an event of Costumer's Guild West, Inc.
Costume College is a three-day educational conference on all subjects relating to costuming and clothing. The Costumer's Guild West, Inc. (a.k.a. the CGW) is the organization that yearly produces Costume College. In 2009, it will take place at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California. The purpose of Costume College is to provide educational classes, programs, and tours covering all aspects of costuming.
Here is all the peripheral, but vital information you may need to make your Costume College a fabulous event.
Before College begins:
Roommates - we have a roommate service, to help you find a room if you left getting one too late, or a roommate if you don't have one or is you've suddenly lost yours. And it's a great way to meet people! E-mail our roommate coordinator for more information. Click on the link to reach the Contacts page and look for "Roommates."
During Costume College:
Volunteer - volunteering is a way to help Costume College, meet new people, spend time doing something you might not have thought of (like manning the information table or the display rooms), win prizes, and did we mention meeting new people?
Information - We have an information table at Costume College, which is manned as many hours as we can manage, to help you find a class, a friend, someone to buy your Gala ticket, someone to sell you a Gala ticket, and sometimes just to talk costumes. It's a wonderful way to meet people. Come use the information, or come help man the table.
Click on the link to reach the Contacts page and look for "Volunteers" and "Information." ARE THERE STILL COSTUME COLLEGE MEMBERSHIPS, GALA TICKETS, AND TEA TICKETS AVAILABLE?
Memberships for Costume College will be available under guidelines outlined on our Applications page. Gala tickets and Tea tickets are separately available, unless we post a statement indicating that they are sold out. We strongly suggest that you purchase your memberships and tickets as early as possible. Not only do we sell out quickly, but also the date when your membership is purchased may affect whether you can get into some of the limited attendance classes.
CAN I ATTEND ANY OF THE CLASSES WITHOUT HAVING A COLLEGE MEMBERSHIP?
Emphatically NO. Unless you have a membership in Costume College, you may not attend any
classes or participate in any tours. You may come to the Gala or Tea if you have purchased a ticket for those events, and anyone may come into the Costumer's Marketplace to shop, but you may not attend any other event, class, program, or tour presented at or by Costume College without a membership.
CAN I BUY A MEMBERSHIP FOR ONLY ONE DAY OF COLLEGE?
No. Costume College does not sell one-day memberships. Whether you attend one day or all three, our cost to produce the information we provide to our attending members is the same no matter how many days someone attends. Therefore, only full memberships are sold in order to cover our costs.
CAN I BUY MY MEMBERSHIP ON LINE?
Sorry, no. We are not set up to take memberships on line. We are aware of PayPal and other on-line ways of payment, but for now have chosen not to use them. The reason has to do with service charges. We are an educational, all-volunteer organization and part of how we can offer Costume College so inexpensively is by keeping our overhead down.
CAN I COME TO COSTUME COLLEGE IF I'M NOT A MEMBER OF THE COSTUMER'S GUILD WEST?
Yes. Costume College is open to anyone who purchases a membership. However, you receive a discount on your College membership, Time Traveler's Gala and/or Sunday Fantasy Tea tickets if you are a member of the Costumer's Guild West (or a CGW-designated sister organization).
WHO ARE THE CGW-DESIGNATED SISTER ORGANIZATIONS?
Currently the CGW has two sister organizations: the Greater Bay Area Costumer's Guild and the San Diego Costumer's Guild.
CAN I GET COLLEGE CREDITS FOR COSTUME COLLEGE?
Costume College is not an accredited college, or a college of any sort by the legal definition of "college." Costume College is simply the name we've given the three-day seminar produced by the Costumer's Guild West. There are no credits given by Costume College and there is no official application to an accredited school any of our students could use to apply to their formal education.
CAN I SIGN UP THE DAY OF THE COLLEGE?
NO, there are no at-the-door memberships. Because there is so much paperwork and preparation associated with running our conference, we cannot allow for at-the-door memberships - we would not be able to anticipate how many student packets to create, nor would be able to control overcrowding in classes. This is one way we keep our conference at a membership level that allows our students to get the best possible information under the best possible conditions.
DO I NEED TO BUY A COLLEGE MEMBERSHIP TO GET INTO THE GALA OR TEA?
Good news! You can come to either event just by buying a ticket for that event. Contact our Registrar for more information. But get your money in soon since these events sell out quickly.
DO I NEED TO BUY A COLLEGE MEMBERSHIP TO GO INTO THE MARKETPLACE OR IS THERE ANY SEPARATE CHARGE FOR THE MARKETPLACE?
The answer to both is no. The Costumer's Marketplace is open and free to the general public as well as to our College members. Everyone is welcome!
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN ATTEND COSTUME COLLEGE?
We limit our student attendance at Costume College to around 400. This is why we often sell out months before the event and why we recommend early purchase of Costume College memberships.
I BOUGHT A MEMBERSHIP TO COSTUME COLLEGE, BUT NOW I CAN'T GO. HOW DO I GET A REFUND?
Contact the Registrar for information. In order to receive the refund, however, you must notify our Registrar in writing either by e-mail or by US Mail. No refunds will be made if we are not notified in writing and if the postmark date (from the US Postal Service) of notification is after the cutoff. Please allow six to eight weeks processing time for your refund. Posting your need on the Costumer's Guild Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CGWcostumers/ is a good way to let people know you can't attend and want to sell your ticket.
I BOUGHT A MEMBERSHIP, BUT I WANT TO TRANSFER IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. CAN I DO THAT, AND IF SO, HOW DO I DO THAT?
You may transfer a membership. However, our Registrar must receive your request in writing either by e-mail or US Mail. The Registrar can tell you the date she needs to receive it. Please include in your written notification your name, address, and telephone number as well as the name, address, and telephone number of the person to whom you are transferring the membership.
I BOUGHT MY COSTUME COLLEGE MEMBERSHIP. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once you buy your membership, within four to six weeks you should receive a confirming note with a receipt from our Registrar. If you do not received confirmation of your membership purchase within that time, you should contact our Registrar to inquire about your membership status. Then, sometime in late April/early May, you will receive your Registration Packet with your Registration Booklet and lots of other information. In your Packet, you will find a Limited Attendance Sign-up form that you fill out and return to us. There may be a few other forms in the Packet you will need to complete and return to us, depending on what event ticket(s) you purchased. After we get all the class forms back, we go through them and choose who gets into which limited attendance classes/tours. Then, in approximately mid-June, you receive a confirming letter from us informing you which classes we have registered you in. You must then mail any required fees back to us within approximately a two-week period. If someone fails to pay their class fee(s) in the specified time, we then start calling people on the class waiting lists to let them know that a place has opened. After that, it's off to College where you'll have a great time.
I REALLY WANT TO GO TO AN EVENT THAT'S SOLD OUT. IS THERE A WAITING LIST FOR REFUNDED TICKETS?
There is no waiting list for refunded or extra tickets. However, many times people cannot go to an event for which they've purchased a ticket. We have arranged for a notice board next to the Information Desk at Costume College that allows people to post notices if they are looking for a ticket to an event or if they have a ticket to sell. You can purchase a ticket to one of these sold-out events in this way if any are available. It is a direct purchase from the original buyer of the ticket and is not under the control of Costume College. Costume College is responsible for no part of your purchase or this ticket sale.
I SENT IN MY CHECK BUT I HAVEN'T YET RECEIVED CONFIRMATION OF MY MEMBERSHIP. WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT?
If it's been over six weeks since you sent in your application and you still haven't received a confirmation, you should contact our Registrar who knows all regarding who's coming and who purchased what.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT EVENTS I SIGNED UP FOR. DID I JUST BUY A MEMBERSHIP OR DID I INCLUDE A GALA AND/OR TEA TICKET? WHAT DO I DO?
Contact our Registrar who knows all about who bought what.
IS THERE A CAMPUS FOR COSTUME COLLEGE?
Costume College is NOT a true college. This is just the name we've given our conference. Costume College is simply a three-day seminar which takes place at a hotel as many conferences do. Our hotel is the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California. Click on the link to see what it's like.
WHERE DOES COSTUME COLLEGE TAKE PLACE?
Costume College is held at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California. Click on this Hotel Link to learn more about our location.
I SENT IN MY CLASS FEES, BUT THE CHECKS HAVEN'T CLEARED MY BANK. IS EVERYTHING OKAY?
Yes. Our teachers are given the checks for the limited attendance class fees when they arrive at Costume College, though they've already purchased materials for their students in advance. Therefore, your checks will not be cashed until after Costume College.
SHOULD I COME TO COSTUME COLLEGE ON FRIDAY?
Yes, emphatically, YES! Friday not only has the tours going to famous Los Angeles locations, but it also has a full schedule of classes, and the Marketplace opens on Friday. Additionally, there's Orientation, evening dance classes, the Friday Night Social in the Hospitality Room, and the Panic Room sewing room.
WHAT IS THE BASIC SCHEDULE FOR COSTUME COLLEGE?
The following schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Friday
Tours - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Classes - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Marketplace - 7:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Orientation - 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday Night Social in the Hospitality Suite - 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Dance Lessons - 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Panic Room - 8:00 to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday
Classes - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Marketplace - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Time Traveler's Gala - 6:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Hospitality Suite - 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Sunday
Classes - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Marketplace - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Fantasy Tea - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
CGW Annual Meeting - 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
School's Out Party in the Hospitality Suite - 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Monday
LA Fabric District Tour - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ARE THERE ANY EXTRA FEES BEYOND MY MEMBERSHIP?
Yes, some of the classes and tours do have extra fees associated with them. You will be responsible for paying those additional class fees (which can range anywhere from $1.00 to $65.00 depending on the class). These fees do not end up in the accounts of Costume College. They are strictly to reimburse the individual volunteer teacher for his or her costs and go directly from you to the instructor. Additionally, the tours have a separate fee, which covers transportation and entrance to the tour locations (these fees can range from $25.00 to $40.00 depending on the location of the tour). Please note if there is an event that has a separate ticket (such as the Gala or Tea), you will need to purchase a ticket for that, if it is not sold out. All these fees will be listed in the Registration Booklet you receive around the end of the April/beginning of May after you purchase a membership.
WHY ARE THERE FEES FOR SOME CLASSES?
These fees, which range from $1.00 to $65.00 depending on the class, are strictly to cover the costs of materials the teacher provides to the students. The fee may be for something as simple as handouts or you may end up making a corset for your $65.00 class fee. The amount of the fee is not under the control of Costume College and is solely determined by the individual instructors.
WHAT DOES THE COSTUME COLLEGE FEE INCLUDE?
The fee for Costume College includes a membership into Costume College itself, entrance into all non-ticketed events associated with Costume College including the Friday night reception/orientation, and dance lessons on Friday night to get you in the "mood" for the Gala. You will receive all registration and student publications, and any "freebies" we might be able to arrange (though there is no guarantee we will have those). Additionally, there's always the "School's Out" party on Sunday night, and you can join us in the Hospitality Suite any time it is open. Most importantly, you will be able to attend all classes that are unlimited in attendance, and apply for all limited attendance classes/tours. However, your registration fee does not guarantee you a place in limited attendance workshops/classes or on the tours, and with many of the classes (both limited and unlimited) there is an associated fee to cover the instructor's costs. You will be responsible for paying those additional class fees.
DO I NEED TO BUY A COLLEGE MEMBERSHIP TO GET INTO THE GALA OR TEA?
Good news! You can come to either event just by buying a ticket for that event. Contact the Registrar for prices, but get your money in soon since these events sell out quickly.
I BOUGHT A GALA/TEA TICKET, BUT NOW I CAN'T GO. HOW DO I GET A REFUND?
You can get a full refund for Gala or Tea tickets by notifying our Registrar in writing either by e-mail or by US Mail. There is a deadline. Contact the Registrar for the date. No refunds will be made if we are not notified in writing and if the postmark date (from the US Postal Service) of notification is after the cutoff. Please allow for six to eight weeks processing time for your refund.
I BOUGHT A TICKET TO THE GALA/TEA, BUT NOW I CAN'T GO AND IT'S AFTER THE REFUND DATE. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET A REFUND OR SELL MY TICKET?
If it's after the cutoff date, we cannot refund your money, but you may sell your ticket to someone else. We are not responsible for finding a buyer for you and cannot directly assist you with this. However, when you come to Costume College, there will be a notice board by the Information Desk where you can post a note that you have a ticket for sale and in what manner the buyer may contact you.
WHAT DO I DO IF I'M A VEGETARIAN OR ALLERGIC TO SOMETHING BEING SERVED AT THE GALA?
When we send you your Registration Packet, it will include our Gala menu. You will receive a special food request form, which you can use to tell us whether you want a vegetarian meal or the special meal designed for our guests with food allergies. However, there are no food substitutions for any of the three meals offered at the Gala.
WHAT DO I DO IF I'M A VEGETARIAN OR ALLERGIC TO SOMETHING BEING SERVED AT THE TEA?
Because of the nature of the Tea, no food substitutions or changes can be made to the menu. As soon as is reasonably possible, we will publish the menu for the Tea so that you will be able to make an informed decision about attending this event.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC IS PLAYED AT THE GALA? DO I NEED TO BRING A DATE?
All types - we have four or five sets of music and each one contains something for everyone (about six to eight dances per set). There are usually waltzes (and not just a Viennese waltz - all different types), rock and roll dances (good for people without partners), two-steps, one-steps, historical dances (taught to you during the Gala), sometimes a tango or polka, definitely Latin rhythms (rumba, samba, salsa, etc.), and silly dances (Conga, anyone?), too. We make sure we have dances for couples, but we also have dances for our guests who are single and/or unaccompanied (which most of them are). So, no date is needed to come to the Gala and have fun.
I REALLY WANT TO STAY AT THE HOTEL, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD A ROOM BY MYSELF. WHAT CAN I DO?
We provide a roommate finding service specifically for this situation. When you receive your Registration Packet, it will contain instructions on contacting our Roommate Coordinator. Once you have contacted our Coordinator and provided the information we need to help you find a roommate, we then provide the contact information to each of the parties looking for a roommate and you make the connection and arrangements. This makes it very easy for someone to find a roommate with whom they can share hotel room costs. We have an excellent Roommate Coordinator.
IS IT WORTH STAYING AT THE HOTEL?
Well, our answer is "yes, Yes, YES!" There are lots of things that happen during the run of College that are not on any schedule. That's because they're spontaneous and you would be missing out on a lot of great happenings if you have to leave because you're staying someplace else or simply weren't there when everybody wanted to go play. Also, because classes begin so very early and many of the events last until late, it's just plain more convenient, comfortable, and safer to stay at the hotel. Don't forget, along with your hotel room comes a complimentary breakfast buffet for every registered guest (and it's pretty good if we say so ourselves - no tiny continental breakfast for our members). Besides, the prices offered by the hotel are a real bargain in today's market, the parking charge is nominal (considerably lower than most hotels), and the hotel has coffee makers and irons/ironing boards in each room, a full sized swimming pool, three Jacuzzis, a workout room, two great restaurants, and a full bar.
Our College hotel is the Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Ave. in Van Nuys near the Van Nuys airport. It is a lovely mid-sized hotel which frequently hosts weddings in its Midway Gardens. Much of the hotel has been freshly renovated, with irons and coffee makers in every room. Rooms are large enough to accommodate up to four people comfortably and have full-length mirrors.
Our special room rate for 2008 is $101 single/double occupancy, $106 triple occupancy, and $111 quadruple occupancy. Parking is $5.00 per day. Your stay includes a free American Breakfast buffet for each registered guest. This isn't just a little croissant and a cup of coffee: we're talking a full hearty breakfast that changes daily. The hotel makes sure that breakfast is served early enough to get our students to class on time. These rates are good for about a week around the period of College. Check this area closer to the time of College to get the exact dates. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-350-1111. You must mention Costume College to get this rate. The rate may change from year to year. Since programming starts early and events are planned for most nights, we encourage all members to stay in the hotel with us. Besides you'll want a place to change clothes.
CAN I WEAR COSTUMES AT COSTUME COLLEGE?
You can wear anything you like so long as it's for a PG13 audience. However, we actually discourage costume wearing while attending classes, and forbid the wearing of hoops in class. You should be as comfortable as possible and costumes are not always that. There may also be times when space is limited in a classroom, so big costumes are out of the question. Additionally, we advise that our attendees dress in layers since the classrooms vary in temperature, therefore a costume may not help keep the best body temperature for that room. Finally, there are safety issues with costumes in some of the workshops, and costumes are absolutely forbidden on the tours. So, we would prefer you save your costume wearing for the Tea, the Gala, and other social events occurring during the run of College.
I WANT TO SELL ITEMS IN THE MARKETPLACE, HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING SPACE AND INFORMATION?
All applications for the Marketplace go out in approximately January of every year and merchants for the Marketplace are usually chosen by the end of March through a juried process. If you are interested in being a dealer in our Marketplace, please contact our Marketplace Chair.
WHO IS TEACHING THESE CLASSES?
You will find a list of our teachers with short bios telling you something about them, on our Teachers web page. They range from professional museum curators all the way to expert hobbyists. Additionally, our teachers come from across the country to join Costume College's faculty. And remember, every single one of them, from amateur to professional, does this solely on a voluntary basis - not a single teacher is paid for the instruction they provide. That's how special Costume College is to them and our students as well.
HOW CLOSE IS COLLEGE TO DISNEYLAND?
There is unfortunately no simple answer to this question. The physical distance of Disneyland from College (approximately 48 miles) is no indication of how long it takes to get there (this is Los Angeles, after all). Without traffic issues the park is only about a one-hour drive. However, it can take up to three hours to get to Disneyland from the AirTel Plaza. These conditions are dependent upon what day you're going, what time of day it is, and what the traffic conditions are like. We recommend you allow for no less travel time than two hours. |
