There is never a disappointment when Spacetaker throws a party. So it came as no surprise to devotees on Saturday night when the arts organization scored big with its "Sold Out" so-called gala.
Spacetaker actually redefines the world "gala." Dismiss any images of fancy European cars disgorging gents in tuxes and dames in gowns. Forget the requisite air kisses and the dainty seated dinners. Spacetaker is all about earthy, radical partying and no one dare show up in a ball gown — unless of course he or she is channeling Michaele Salahi.
There was lots of that sort of thing at Spring Street Studios on Saturday when the Spacetaker sell-outs (an artist's worst fear) included partygoers costumed as syrupy artist Bob Ross, Justin Bieber, Lindsay Lohan and an entire flock of Black Swans. Leading the pack were gala chairs Carey "Katy Perry" Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Beitler as the SXSW "sell-out" and James Phalen as Tim Burton's Jack Skellington in Santa hat.
"I am the person to whom everyone here sells out," he explained.
Celebrated for his talent at transforming warehouses into hipster art studios and office space, developer Jon Deal was the evening's honoree. Count Winter Street Studios and Spring Street Studios among his successes.
Beyond the ghouls and vampires, there were a number of political statements in the "sell-out" crowd including Mandy Trichell with a Washington Avenue street sign and friends accompanying her displaying the name of night spots along the party central corridor.
Among the 500-plus Spacetaker fans pouring in were proud new papa Lester Marks, Beth Newhouse, Liz Gorman, James Glassman, Salvador Munoz, Natalie Eguia, Kate Jackson, Adam Brackman, Stephen Jones, Kasi Kubiak and James Bell.
In addition to seeing and being seen, diversions included DJ spins, performances by Suchu Dance and Amy Ell's Vault, which danced across warehouse walls in a take-off on Cirque du Soleil, which Spacetaker labeled "the dance world's most notorious sellout." A number of eateries, including BRC Gastropub, Jenni's Noodle House and Phoenicia Specialty Foods, provided drink and food.
