Sometimes you get home at 10 PM after a long day and you want nothing more than to have something to eat and watch old episodes of Kitchen Nightmares or something. Then you read about Amanda Palmer’s recent Kickstarter funding project and how she was looking to raise $100,000 to put out a new record, a new book, and fund a tour. And how she raised nearly $1.2 million. And how she’s throwing an open lot party in Brooklyn to celebrate. And how it’s that night. And a few blocks south of you. And Neil Gaiman is there just hanging out.
Yeah.
Click any image to enlarge.
The party was in a lot behind Serett Metalworks in Brooklyn, right on the fetid shores of the Gowanus canal, under the clanking menace of the Smith/9th St. stop, and across from the Lowe’s (of the damned).
The bay doors of Serett were thrown open and hosting some amazing metalwork art and sculpture.
Here’s a close-up of that awesome metal horse.
And a couple other of the installations.
The lot itself was packed, although you couldn’t tell from the street. You turned a corner and suddenly… madness!
Much of the action was centered on a bubble buggy thing that Amanda Palmer was inside with other supporters. They had the names of Kickstarter supporters on phone book pages and would paste them to the plastic. It was all being simulcast online and anyone could add their name to the pile.
The crowd assembled was as colorful as one would expect from an Amanda Palmer joint. A stilted angel wandered the crowd enveloping welcome comers in her gossamer wings.
A living doll wandered about the crowd offering a variety of nibbles, from your run of the mill chips and peanuts to candied worms. Here, two music-playing pirates partake:
And, of course, her husband Neil Gaiman hung about, having fun and chatting to fans and other creatives. Gaiman had a couple handlers nearby but the crowd was extremely chill and respectful about his presence, which allowed him to float about and have fun. Neil himself was in high spirits and gave everyone as much attention as he could. (Including Stubby. But what resulted from that is a secret for the fall!)
And that was only the beginning. Eventually, Amanda herself emerged from the bubble to be fitted into a dress made entirely out of balloons.
Made by this fellow, Jon:
Once fitted, Amanda entreated the audience to pop her dress off of her, with the caveat, “Be nice to me!” And thus did Neil and the crowd descend on her.
The bell tolled midnight and, back in her sailor duds, Amanda announced the close of her Kickstarter campaign and how much they had raised.
Her upcoming record played over the party as victory was declared. And to celebrate… fire-dancers!
And fire-eaters!
The party continued on in the lot and later on at a loft nearby. Check out more pics from the party here. And keep an eye out for Amanda Palmer’s new record in September, because damn did it sound good.
Stubby the Rocket is the mascot of Tor.com, the often random voice of its staff, and can’t eat fire but can eat black holes, if anyone’s asking.
Great shots! The fire performers were Kai Altair and Flambeaux and Co. from Flambeaux Fire LLC.