011). Events are split up part networking part informative. Even have a membership platform and a radio talk show “The Tweetup chicks.”

How Easy is it to get Venues

Cheryl – once you’re established and growing, you have leverage…especially on a Tuesday / Wednesday night (slower night).

Audience on Tweetups – how do the different tweetups work together?

Daver – Michiana / NWitweetup cross promote. Everyone went to the smackdown event

Amy – #northof30

Dana – meet with Lacy and took it offline – phone – to work on growing Evansville.

Daver – aftertweetup and afterafter

Will – also working with IndyHub

Audience – How do you Get people with different interests to enjoy the tweetup?

Finn – beer and appetizers

Dave – provide forum, let people engage

Audience – Are tweetups are just open social events…how do you avoid getting to cliquish?

Dana – bring in different speakers….variety of industry in Eville…try to keep it fresh, include everyone. And we have a board of 6 that monitors the stream and then use their personal platform to encourage people go to

Amy – decentralizing power for many groups.

Will – his events are for younger crowd (he’s 26) but the common theme of wanting to learn more and networking is a common theme

Dana – if it’s on Twitter, it’s a tweetup. You ask someone over Twitter, others can come along (brilliant!).

Comment – Dr. Thomas Ho, “I’m more willing to go to a Tweetup where I can take my 14-year-old daughter.” (thank you, Dr!)

12 media: and many of us have another job

Amy: don’t overthink tweetups

Cheryl – partner share responsibilities

Daver – it’s because we’re taking the online, offline! Like when I met Duke for the first time!

Duke Long: I started the pink shorts! Networking is great, relationships are the goal!

Will – keeping it up every month is TOUGH, especially when trying to run two startup companies.

Duke – and you build that community. Like my big brother back here (me)

Audience question:  do you do tickets?

Daver – not really.sign-in sheets. Hard to predict

Finn – we’ll use business cards and sign up sheets for free stuff

Will – we’ll use eventbrite just to track! and it’ll keep attendance record. “If it’s a free ticket,” we’ll get 50%. and if they grab one, they don’t know if they’ll show up but they’ll have a reminder.

Dana – he had a “hidden industry.” By reaching out to the girls, making them feel welcome, we were able to break it out.

Daver – you don’t have to show up, but you want to show up. And restaurants want to put forth their best step – like Blue Chip Casino

Online Statement – Dr. Thomas HO – Erik Decker’s mobile work day is coming!

Online Question – How do you handle conflicts people who don’t like each other or don’t handle each other?

Daver – who cares? You’ll work it out. If you can’t work together, the market will dictate it.

Amy – story:  1080 group. He tweeted about a Metallica concert. 4 fans started following. 2 became clients. – Common interests are helpful as well

They’re are geeks. They’re denying it

Daver:  I got into Twitter because it gave me a new voice

Duke: I got into it to learn more. There are some smart people. The stuff we can learn on it is amazing.

Amy:  I take “geek” as a term of endearment.

Dana:  so many people get together to talk about hard topics…if you can put them differences aside, you can agree to disagree and still learn from each other

Audience Question:  can there too many people attending

Finn & Daver:  depends on the venue. Don’t get it too crowded.

Cheryl to Will – that’ s why having a partner can help. So you aren’t so overwhelmed

Duke – we’ve got others who plan. Right now it’s a lot who do breweries, and that’s cool

Online Question – Each of you – your next tweetup and how to attend

• Daver: – NWITweetup Aug 28 – tat’s place
• Duke:  – end of Sept at Scotty’s. Stay tunedd.
• Dana – smcevv – Third Monday of the month – Sept 20th
• Amy – social media smackdown / summit – December 30th.
• Will – smchh – this Monday (limited. sold out). Big one in Sept @ Ike & Jonz – watch on twitter.
• Cheryl – 14th sept at club lasalle, oct wine/cheese at indulgence -

On Wednesday, June 30th, from 11:30am-1pm, #NWITweetup will be just one of the 340 Meetups in 74 countries celebrating “Social Media Day.”

What Is Social Media Day?

Social Media Day is an event concocted by online magazine Mashable as a way to celebrate the revolutionary media and its growing presence in the world. No more; no less.

For more lack of details regarding how the even came about, please visit the Mashable site.

How #NWITWeetup will Celebrate Social Media Day

Here at #NWITweetup, not only did we want to celebrate the day, but to use the day as a time of reflection; to consider how the medium has trickled its way in to each and every one of our lives and how it will continue to impact us as we go further.

With that in mind, #NWITweetup is taking the time, while get the community is in the same room, to discuss the future of #NWITweetup. And, “no,” this will not be a one-shot deal, but a chance to get the dialogue started. It is our hope that the event will spur serious discussion. So if you can’t make it to the event, it’s okay. Please continue to send us tweets, comment on our posts, leave comments on this post, and…most importantly…BE HEARD!

Besides, we’ll be running the discussion live on UStream!

It is our hope that if the level of debate is raised on Wednesday, that by August 2010 we’ll have a direction to take us for next year. And if this goes well, we’ll have a tradition and we’ll do it all again next year.

List of Events (in No Particular Order) for #NWITweetup’s Social Media Day 2010.

11:30am – Gather, gaggle, and grub at Pepe’s in Valparaiso, IN.
12:00pm – Speaker: Steve Dalton. Topic: A mysterious secret.
12:10pm – Speaker: Dave Woodson. Topic: A secretive mystery.
12:20pm – Speaker: Nat Finn. Topic: “State of the #NWITweetup”
12:30pm – Discussion: “#NWITweetup 2010-11″
12:55pm – Giveaways: – Cartronix and Valpo Life (so FAR!!)

Topics for State of the #NWITweetup Discussion

Where would you like to see events hosted?
Who would like to host volutneer?
How much should #NWITWeetups cost? (Just kidding)
What days work best?
How many #NWITweetups a month?
Would you like to see workshops?
Should #NWITweetup try to gain interest from traditional businesses, or should those be seperate events?
Community Chest

Giveaways

Cartronix - free bluetooth headsets
Valpolife – clothes & gear

Other notes:

• Please comment here, tell us on twitter, or email us on nwitweetup@gmail.com your interest in attending so we don’t bomb Pepe’s unintentionally.
• The “State of the #NWITweetup” event will aire LIVE on UStream so if you can’t see it, you can catch it on your computer during your lunch break
• Cartonix’s Eric Carter will be on hand to partake in the discussion and to hand out free giveaways
• Valpolife founder Chris Mahlmann will be there to not only attend, partake in the discussion, and hand out free stuff but to also take video, pictures, and conduct interviews.
• Remember your business cards!

#NWITweetup’s 2010 Social Media Day Quick Facts

Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
Place: Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant, Valparaiso (on Rt. 2, just south of US 30)
Speakers: Daver, Dalton, Finn – and the #NWITweetup community
Free Stuff: Cartronix & Valpo Life & Portage Life
Free Food: Chips and Salsa. Pepe’s has lunch specials every day at great rates. I know. I’ve been eating lunch there once a week since January 2008.

Map to Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Valparaiso, IN.

View Larger Map

(photo credit: Mashable via Flickr)

We are still working out the details for Social Media Day whether it is going to be a lunch or a after hours extravaganza.  We would like to get a few more businesses there and then have some great learning sessions and some of the best networking in NW Indiana.

So stay tuned for more details and there is going to be one great low-lite reel on this very special episode of #NWiTweetup Video Recap

Social Media Day June 30th, Pepe’s In Valparaiso, Social Media Luncheon more details coming soon

and for the record, I know the sound is off on this I am working on it.

Stay tuned

Every month, I am more and more amazed at the crowds we are drawing to the monthly nwitweetups even when we have 2 in one month.

Needless to say, we brought a lot of business to Brickworks and we greatly appreciate everything you all did for us with the half-price beers that I think we all took advantage of. Even though, @parrotheaddad5 wanted a martini he got along just great with a couple of Phaino and even @babysteph took home a growler to the husband at home.  The long distance award go to my good friend @drdoughpizza who came to us via Joliet and was greatly impressed with the crowd that showed up and there are some talks of heading to Plano for a pizzatweetup.

Sadly, we have a tragedy in out midst.  I lost the sign-up sheet, but we had over 40 names on it and we all know not everyone signed in.   However, if you want a copy of the business cards just let me know.

I want to thank our sponsors that night for the fantastic give-a-ways.  Rick from @gossersales for the great #nwitweeup logo hats if you want to order one just let Rick know or you can visit his northwest Indiana custom logowear website.  Thanks again for the hats, Rick.  I love mine.

Also, @coachlee for letting us give away your great coaching book on how to increase sales by being the “red jacket”.  I think that is something I do very well.

Let us not forget, the great t-shirts from @brickworksbrew and the great NW Indiana brew experience.  I saw you give a couple of tours and I know that @drdoughpizza and @fanbrew greatly appreciated it.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and having a great time.  We got some great stuff planned for April and remember this is a team effort.  If you have an idea or want to go someplzce special we are here to help.  We want everyone to have a good time and lets have some fun while we learn, network and take the online offline and be social.

Dave

Hey, guys, once again, thank you all for braving the ice storms to make it out to the January 2010 tweetup. I’ve heard nobody had too much trouble getting home so that’s a blessing – to this point.

Next up is the SPECIAL January 2010 NWITweetup:  Blog Indiana View Party.

UPDATES to the Blog Indiana viewing party

1) The biggest update to the Blog Indiana viewing party is that the event will now have food sponsored by not only 1 great Region area restaurant, not 2 great region restaurants, but 3 great Northwest Indiana events.

Golden Technologies has been able to procure sponsor commitments from:

• Bistro 1-5-7
• Pikk’s Tavern
• Wagner’s Ribs

That’s enough to get me to bring my appetite if nothing else

2) There will be a subsequent #aftertweetup that will start at Golden Technologies’ Boiler Room after the Blog Indiana viewing party is over. Golden Tech partner Scott Dujmovich has extended and invitation to allow NWITweeps the use of the amenities and toys that have become synonymous with the Room to continue one on with the extended fun and networking.

3) The #NWITweetup logo design contest - originally to be announced on the January 2010 NWITweetup, will now be announced after the Blog Indiana viewing party!

Once again, a special thank you goes out to Golden Technologies for their extreme generosity.

NWITweetup Blog Indiana viewing party Quickfacts

Event: 2nd January 2010 NWI Tweetup – Blog Indiana Viewing Party
Place: Golden Tech of Valparaiso, IN
Time: 5:15pm – 7:15pm+ (with #tweetup to follow)
Host: Golden Technologies
Contact: Nat Finn – @natfinn
Refreshments: Sponsored by Wagner’s, Pikk’s, and Bistro 1-5-7 along with other “goodies”

(photo credit:  HelloLeticia via Flickr)

The Owners and Management of Buffalo Wild Wings of Portage have graciously invited us in for the January #NWITweetup.

Wednesday, January 20th @ 7pm

There will be some free appetizers for us to share, games to play from Golden Tee to trivia.

We will also be announcing a #NWITweetup logo contest for all of artistically gifted Tweeters.

So, come one come all and share the night with us.  As we network and get to meet face to face with those that we normally only get to use 14o characters.

If you have any questions you can tweet me @ Dave Woodson or NWITweetup

For Map and Directions

We are always looking for new ideas, if you would like to help let us know.  If you know a place that would like to hold a NWITweetup let us know.

Dave

The Region – Northwest Indiana – is in a fight to establish credibility with the rest of the state in terms of internet marketing, seo, and social media credibility! And you can join in the fight!

The 1st annual Indiana Social Media Summit Smackdown is being held on December 30th at Scotty’s Pub in downtown Indianapolis. Among the events of the groundbreaking luncheon include the much-debated Indiana Social Media awards. Several from the region have not only been nominated, but re in contention to win some pride-instilling hardware that will could make the rest of the state stand up and take note.

Indiana Social Media Summit – Region Nominees

Most Influential Social Media Dude:

• Steve Dalton
• Rahsaan Taylor
• Dave Woodson

Most Influential Social Media Dame:

• Nichole Baiel
• Kathy Sipple

Social Media Up & Comer:

• Nat Finn
• Laurie Griffith

You don’t have to sign up to vote. 1 vote per IP address.

Please show your support for Region Social Media by voting for your Region reps!

VOTING ENDS AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT EDT (11pm in the REGION)

and tell everyone you know to vote!

We all had a really great time Inmans , you can also follow them at @InmansValpo in early December.  We had a little over 40 attendees on a cold Monday night.  A great time was really had by all with me bringing up the rear and coming in last in all but one of my games.

If you are looking to book a part, I could not recommend them higher.  I think it would be perfect for a date night, a evening with other friends or a several couples that simply want to have fun in a smoke-free environment.   I am cigar smoker, but I love being able to go out and enjoy time with friends and not coming home smelling like smoke that is such a plus for me and many of my friends.

Also, I know coming up in January Inmans will be having some league nights for Cornhole/bean bags toss.  So, if you are anyone you may know are interested please visit the link and sign-up today.  I am sure the league will fill up fast.  Oh, I would be silly not to mention that they have bowling leagues every week.

So, if you are looking for family fun, a night out with friends, or just hanging with some friend to have some beer and pizza while you bowl, toss bean bags or play in the arcade.  You should head on over to Inmans in Valparaiso.

and from the entire #NWITweetup Crowd, we thank Brian Kadar and the entire crew @ Inmans for a great time.

For more information make sure you visit InmansValpo.com

It’s commonplace for people of The Region to head up and take in the finest Arts and Crafts of the city of Chicago. What isn’t as common is when Chicago is willing come down to the south side of the lake, discover, and exhibit talent from The Region. When that happens, we in Northwest Indiana should stand up and take note.

For the last few days, the Art From the Heart of the Dunes exhibit has been taking place in Lincoln Park in Chicago. Work from thirty of the Region’s most artistic talents has been put on display for all of Chicagoland to witness. A stirring event, Art From the Heart of the Dunes will be concluding today (Sunday, December 6th, 2009) with a closing ceremony from 11am to 3pm. Given by the Region’s own Chesterton Art Center, the closing reception will include the artwork as well as free food and drinks. I’m even told there will be free wine.

Art From the Heart of the Dunes Closing Reception Quick Facts:

Date: Sunday, December 6th, 2009

Time: 11am-3pm CST

Location: 2772 N. Lincoln Avenue. Chicago, IL  60614 (Lincoln Park). Easily accesible from either I-90 or Lake Shore Drive.

Map:

View Larger Map

Let Us Know If You Attend

(photo credit: Dune and Prairie Photo via Flickr)