DB: Ill Eagle
I am fascinated by so many things in this town that I am not allowed to write about. Be it underground parties without the money for a million dollar insurance rider, or shows in peoples homes that don’t wish have their address published, I find myself unable to broadcast a majority of the activities that involve my peers in the community. A few years ago a rumor was spread that the police or the city or the “man” was scanning the paper and the local web to discover parties where underage kids might be drinking. A few places, including the infamous Silent Studios, were shut down right about this time. The interesting thing is that no one was arrested for underage drinking or providing alcohol to minors. Silent Studios, Velveta Lounge, and the Alano Club were all shut down for not having the proper permits and licenses required to operate a venue. Funny thing is, as one shuts down, another one opens up, and as I write this I can hear the anthem of the generation that came before me screamed from the mouth of the Beastie Boys, “You’ve gotta fight, for your right, to PAAARRRRTTTAAAYAYAYYY!” But that’s not what I’m writing about….today.
Recently a rumor or a sort of myth has been spreading almost like a virus through a network completely outside of my current news-distribution occupation. This network can be described as organic and analog and is commonly referred to as “word of mouth”. The words “water war” have been on the lips of many of my peers and colleagues here in the downtown corridor and a little under a week ago large group of young people showed up to a pre-chosen location and divided into two teams: The Green Team, and The Black Team. The rules were simple; if you get wet, you are out, (but stick around because once everyone is out its a free for all giggle-splash). First team with all of its members wet looses. The legal weapons of dryness-eradication were pretty much anything that distributed water. Keg cup? Check. Balloon trebuchet? Check. Extinguisher? Check. Pistol modeled after ridiculous 1950’s sci-fi ray gun? Check. Car mounted air compressed ballistic water cannon? Check.
As predicted the police showed up in mass (6 cop cars!), but even though they seemed frustrated by the fact nothing illegal was happening, they could do nothing to stop a group of people from having a good time. They requested that the noise be kept down and drove away…veeerrrryyyy sllllooowlly. Everyone (except a few younger brothers and sisters) met up later at a local bar with their friends who couldn’t make it to the war and the squirting continued as everyone’s aim got a little worse.
Not only did this event provide the bonds of friendship with an evening of beauty and strengthening of social bonds, it got together 60 or so patrons and dropped them on a small business en masse.
When I approached the planners of this event with the idea of writing this very blog they quickly told me that a follow up water fight was scheduled in the near future, but that I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone anything specific about it. They want it to be invite only, and expect the buzz created by the stories of “last time” to bring a lot more people out into the stream. This may seem elitist but to me is a signal of an enjoyable event. It means that the people who show up have to pass through the barrier of relationship. It means that you can’t sit behind your computer intercepting the data-flow and expect to be drawn into community.
Unlike a similar event, say perhaps hosted by Metro Parks, advertised on all the local rivers of information, regulated by the health department, requiring some sort of corporate sponsorship by super soaker, etc, these local adult community builders want an event that is build on a social trust. You may get better attendance at the War (War? thats not exactly politically correct) put together by or channeled through the municipalities and services. However, it wouldn’t attract very many of the people who this city seems so desperate to bring into the job pool.
In a world that seems to be dominated by a virtual reality lived out via electronic communications and meta-broadcasts, (a world that I admittedly/ironically participate in and receive payment from) I find it extremely interesting that there are entirely different forms of social organization that bring together the “hip and indie” crowds.
Am I saying that the internet is bad and uncool? No. To do so via the internet would be kind of hypocritical, wouldn’t it? The internet is very good and very cool. All I’m saying is that there are some things that it cannot do, and we are wise not to forget the power of the face to face connection.
Downtown is my neighborhood. I am extremely pleased by the creative prowess of my neighbors, who have found ways to gather without three months of planning and red tape. I’m so glad for the underground parties, random plans to gather and unpublished events. You don’t have to own a computer or even a phone be a certain age, race or profession, in order to participate. All you have to do is be here.
Filed under: DB
12 comments
J Jake August 27, 2008
As predicted the police showed up in mass (6 cop cars!), but even though they seemed frustrated by the fact nothing illegal was happening
Hmmm I wonder if these were the same people throwing water balloons at cars last week in downtown???
Know anyone with a bright green VW Golf??
R RR Anderson August 27, 2008
solider on comrade.
E Erik S August 27, 2008
Hrmph. Sort of reminds me of Olympia. All kind of scenesters having their own concerts and not inviting anybody else.
Still it is cool hear that folks aren’t allowing the bureaucratic machinery associated with licenses, insurance and the like get in the way of having some fun. Kudos on that point.
K kbce August 27, 2008
You don’t have to own a computer or even a phone be a certain age, race or profession, in order to participate. All you have to do is be here.
There’s much to be said for events that help foster communities, both private and public. However, communities are sustained by welcoming others in, including even strangers… not simply reinforcing the boundaries of who’s “in” and who’s not.
Touting the wonderfulness of such events and their ability to foster community, yet distinctly denying the possibility of those outside the “community” to participate is… well… hypocritical and elitist.
All that’s being said here, as far as one can tell, is that the writer is in the know and if a reader isn’t also in the know, then they’re not part of the “community” and haven’t passed through the barrier of relationship yet.
Was this supposed to be a piece on community or a musing on social selectivity?
E Erik S August 27, 2008
That’s sort of what I was thinking, but KBCE was bolder, clearer, and more eloquent about it.
Back in Seattle I used to go the Cha Cha every once in a while. Not often, maybe once every year or two. I’d bask in the disdain of the regulars. It was a lot of fun in a strange way. I will say that DB never gives me the sense of utter disregard that the hard core scenesters with their hipster death stares at the Cha Cha would, so I really don’t think he means ill (in spite of the title of the article). I just think it’s easy to forget the outside experience when you get deeply involved with a scene or subculture.
To be fair, I’d probably enjoy having a Scene of My Own. That would probably be a lot of fun, getting together many days each week and such. Rosie O’Donnell and Madonna all hanging out with us.
S Sir_Moustache August 27, 2008
Sounds hairy to me.
T Thorax O'Tool August 28, 2008
Y’all can come to the party at my place on Friday. We’ll have live music from Tacoma’s Great Unknown Metal Band, all kinds of booze, loose morals and whatever else happens to show up. If you ain’t there, you’re square!
But I can’t tell you when it is or where I live.
…you just gotta know.
T Thorax O'Tool August 28, 2008
_____________________________________________
I like the idea of a sub-underground culture, not a completely underground one. The way I see it, the subterranean subculture is a result of the encroaching suburban life ravaging it’s effects on our subconscious minds.
Ok, I’m feeling a bit snarkey today (apologies). I’d rather not see completely underground culture thrive, I’d rather see it be open enough that those in the loop actually have a chance to be brought into said loop.
But then again, I’m 26, most of my friends moved to Seattle years ago and I’ve never been much of a partier… that equals some lonely nights.
Not saying that I’m jealous, just that I feel kinda left out. :’(
R rick August 28, 2008
@8
Well, since you mentioned that the party is on Friday, and you helpfully wrote on the Arbor post that, “I [you] can (not kidding) see the tree chestnut on Sheridan and the Frisko Freeze Catalpa from my apartment.”, then I guess we’ll see you there! I’ll be sure to bring additional booze and loose morals.
T Thorax O'Tool August 28, 2008
“I’ll be sure to bring additional booze and loose morals.“
The passphrase for entry is “Douglas”
R rick August 28, 2008
Subculture? Scenesters? Hipsters? Elitists? Yikes! Sounds like a few people had a good idea for some good ol’ fashioned fun… and they told their friends the when and where, and then they told their friends, and sixty people has a great time. And then DB wrote about it, and framed it in such a way that made somebody feel left out. MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA! Relying on word of mouth for such an event is probably the best way to prevent the “turd in the punchbowl” from showing up. Feeling left out? Plan your own water war! And tell your friends to tell their friends…
T Thorax O'Tool August 29, 2008
@ 12
I got something brewing that’ll knock everyone’s socks off. It’s not a party… something bigger.
And naturally, everyone is invited.
You’ll know it when you see it in the streets of strategically chosen T-town neighborhoods.