Happy 2007!
To be honest, I've been writing 2007 instead of 2006 since July. One can only hope that this is a sign of good things to come this year. New Years Eve usually brings a night of so much expectation that I try to keep it as simple as possible. I'm one who thinks that the best fun is not always created on demand, but rather unexpectedly. And for that reason alone I can say that my New Years was 'fun'.
Jack was asked to dj at a huge party at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. The drawing card of the party was the 3 rooms with dj's and the open bar. These things could be had for a mere $70 ticket (early bird). Luckily Jack and I didn't have to pay and even more luckily (as we would learn by the end of the night), all the 600 tickets sold out so only two friends had paid to join us. We do thank you Greg and Vic. You were an awesome to spend this evening with and I'm sure we'll be talking about it for years to come.




Arriving at 8:15 with Jack I spent the first hour waiting for everyone to set up and doors to open. It became clear quite quickly that the bars were understaffed for the 600 partiers who wanted to get their $70 worth. Greg and Vic arrived and Jack was dj-ing to a dance floor that was quickly filling up. We made the best of the 20 minute lines for drinks and were getting into the groove. At midnight, the promised champagne was nowhere in sight and we informed Jack that he should probably pause his set for the countdown (considering the name and date of the party). Jack did a fantastic job of bringing us into 2007.



Shortly after it seems the shit hit the fan. The Liquor Commission was not too pumped about this party from the get-go and succeeded at shutting everything down around 12:45. Apparently people were stealing whole bottles of alcohol. Hmmm...perhaps the 20 minute line for 1 drink was to blame? The whole situation became something that should be published as an event management case study. 600 tickets to an open bar sold. 10 inexperienced bartenders. 4 or so very non-butch like security guards. 2 floors of party. 7 party rooms. 600 people who are either drunk or want to be drunk. You do the math.


Since the party was heading nowhere it seemed best to abandon ship. Jack was not going to get to dj any more that night so everything was packed up. Pandemonium, however, was ensuing at the door. The coat check people had no system for holding everyone's coats and all the people trying to leave broke through into the large room/theatre that was being used as coat check. People were freaking out and throwing coats everywhere. Everyone was worried about having their coat taken. It was cold outside and I think lots of people had keys etc in their pockets.

After we had found all the gear and coats, we wanted to get out asap. One of the promoters came by and told us that the party was moving to 290 McDermot but we were definitely ready to leave the situation behind. Hailing a cab proved to be impossible and the growing crowd outside the gallery was restless. People saw us carrying out the turntable and gear and started questioning us, thinking we know more about the coordination of the event. Guys were pissing on the WAG sign and people were pulling out the giant 70's modern bulbs in front of the gallery. We knew we had to escape so we started walking down the street with all the gear. Of the 4 of us, who do you think was the most unprepared to walk through the 25cm of snow we got the night before?


Yes, me. In the end, we did get a cab to Greg's place to unwind from all the 'excitement'. It was definitely unexpected and I guess the drama did lead to some fun. Considering that I didn't loose anything, I don't think anyone got hurt, the night cost me the price of one cab and I got to hang out with some great friends. We do thank you Greg and Vic and we definitely owe you one!!

Happy New Year.