Create celebration and celebrate creation! LSPE's 30th
 

Please be creative on my behalf. I can't attend that day: I'll be packing my bags with 1276 Tim Tams and assorted Vegemites, then trying to fit my undies on top of them...

...I would like to see the old Zoo area once there, though...

Ewwwwww, underwear-stunk-up-Tim-Tams.

Ew.

Oh gosh! That's right at the tail end of my travel (current version) but I will certainly try to make it! Willing to teach knitting and even lead some singing. Provided you like songs about cuckolds. And drinking.

Technically my shift request is in late, but I'll try to be there!

Obviously, I can't be there, but I did want to say: great idea, great invite. Very well done.

Unlike the memorial.

Mmmmmmm bacon sculpture......

I know I'm too late to ask for a shift request also, but since I usually am scheduled at night, it's a possibility the Wolfpack may show up. Will have to wait and see.

Best. Idea. Ever.

Agreed!

How early do you plan on being there? Ken and I have a prior commitment up in the Valley, but would love to stop by on our way. :)

Oh man, what a fabulous invitation and idea!

:( sad cheese says no.

Oh excellent, it also happens to be a filming location for Anchorman :D

Schedule's not posted, you can always ask. Worst they do is say no.

I love this! What a great idea for a birthday gathering! :snap:

I have no idea yet if I can make this, but I would love, love, love to be there. The most fabulous thing would be to kidnap Snowflake and take her down with me! Oh, how I wish!

So excited!!

I totally understand if people aren't available, but if you are, I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

We've got a couple others who'll only be available in the morning, so Tom and I will probably be there by or before 10 AM. No worries if you can't stay, or can only come for part of it. We decided to do a long-day thing so that those who wanted could spend the time creating, and those only available for part of the day could come for that part (whatever part it is, heh.)

And also, we didn't squeeze this one into the invite, but I also wanted to note:

I really love the invitation! You guys are so creative. :)

Very!

I forgot to suggest kidnapping my neighbor, libraryvixen! How could I? But she has her big explore coming up, so probably unavailable. :(

Count us in for the first couple hours then. :)

I might bring a quickie craft project too.

Brilliant idea, by the way! :snap:

Oh great. Another new site for me to waste a bunch of time perusing.

I'll be there, but I'll leave the burning stuff at home.

Heh. I have friends who are fire-dancers coming. (I'm trying to figure out what is permissible there.)

Use my theory: it ain't illegal if you don't get caught.

I'll have my camera and a few different Nikon lenses (if anybody is interested)

Well, given the recent burn at Griffith Park, my guess is they wouldn't be too keen

They do have charcoal grills there, though. Heh.

Maddie and I will try to make it.

Really? My daughter loves to paint and wants to go! Would Madz be cool with meeting my 10-almost-11 year old?

She also has another idea, which would require me to choreograph something, but I am not even sure I will have the kids on that weekend.

If awesome out-of-towners are able to awesomely come from out-of-town (which would be so cool!) we can fit people on air mattresses and couches in our home!

And I love little artists as well as big ones; how cool it would be to have junior creators in our midst.

Not sure i can make it depending on my schedule. I already buttered up the boss to get this Sat off (late request) lol. I know Matt will be there regardless. I either open or else i'm a mid shift which i don't get out til late in the evening or close. Won't know til next Fri most likely.

We'll be there - all three of us (unless Chris ends up doing some sort of dental fun that day). Thurston is quite the art dog. I'll see if he can grace us with one of his Acrobatic Pees.

I have some ideas and I'll see if I can get some other artists involved.

This will be interesting. Well d'uh.

But I mean that all my creative work for the past decade or so has involved technology or large scale design ... neither of which will be practical at this fantasmagorial event.

Back to basics. Yay!!!

Can we dye Thurston?

no

She would love too. We're just not 100% sure if we can make it. She's decided to run for Jr. Rodeo Queen and there is all this pagent stuff. Please kill me now :rolleyes:

I'm also not sure if we can make it, so we have that in common.

Madz will be a fabulous Jr. Rodeo Queen, if she decides she wants to go for that. You have my sympathies though, because that does sound rather trying for the mom.

OMG - you need to dye the jeans to match the shirt and paint the boots to match etc. Egads. Not to metion the ozone hole inducing amount of hairspray that will be necessary.

Oh, I am familiar with the ritual, but not in rodeo. Dance recitals. Dye-to-match shoes, hand sewn sequins on costumes, and a can of hairspray per performance...

But I promise if we do any dancing at this party, we won't wear any hairspray or crazy costumes! :blush:

We don't have a set end-time, but I don't imagine that we could stay past dusk, at the latest.

Oooh! I hope to meet them! I seriously want to find out about learning fire poi. :)

In light of my last post (pun intended), I just decided that would be a fun and easy thing to bring that day, so I just ordered a set of glow poi. :)

LSPE - may you have much entertainment in watching me bonk myself in the head many times that morning. ;)

Aw, that's so awesome, DP! I will encourage my fire-dancin' pals to come in the morning so they can meet you.

And KS, man, you are a brave woman to tread into the world of pageantry. Madz is awesome - I wish her the best of luck!

I hope KB doesn't see this and take it out of context.

I'm sure he heard the bat signal and will be here shortly.

It isn't looking too likely that we can make it, but I wish we could. If the Boss Radio family comes out for this and I miss it, I will be even sadder.

If anyone wants to learn some renaissance social dancing which is a) easy and b) doesn't involve sequins or dyed-to-match shoes, I can try to rustle up the music.

Sweet. If I can make it, I'm totally up for learning that.

I've met Russell. He is a pretty decent Renaissance musician.

I'll be flinging poo at a large canvas.

The idea is to do something ORIGINAL and creative, not just your standard Saturday afternoon.

I will learn nearly any type of dancing!

If I am not in AZ I will be there, with my unsophisticated digital camera and some art supplies. Please note, those art supplies may consist of a coloring book and Crayolas.

My poi have been shipped! :D

Why must all the awesome things happen three days before I'm in town?!?! That kills me. It looks like an awesome time!

A reminder that this Saturday is the awesome event.

Some reminders and odds and ends:
-We have a location reserved in case of inclement weather. It is in the condo complex that houses GD and CP, and may be known by some of you as the site of BlueErica's departing-Southern-California party. Fingers are remaining crossed, but should weather look bad that morning check this space for directions/instructions, etc. And many thanks to the Happy Haunts for their assistance in the planning.
-LSPE and I will have some drinks on hand - probably water and sodas, primarily - and there will be a cake. And you are all welcome to bring anything else you would like to eat or drink in your picnic baskets.*
-There is shade at the location, but not everywhere, so please remember sun protection - sunblock, hats, and clothing. Layered clothing is probably a good idea in case it gets cool or windy, particularly later in the day.
-There are some picnic tables and benches, but the supply is limited. Those who have portable chairs/tables/blankets should probably consider bringing them along.
-When we checked out the location this past weekend, it became clear that it might be necessary for some of you to hunt around the area to find parking, particularly those who are coming later. When we went at about 3 in the afternoon, all parking places near the Old Zoo were taken. There are a number of other places to park in the surrounding area, and anyone can call or text LSPE or I if you should need more directions to the location, either before or after parking.

* Actual baskets optional. Other carrying devices also accepted.

So a checklist of things to bring on the day:
1) Yourself (-selves)
2) Creative supplies
3) Layered clothing
4) Hats and sunblock
5) Desired food and drink
6) Seats, tables, blankets, etc.
7) Creative and celebratory spirit


LSPE and I should be at the location from 10am onward (until dusk, probably), and we are so looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Yay. I haven't Ren Danced since the heyday of the Ren Faire, when I'd dance my face off and then collapse in the hey.

Nonny nonny.

Since I never posted as such previously, Susan and I are planning on being there. Since this is a public place, I guess body painting is not an option.

Does anyone have a battery operated music-producing device capable of playing either mp3 CDs or linking directly from an mp3 player? Or is there electrical power availble at the site?

We've got portable battery operated speakers we'll bring.

Groovy! If they have the ability to plug in my mp3 player via headphone jack or somesuch, then we should be all set for dancing like peas, washerwomen, and horses.

That should appease the washerwomen. But no horsing around.

Yup, no prob. We'll bring extra batteries.

I'll be trying to sweet talk my stage scheduler into giving me an ADO or at least a late shift (I have one of those evil "group shift" things, which means I don't actually know my schedule till perhaps hours before I report for work. But if I can, I plan to be there.

I'm crossing my fingers for your ADO, Morri!

We're getting close to the big day and I'm excited.

I've been preparing scene work and warm-up activities and games. I was thinking - I've got a two-person scene I'm working on, but if anyone would like to play around with me... I've got a couple of fun theater games that will help my actors warm-up. And they're better played in big groups. Would anybody join me in some random creative silliness? (well, directed random creative silliness. The whole day is supposed to be random-random creative silliness...)

I have no flippin' idea what I am going to do tomorrow (since most of my creative endeavors involve non-portable power tools), I would be happy to assist you in whatever is needed.

I will do whatever is happening :)

Since I'm on Post Training/Group Shift I don't even get my shift hours until tomorrow morning, so doesn't look good for us at all. But who knows?

99% in. Just trying to get over my anxiety of driving up there.

There might be carpoolers available...

Or if you take the train to Union Station we could pick you up!

Has everybody RSVPed? Tom is heading out on a shopping trip and we're trying to get a ballpark figure for supplies, etc.

The only way to combat it is to do it. I'll fill out the Wiki.

Polo got cancelled so Maddie and I are in!

So, um, where exactly is the old LA zoo and how do we get there?

Directions are in the first post.

We're in.

Ah, thanks.


I was distracted by all the retro pictures.

I didn't RSVP for the Rat, but he's planning to join in the creative fun. (can't log into the rsvp site from work or I'd add him now myself.)

What time frame are we aiming for here? BJ has to work until 4 and so I was hoping he could join us afterwards.

I missed that detail earlier, but have updated now.

For those who missed it in the first post;
The WIKI: http://heidis30th.pbwiki.com/
The Zoo: http://english.glendale.cc.ca.us/zoo.html
Directions to the old Los Angeles Zoo:
From the 5 freeway, north or south, exit at Los Feliz Blvd. If you were heading north on the 5, turn left off the exit, then turn right at the next stoplight (Riverside), into Griffith Park. If you were heading south on the 5, stay to the right after exiting, continue in the right lane, and turn right at the stoplight (Riverside), into Griffith Park. Continue along this road for approximately 1.4 miles, then turn left on Griffith Park Dr. Proceed past the charmingly named Wilson-Harding Turf Management Center, then as the road bears right, bear left into the parking area. Proceed forward – the parking area is like a driveway that ends in a cul-de-sac, and you want to park close to the cul-de-sac (or as close as possible). From there, look for the steps going upward. These will take you to the old Zoo area.

Joe, BJ will totally be there in time to enjoy. Tom and I will be there until dusk. (We arrive at 10 to set stuff up - I know of others who are coming on the early side, and others who are staying later.)

One addendum to the directions, which might help prevent confusion for those using maps or GPS's: When you turn at Riverside to go into the park, the street you are turning on to is not actually Riverside. The sign says Riverside, but it is only Riverside in the other direction. You will be turning on to Crystal Springs Dr.

Didn't get an ADO, but I did get an 1830 pyro shift, so I'm IN!

So who's going to be the nude model?






.

Kevy :eek:

Thurston.

Finally entered us on the Wiki. :)

Clouds are supposed to clear a little later, so we are on for the Old Zoo.

It was a fun day.

Chris got a ticket.

The two above sentences were not related.

I had fun

It was an awesome time.

I really enjoyed the performance as well as the game of duck duck football.

My photos are here.

What a blast of a day! We had so many more roles to play, we could've stayed for days! As it is, we just got home (went to an art opening afterwards) and now we're eating bad food. Sleep will be satisfying tonight.

Great pics, BTD !!

It looks like a fun time !! I wish we could have been there.

Oh, what an amazing day! I am so glad to have spent it with all of you who came. Memories just keep coming back to make me smile:

- A single camera popping out from behind a tree. Then a very happy-looking dog pulling out from the tree in the opposite direction - the perfect counterpoint to the serious business of spy performance art.

- Dancing lessons... leaping around in a circle with people willing to look a little silly for the sake of creativity.

- Status exercises... particularly the very funny family portrait improv, with uncontrollable children, a very confused grandfather and a mother struggling to keep her sanity and her family corralled.

- Watching photographers in action... I love seeing what each person is focusing on. I can't wait to see more pictures!

- Being witness to glow poi twirling - both Teresa and Ken were already far better than I can imagine ever being, and just after a little practice!

- puppies! We were blessed by no fewer than FOUR canine guests, and it was a delight to have them all with us. I loved hearing them react to the horses, especially. Ethel and Lucy are very talented at alternating barks to get a word in. Adorable.

- Spending time with two beloved friends and actors, discovering relationships and new meaning in a puzzling blank-slate of a scene. I am so proud of both of them for leaping in fully committed, right in the midst of the mania. This was actually a really big deal to me - I literally haven't directed a scene since I got my BFA in directing almost ten years ago. And I was so happy to come back to it.


All in all, the day was everything I could have wished for - time spent being creative and silly and serious and happy, with loved ones, in an unusual place. Thanks so much, everyone, for being a part of it.

Here are some spy pics of the event:

Some other photos:

Start Wearing Purple


The Girls, Lucy & Ethel, ever vigilant to protect us from animals larger than themselves


More tricks


Just a typical suburban picnic



Making a scene

I can't express how much fun I had - from the wonderful people in attendance to the outstanding location, to the terrific acting and directing. My only complaint was that I didn't want the fun to end. Truly a great day.

I'm a bit frightened about what the pictures of me are going to look like. One one hand, I look like a Kabuki on the other, like Bette Davis in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane"! :)

What will be more interesting is the pics that may emerge from the Cactus Gallery opening. I think at least 4 people asked to take a pic of Lisa and Thurston.

We had a glorious time! Wish we could have stayed longer, because it really looked like a lot of fun throughout the afternoon. :)

And wish I could have gotten there earlier. What a tantalizing taste of creative fun I had.


Ok, when's next?

I wish I could have gotten there earlier...

Maybe we could do a Sunday gathering here sometime?

How about a crazed clown-woman running after random dogs? ;)

Oh man I just had an image of you singing "I've Written a Letter to Thurston"... :D ;)

(My Album - Pics of H's party start halfway down the page)

Here are a few highlights:

























Lab Rat flashes back to his testing days


And does his John McCain impression


Ahhh.... Euro, you law-breakin' rebel you!

I'm so envious of this event- I want to come down there and play, too! I'm in awe of LS and Tom's creative genius.

Ditto! I love seeing the pics though. What a great dress, H!!!

Ahhh! Clean shaven mousepod and bearded GD!
;)

Great pics. What a bunch of hams.
:)

Our photos are here.

We had a wonderful day. Maddie's inspired to have her own creative party with her friends.

Oh and here's Euro getting Busted :eek:

Yo homey - Peace out.

To Kevy from PoloMadz - where's my website?

Ok, I have to ask. What the heck did C. get ticketed for?

Drinking alcohol?

Please tell the Madzter I love her earrings!

Yup. He was the only one caught. :D Guess a wine glass was pretty obvious. I didn't notice any signage, myself, but the officer said they posted it at all entrances.


Morrigoon - great soundtrack to the super secret spy moment! I'm so glad someone got video!

I feel like I don't have enough time to post fully about how great a day this was. Thanks, H&T, and everyone else! :D :D :D

Ticketed for a glass of wine?

Good to know our tax dollars are helping the police to keep up with what's important. :rolleyes:

More accurately, ticketed for failing to disguise his wine. While he was getting his ticket written, I was standing no more than 2 5 feet away, sipping from my cup with a vodka cocktail.

The red wine in a wine glass with an open bottle of red wine sitting next to him was a bit obvious. Less obvious were the signs telling us that that activity was prohibited.

None of you artists thought to draw up labels saying "This is not a wine bottle," "New Purple Tang!" and the like.

Looks like it was a fun party.

The park cop actually picked up the glass and sniffed it. I half expected him to take a sip.

That's why you needed to keep Thurstons "doings" in a paper cup and say "Excuse me, officer, I think this one has alcohol in it as well...."

....One Cop, One Cup. :evil:

Stll, it's just like an Anarchist to be sprung, isn't it ? ;)

Uh oh. I think That Guy needs a cleansing. Didn't you just get rear ended? In your car? {I thought I should add that...clarify...} The dental work?

How does one cleanse themselves from bad mojo? Is there someone you need to freeze? {okay, I am NOT wearing a tin foil hat....seriously}.

The tickets. I have told my kids to be extra careful. The cities, counties, whatever, they need money. The homes being foreclosed, no taxes coming in. Homes losing value, less taxes coming in. They were so happy when the houses were selling for $600,000 and now they are lucky to get half that. There goes revenue. Here come the tickets.

My sons girlfriend got a ticket from a volunteer cop for parking in front of her house, next to a, well, I guess you call it a handicap ramp but it isn't blue and it is not on a corner. I think the ticket was $275.!!

About the fun....thank you to everyone for posting pictures!! I love 'going' places with you all. Missed wishing you a happy birthday, Heidi.

A bottle of wine helps.

Ya think?.... :p

This:

Thanks to everyone for sharing their photos and recollections; wish I could've been there. :( But I was shooting horses that day ... at a dressage horse show. Glad to see you all had a fun and very creative day. :)

He must have had an "open container" radar because he showed up shortly after you opened it and didn't appear for the rest of the day.

I thought he was gonna give me a field sobriety test, simply for my pants.

Wait, the ticket was for drinking in a Park????

What kind of puritian state do you guys live in?

ha, I think that cop just gave you guys another reason for an early morning swankin'.....

Were you using a shotgun or a rifle?