posted 07-31-2006 03:07 PM               

I just booked my tickets online (£42 for two)

See you there !

posted 08-01-2006 10:06 AM               

I'm going, not expecting to get an autograph, if he does sign it's a bonus to what sounds like a great evening.

posted 08-01-2006 12:43 PM               

Booked my ticket as well to meet a personal 6th moonwalker

Any suggestion of a reasonnable hotel not too far from the venue?

Cheers

posted 08-24-2006 10:12 AM               

Adam.

P.S. Leslie Bean said "It will be very difficult for Alan to sign things at this event".
So don't be dissapointed if there is a no sigs policy, but just enjoy the evening.

posted 09-07-2006 09:35 PM            

"Moodust" is now out in paperback (or 'limpback' for you Brits) and has reached #2 on the UK bestseller list.

Novaspace has sold three Alan Bean original paintings to UK people recently, all attributable to "Moondust." HAIL BRITANNIA!

posted 09-08-2006 06:36 AM               

I must admit an Alan Bean picture would be very indeed! I recently got his book, and there are one or two that would look very nice at home. One day...

posted 09-10-2006 02:29 PM               

I hope everyone who has gone is having a good evening :-(

posted 09-11-2006 12:13 PM               

After a short introduction by Andrew Smith Bean came onto the stage to a huge round of applause. And went straight into a 90 min blow by blow account of his NASA and artist careers without hardly pausing for breath! His enthusiasm for both was tremendous!

Here Alan is explaining how they tried to simulate 1/6th G on earth, unfortunately this system using wires and pulleys attached to the suit, only resulted in a painful 'Wedgy'

He carried on mixing NASA and art subjects, and told the story behind a lot of his paintings, including how the flown patches that he mixes into his paint, are now about 2 thirds gone!

After the lecture there was a 30 Q & A session, and after that I was surprised to hear that there would be an autograph session. At which point everyone jumped up and proceeded downstairs to join the rather long queue!

Being the 'RoundHouse' the queue quite literally went around the building! I would estimate that the signing went to nearly 2 hours!

Alan was very jovial and took time to sign and speak to each person

Here Alan is relieved to hear that I received the panoramas he sent me earlier in the week

All in all, a great night. Sorry again to Adam that you couldnt make it

Thanks

Mike Constantine
http://moonpans.com

posted 09-11-2006 12:34 PM               

I also went to see Alan bean last night at the Roundhouse. It was a very enjoyable evening. Alan turned up just after 5 (he was due ‘on’ at 7pm). A couple of other guys spotted him also, and he shook hands and signed a couple of items. He promised he would sign after the event. I whiled away the time chatting to Paul and Andrew, both CSers, and was joined by another enthusiast, and another Paul, later. Whilst waiting for the event one of the Paul’s spotted Reg Turnhill, familiar in the 60s and 70s as the BBC’s aerospace correspondent, and who covered all the launches. We chatted to him and his wife, and he signed also.

Alan Bean was introduced by Andrew Smith, ‘Moondust’ author, and gave an illustrated talk, for about an hour and three-quarters. He was a great talker, with lots of stories. He showed some slides of his paintings that weren’t in his book, for instance Pete Conrad passing a ball to a running Al Bean on the moon, and Jim Irwin knelling in prayer, both great pictures. At the end Andrew Smith asked Al a couple of questions on the stage and then there were questions form the substantial audience – it was a full house. Alan said he would sign, and at the end a huge queue formed; it looked like the whole audience. He signed one item each, posed for photos, but didn’t really have time for questions. Luckily I was near the head of the queue (with a copy of his book to sign) – goodness knows what time he finished with the many people there.

This was a good evening. I grew up in the 60s and the astronauts were my heroes – like may I had scrapbooks, magazines, models – so it was a real thrill to meet one in the flesh, a moonwalker, and Al Bean at that.

posted 09-11-2006 12:48 PM               

No, it's 'paperback' over here also, not 'limpback' Makes it sound like we've no spine. We've got backbone all right!

Regards

posted 09-11-2006 12:59 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve Procter:
No, it's 'paperback' over here also, not 'limpback' Makes it sound like we've no spine. We've got backbone all right!

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Which is a good thing, because I can't imagine the Beatles singing "Limpback Writer."