Probably the best record fair in the Eastern USA (maybe in the top 5 worldwide) takes place at the Metropolitan Pavilion from Friday October 28th to Sunday October 30th 2011. It’s the WFMU Record Fair
Hours are:
7pm to 10pm Friday
10am to 7pm Saturday
10am to 7pm Sunday
Admission is $7 each day. Frenzied collectors can pay $25.00 for 4pm admission on Friday and that then gets them in for all three days.
The Metropolitan Pavilion is at 125 West 18th Street, between 6th and 7th Aves.
WFMU broadcasts from the event and there are live musical acts also. This year there is an associated event taking place upstairs called the WFMU RadioVision Festival. “Celebrating radio’s future as it takes on new forms in the digital
age for the medium’s fans, tinkerers and future thinkers.”
Here is a complete dealer and performer list from the WFMU site (pdf) Each dealer is listed along with their location (table number) a short description of their wares. There is also a map.
If you do decide to come to the show and you have never been before, here are a few tips:
1) Prepare yourself for sensory overload. You will certainly see records here which you have never seen before, and which you will never see again.
2) Stay hydrated. There is a bar and there is (pretty good) pizza, but you’ll definitely want to bring water.
3) Most dealers accept cash only. A few dealers accept credit cards.
4) If you see an interesting table, investigate it right away. Some dealers do not do all three days of the show.
5) If you see an interesting record, buy it immediately. It will likely not be there when you come back.
6) Be prepared to see other people walking around with records you wish you had.
7) Try to be tolerant of other customers and their elbows. Be gently but firm in establishing your personal space. This is New York City and some people can forget themselves when face with all the amazing records and a time crunch.
8) Have a plan. Go through the dealer list and map and plan out a strategy focused on your area of interest. Or just start at one corner and work your way to the next.