The Desk Set

Sweet Biblioball Memories

Dec 15

SarahDesk Set Sponsored Events, Dispatches from Maria and Sarah Biblioball 1 Comment

Baby, it was cold outside, but the Bell House was hot on Friday night. 406 gorgeous guests joined nearly 80 talented performers of all ages, 11 rad DJs, and a host of generous volunteers to make Biblioball 2009 the biggest party the Desk Set has ever had the pleasure to throw.

We managed to raise over $7,000 for Literacy for Incarcerated Teens thanks to partygoers, raffle donors, zinesters, an army of volunteers, and an incredible line-up!!! This far surpassed our expectations and we are in awe of the generosity of our community. Those who arrived early enjoyed complimentary small-batch whiskey tastings as poured by Ralph Erenzo of Tuthilltown Spirits and generously flowing Apollo White Ale from Sixpoint Craft Ales. Happily, local artisan chefs and bakers Sharif Hassan, Victoria Bott and Fabiana Lee, were on hand providing sandwiches, pies, cake pops, and more.

Further highlights included the impressive (and sexy) feats of Anne Weshinskey and Jean Loscalzo (the former juggling umbrellas and fabric with her feet, the latter swinging and flying above us on a cloud swing), the unexpected inspiring jam between rappers Nine 11 Thesaurus and the Lucky Chops Brass Band, the rather more expected but nonetheless surprising battle of the raucous marching bands and fancy dancers featuring Rude Mechanical Orchestra and Hungry March Band, and the haunting late night performance of indie pop outfit Living Days. The charming word-smith, author Robert Sullivan and fetching librarian Sarah Simms kept things moving and amused us in between performers and DJs, and graciously awarded over 40 raffle prizes shortly after midnight!

If you missed the party, you can still make a donation to the very worthy LIT, and ensure that books and services for New York’s detained youth keep on coming.

We love what TimeOut’s Own This City blog had to say (and we hope you are listening, Nick Paumgarten), and we are tickled by photos from Eric Brown and Phillip Kim. Check back soon for more photos from the darling Audrey Evans and portraits from Jeremy Balderson. In the meantime, enjoy these from Jason Planitzer:

A major Thanks to all of you who worked your buns off to make the party a raging success! Especially: Alex Crosier our volunteer coordinator, Marisha Chinsky our publicist and mural maker, Gwyn Hervochon, Laura Bishop, Ryan Phillips and the Desk Set AV squad, back-drop painters Gilbert Ford and Dustin Piper, video invitation and print designers Rick Banister and Ada Egloff, our sweetest zine librarian hero Alycia Sellie, Jessica Pigza (gorgeous pennant maker supporter, and all round incredible lady), Brandon Perry, Elisabeth Stern, Oriana Leckert, Maria Alegre, Karen O., Adrienne Vrettos, Mark Aaron Polger, Ivy Marvel, Emily Legutko, Tom Forget, Leigh Hurwitz, Lindsy Serrano, Polly Watson, Jaclyn Barcewski, Becca Morgan Ardra Whitney, Steve Fujita, John Ortiz, Carolyn Vega, Jay Diamond, Juliet Linderman, Ingrid Redman, Marissa Hiller, Molly Corman, Molly Cronin, Annie Magness, Tatiana Bryant, Emily Drabinski, Lynley Wheaton, Matthew Murphy, Douglas Von Hoppe, Eric Bebernitz , David Kay, Stephanie Anderson , Tara Hart , Ryan Philips, Amber Billey, Sacha Chernoff, Andrew Miller, Jen Carnovale, and everyone who donated raffle prizes!

love,

Maria & Sarah