Laser Mustache Party

Introduction

HeatSync Labs in one year old and we want to celebrate big. Mustaches, lasers, robots, mad scientists/engineers, music, food and so much more. This event will be representative of our accomplishments over the last year as well as our community as a whole. Costumes and shenanigans are expected. Robots dancing? Yes!

Date

Have been waiting to secure the performances which has pushed us back into October.

Possible dates from GP included:

• Open Fridays - October 8, 22
• Open Saturdays - October 2, 9, 16, 23

The main worry with later dates is bumping up against Halloween weekend. Research has found another big experimental electronica show being held the week of the 16th so it would be good to both avoid that weekend and advertise there.

Thru The Wires have requested Sat Oct 23rd, over other dates or a Friday.

Marketing

We need some one to head up ensuring that this event is marketed correctly. From there on we'll need everyone to pass around flyers, tweet/update facebook status details about the event, help contact local press, etc.:

• Flyers with Cut Out Mustaches
• Mustache Stickers and Spray Templates Around Town
• Facebook/Twitter/Blog/Other Blogs
• Local Press(Preferably Free) - New Times, AZ Central, The Chandler Times, Arizona Republic, etc.
• Gangplank Press
• Word of Mouth --> Street Team

Music Acts

We want a musical act that can represent our do it yourself maker culture. Genres that come to mind initially: Industrial, Nerdcore, Experimental Electronica, etc.

• Minibosses - Rock band that plays classic video game tunes - Still No Answer From Them...maybe for another event
• Through The Wires - Local Group of Experimental Electronica Enthusiasts

Catered Food

Need to look into possibilities for free catering. Have any suggestions? Know anyone local that would be willing to cater for free for some good press? Some possibilities:

• 24 Carrots - http://24carrotsjuice.com/ - Has catered Gangplank and other events many times.
• Cathy's Rum Cake - http://www.cathys-rum-cake.com/ - Looks like they've done free samples at different locations. Challenge her to make a robot mad scientist cake?
• Silver Mine Subs - http://silverminesubs.com/ - Sandwich shop that is up late nights? Ask for bite sized sub samples. Sell that they are the sandwich shop of choice because they're tasty and they are open when we're working.
• ???

Cash Bar

Sadly in Arizona you are not allowed to have a cash bar without a liquor license. Several companies, Pour Masters and Shake It Up, exist where you can get around this for your event. There are 2 options:

• Hire just a bartender for ~25 an hour for a minimum of 5 hours and you provide the alcohol (I think they'll provide mixers usually so its $125 + alcohol)
• Buy a package where they bartend per head for a minimum of 100 people. These are $8 a head for Beer and Wine and ~15 a head for well drinks ($800-1500)

However there is one interesting loop hole for nonprofits. If you are a 501c3 you can apply for a liquor license for your event for ~300 dollars per event and proceeds go to your nonprofit! We're not 501c3 yet, and thats an expensive license, but might be handy in the future.

So for this event I think we either provide our own liquor (and maybe our own bartender) or BYOB or skip it all together.. It'll be interesting to watch how the Poker Tournament is held.

Furniture

We expressed interest in making gangplank out to be lounge-y and club-y for the event. They have 3 couches, but ideally we'd like to see 3-6 more probably.

We found a company Unique Table Top Rentals who will rent furniture for just this occasion. As you would expect however they are PRICEY. Their cheapest goods are the armless couches which they have a few in the ~$280 each range. Add to this delivery charges around ~$75 and a deposit of around 150% of what your rental costs are(If you are renting $500 in goods, expect ~$750 deposit) and this puts them out of our range sadly.

Can we make some sort of bar seating ourselves? Can we round up enough couches off of craigslist or from our people? Can we round up beanbags and rugs on the cheap?

Interactive Installations

We want this event to be a chance to feature our local Makers. You have anything to show off?

New Project Ideas:

• Near UV Drawing Displays and Where's Waldo?
• Laser Trip Lines for Swag
• Mustache Cornucopia Machine(RepRap)
• Color Spectrum Fun? - http://bit.ly/9fCTOC
• 1950's Style Robot Pinata
• Display Model of Near Space Balloon

Local Maker Projects:

• Todd's Homemade Van De Graaff Generator
• Rene's Modded Motorcycle
• Justin's Solar Trike