From what I remember, the Krampus event was a huge success. At least that’s what people tell me. And everyone looks giddy in the photos that I’ve seen. My memories, though, are a little foggy. I thought, when I woke up the next morning, and started trying to fit the pieces together in my thoroughly dehydrated mind, that maybe I’d had too much to drink. And that was the hypothesis for a good part of the day, until I got the text message about the disco ball. My friend Chris wrote to ask if I was alright. It seems that, at some point, he dropped an enormous, 25-pound disco ball on my head, knocking me to the ground… which kind of makes sense, given that I woke up with a giant lump on my head, and a broken horn. So, while I’m sure that the beer contributed to it, I think I may have had a concussion too. In spite of it, though, I had a wonderful time, as evidenced by the photos of me smiling uncharacteristically… Speaking of photos, the event was pretty heavily documented. I can’t recall where the shots I’ve used in this post came from, as I’ve copied them from a few different places, but they likely came from either Sam Abuelsamid, Mike Giannouris, Kassandra Frost, Leighton Mann or Ryan Groendyk, all of whom have posted things to Facebook and/or Flickr. There’s also a little bit of video footage floating around, thanks to Thomas Kula. Here it is, for those of you who are interested:
[How lucky were we that the sonic mayhem didn’t send the walls of the Thompson Block tumbling over on us as we passed?]
Anyway, I’d like to thank everyone who contributed toward making it such a magical evening, from the volunteers who helped spray-paint the garbage garland gold, to the members of the Detroit Party Marching Band, who led the parade across the railroad tracks to where the drag queens of Elbowdeep were waiting for us. It was a truly unique Ypsi event, that could have only happened here, and it really couldn’t have happened without everyone’s active participation. Thank you, Ypsilanti.
Oh, speaking photos, if you haven’t seen it yet, the folks at AnnArbor.com have a pretty good gallery up on their site. Unfortunately, their photographer had to leave before the shit got crazy, but she did get a few nice shots, including a really lovely one of Linette, whose head was covered in pom poms and moss.
Again, thank you to everyone who got dressed up and came out… Thanks for your enthusiasm, your creativity, and, above all, your sense of humor and love of community.
It’s probably a little premature, but the non-lactating members of the Michigan Design Militia had a meeting tonight and agreed that, barring some unforeseen incident, like nuclear war or cannibal holocaust, we’d do it all again next year. (We’re already trying to figure out a way to incorporate hot tubs and fire.)
One last thing – those of you who weren’t able to get a copy of the incredible poster that we made for the event, just let me know, and we’ll try to work something out. We’ve got a few left over, and I’d be happy to leave one for you somewhere if you can come up with $10… They make wonderful Christmas gifts, by the way.
Special thanks to the Corner Brewery, Woodruff’s, VG Kids, Dreamland Theater, WCBN, the Dirty Brothers, DJ Soul Percussion, Elbowdeep, the Shadow Art Fair volunteers, the Michigan Design Militia, Mike Perini, Ryan Groendyk, Logan Schaedig, and the folks behind DIYpsi and Toys for Tats, who did such a great job of getting the day started for us. It’s amazing what can happen in a little town like Ypsi when everyone comes together and contributes.
24 Comments
Does this mean you aren’t doing Winter Shadow Art Fair anymore? Cause Shadow Art Fair is like one of my absolute favorite Ypsi events. Total.
Next year, could there be a wet fur competition for female Krampi?
To piggy back on Knox…a dunk tank? (j/k)
I can’t take credit for the images posted here.
Next year, I will try to come. I will have to take lots of vitamins for months and maintain a solid sleep schedule to prepare for the event so as not to have a geriatric health event, but I will try to come.
Any excuse to have a marching band weave its way through a neighborhood under torchlight at midnight.
Jesus Christ Peter! You’re not that much older than me and I made it until past 11. I did learn that random dudes do not mind you spanking them with a riding crop. I think there is a lesson in there for us all.
As someone on AA.com so eloquently put it, it’s looks like you had a “nerdtastic” time.
I need a silver body suit.
Wow, if I had not been out of town I would’ve attended. Maybe next year…
My only criticism is that there wasn’t enough child scaring. I guess I’m a traditionalist in that I like my Krampuses horrifying and ugly, and terrifying to children. If I had it by way, the event would start earlier in the day, when the Rocket was still open, and, while all the fun and campy Krampuses danced at the beer hall, at least a few of the more serious ones would be chasing kids around the candy store, hissing at them, and trying to lash them with birch branches.
i absolutely loved it, super fun!! i’m still jerkin’ off to krampus…grrr
I love that we danced with a woman holding a shotgun without thinking twice about it.
Can someone send me more links to more pictures? I would like to see more more more but I don’t think I’m FB friends with any of you except Mark.
There are a bunch more photos on the Shadow Art Fair’s flickr group/pool, with hopefully more to come:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/966234@N21
ugghhh! man…i can’t believe i missed dancing with a lady with a shotgun…
Have you ever google imaged’ Krampus? The pictures are seriously horrifying.
Christine, my last name is Smith if you want to look me up on FB and see my pictures! I’m also Mark’s friend and you can find me that way too :)
What about having a Krampus daycare at the Brewery during the day of the event next year, where people could drop off their kids to be whipped as they drink?
can someone explain what’s happening in this photo?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadow_art_fair/5277243659/in/pool-966234@N21/
Furries are making more furries.
I’m sorry you had to see that, Doug.
I’ve seen worse. Which one is you?
You can’t see Mark in this photo. He was beneath the Krampus, latched onto its balls like a lamprey.
Next year, can there be a tent for swingers? And, if so, can I have the lube and popper concession?
10 Trackbacks
[…] have started throwing a Nain Rouge parade,” I told him, “similar to Krampus festivals, although we do that too. …Lots of bored artists in Detroit.” Just the sorts of things I love most about Detroit. […]
[…] year, as we approached the big Krampus party, I posted the following on this site: Tonight, during my breaks in reading up on how to properly […]
[…] big Krampus constume party. As you may recall, one the beers was naughty, and one was nice. Sadly, as I was knocked unconscious by a flying disco ball at some point in the evening, I don’t remember either. I’m told, however, that one was […]
[…] be able to attend, as we’ve got the brand new baby at home, but I wouldn’t miss the march between the Brewery and the Krampusdeep drag show for anything… It was seriously my favorite Ypsi moment last year… Speaking of which, if […]
[…] Saint Nick?[note: Those of you who are new to the concept might want to check out my write-ups from 2010 and 2011, and the original post that set the whole thing in motion.]The 2012 Krampus Ball will […]
[…] to one of our Krampus events, you can find photos and videos by clicking on the following links: 2010, 2011, […]
[…] If you follow them, I think you’ll get a pretty good sense as to what the event is all about: 2010 recap, 2011 recap, 2012 […]
[…] If you follow them, I think you’ll get a pretty good sense as to what the event is all about: 2010 recap, 2011 recap, 2012 recap, 2013 […]
[…] here are four links. If you follow them, I think you’ll get a pretty good sense of things: 2010 recap, 2011 recap, 2012 recap, 2013 […]
[…] If you follow them, I think you’ll get a pretty good sense as to what the event is all about: 2010 recap, 2011 recap, 2012 recap, 2013 recap, 2014 […]