My Madcap Movie Masquerade!

I'm back! Did you miss me?

I missed you!

But wow, since I last wrote, collapsing from July’s heat? An ear was grazed. A Trump supporter was assassinated (which you spell with two asses, btw). The president got Covid and had a wake up call—and as a consequence the COUNTY WOKE UP. I danced through it all, leading rousing songs like “My Shot” and “I Am Woman” in my Dancetera class. This week I was glued to the DNCTV love fest.

The other thing that happened was I had my birthday! It was one that ended with a zero so I wanted to do something unique and unforgettable.

I also wanted to wear my first 18th century gown, which was actually (swoon) made for and worn in an opera!!! But I didn’t really want to do a historic party, since only about 22% of my friends are costumers.

It all came together in a singular vision one night just before I fell asleep. (Thank you Hypnogogia, o undersung muse!) I had been recording The Winning Family audiobook and there was an extra microphone with a long cord… all I needed were some fake flowers and a wig to become the unctuous villainess/foil Lina Lamont in The Dancing Cavalier from Singin' in the Rain. My guests could all come as characters from other movies.

Jean Gray in her comic book attire tries to bend my non-existent mind as Wolverine looks on. Check out my signature coctkail: “The Hollywood Starlet.” Lemon juice, simple syrup, and either champagne or sparkling water. Starfruit were out of season so the Cinema Grill staff garnished with little mango stars!

And the place? Timothy Pflueger’s 1932 Alameda Theater, little sister of Oakland’s queen, The Paramount. Pflueger’s genius personified the Art Deco Era, the way he understood line and proportion, the way he crowded interiors with geometric detail without cluttering. This historic theater was lovingly restored, and has fabulous community values. They created their own welcome trailer, hosted drive-ins during the pandemic, do fundraisers and live events, and host a classic film series.

I wish you could have been there! I was hoping to have way more people but everyone travels in August, and it seems like spam folders ate some invites. But each guest was doubled by the character they embodied! What's more, in the balcony facing the mezzanine we rented, dozens of mannequins watched on, dressed as superheroes and movie creatures—so I dare say the crowd was practically Trumpian!

Other than Wolverine & Jean Gray, Here’s who attended my “Madcap Movie Masquerade”: Ferris Bueller; Charlie Brown; Dr. Jonathan Hemlock (The Eiger Sanction); Holly Golightly, Paul, and Cat (Breakfast at Tiffany’s); The Dread Pirate Roberts (The Princess Bride); Frau Blücher (Young Frankenstein); Grizabella the Glamour Cat (Cats); Sabrina (Sabrina); Minerva McGonagal (Harry Potter); Susan Thomas or Roberta Glass (they dress alike in Desperately Seeking Susan); Tracy Lord (The Philadelphia Story); Norma Desmond and her director-turned chauffeur Max von Mayerling (Sunset Boulevard); Baby and Johnny (Dirty Dancing); Lara Kroft (Tomb Raider); Jane (Tarzan); Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family); Travis Bickel (Taxi Driver); Gray Grantham (The Pelican Brief); The Scarecrow (Howl’s Moving Castle); Anne Providence (Anne of the Indies); and two documentary subjects, Frida Kahlo and Lidia Bastianich. Also taking my meta to the meta was a friend dressed as the production assistant on Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist

$upporting $ubscribers get the link to the Lina Lamont Shimmering, Glowing Star in the Cinema Firmament Awards today!

I passed out postcards to my guests with a qr code to fill up a virtual goody bag (link is beyond the jump for $upporting $ubscribers). One of which was a once in my lifetime 60% off upgrade on Generous Muse, and I have one left to give away—let me know if you want it! And a list of birthday gifts I’d love to receive, including book reviews! I’m always looking for more love! Here's my GoodReads list and here's my Amazon Author Page. If you have a blog or newsletter of your own, please talk my books up! Also, gifting one of my books to a friend is a double gift to me. And if you really want to show some love, please donate to Dave's classroom fundraiser!

With all the work on my plate right now—I will catch you up next week—it was such a treat to revel in imagination and the great stream of shared love for the cinematic arts. I am so blessed, we all are!

What was your most creative birthday celebration? Or one you attended?

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