The following events were put on by the Jive Social Club. Together with two other graphic designers we started the club to produce interactive art parties for the Creative Alliance in Baltimore, Maryland. We produced five events between 2004-2007 though only have documentation for the most recent three. All of our happenings were centered around provocative themes such as: sadness, deception, belief and obligingly, the moustache. With a solid group of friends we took care of all the nuts and bolts like: concepting, writing, curation, set design, exhibition design, event planning, booking performers, promotions, media relations, etc.
GRIFTERS BALL | HOLY CRAP | DON’T TOUCH MY MOUSTACHE
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THE GRIFTERS BALL — COME AS YOU AIN’T
15 July 2005
The Grifter’s Ball, Come as you Ain’t was an exploration of lies, deceit and deception. Audience members were encouraged to record and trade untruths at the lie exchange while performers mingled with the crowd selling fake illegal goods to be purchased with custom play money. A full stage show included several performances that challenged the meanings of deception, for example: game show host, preacher, side show performer, cartoonist, lyricist etc. The show ended with the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, a 30-odd piece marching band from Brooklyn, and a crazy fun dance party.
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HOLY CRAP! — BELIEVE ON IT
19 August 2006
Reviewed: Baltimore City Paper
Holy Crap! Believe On It consisted of a juried exhibit, ongoing performances, a live trapeze version of the kama sutra and a dance party. Performers throughout the exhibit acted as “cult leaders” of various beliefs: truth, string theory, a pregnant Mary Magdelan, etc. Everyone was given their soul as they entered the gallery to sign and hand over to their favorite cult leader. Participants rated their own beliefs on an X/Y axis with X representing Faith vs. Proven and Y as Sacred vs. Profane. Submissions included: punk rock, Schröedinger’s cat, chartreuse, republicans, marriage and many more. Many in the audience came dressed as their chosen belief and the dance party kept everyone enraptured through the wee hours.
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DON’T TOUCH MY MOUSTACHE
2 June 2007
This was Jive’s first party throwing caution to the wind and just trying something silly. Our ode to all things moustache was a raucous evening filled with music, impersonation and a custom built 25 cent moustache ride (made from two toyota tercel springs, plywood and plenty of fun fur). There were games (sexpot or despot), a best moustache competition (frieda won), and music from Baltimore’s very own Ponytail. It was a ton of fun.
