Columbia on Steroids
March 1, 2008 at 12:24 p.m.
I took a back alley to Tonic hoping to experience True/False in a different light. Films were finishing up that night and most of the filmmakers and film goers were ready to party. The top level of Tonic had a projection of animation on the wall. I could never tell what was actually being shown, but it definitely added a spark to the atmosphere. There was a large red sheet that draped down from the stairs. It was supposed to look like blood and a topographic map. I think they came pretty close to their vision.
The man rocking the visuals was Mike Pagano. I bumped into him while I was waiting for the Mucca Pazza band to start their concert. I was intrigued by his structured red boa and red head gear. He later pointed out that he was also wearing fur pants: which I found to be appropriate for the type of party I was attending.
Mike and his friend Rob Van Dillen had seen Bigger. Stronger. Faster earlier that day and were making references to the movie, describing the party as "Columbia on steroids." (The movie was all about steroid use.) They were both impressed with the festival and recognized the amount of community that Columbia holds.
After my conversation with them and being offered to feel Mike's fur pants. I pushed my way downstairs to the open bar and dress up area. The decorations had been decked out in red banners, pillows, and structured art. Around the corner of the stairs I realized that people were stepping out of the designated area in the reddest of red outfits. I was not sure if everyone just had these exuberant outfits lying around their houses or who was supplying these party people with decorations. There was an area that was like a small dressing room. There were hats, boas, and head pieces for anyone to throw on. There were even volunteers standing near to suit you up in red gear as soon as you stood in front of them. Gradually the outfits became bigger and redder.
The Mucca Pazza band was hanging out in one of the side rooms while they waited for the party to expand. At 10:30 p.m. there was still walking room. I could have busted out in a dance move and not touched anyone. By 11 p.m and Mucca Pazza's horns and drums taking over, the crowd had tripled in size. There were a few comments from some drunk people on their need to get up on the stage and dance with the band. The band did not want to bothered, so straight after their performance I found them standing in front of the Blue Fugue taking a smoke break.
I left the party at around midnight and people were still arriving. The party was said to go until 1:30 a.m.
- Rachel Schroeder
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