badfeyth: (πŸ“š and saying that's the way)
Ghost ([personal profile] badfeyth) wrote in [community profile] citylogs2023-12-02 12:30 am

[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

WHO: Anyone attending the Sunlight at Midnight gala!
WHAT: KISS PEOPLE AND DANCE IDK
WHERE: The freshly-renovated Planetarium in District 4!
WHEN: Saturday, December 2
WARNINGS: None for the log itself; please warn responsibly in individual top-levels!



THE VENUE
Upon entry to the newly-renovated venue space that was once a planetarium, guests will quickly notice that the space has been transformed into a three-layered affair, ranging from the very well-lit upper level down to the more romantic ambiance of the dance floor and performance space, with a comfortable tier of seating and standing tables in the middle.


Not intended by Ghost ([personal profile] badfeyth) and Kaveh ([personal profile] fussiest), yet still mysteriously appearing at random places throughout the venue, are sprigs of magical kissing mistletoe!

The mistletoe will cause characters to at least pause underneath it, and will give them a mild compulsion to kiss whoever they're with, but the compulsion will not be unavoidable and characters can easily break free of the "hold" the mistletoe has on them. Even so, partygoers will quickly learn to be mindful of what's overhead β€” or not!


UPPER TIER
On the well-lit upper tier, guests will find plenty of generalized mingle room, including two patios with casual seating on either side of the space. Throughout the center are a variety of stations and attractions, as well as some helpful resources for the discerning partygoer.

For the fashionably un-forward, you may wish to visit (or find yourselves forcibly dragged into) Lestat's on-site fashion consulting lair, which boasts a small and curtained-off space where partygoers in need can receive last-minute fashion advice, do wardrobe finishing touches, and address any other aesthetic concerns under the discerning eye of LESTAT DE LIONCOURT ([personal profile] perfectdevil). This is also where a selection of basic cosmetics and beauty supplies can be found, in case of a need for an emergency touch-up, safety pin, or spot removal!

Continuing onward, guests will find four individual food stations, each with their own set of color-coded disposable dishware! Perhaps they'd like to take a sampling of:

β€’ STATION #1 β€” TSURUNO ([personal profile] fanstheflames): Fried rice in the shape of Christmas trees, dumplings with carrot reindeer antlers and red pepper noses, and fortune cookies that tell you to go dance with somebody already!
β€’ STATION #2 β€” ROLAND ([personal profile] gradenine): Hotpot with mild and spicy soup bases plus a variety of vegetables and meats, and KBBQ with chicken, pork, and beef cuts, plus sides!
β€’ STATION #3 β€” RENO ([personal profile] astraphilia): Whipped goat cheese figs, brie and prosciutto stuffed dates, and sprouting cauliflower with brown butter and lemon β€” paired with a couple of simple cocktails (a negroni and a Bombay mule)!
β€’ STATION #4 β€” WANDERER ([personal profile] featheradrift): Samosas, panipuri, Japanese-style sandwiches, and a lot of sweets and desserts like chocolate truffles, pΓ’te de fruit, candied nuts, madeleines, and custards!

Champagne (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is also circulating around the venue under the watchful eye of KANEKI ([personal profile] anthropophagite), and a small selection of coffee is available at a nearby station as well!

Finally, at the far end of the upper concourse, one can find a partitioned-off space for photo opportunities featuring a black-and-gold backdrop, an arch aglow with fairy lights, and a few idle props like chairs and small movable tables that partygoers can use to coordinate their souvenir photos. PROMPTO ([personal profile] burstmodes) will be around to do formal event photography, but there'll also be a Polaroid available so that people can take their own photos and develop them instantly!

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.
    
    


MIDDLE TIER
On the mid-tier halfway down the stairs that flank the venue on either side, partygoers will find a landing with an assortment of standing tables covered in black tablecloths and tied with gold bows, where guests can enjoy their refreshments, engage in conversation, and people-watch the goings-on taking place below them on the dance floor! To prevent any mischief or accidental spilling of food onto hapless dancers below, each landing is lined with a courtesy railing, and immediately below the railing is an arrangement of tasteful decor.

Between the two landings, guests can find the remnants of the planetarium seating β€” fold-down auditorium chairs with comfortable cushions arranged in gently circular rows, giving the people relaxing there a perfect view of the dance floor and the spectacle of lights taking place below it.

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.
    


LOWER TIER
The lowest level of the venue, at the very bottom of the stairs, is the most dimly-lit of the three levels and is mostly comprised of the dance floor. Along the back wall and parts of the sides runs a slightly-raised platform stage upon which are arranged a piano, an electric guitar, a stereo system, and a few microphones for the convenience of any vocalists in the house. The stage is wide enough for one or two people to walk around comfortably, but generally is fairly modest to leave the majority of the room for the dance floor.

It's on the dance floor that the real "sunlight at midnight" theme takes its shape, as this is where the bulk of Kaveh's artificial lighting technology has been put into play. Along with standard party enhancements like a few spotlights and an overhead disco ball, the perimeter is also dotted with round arrays of stained glass with light fixtures behind them, causing panels of colored light to cast onto the hardwood of the dance floor. These arrays can also be rotated like kaleidoscopes, allowing for the patterns of light to change throughout the course of the evening β€” adding an element of renewable interest in the continuing aesthetic.

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.
    


ENTERTAINMENT
Throughout the course of the evening, music will be provided by a rotating set list of performers, interspersed with prearranged playlists courtesy of the new media store. Entertainers will be informed of their set lengths, obligations, and timeslots well in advance of the venue by Ghost, and any necessary instruments or microphone hookups will be ready and available at the time of the performance.

Performers on deck include:
β€’ HYTHLODAEUS ([personal profile] nomoresharks) and EMET-SELCH ([personal profile] recreator): Jazz piano bops along with some ragtime arrangements.
β€’ EDDIE ([personal profile] thefreak): A mix of slow rock ballads and hard rock dance numbers, on electric guitar!

In addition to the live performances, the venue will also be treated to some traditional mid-2000s party favorites such as:
β€’ BLORBOLICIOUS, by Gurgi (feat. Bill.i.was)
β€’ HIPS SOMETIMES LIE, by The Kira
β€’ SANDSQUALL, by DaNice
β€’ MAYBE GONNA GIVE YOU UP, by Rickard Dastley
β€’ MAMBO NO. 4 AND A HALF, by Stu Vega
β€’ THE CHA-CHA HUSTLE, by DJ FriendlyGhost
β€’ VIRUS, by Boo Boo Dolls

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.
    


LIVEBLOG
Looking to add some network spam to your gala experience? Check out our dedicated IC NETWORK POST!

credit.

entwinedfate: (03 death at midnight / plays a dance-tun)

i

[personal profile] entwinedfate 2023-12-02 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Even if he hadn't responded to any of that, Ethan's face is known to him -- he did, after all, explain it thoroughly to the world. One of Argalia's dear friends back home is a wolflady, actually, so it doesn't bother him too much; going out of control isn't unusual either. Ease is his middle name as he approaches after a nod in his direction, the other clearly intending to brood in the cold whilst Argalia has other plans. ]

Surely if you're dressed this fine you ought to be enjoying yourself inside, my friend! Unless you consider the chill good company?
lupusintus: buckybear ✒ IJ (004 ➺)

[personal profile] lupusintus 2023-12-06 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
You get used to it after a while, reminds me of London weather.

[ Well, this backfired spectacularly. If he's disappointed about the company it doesn't show, though he does snap the watch closed before carefully tucking it back into his pocket and turning his attention to Argalia. His newfound company isn't someone he recognizes but he puts on a smile all the same. It is, however, difficult to imagine someone would want to converse with him after his network post. ]

Would you believe me if I said I'm just getting some air?
entwinedfate: (11 the bones of the dancers / are heard)

[personal profile] entwinedfate 2023-12-08 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I would. While this city hasn't the population of my own, there's a fair amount that've come to attend regardless -- it's a little stifling if you're unused to the atmosphere.

[ Argalia glances him over briefly, noting the injuries still present on the other's hands and face, and offers a sympathetic smile. ]

I was the same in the first few I attended. As... enticing as the company was, I found myself more on the fringes or outside looking in. [ Such is the way of "rags to riches", so to speak. ] It's easy for most to forget the woes, worries, and worst when everything is dressed so prettily; they want to forget it, in a way.
lupusintus: frakkingcylon ✒ IJ (pic#16871310)

[personal profile] lupusintus 2023-12-12 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
Nor mine, not by a long shot. The trouble is there are only so many places to seek out, I haven't figured out if that's a disadvantage yet or not. Gatherings like this are a little rich for my blood but it isn't that I mind the company, I just-

[ Ethan feels the gaze on him, returning the smile when he realizes he doesn't have to put on airs. ]

The people I attacked a few days ago are in there, showing my face right now would be another reminder of what I put them through. I don't look as I did that night, but they know my face now, and I don't want to put them through further pain. Two people from home that I care about went missing around that time, I'm here to make sure they're doing all right.

It's not in me to hide away but, no matter how fancy everything looks, I can't forget the looks on their faces.
entwinedfate: (pic#16875100)

[personal profile] entwinedfate 2023-12-13 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
It's an unfortunately normal reaction to those different than themselves, whether they're being threatened or not. One of my dear friends is afflicted the same, actually, but she's found a place for herself among those that valued the strength she brought to their numbers.

[ It helps that she doesn't go berserk, but that speaks more to her strength of mind and sense of self than anything else. Her acceptance of what she is, what she can do with that power. ]

Ours could be different than yours, admittedly. The Bloodfiends -- vampires, as one might know them -- do. Ethan, was it? [ A hand held out. ] Argalia.
lupusintus: buckybear ✒ IJ (329 ➺)

flu kicked my butt sorry

[personal profile] lupusintus 2023-12-26 07:43 am (UTC)(link)
Thankfully standing out isn't new to me. But I do know what it means to find my place, even though they didn't know about what I was until after it happened. Started out as a hired gun, ended up finding a home. [ Tale as old as time. ]

Oh, they're different. Vampires and werewolves might as well be oil and water, I haven't met another werewolf who would side with them. When their aim is an eternal night, you can imagine quite a few people might have a problem with that. Though, in the three months that I've been here, I've met a few vampires who have reminded me not to judge a book by its cover.

[ No, Argalia, you are supposed to run in the opposite direction. He hesitates for a second before taking his hand, giving in. ] Nice to meet you, Argalia.
entwinedfate: (14 the cock has crowed)

you're good!!!! hope you're well

[personal profile] entwinedfate 2023-12-31 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Tales as old as time indeed, and one full of utter bullshit. But those are Argalia's own thoughts, kept quiet and tucked away as he squeezes the other's hand in greeting and drops it back away. ]

There's certainly all sorts of people here, and most far too kind for their own good. I'm rather surprised they've lived as long as they have acting as they do -- but their worlds are not like mine, and for that I'm both envious and thankful. It's nice to know that not all realms are unkind.

[ That they aren't born into it struggling, or if they are there's always a light at the end -- hands helping, places to call their own. Wonder what that's like. ]