I love Christmas. I love the whole holiday season. There is magic in the air. Lights are hanging from trees. Holiday movies speak of the importance of friends and family. There are gifts!
This season has inspired historic entertainment moments like the Star Wars Christmas Special and A Colbert Christmas.
Thinking about this season got me thinking, maybe I should put together a great geeky holiday show! And I am! I’ve invited my friends to help out. On December 1st in Seattle, at the Triple Door, there will be holiday nerdery! This is going to be one crazy and awesome night. Hope you guys can come and celebrate the season with me, geek style.
Special guests! Molly Lewis, The Doubleclicks, Stepto, Kyle Stevens….and more?
Next week I leave on an adventure with some geeky ladies. I will be driving a van half way(ish) across the country. Â Starting September 26th I will be on the road with Molly Lewis and the Doubleclicks. We are touring the northeast and Midwest. We have some help from a few nerdy friends along the way, such as Marian Call, Joseph Scrimshaw, Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, and Mike Phirman.
It is my first big tour and I am learning a lot as I go. I’m hoping people turn out and enjoy the show and that I do not get lost along the way.
I am very excited about this tour, these are talented ladies I am traveling with. They are great performers and really have a fun and infectious geeky style.
If you live near any of the cities below, I hope you’ll come out and see us. Check us out at www.ladiesofragnarok.com
Young songwriter Molly Lewis, according to Wikipedia, writes “comedic songs on pop culture topics that trend toward the nerdy.†Her original songs and covers, accompanied by her masterful ukulele playing, have earned her over 4.4 million views on YouTube. Her cover of the Jonathan Coulton song “Tom Cruise Crazy†won her the “Ukulele Video of the Year†award from UkuleleHunt.com, and earned her the attention of Coulton himself. Lewis soon became a staple at Coulton concerts, and on the Internet-culture-based touring variety show w00tstock. Her first album, “I Made You A CD, But I Eated It,†was released by DFTBA Records and received local and national press. Lewis recently blew the Internet’s mind when she was invited to sing her song about wanting to have Stephen Fry’s babies to Stephen himself at Harvard University. http://sweetafton23.com
The Doubleclicks are a self-proclaimed “nerd-folk†duo, based in Portland, Oregon. The band is made of the Webber sisters: Berklee College of Music graduate and cellist Aubrey, and songwriter and ukulele player Angela. In 2011, the band started a “song a week†project, in which they posted new songs on their YouTube channel every week for a year – ranging in topics from superpowers to grammar. Their music, particularly a music video for their “Dungeons and Dragons†song created by Brooklyn-based artist Brad Jonas, boosted the Doubleclicks into position as a songwriting voice of the geek and gamer community. The band has toured to gaming and comic conventions and has shared the stage with Wil Wheaton, Amanda Palmer, and Paul and Storm. Though the tracks on The Doubleclicks’ first studio album “Chainmail and Cello†come from “a geeky place,†reviewers note that the Doubleclicks’ music has a broad appeal that can reach beyond the walls of the local game store. http://thedoubleclicks.com
We are excited to have Card Kingdom as the KSSK official sponsor! They are great people and we are happy to have them on board. And apparently so are they:
“Card Kingdom couldn’t be happier to be a part of Kris and Scott’s Scott and Kris Show! We think these guys are awesome, and we are excited to be the sponsor of their show at The Triple Door. After all the support they’ve given to our store, it was an easy call to support them.†– The Team at Card Kingdom
Paul and Storm will be the musical guests on August 30th at the Triple Door. I am sure they are happy to be on board and we totally didn’t threaten them or anything.
Third-
Due to the high demand and near sell out of our Thursday, Aug 30 show, we are adding a SECOND SHOW! Tickets on sale now for Sunday night, September 2nd. Doors at 6:30pm, show at 8pm.
I can’t tell you how excited I am for this show. This is the first show listed as “a Dammit Liz Productionâ€. Seriously, my name is on the poster and everything. I’m getting an extra copy for parents to put on their fridge.
This show has been such a pleasure to work on. Not only do I get to work on the logistic type things and coordination, but I also get to be involved with the creative aspects. We were able to put together a great show with talented people and fun bits of entertainment. I mean, just look at this group:
I just got back from four exquisite days of relaxation. I realized as I sat with a book looking out at the ocean that it has been forever since I went on a real vacation. Like a no-work vacation. I even turned my phone off!
So I’m a little behind on blog posts, project reports and picture posting. I also have a few articles to write. Until I get caught up, enjoy the pictures below of my vacation.
Now that I am coming out of my post-cruise fog I can put together some words to describe the awesomeness that occurred at sea. When people ask me what JoCo Cruise Crazy is, I find myself trying to pick the perfect words. The real answer is it is summer camp for adults. It is a group of friends old and new reunited to celebrate common interests, have fun, and play games. Oh, and there are some entertainers and performances. But really, it’s about the people.
I don’t want to sell myself and talent short (hopefully my employers are not reading…) but we are sort of ancillary. The real joy is the community. A game room open 24 hours a day as old friends and new play a plethora of games. The game library was seriously impressive. Wizards of the Coast donated Magic half decks and two copies of Wrath of Ashardalon and Conquest of Nerath board games. (Thanks WotC!) The rest of the library was supplied by Sea Monkeys. (Sea Monkeys is the community-voted name for the JCCC attendees).
Part of the massive boardgame library. (photo by Atom Moore)
There are so many wonderful things that happened on this cruise it’s hard to narrow it down. Let me cover my highlights.
Day 1 (leaving Port)
Hodgman Towel Monkeys. On the cruise, the room steward leaves you towels every night assembled in the form of an animal. Last year John Hodgman pointed out that the towel monkey is particularly creepy — something Paul and Storm highlighted in the fun promotional video we filmed on our site visit.
This year it was decided to pull a prank on Hodgman by filling his room with towel monkeys on the first day of the cruise. Seriously, this is something we had listed in our official memo with Holland America.
Hodgman shows his delight with our little prank. (photo by Atom Moore)
Day 2 (Half Moon Cay)
Half Moon Cay is an island owned by Holland America Line (HAL). Last year we had a fabulous time and this year was even better. Since it is HAL’s island, all the food is free and the bars take your key card, just like on board. We were the only ship in port which added to the perfect tropical seclusion.
This year we reserved a section of the beach for our group. Vi Hart led folks in a fun activity of building shapes out of nerds in the ocean. I loved this event because I saw so many smiling faces and so much laughter. As people came out of the water and walked by me, they thanked me for cruise (though it’s not really my cruise). I heard exclamations of  “This is the most fun I’ve ever had!” and “This is the BEST vacation ever!†And it’s only day two.
Sea Monkeys forming shapes in the ocean.
Day 3 (at Sea)
Our first at sea day found the gaming room packed! It was great to see folks taking advantage of the space. We had explained to the HAL folks that this room would be packed and it made sense for us to have a 24-hour room. They did not believe us. It takes a special kind of group to be indoors gaming when there is a sunny Caribbean outside.
Since this was the first day without a port of call, it meant extra events, including a morning Q&A with the performers. At-sea days quickly turned into my crazy days. Solving problems in every corner of the ship and planning for the evening show kept me on my toes. I don’t like to be bored and I love what I do. Despite being extremely busy, I loved (most) every minute of it.
Day 4 (Aruba)
From a Liz sanity perspective, this was the easiest day for me. We had no major shows, only the DJ Flans dance party that night. We pulled into Aruba around 1 p.m. which gave me enough time to get prep work done and then hit the beach. I took a taxi with Scarface (JoCo’s assistant) and Scarfriend (Scarface’s friend) to the resort-area beaches. When we arrived we found many other Sea Monkeys and took over a patch of beach for hanging out, drinking beer, and swimming.
The best part of the Aruba was the “Party Bus†ride back to the ship. This shuttle between the beach and the port is the best way to ride. Filled with Sea Monkeys, the bus took off and cranked up the tunes. Dance music blasted from the speakers as we all danced along, waving arms, grooving to the beat and getting down…as best we could from a seated position. This is definitely one of my favorite memories of the cruise.
Day 5 (Curaçao)
This was the day I was adopted as an honorary Wheaton. I was determined to hit the beach early in the day, but I didn’t want to go it alone. The Wheaton family came to my rescue and invited me along. The goal was to find a good place for snorkeling, and we did. We just didn’t have any snorkel gear. As Anne Wheaton and I explored the beach area for snorkel gear (which was all rented out) we discovered seals, lizards, and other crazy wild life.
Awesome sun bathing lizard in Curacao. (photo by Anne Wheaton)
I am fortunate to have such wonderful friends all over the world. Of course, this means I don’t get the chance to see them all that often. The cruise is fun for me because I get to see my far-away friends. I get to hang out on a beautiful beach and catch up on what’s going on in their lives. Or just laugh about stupid things. The cruise would not be as fun or fantastic if it wasn’t for my friends.
Swimming with Wil in Curacao. (Photo by Anne Wheaton)
Day 6 (at Sea)
One of the signature JCCC events is the Paul F. Tompkins Memorial Moustache Formal. This year was the second annual event, with the added wrinkle of Feztravaganza. Appropriately scheduled for a formal dinner night, everyone was wearing their finest attire. Walking out onto the back deck (Sea View Aft) you were greeted with a beautiful sight — hundreds of Sea Monkeys in fancy dress, custom fezzes, and fake (or real) moustaches. The most bizarre cocktail party ever. Even the bartenders and servers were wearing the fake moustaches.
Photo bomb complete with Fez and Moustache. The smartly dressed Paul F. Tompkins and Jonathan Coulton in the background. (photo by Atom Moore)
As a side note, I have to say that the staff on the Westerdam was fabulous. It appears that the majority of cruise-goers they encounter have lost their sense of humor, fun, and respect for others. These are the complainers. The staff repeatedly said how much they loved our group. We are a fun, lively bunch who treats the staff and crew with respect and appreciation. Like last year, we were told by a few of the crew that they would be requesting to work on our cruise next year.
A party with moustaches and fezzes. This is the type of event that can only occur with a group of nerds. And when you having it on a cruise ship, it can only be JoCo Cruise Crazy.
Day 7 (at Sea)
The last day at sea is bittersweet. Looking back on the whole week I was excited to get to land (and 3G) and let the world know how much fun I had. Yet, it has to end. There is something magical about that last night. The final concert with Jonathan Coulton was spectacular.
We had a “So Long and Thanks for All the Drinks!†farewell cocktail party. Many thanks were given and I was pulled aside by many for a personal thank you for running such a wonderful event. Group pictures were taken, hugs given, information exchanged. Then we went to pack. Walking the halls that night I encountered Sea Monkeys here and there. I saw a group playing the last few games in the gaming room, a few stargazers out on the back deck, and my personal favorite — an elevator ukulele sing-a-long. As I stepped into the elevator it was explained that this group wanted to play music and sing but needed a quite space where they wouldn’t wake anyone up. At 2 a.m. an empty elevator seemed to be as good a place as any. So I sang along, traveled a few decks and got off at my stop. It was great to see such a happy group easily making their own fun.
From a production stand point, this year was wonderfully successful. Last year was fun and super crazy. I worked hard to keep things on track and ensure everyone was having a good time. I had a few last-minute folks help out, and I felt like I kept most everything under control. But I’ve been told that our crazed state was clear and the Sea Monkeys had a great time, but could tell it was our first cruise.
This year we much more ambitious, adding more events both on the boat and at ports of call. We had a 24-hour gaming room. Did I mention there were twice as many Sea Monkeys? I was much busier this year, but with the help of Scarface and the elite team of volunteers (called Helper Monkeys) we pulled off a nearly flawless cruise. This time I worked my butt off and the feedback I got was that it was smoothly run, well-organized event, and there was no sign of our stress. Success!
The JoCo Cruise Crazy performers and crew. (photo by Atom Moore)
Check out this interview on www.anotherpassion.com. I talked about my work, what I do and why I love what I do. Plus Ras took some awesome photos that make me look all professional and official like.
Dammit Liz at the Triple Door in Seattle (photo by Rasmus Rasmussen)
Handing panties to a reluctant Paul on stage during JoCo Cruise Crazy II. (Photo courtesy of Simalot)
I love what I do. Freelancing doesn’t always offer the most stable of work, but I have been able to do some amazing projects. For instance, I was ON A BOAT. Well, ship actually. I just got back from JoCo Cruise Crazy II. If you know nothing about it, just imagine a small con with the community feel of ECCC or PAX on a cruise ship for a week. This year we had about twice as many people as last year bringing three times the energy. I’ll put up a post on it soon but until then, know that I am still walking on sea legs and adjusting to a lack of buffet tables and 24 hour room service.
If you’re looking for a Dammit Liz…
I have more availability for projects if anyone needs an event production manager. There are a few projects I’m working on in the background but I am currently looking for more opportunities over the next few months. Due to scheduling conflicts I am, unfortunately, unable to work on the east coast leg of the Behind the Myths Tour. This has freed up my March and allowed me to work on some special projects of my own.
Editor’s note: Liz Smith (“aka ‘Dammit’ Liz”) is the geeky stage manager for W00tstock. She regularly caters to nerd royalty like Wil Wheaton, Adam Savage, Paul & Storm and Jonathan Coulton. One thing she’s learned is that one-size-fits-all does not apply to the nerdy persuasion.”
Well folks, it’s almost the end of 2011. It has been a crazy and eventful year for me. I met new people, lived across the country, and attended some fantastic conventions. Now it is time to prepare for 2012. I can say that this next year will be epic.
Why so epic? Well, I am starting the year off with a tour,… a Mythbusting tour! I will be working as a Production Coordinator/Assistant Stage Manager on the upcoming Mythebusters Behind the Mythstour with Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. We are hitting the west coast in January and the east coast in March. Check the website to see if we will be coming to a city near you!
Depending on my schedule and how hectic things get, I will attempt to update my blog as we are on the tour. We shall see. I do know that there will be some adventure on this tour. From adventure comes the best stories!
