Open Mike Fairy Tales and Fantasies posted by monika on 12/5/08
This party was by far the most economical of many theme parties we have given over the years, yet we got lots of compliments and our guests seemed to have a lot of fun, while providing most of the 'program' and entertainment of the evening. Theme: Open Mike Fairy Tales and Fantasies. Invitations asked guests to come prepared to introduce a character/theme/representation of favorite opera/literary work/piece of art (guests may 'wear or carry' their character/represention, depending on how they feel about costumes and dressing up).
Our party was held in the back yard and we transformed the oblong above ground pool into a 'BD cake giganticus' using white cotton batting for whipping cream, big rocks painted to look like strawberries, and torches became candles. (Serve a matching, whipping cream covered cake, with strawberries and 'forever candles for dessert!!) Many of our guests were strangers to each other so our Party opener was designed to make sure everyone was introduced to the others. So our party openers were: Music from the Nutcracker, a large giftwrapped box concealing a young girl ('Clara') who began to dance ballet as a giant self-inflating nutcracker appeared behind her. Each guest was then asked to step forward in turn, giving their name and some fact about him/herself and then giving simple hints about what/who they were/represented. For example, one guest in a Persian type dress and headscarf steps up: I AM KNOWN TO BE THE BEST STORYTELLER OF ALL TIME. Second hint: I HAD COMPELLING REASONS NEVER TO FINISH A STORY IN A DAY, BUT ALWAYS TO CARRY IT OVER TO THE NEXT DAY.. (SCHERAZEDE from A Thousand and One Nights. The emperor whom she had married,would marry a new virgin every day, beheading the last, but became spellbound by Scherazede's stories and could never bring himself to do away with her...lest he never would hear the ending of her story that day...) Be sure to involve all guests by encouraging them to ask questions. (Drumroll for every correct guess!!)
We served dinner buffet style and the highlight was a local flamenco troupe (two dancers, a 'caller' and a guitarist) who needed only a 8x10 foot space, perfect for our patio, which was lit up by torch lights, adding a sense of drama and the exotic. The night ended with kareoke singing and socializing and another round at the buffet table.
