Hello Fireballers! This year’s spectacular FIREBALL EVENTS throw back to a good old fashioned “theme” based party weekend. By calling on Chicago history for inspiration it opens up a myriad of costume ideas and fun activities!
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 takes center stage this year for the four highly anticipated charitable cha-cha’s, and, between the talent roster and the venues, this will be one HEATED weekend!
So, with that in mind, here is your official survival guide to the weekend:
1. EAT! Yes, I know, you have been working you’re a** off at the gym and skipped the urge for pizza and that mucho-grande Margarita. Well, the weekend is finally here and guess what? THE CHICKEN CEASAR SALAD WITH DRESSING WILL NOT SHOW UP ON YOUR WAIST LINE. Natural nutrition is very important. Man cannot live on protein bars alone.
2. COSTUME SURVIVAL! Let the chap-wearing-cowboy hat-bandana clad-boot and spur kickin’ stud watch begin. Keep in mind that in theater-PROPS can save you, but on the dance floor they are just annoying. Leave your toy guns and lassos back at the hotel to use later (wink). Other options? Saloon gal, Indian, Casino Card dealer and of course a hot fireman with his trusty Dalmation “puppy” at his side would certainly do the...er…trick.
3. WEAR A COAT! Chicago weather can be very surprising and unkind to cute costumes. BUT it’s better to keep yourselves warm before and especially after each event when you are sweaty and exhausted while waiting for a cab. Coat check is high on the Hearts Foundation’s priority list—use it.
4. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF of your face. I am not a ‘germ-a-phobe’ but let’s face the facts. You touch hundreds of surfaces-especially in the middle of the dance floor-WHY not give your immune system a fighting chance and leave those germs away from your face. Wash your hands deliberately and often... and not on the cute boy’s t-shirt dancing in front of you.
5. SLEEP! Some of you pride yourselves on being at every event, on every dance box, dancing to every song, and therefore you emerge from the weekend as the one with the most dance miles. Last time I checked, my American Airlines card didn’t honor those miles for anything. And if your friends won’t tell you, I will—IT AIN’T PRETTY. Nothing worse than being mistaken at hotel checkout on Monday for a Louis Vuitton hanging bag with a body inside fighting to get out. Rest yourself. Your body and mind will reward you with a better party experience and quality of life later on.
6. BE A FRIEND! You have all been very excited for this weekend for a long time. Stick together. Enjoy your time and experience together by bonding with each other and the music. Be a better friend by watching out for each other. Check in and on each other often. Besides—strangers don’t care if you are following tips 1 through 5, AND a friend will be honest with you about your failed attempt at “Fireball hair that matches your temporary tattoo”. Trust!
7. RESPECT! Show maturity and respect towards hotel staff, volunteers, security and each other. A little kindness goes a long way. Keep your rooms respectful as well and use the in-room safes. Hotel staff does NOT need to know all yo’ business, so be mindful that you are representing our community-but more importantly yourself. Leave a couple bucks for the maid and the cute bellboy.
8. ERASE STEREOTYPES! Show each other and the RED STATES that we are a complex, determined, creative, sincere, diverse, honest, deserving community that works hard and expects to be treated justly. Here in Illinois-it was recently made a law-WOO-HOO! A little decorum goes a long way.
9. HAVE FUN! Show off that style and grace on the dance floor! Everybody’s a star! Love life! Love each other! Hundreds of volunteers have worked for a year to make this happen so let yourselves soak up the love!
10. BE GRATEFUL! Take a moment to reflect on how lucky you are to be able to come to these events and have a great time. The charitable part is very important, but take a look around for a moment. Countless musicians, vendors, lighting designers, AIDS victims, soldiers, activists, community leaders, parents and loved ones gave up a lot for your freedom. Do not take that for granted. Ever.
Be sure to stop by Excalibur on Sunday night to experience the DJ SHOWCASE which runs simultaneously with the closing event. The showcase features many very talented DJ’s ready to rock your world at VISION-the adjacent club to Excalibur. I will be one of the featured DJ’s from 9:30-11:30pm. Admission is included with your FRATERNI TEA ticket so don’t miss it!
Happy FIREBALL everyone!
With Love,
Matthew Harvat-Circuit MOM
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 takes center stage this year for the four highly anticipated charitable cha-cha’s, and, between the talent roster and the venues, this will be one HEATED weekend!
So, with that in mind, here is your official survival guide to the weekend:
1. EAT! Yes, I know, you have been working you’re a** off at the gym and skipped the urge for pizza and that mucho-grande Margarita. Well, the weekend is finally here and guess what? THE CHICKEN CEASAR SALAD WITH DRESSING WILL NOT SHOW UP ON YOUR WAIST LINE. Natural nutrition is very important. Man cannot live on protein bars alone.
2. COSTUME SURVIVAL! Let the chap-wearing-cowboy hat-bandana clad-boot and spur kickin’ stud watch begin. Keep in mind that in theater-PROPS can save you, but on the dance floor they are just annoying. Leave your toy guns and lassos back at the hotel to use later (wink). Other options? Saloon gal, Indian, Casino Card dealer and of course a hot fireman with his trusty Dalmation “puppy” at his side would certainly do the...er…trick.
3. WEAR A COAT! Chicago weather can be very surprising and unkind to cute costumes. BUT it’s better to keep yourselves warm before and especially after each event when you are sweaty and exhausted while waiting for a cab. Coat check is high on the Hearts Foundation’s priority list—use it.
4. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF of your face. I am not a ‘germ-a-phobe’ but let’s face the facts. You touch hundreds of surfaces-especially in the middle of the dance floor-WHY not give your immune system a fighting chance and leave those germs away from your face. Wash your hands deliberately and often... and not on the cute boy’s t-shirt dancing in front of you.
5. SLEEP! Some of you pride yourselves on being at every event, on every dance box, dancing to every song, and therefore you emerge from the weekend as the one with the most dance miles. Last time I checked, my American Airlines card didn’t honor those miles for anything. And if your friends won’t tell you, I will—IT AIN’T PRETTY. Nothing worse than being mistaken at hotel checkout on Monday for a Louis Vuitton hanging bag with a body inside fighting to get out. Rest yourself. Your body and mind will reward you with a better party experience and quality of life later on.
6. BE A FRIEND! You have all been very excited for this weekend for a long time. Stick together. Enjoy your time and experience together by bonding with each other and the music. Be a better friend by watching out for each other. Check in and on each other often. Besides—strangers don’t care if you are following tips 1 through 5, AND a friend will be honest with you about your failed attempt at “Fireball hair that matches your temporary tattoo”. Trust!
7. RESPECT! Show maturity and respect towards hotel staff, volunteers, security and each other. A little kindness goes a long way. Keep your rooms respectful as well and use the in-room safes. Hotel staff does NOT need to know all yo’ business, so be mindful that you are representing our community-but more importantly yourself. Leave a couple bucks for the maid and the cute bellboy.
8. ERASE STEREOTYPES! Show each other and the RED STATES that we are a complex, determined, creative, sincere, diverse, honest, deserving community that works hard and expects to be treated justly. Here in Illinois-it was recently made a law-WOO-HOO! A little decorum goes a long way.
9. HAVE FUN! Show off that style and grace on the dance floor! Everybody’s a star! Love life! Love each other! Hundreds of volunteers have worked for a year to make this happen so let yourselves soak up the love!
10. BE GRATEFUL! Take a moment to reflect on how lucky you are to be able to come to these events and have a great time. The charitable part is very important, but take a look around for a moment. Countless musicians, vendors, lighting designers, AIDS victims, soldiers, activists, community leaders, parents and loved ones gave up a lot for your freedom. Do not take that for granted. Ever.
Be sure to stop by Excalibur on Sunday night to experience the DJ SHOWCASE which runs simultaneously with the closing event. The showcase features many very talented DJ’s ready to rock your world at VISION-the adjacent club to Excalibur. I will be one of the featured DJ’s from 9:30-11:30pm. Admission is included with your FRATERNI TEA ticket so don’t miss it!
Happy FIREBALL everyone!
With Love,
Matthew Harvat-Circuit MOM
