Getting to Know London’s Most Reclusive Clubber, the Dancing Misanthrope

Alan Wen, better known by his nickname, “The Dancing Misanthrope,” parties harder than anyone in London. Like a raver dog, he’s got a knack for sniffing out the city’s best festivities—and once he hits the dance floor, he doesn’t stop grooving until the lights flicker back on.

But Alan doesn’t really drink. Or smoke. Or do drugs. Or have any interest in other people, really. His intentions are so pure they’re almost virginal: the dude just wants to dance. And he doesn’t care if anyone’s watching. In fact, he’s even got a motto: je danse avec ou sans vous, which means, “I dance with or without you.” It’s kind of beautiful, even if it sounds like it came out of the mouth of a French Robyn.

Over the years, Alan’s become quite the legend in London’s underground nightlife scene. Partly because of his uncanny ability to magically appear at every great party and dance for hours in a corner. But I think his mystique also comes from a deeper source: Alan’s approach towards nightlife is full of paradoxes.

On one hand, he’s a self-identified misanthrope—someone who harbors deep-seated mistrust or hatred for humanity. Pull him towards you on the dance floor, and he’ll politely tell you to “shove off” (in a British accent, obviously). But clearly, he’s harboring a different kind of misanthropy than the serial killer or creepy-recluse-who-only-reads-manga kind. Because, well, he’s still seeking out gigantic crowds in order to isolate himself in the middle of them. Why bother?

Ultimately, these paradoxes boil down to one thing: it’s all about Alan’s unadulterated love for dancing to music. And I think he’s really onto something. Because fuck schmoozing around with your friends or trying to rub up on hot strangers or ducking out for a cigarette every ten seconds. As Alan puts it, “shut up and dance.”

THUMP: How’d you get into the London rave scene?
Alan Wen: I entered the London club life in 2009 when I came across a monthly party in Camden called Buttoned Down Disco. I went with a friend and was blown away by the party’s all-encompassing vibe. It wasn’t bound by genres or what’s hip. It was just great music. I left that night at 2am when my friend got tired, but went back again for my birthday the next month. Except this time, when people were ready to call it a night, I just carried on by myself, and I had a blast.

What are the best parties in London right now?
Bugged Out is the best party promoter I’ve discovered. I went to their 16th birthday party, which Erol Alkan headlined, and danced to Daniel Avery, who was still using his DJ moniker Stopmakingme. I still regard both Erol and Daniel as my favorite DJs. They play records like nobody else—not bound by genres, and able to get the room moving at their own pace and style.

Where was that party?
That one was at XOYO, which used to be owned by Bugged Out. I would say that XOYO’s definitely one of the best clubs in London now. Even though it’s in “gentrified” Shoreditch, the programming team runs a tight ship, and the line-ups there have been unbelievable. They’ve got their bases covered…. no pun intended.

What’s the all-time best party you’ve ever been to?
Bugged Out just started this epic rave weekender last year, in the middle of winter, at a family holiday resort in a seaside town. You wouldn’t believe it! It blows most summer festivals out of the water.

Ed Banger, my favorite record label, also just celebrated their 10th birthday this weekend. Justice was DJing, Busy P put together a stupidly brilliant megamix of the label’s best work, and there was an insane hour of special guests like Erol Alkan, 2manydjs, Skream, and Trevor Jackson all DJing B2B2B2B.

Lets move on to your fashion choices. You wear pretty inconspicuous outfits when you’re out. Are you intentionally trying to keep a low profile, or do you dress crazy for special occasions?
I keep a minimalist style. Maybe it’s influenced from old cartoons where characters wear the same thing again and again. Frankly, I’m thankful that there are creative people who dress up so I don’t have to. I just like to be comfortable when I dance.

I started wearing the sunglasses way before I knew about Tiga’s “Sunglasses at Night.” I have really bad eyesight so they’re actually prescription—which is precisely why it’s not ok for people to try and take them off me. They’re not some cheap pretend-hipster shades. I need them to see.

Do you always wear sunglasses?
I think they have a psychological effect. While not blinding me from seeing people, it does seem to limit my field of vision, and in that sense I’m a lot less self-conscious and don’t need to make eye-contact with people on the dance floor. Now it’s become a signature of my dancing persona.

How do you choose which parties to attend? Is it always about the music, or do you prefer certain types of crowds?
There are a select few acts—like Erol Alkan, Daniel Avery, 2manydjs, Factory Floor, and Maya Janes Coles—who trump anybody else on offer. But I’ve ended up making a lot of friends who are promoters and DJs too, so they’ll invite me to their parties.

The venue and kind of crowd it attracts is also important. These days, it has to take a very special line-up to persuade me to go to a party that’s listed as “East London Warehouse TBA.”

Basically, if I had to choose between a friend’s birthday house party—which may guarantee good company but not much dancing space and people playing cheesy stuff off their iPhones—or a warehouse rave, I’d pick the warehouse rave just about every time.

How did your nickname come about?
I’m a fan of paradoxes, and it started as one of my many online pseudonyms. After a few times at Buttoned Down, I decided I should give myself an online presence so that people who had begun to wonder who I was had some sort of access, while I kept a sense of anonymity.

But most importantly, it meant that no one in my old social circles would know how to find me. I find it hilarious that a lot of people don’t know how to pronounce the word, don’t know what it means, or get it wrong. Someone from XOYO did a meme of me where I’m referred to as the “Dancing Antelope!”

Do you really harbor disdain or mistrust towards other people? Or is that nickname sort of a joke?
It’s not tongue-in-cheek at all. I’m actually more asocial than misanthropic, but I like the paradox between misanthropy and dancing, which you’d expect to be a social activity. I guess my misanthropy is more apparent with my thoughts outside the dance floor. You know, the general state of the world, the masses buying into their own oppression, and so forth. And I look up to some pretty misanthropic types too, like Woody Allen and Charlie Brooker.

I guess when I decided to go clubbing by myself, I had no intention of making any friends. So it’s a real surprise that I’ve made so many, and gotten into the close circles of the DJs I admire and respect. But even then, I still consider myself an outsider. Maybe it’s just an image I’m actually comfortable with. Even if I do know people at a club, I’m not waiting for them, I’m not dancing for anybody but myself.

I suppose there’s something funny to lowering expectations by calling yourself a misanthrope, and then surprising people because I can actually be kind of a nice guy. It’s certainly better than someone describing themselves as a lovely person who then turns out to be an asshole, right?

What are the biggest benefits of partying solo?
I don’t have to try and organize an event on Facebook and receive non-committal maybes from friends. Now I just tell people where the great parties are at. If you’re coming along, great. If you’re not, I don’t care. I’ll still be dancing. It’s in fact The Dancing Misanthrope’s motto: je danse avec ou sans vous.

But what are some of the drawbacks?
You’re vulnerable to groups of dickheads. Luckily, I made friends with a couple of girls who were also going to parties regularly. When you have a few trusted people to back you up, that’s a good thing.

Do you get bothered when people try to chat you up?
If you mean girls, I can guarantee that 75 percent of the time she’ll ask the following questions: 1.) What are you on? And 2.) Do you know where I can buy drugs? The answers, by the way, are 1.) Nothing, and 2.) No. And then that tiny margin when I should’ve asked for a phone number? I was probably too busy dancing and forgot to ask.

Other than girls asking you for drugs, what else triggers your misanthropy?
When someone is trying to get my attention when I just want to dance. If someone wants to talk to me, I don’t really mind, as long as it’s not going to take long. I find it rude when people at the front talk loudly during a gig. I think it was Robyn who sang, “I came to dance, not to socialize.”

What tactics do you use to retain your sense of seclusion in the middle of a rowdy crowd?
I started wearing earplugs pretty early on. I think that and my sunglasses shut off a lot of what’s around me. I like the idea of a crowd, but in reality you don’t really want to spend the whole night being rammed by bros every time there’s a drop.

Can you describe how you feel when you’re “in the zone”?
Not really. I just know that once I’m in the zone, I don’t want to get out of it until the music’s over.

Where did you learn your moves?
It’s all pretty much instinctive. I don’t really think how I dance is particularly special, or even that good. I just don’t like directions, which includes the simplistic hands-in-the-air bullshit. I did grow up watching a lot of pop music videos, so I may try to mimic Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake… or die trying. I just go with that Brodinski track, “Let the Beat Control Your Body.”

Are you aware that you’ve become a bit of a legend in the London nightlife scene?
Hah, yes. And kind of in other parts of the UK too! Can’t escape it now. Perhaps I should try visiting the States soon…

There’s been some debate on the Internet about whether low-quality warehouse parties are destroying nightlife. What do you think?
I may be misanthropic but I don’t have time to be hating on the underground scene’s shortcomings, or moaning about how it was back in the day—which was well before my time anyway. People moan about pretentious Londoners not dancing at Boiler Room parties. But when I last went to one, I saw comments online that hated on my dancing. I mean, really, who gives a fuck. Lots of great parties are still out there. You just have to turn up, shut up, and dance.

More security for Festival Foods Grandad Half Marathon

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) — The bombing at the Boston Marathon has police and event coordinators reevaluating security plans for the Festival Foods Grandad Half Marathon.

The festivities kick off Friday with the Health and Fitness Expo at the Radisson Center in La Crosse starting at 4 p.m.

Other events include a 5-mile bike race, 5k run and a kids race.

As runners make the 13.1 mile trek through La Crosse this weekend, police and medical staff will have their eyes on the route.

“I’d like to think that we live in a safe community. Our officers and the event organizers, we you know plan as well as we can for the safety of everyone,” said Sgt. Randy Rank.

Sergeant Rank said there will be additional officers working to make sure nothing looks suspicious.

Event coordinators said unexpected circumstances can happen anytime and anywhere.

They also said they might feel safer knowing police and medical staff are there.

“Something can happen whether I’m walking across the street or whether I’m at a big event. So personally, I don’t feel any heightened risk being at the event as opposed to being anywhere else,” said Jessica Robey.

Runners said they’re looking forward to this weekend.

They see it as a way to honor people in Boston.

“I feel maybe that this is an event where we’re able to where the running communities are able to come out and really kind of show how strong we are, and also run in their memories and really kind of show our support by being out there,” said Ramon Martinez.

The Festival Foods Grandad Half Marathon starts at 8 a.m. Saturday in Grandad Park.

The half marathon ends at Riverside Park.

For a list of events and a map of the route, we’ve also set up a link on our web site.

They’ll also be selling wristbands at the Health and Fitness Expo Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Proceeds will go to help people in Boston.

Alliance celebrates 125 years with 600 cupcakes

ALLIANCE — Six hundred cupcakes wowed partygoers at the entrance to the Alliance YMCA for a birthday celebration on Thursday. The party was for the City of Alliance, which is commemorating 125 years since it was incorporated on March 28, 1888.

The people of Alliance supplied 600 red velvet, vanilla and chocolate cupcakes frosted and sprinkled in red, white and blue to adorn a four-tiered tower and three long tables.

“It’s symbolic of everyone who has built Alliance,” Dixie Nelson, executive director of the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, said,

She added that Alliance has grown into the great town that it is because its residents know that “you’re going to get out of your community what you put into it.”

Birthday cards made by local children hung on the walls, detailing all the things they love about their hometown.

Alliance was the first town in Nebraska to have a city manager, incorporating it into their local government in 1921. And today’s city manager, J.D. Cox, kicked off the festivities, welcoming everyone to the event and saying that he felt fortunate to be with everyone, because he has never seen another town like Alliance.

Mayor Fred Feldges was the master of ceremonies, introducing the various speakers and performers with easygoing banter and wit.

Becci Thomas, director of the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center, provided a brief history of Alliance, highlighting landmark eras of growth and the businesses and people that made it happen.

“I don’t know if our founding fathers, when they started Alliance 125 years ago, knew what their expectations would be,” she said. “I wonder if they realized when they set this history in motion if they realized what a wild ride it would be.”

She said the first census a couple years after the city was incorporated listed 840 residents. Four banks, several hotels, a saloon and a blacksmith shop comprised the businesses during the early years.  But she added, “The railroad has been there hand in hand with Alliance’s growth, and it still maintains the privilege of being the largest employer in Alliance.”

The railroad was key to the expansion of the city early on, because it wasn’t until the arrival of the Burlington and Missouri Railroad tracks that the city became incorporated. And within two years, the community grew to a population of 840, and then to 2,200 eight years later.

Recognizing its key role in the community, the railroad donated $10,000 to the fund that will pay for much of Alliance’s birthday events that will take place as the year goes by.

Box Butte General Hospital is another source of community pride. Traveling county doctors were the first form of medical care, which has “progressed to the state-of-the-art medical diagnostic equipment and provider care that we have today,” said Thomas.

Cox also announced that Box Butte General Hospital is set for a major expansion out of the west side of the hospital.

Youngsters of the YMCA Tumblers put on a show, impressing the crowd with cartwheels, backbends and handstands to music incorporating Alliance’s trademark, “Building the Best Hometown in America.”

But a group of Alliance men are finding an interesting way to celebrate the landmark birthday, vowing to grow their beards for 125 days. They call themselves the Beard Buddies. The competition of sorts began March 15 and will end on July 18 to coincide with the city’s Heritage Days celebration. The birthday celebration on Thursday marked day 14, and some of the men have already shown some impressive growth.

For the finale of the event, coordinators passed out 125 balloons donated by Burnie’s Hardware, Alliance’s oldest continuing business. Partygoers gathered outside of the YMCA, clutching the red, white and blue balloons in their hands as the color guard raised the American flag. And once it reached the top of the pole, Mayor Feldges signaled the release, and the balloons rose swiftly toward the sky. The crowd cheered and looked up, squinting to see the last red balloon fading into the distance.

“It’s a fantastic time to be mayor,” said Feldges between bites of a vanilla frosted cupcake. “I’m really looking forward to the next 25 years.”

Event planners, businesses get permit lowdown for SXSW

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By: Dan Robertson

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The South by Southwest conference is just around the corner, and this year, city officials say they will enforce code and permit ordinances more strictly than ever before.

It’s something that will impact Carmen Valera, whose family started the Tamale House restaurants.

“Our family has been in the restaurant business since 1958, so we know our way around that,” she said.

Valera is hoping to do something special for SXSW this year. Like dozens of other party and event planners, she headed to the city’s informational meeting Wednesday about special permits for some answers.

“It does seem like a lot, a lot of hoops to run through and hitting your deadlines,” Valera said. “From people wanting to throw a party in their backyard, to doing something in a warehouse, to doing something like me in a space that already has a license, but learning what you can and can’t do.”

This year, city staff says permit regulations will be strictly enforced, but they don’t want to discourage the festivities.

“The city is concerned about a number of activities that have been going on in past years of un-permitted events and we’ll be increasing our enforcement,” Frances Hargrove, Manager of the Office of Special Events, said.

That’s why they’ve gathered all the involved departments for a one-stop permit shop to help guide event planners through the process.

“We work in a store downtown and we’re planning on having a small event during SXSW, and so we just wanted to make sure we had all our permits,” Hilary Bilhtimer with Brown Helm Boot Company said.

Under city ordinances, any gathering of more than 50 people could need permits no matter where the event is held.

City staff also says in some cases, posting party information on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter could result in permit requirements.

Christmas on Coosa makes the Top 10

Wetumpka’s Christmas on the Coosa has been named one of the Alabama Tourism Department’s Top 10 events for 2013. The list was released Friday.

Christmas on the Coosa will celebrate its 30th consecutive year in 2013. A series of activities comprise the event, including pageants, the community tree lighting, a nativity program, luminaria night and a formal ball, in addition to the centerpiece of the season – Christmas on the Coosa day, held the second Saturday in December.

Christmas on the Coosa day features a street parade, a boat parade, a children’s breakfast, arts and crafts vendors, free children’s activities, concessions, a classic car show, a variety of entertainment, an art show, a run, fireworks and more. Depending on weather, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people attend.

“A lot of people deserve credit for making Christmas on the Coosa the successful and iconic event it is now,” said Peggy Blackburn, current Christmas on the Coosa Board chairman. “The support of city officials and volunteers over the past 30 years has been vital. And, of course, it couldn’t happen without the participation of those who march in the parade, provide entertainment, visit the vendors and simply come to enjoy the festivities.

“There are some people deserving of special recognition for their contributions to Christmas on the Coosa. The first is Jack DeVenney, who dreamed the whole thing up and worked tirelessly to get it off the ground. Then there are those who have served as event coordinators or assistants for the city – most recently Gwen Turner, who has dedicated countless hours and much patience to the event.

“Many other city employees have worked hard to make Christmas on the Coosa successful and enjoyable, as have Christmas on the Coosa Board members over the years.”

Other events listed in the Tourism Department’s top 10 are:

•Mardi Gras, Mobile, Jan. 26-Feb. 12.

•W.C. Handy Music Festival, Shoals area, July 19-28.

•Alabama Restaurant Week, statewide, Aug. 16-25.

•Fort Mims Massacre 200th Anniversary, Tensaw, Aug. 30- Sept. 1.

•Magic City Classic Weekend, Birmingham, Oct. 25-26.

•50th Annual Bluff Park Art Show, Hoover, Oct. 5.

•National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Oct. 10-13.

•Barber Vintage Festival, Birmingham, Oct. 11-13.

•Galaxy of Lights, Huntsville, Nov. 28-Dec. 31.

The tourism department compiles a comprehensive list of state events each year and selects the top 10 based upon significant anniversaries, unique events and those with large attendance. The Top 10 events are listed in the department’s annual vacation guide/calendar of events. Nearly 1,900 events are scheduled around the state for 2013.

For a complete list of 2013 events visit www.alabama.travel

Cherry Blossom Ball Drop to have extra family-friendly component

Every year since the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop in Macon began on New Year’s Eve 2009, organizers have tweaked and added a little something to the festivities.

To usher in 2013, organizers have decided to devote the earlier part of the evening to families before giving way to adult revelers later in the night.

Sean Pritchard, who is organizing this year’s ball drop, said event planners decided that from 7-9 p.m., families with children would be the focus, with events such as face-painting, giveaways and a special mini-fireworks show at 9.

“It’s going to be a really family-friendly environment,” Pritchard said. “We want people to come out and celebrate with us.”

Pritchard said that with past events, some adults weren’t able to stay out until midnight with their children or didn’t want to risk being out on the roads later at night.

Pritchard said last year’s crowd was estimated at roughly 2,000 people, and he’s expecting this year’s gathering to be even bigger.

“It’s one of those events that has definitely grown to be more popular,” he said. “We’ve seen an increase (in turnout) each year.”

The full event in Cherry Street Plaza features music from DJ Laura Starling, and the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop will take place while the ball drop in New York’s Times Square is being broadcast on a large screen. A full fireworks show will begin at the stroke of midnight.

While the event is free, Pritchard said organizers will sell food, drinks and merchandize at the plaza.

Downtown booster group NewTown Macon is “really excited” about the Cherry Blossom Festival continuing the ball drop tradition.

“We know it’s going to be wonderful,” said Kris Hattaway, director of place for NewTown Macon.

Tom Sarrtsud, co-owner of Lemongrass Bistro on Cherry Street, said there’s always a good crowd for New Year’s Eve.

“Maybe we’ll get two sets of (customers) instead of one,” he said, referring to the family and adult crowds at separate times.

“It’s very good. I like it. It’s very exciting,” he said.

Pritchard said the ball drop serves as a sort of unofficial countdown to the Cherry Blossom Festival, which will run March 15-24, 2013.

“It’s a good wrap-up for the year and a kickstarter for the Cherry Blossom Festival,” he said.

For more information about the ball drop, visit www.cherryblossomballdrop.com.

Baldwin County to ring in new year with family-friendly events, other parties – Press-Register

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Fairhope’s New Year’s Eve celebration returns Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, to downtown with the crystal ball of lights. (Sherry Sullivan/City of Fairhope)

One doesn’t have travel to New York City on Dec. 31, 2012, to have a rocking New Year’s Eve. Baldwin County offers a plethora of opportunities for visitors and residents of any age to welcome in 2013.

FAMILY-APPROPRIATE EVENTS

For parents, it is often a struggle to find events that are family appropriate on New Year’s Eve. In Baldwin, event coordinators are in tune to this struggle and are offering more options for parents who want to celebrate the incoming year and include their children in the festivities.

Fairhope

The city of Fairhope will host its annual New Year’s Eve celebration in the streets of downtown Fairhope. The event, started in 2000, was designed “to provide an experience that appealed to families,” said Sherry Sullivan, event coordinator.

Knowing that parents want to celebrate with their friends, but also provide a fun, safe evening for their children, events including face painting, karaoke, a DJ area and dance floor with kid-appropriate music are features each year. Tents are also available for rental by individuals or groups so parents can have their own “party within a party and provide a home base for their kids to have as a check-in point,” Sullivan said.

Other activities on site at the Fairhope event include the band, Chatterboxx, that will begin playing at 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Fairhope Avenue and Section Street, fireworks and a ball drop at midnight.

Streets will be blocked off downtown starting at 12:30 p.m. on Monday to allow time to set up for the event. Fairhope Avenue between Section and Church streets will close at 1:30 as well as Church Street between De La Mar Avenue and Fairhope Avenue will also close at 1:30 p.m. Church Street from the corner of Fairhope to Magnolia avenues will close at 12:30 p.m. Entry to public parking on Church Street will be left open. For more information, call 990-0218.

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In this 2011 Press-Register file photo, people watch the firework during the New Year’s Eve Block Party held at The Wharf in Orange Beach.

Orange Beach

The Wharf in Orange Beach also offers a night of family appropriate entertainment for New Year’s Eve with its seventh annual “New Year’s Eve Bash at the Beach.” 

The free event is open to the public and offers music starting on the Main Street Stage at 7 p.m. The event offers an alcohol-free zone full of children’s activities including bungee jumps and ice skating. Many of the Wharf’s restaurants will be open and offering specials that evening. The event culminates in a fireworks display at midnight.

For the adult set, The Wharf will also offers a limited number of VIP packages for $75 that include unlimited beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres and premium seating for the fireworks. VIP passes are available through Ticketmaster and at the Wharf box office, 251-224-1022. Information, www.alwharf.com.

Gulf Shores

LuLu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores will again offer its alternative to a New Year’s Eve celebration with their annual “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m on Monday. Instead of a countdown to midnight, the event features a countdown to noon, making it the perfect venue for children. Clowns, face painting, sand castle building contests and music by Amanda Shaw the Cute Guys round out the free event. For more information, visit www.lulusathomeport.com.

Foley

For families seeking a spiritual way to welcome in 2013, New Life in Christ Church at the corner of Ala. 59 and E. Berry Ave in Foley will showcase The LeFevre Quartet during their New Year Eve Watch Night Service from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday. Other activities include special singers and musicians, fellowship and snacks, and a time of prayer and sharing. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 251-943-2225.

ADULT EVENTS

Those wishing to celebrate sans children need not feel left out. Several events in the area are geared toward the adult crowd.

Fairhope

Fairhope American Legion at 700 S. Mobile St. in Fairhope is hosting a New Year’s Eve Dance on Monday from 7 p.m. until the fun ends. The dance will include the stylings of DJ Master Teddy Gaultney, plenty of refreshments, door prizes and champagne at midnight. Advanced tickets $10 each or $12.50 at the door on Monday.

Tickets are available at the bar but are limited and are expected to sell out. For more information, call 251-928-9132  or visit www.AmericanLegion199.com.

Foley

American Legion Post 99, on highway 59 in Foley, will host a New Year’s Eve event from noon to closing. Featured are a live band, party favors, champagne and breakfast served at midnight. A smoke-free ballroom with limited seating will be available. Tickets are $10 per person along with a covered dish. Tickets are not refundable and are available at the lounge during regular business hours. For more information, call 251-943-7391.

NEW YEAR’S DAY 

Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar will host its 28th Annual Polar Bear Dip at noon on Tuesday. Participants will receive complimentary black-eyed peas, ham, cornbread, and a beverage. Long sleeve and short sleeved souvenir shirts will be available for purchase. Post-dip attractions include televised bowl games and dancing to music on three stages. For more information visit www.florabama.com or call (850) 492-0611.

Gulf Shores

The Kiwanis Club of Gulf Shores will present its 2nd annual Slip Slide Polar Bear Dip at noon on Tuesday, on the Gulf Shores public beach in front of the Hangout at 101 E. Beach Blvd. Activities begin at 11 a.m. and include a 27-foot-tall beachfront water slide and live music by David “Hornman’’ Jones inside The Hangout. The plunge into the Gulf will take place at noon and is followed by an after party featuring free chili (while supplies last), music by Grayson Capps and The Lost Cause Minstrels, prizes for best costumes, and a special cash award to the “loudest” Snowbird Club. Polar Bear Dip souvenir T-shirts are on sale now at The Hangout for $15. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Gulf Shores Kiwanis Club. Representatives from the Law Enforcement Torch Run will be selling caps and T-shirts to benefit Alabama Special Olympics. Both organizations will be accepting charitable contributions. For more information, visit www.thehangoutal.com or call 251-948-3030. 

Downtown New Year’s Eve festivities increasing this year

WEST BRANCH – Last New Year’s Eve, patrons could watch a glowing ball drop in downtown West Branch to ring in the New Year. This time, there’s more than a countdown and ball drop, according to Pete Fabbri, one of the event coordinators.

“We do have additional activities starting at 9 p.m.,” he said.

Outhouse races will be held on South Third Street, Fabbri said. In the vacant lot between Logger’s Depot and Downtown Books, there will be turkey bowling, Fabbri added.

“We’re going to have music, and we’ve added something else this year,” he said. “It’s called ‘Burn your Burdens.’”

Burn your Burdens will give patrons the chance to list some of their 2012 burdens and toss them in a burn barrel to move past them for the New Year, Fabbri said. It will be held on South Third Street.

Carriage rides will be available downtown and several businesses will have activities inside, Fabbri said. Luminaria bags can be decorated in Scrapbook Nook, card games will be played in Morse Clark Furniture, non-alcoholic champagne toasts will be available in Downtown Books and the Silver Lining will have wine tastings, according to Fabbri.

“Just like all of our events, they’re free to the public,” he said.

Donations will be accepted for the luminaria bags and carriage rides, he added. Donations will help fund future downtown events hosted by the Downtown Merchants Association, Fabbri said.

Downtown roads will be closed during the night, Fabbri said. South Third Street will be closed beginning at 9 p.m., he said. Underneath the stoplight on Houghton Avenue, where the ball will be dropped, the road will also be closed, he said.

“The Sheriff’s Posse comes and closes Houghton Avenue,” he said. “We only close Houghton Avenue for an hour.”

He added Houghton Avenue will be closed from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Fabbri said last year on New Year’s Eve, when the only downtown attraction was the ball drop, there were no issues. Even though it was the first year, he said there was a high turnout.

“We had a really, really good turnout,” he said. “It exceeded our expectations last year.”

With the new attractions, Fabbri said he expects twice the number of people to come downtown this New Year’s Eve.

“It’s an awesome event,” he said. “Everybody’s in the mood, a lot of fellowship. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Morristown will be seeing red on Saturday night: Hundreds of Santas getting …

By Aaron Karlsruher

When’s the last time having a few drinks got you on someone’s nice list?

HEY SANTA! It’s the seventh annual Santa Pub Crawl in Morristown! Photo by Kevin Coughlin

If you’re like most, and it hasn’t happened yet, Saturday, Dec. 22, at 6 pm is your opportunity to indulge in a few glasses of holiday cheer, and help those in need.

Since 2006, the annual Morristown Santa Pub Crawl has invited all to celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas season by donning their Santa Claus attire and participating in the spirit(s) of giving .

This year, all donations collected from Pub Crawl participants will be donated to the New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Relief fund.

“In the past we have raised money for organizations closer to the Morristown area,” explained “Santa Pete” Williams, one of the event’s coordinators, “but once the storm hit, we wanted to help out.  It seems like everyone knows at least one person who was directly affected.”

Scenes from Santa Crawl 2011. Please click icon below for captions.

For every donation of $5, donors will be entered for a chance to win a 32-gigabyte iPod Touch in an end-of-the-night raffle. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 23.

“People have a great time each year,” says “Santa Steve” Braybrook, the other half of the event’s coordinating team, “it really brings the Christmas spirit to downtown Morristown, and supports a cause that is close to each of us.”

If you’re not too keen on being the only Santa at the bar, there’s no need to worry.  Since its inaugural event six years ago, the Morristown Santa Pub Crawl has grown from 30 red-velvet-clad participants to more than 900 in 2011.

More than 1,100 participants have confirmed on Facebook that they’ll be attending this weekend.  “Everyone has fun,” says Santa Steve, who, like Santa Pete, hails from Denville.

If you’d like to join the festivities this Saturday, or you’re just feeling generous, you can visit the event’s website at www.morristownsantapubcrawl.com to make a donation and learn which Morristown bars are hosting the crawl.

You also can listen to this year’s official Santa Pub Crawl Song.  It will sleigh you.

Trends changing in NWA event-planning industry

Amy Bates of Bates Events in Northwest Arkansas knows the exact month that work started picking back up in the event-planning industry since the economic downturn.

“In January 2011, we saw the cap come off of spending and people were more willing to loosen their belts,” she said. “Our phones started ringing off the hook.”

Bates Events provides event planning services for occasions such as executive luncheons, private parties, public festivals, weddings and conventions or corporate conferences.

Other event planners said they’ve noticed that more people are willing and able to attend events that require a paid ticket. For example, this year’s Northwest Arkansas Business Women’s Conference sold out a couple of weeks before it happened on Sept. 11. In recent years, the numbers were down after several years of selling out, said Krista Khone, vice president of special projects and leadership at the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event.

ECONOMY A GAME CHANGER
Like many parts of life and business, the economy had a profound effect on the event planning and meeting planning industries. Not all those changes are perceived as negative, however.

“People are more about all-natural, very simple and elegant,” said Jennifer Keaton, owner of Kruton’s, Festivities and Botanicals.

Keaton created Kruton’s Catering several years ago and then purchased Festivities Tents and Events and Botanicals of Northwest Arkansas. The three companies combined to create an entity that provides turnkey events, Keaton said. Clients can get the planning, catering, decorations, photography, venue selection and every other component of an event from the same place, she explained.

Keaton said clients have been choosing more minimalist selections in everything from catering to decorations.

“It’s been more on the down home side of things,” she said. “Part of it is the economy. People don’t have a lot of money to spend so they are trying to save money where they can. With that comes choosing the less expensive items.”

Keaton said she sees that trend continuing even as the economy starts to pick back up.

“I think people are learning to appreciate the natural and simplistic side of things,” she said. “(For example) most weddings are very simple now and people appreciate that. Why spend money for something fancy when you can get something very nice that is simple.”

MEETING IMPROVEMENTS
Courtney Backus Norton, director of special events and workforce for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, said that with the increase in the number of networking meetings as well as the economic downturn, she is seeing people become more selective on what meetings they attend.

“It’s a combination of everything (that is driving the changing trend),” she said. “(Meeting planners) need to get more creative on how to pull more people in, especially in the last few years when the economy has gotten worse. People hold on to their wallets tighter so they have to be convinced on why (attending a given event) is a good investment. People would attend almost anything before. Now they are looking more into the message.”

This changing trend has improved the meeting planning industry, Norton said.

“It’s made meeting planners dig deeper and make sure there’s a good purpose for the meeting,” she said. “There’s so many different opportunities that you have to make sure that what you’re providing stands out from the crowd and is beneficial.”

One major change the Chamber made to one of its signature events, the Northwest Arkansas Business Conference and Expo, was adding a theme.

“We’ve added a theme the last two years and people have really gotten engaged in that,” Norton said.

EVENT RECRUITMENT
There is also an ongoing effort throughout the Northwest Arkansas region to bring more meetings and events to the area, thus boosting the local economy. The Rogers Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has a program called Bring It Home Northwest Arkansas, which encourages people who attend national or regional conferences to suggest that meeting planners move the event to Northwest Arkansas.

Another trend that seems to be created by the economy is that more corporations are reaching out to event and meeting planners for their services.

“We’re noticing more third-party meeting planners (because) the companies do not want to hire anyone full time (to plan events) so they hire third party for most meetings,” said Scott Beal, director of sales at the Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas Hotel Spa and Convention Center.

The popular event venue offers event services including in-house catering and other meeting needs.

“The last year or so we have seen groups be more aware of overall costs and saving on a budget for meetings,” Beal said. “Groups used to not really ask about exact costs but now they want a breakdown of everything. … It’s the economy and avoiding the perception that they are not wasting the company’s money on shrimp or high-priced hotels.”

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Meetings are also being planned more at the last minute, Beal said.

NEW EVENT IDEAS
Event and meeting planners are noticing other changing trends in the industry that are not related to the economy as well.

“There’s been quite a bit of difference,” Bates said. “People are more comfortable with individuality and not doing something just because it’s been done before.”

Speaking specifically about weddings, Bates said she’s seeing couples choose many forms of personalization including unique activities in lieu of cocktail hours and instead of using table numbers, each table is named after a place that the couple has visited.

“It’s saying ‘I want you to know me and it’s not just me putting on an event,’” Bates explained.

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Building relationships is another major trend in the event and meeting industry. This is largely driven, or at least fostered, by social media.

“Social media has had a huge impact,” Khone said.

She spoke about reading the Twitter feed of people using the hashtag for the NWA Business Women’s Conference (#NWABWC2012). She said a room full of 1,200 were able to share their thoughts on the experience they were experiencing together and in turn sharing that experience with people outside the conference.

“People were feeding off of each other,” she said.

Social media also played a major role in advertising the event and contributed to the event selling out several weeks in advance. It also helped that this year online registration was available, which is how 98% of the women chose to register.