Just to add to Jim Divoky's posting, I spent my whole career on
campuses and would recommend them as nice environments for various
events such as ours.  Most universities offer "Conference and Workshop"
offices as well as "Adult / Lifelong Learning" offices.  These are
perfect places to start in a search for a sites.  Staff in these
offices are typically excited by dealing with the "unusual."  Most
universities have good _outdoor_ facilities and are decent spots for
band organs rallies.

The only cautions I would add: summer facilities are being booked
well in advance for large events.  Also, many universities now find
the need to add overhead and may make their facilities nearly as
costly as traditional convention facilities.

Finally, I _do_ recommend universities as great places for public
events and in most communities they are able to draw lots of public
interest and attention for unique activities --- just what mechanical
music can use.

Joe Berman