citylogs | [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 (

badfeyth) and Kaveh (

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 — 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 (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:

• STATION #1 — TSURUNO (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!
• STATION #2 — ROLAND (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!
• STATION #3 — RENO (astraphilia): Whipped goat cheese figs, brie and prosciutto stuffed dates, and sprouting cauliflower with brown butter and lemon — paired with a couple of simple cocktails (a negroni and a Bombay mule)!
• STATION #4 — WANDERER (featheradrift): Samosas, panipuri, Japanese-style sandwiches, and a lot of sweets and desserts like chocolate truffles, pâte de fruit, candied nuts, madeleines, and custards!

Champagne (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is also circulating around the venue under the watchful eye of KANEKI (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 (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 — 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 — 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:

• HYTHLODAEUS (nomoresharks) and EMET-SELCH (recreator): Jazz piano bops along with some ragtime arrangements.
• EDDIE (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:

• BLORBOLICIOUS, by Gurgi (feat. Bill.i.was)
• HIPS SOMETIMES LIE, by The Kira
• SANDSQUALL, by DaNice
• MAYBE GONNA GIVE YOU UP, by Rickard Dastley
• MAMBO NO. 4 AND A HALF, by Stu Vega
• THE CHA-CHA HUSTLE, by DJ FriendlyGhost
• 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sadly, Junpei's better-dressed date has abandoned him at the worst time, that is to say, this time, leaving him to be undoubtedly judged for showing up in this tshirt and jeans.

It was the best he could do at the time, and also, he thought it was funny? What's wrong with it? He nonetheless accepts the boutonnière, which he stares at like he's not sure what he's supposed to do with it. (He is not.)]

Uh, I'm here with Kromer, I guess... sort of. [It's close enough. He shuffles a bit to turn and see where this supposed fashion show is, and his shoes light up. Sorry about this.] Where am I supposed to put the flower?

[ that is, in fact, a t-shirt with a suit pattern printed over it. kaveh looks. there's a maganimous moment that he simply looks as if he were a deer in headlights because he's trying so hard not to frown or look around for whoever this kromer person is for letting junpei apparently walk out of his house looking the way he has! was friendship dead!!

.. ah, but the shoes. ]

The left lapel, actually, or according to Ghost. I'd only found out about these a scant week ago, but seeing as yours is printed on, I could make an argument for giving you a corsage instead. [ kaveh looks. ] Your shoes. How did you get the lights in them?

[In Kromer's defense: she gave him shit for this, but he was stalwart. To everyone's disappointment, he took a stand, and it was this shirt. He still thinks it looks fine, and isn't the point to be comfortable? He's comfortable!

Anyway, oh...]

What, the bracelet ones? [double oh, his shoes--] Uh, they come with the lights in them. They put them in the soles while they're putting the shoes together, and there's a battery in there somewhere, too.

... Do you... want a pair?

[ kaveh crouches. his backless suit flits around his shoulders much in the way of bird wings in motion. he gives the shoes a contemplative look. ]

Yes, the bracelet ones, and yes, I do. Though more for the purpose of taking them apart. I hadn't thought about putting lights in things other than buildings, but why not shoes. And why not other things, like the lining of jackets and dresses? I'm no tailor, but that ought to be striking in a darker environment.

Where did you find these?

[Hang on, fancy dressed people shouldn't be crouched down staring at his cheap sneakers, help-]

Well, you can just get strip lights for that, I guess...

[He is. Glancing around like someone is going to ask what's going on and he's going to phase through the floor and atomize. It's just sneakers, and yet.]

They were in one of the stores. Uh, you could probably get lights in that one neon place in the mall. [the offbrand Spencer's] Not the hanging kind, though, that'll probably burn up your jackets and stuff.

Right, the heat. The lights will need to be efficient, or the material. Or both, really.

[ kaveh looks up. there's a glint cast in red. ]

Neon place? First floor, second floor? Which wing?

The good ones come in a rubber tube already, so you can stick them on stuff.

[He makes a little gesture that's supposed to be "rubber tube" but looks more like "snake."]

The wing without the food court. Second floor.

[ kaveh smiles. ]

I'll need to go take a look-see myself, especially for the rubber tubes. [ finally, he straightens. ] But I won't keep you. Here I am, talking about lights and somesuch when you have a gala to be at and a good time to be had. We were at the flowers - did you want one pinned to your chest, or one strapped to your wrist?

Or I suppose I could figure out something with your hair, given time and incentive.

[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

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