Formation Viennice - Primer

The Formation Viennice is shorthand for a presentation of a choreographed group performance of the Viennice Waltz; The Viennice, in a formation.

The 8th Annual Ice Ball. #iceball #wintervillage #bryantpark #formalwear #ball #cotillion #gala #viennesewaltz #viennicewaltz #waltz #dancing #dancingonice #ballroom #ballroomdancing #iceskating #skating #rink #icerink #ballroomonice #soysiceball

A post shared by Raphael Pungin (@rpungin) on Feb 1, 2017 at 9:54am PST

The Viennice Waltz is a partnered ballroom-style dance on ice skates, that mimics the appearance and style of the Viennese Waltz.

WarholCon Primer

WarholCon, abbreviation of "Andy Warhol Convention", is a periodic flashmob-style street-theatrical happening in which participants dress themselves, their children, pets, and accessories, as Andy Warhol or quintessential Warhol iconography, then roam the streets attending various events, and/or partaking of ad-hoc antics. It typically occurs during Fashion Week in mid-September, and is free and open to the public; however some planned events may require pre-registration. The event has no prescribed purpose or goal, and can be considered nonsense street theatre--even performance art--for its own sake.

Houdini Escapes

Houdini is a hircine denzen of the #AlexanderFarm.

One day he escaped his pen at the ranch and wandered across the street to the house as we were scrambling to get to Hudson to pick up Slider from the train.

With no time to coax him back and lock him up again, we loaded him up in the car along with Jack the puppy--the extant member the Pettable Animal Welcome Wagon--and brought him with.

After some initial trepidation and anxiety,

it turns out he doesn't so much mind car rides,

and seems to very much enjoy the new and different places they take him.

And humans in these places seem to be tickled and enchanted by his presence as well.

So we plan to take Houdini on more of these trips, these get-aways, these escapes, if you will.

If you happen to instagram or twitter an image of Houdini on one of his escapes, please: #HoudiniEscapes

The Ungisphere Premiere - Primer

The Ungisphere Premiere is an antic of the Ungisphere Department of Counter-Ennui (UDoCE,) that usually takes place on the first day of the season for the Ungisphere, or closest available occasion.

Evoking the idea and ethos of a film premiere, this stunt involves participants dressing formally (or at least appearing to,)

laying down red sheets that resemble or evoke a red carpet,

and bringing refreshments

and embellishments and enacting rituals typical or indicative of a premiere gala event.

Andy Golub - Primer

Andy Golub is an iconic artist specializing in live full-body, often fully-nude, body-painting in high-traffic public places; most notably Times Square in New York City, and in front of "establishment" Art institutions.

Since the paintings are created live in public, animated as the paintee(s) roams through the environment for photos, and fleeting--lasting only until the next shower--they can be considered more a performance than a painting.

Most of his public performances are completely non-commercial. Golub does not solicit tips or fees and donates his time, skills, and supplies. The paintees volunteer to be painted (sometimes compete for it,) as does any support crew and production personnel on large complicated endeavors. And the many photographers and camera-weilding passers-by who photograph the process and completed work (the performance) do so at their own cost, and retain ownership of their images, with only the gentleman's agreement to credit Golub wherever the images are published.

Golub gained significant notoriety in 2011 following an incident in which the fully-nude model he had painted (Zoe West) was arrested and detained (illegally.) The ensuing suit was settled by the City of New York, clearing the way for regular performances of this type in Times Square, outside the Guggenheim Museum, and other very public sites.

Viennice Waltz - Primer

The Viennice Waltz is an adaptation of the ballroom dance genre the Viennese Waltz for ice skates. Principally, it entails a dance pair in a traditional Viennese Waltz hold, rotating about each other. The pair may also travel about the rink--usually in a circuit following the current direction of skating--and engage in improvised syncopations (temporary break/variation steps) if their skill level so allows.

The upper body stances and flairs (hold, position, stylistic gestures) mimic those of the Viennese Waltz, while the lower body movements (steps, etc.) are entirely improvised: everything and anything necessary to stay aloft and produce the rotation and travel.

Since the Viennice Waltz is danced on ice skates there are no foot steps; as such it can be danced to music of any measure and tempo.

Ze Feuer Fellowes' Follies - Primer

Ze Feuer Fellowes' Follies is a series of thematic satirical contests and exhibitions--very similar in concept to the Chap Olympiad in the UK. They may be thought of as games that evoke the Jazz- and Guilded Ages, as interpreted by Monty Python, and curated by fanboys of the late great Alan Z. Feuer. They consist variously of satirical or whimsical open challenges, exhibitions, and activities framed as sporting events, for participants dressed and/or acting fancifully.

Typically the Follies are conducted at (or adjunct to) the Jazz-Age Lawn Party of New York City, held on Governor's Island over 2 weekends each summer, but may occur independently if the opportunity arises.

Many of the contests are ongoing throughout the day. They are designed so that they can be conducted independently and disparately, and will be evaluated from their resulting social media trace. I.e. competitors can do their thing on their own time, even their own place, then post photos (or photos will be posted on their behalf.) The (self-selected) judges will then determine "winners" based on the criteria chosen in committee. Competitions can also be conducted head-to-head in the fray if they so happen.

EVENTS:

• Dressage. An exhibition of sartorial superbness (or caricature)
• NAEPDS Ballerball. A competition of picnicking prowess
• The Hef / Marilyn. A demonstration of social gregariousness
• The Pick-Up Line. A challenge of strength, endurance, and virility
• Fellowes' Fauxlo: The sport of kings... for peasants
• Betting on the Phonies: (In development)

Explanation of Ze Feuer Fellowes: http://saomsdangledthreads.blogspot.com/2012/07/ze-feuer-fellowes-primer.html

Ze Feuer Fellowes - Primer

Ze Feuer Fellowes is a group of enthusiasts of sartorial and behavioral eccentricity, with a flair for the antiquated, or classic archetypes of the wealthy, refined, and connected. The group is named after the late Alan Z. Feuer, a fellow of non-privileged origins who, in spite of his actual means and heritage, adopted the customs, manners, and appearances of the social elite of New York City of the late 20th Century; and some might say epitomized and extended them... like a boss! Taking cue from his example Ze Feuer Fellowes' M.O. is to appear and act similarly for the general humor, subversity, and plain aesthetics of it. Eccentricity without the economics, if you will.

In spite of the name and appearances, Ze Feuer Fellowes does not preclude women. Any lady who dresses and acts the part and self-identifies is by definition Ze Feuer Fellowe.

New Amsterdam Exterior Portable Dining Society - Primer

The New Amsterdam Exterior Portable Dining Society (NAEPDS) is a meta-organization of picnicking enthusiasts based in and around the New York metropolitan area, and as such exists wherever people invoke its name and enact its principles and protocols. Candidly it is just a pompous-sounding name for an unspecific loose affiliation of fans of outdoor social events involving BYO food, that purports to lend an aire of refinement and significance to these activities.

Functionally the NAEPDS, with its mandate, collective knowledge base, and techniques, provides a framework for an ad-hoc assemblage of contributors, where there is no formal authority, to produce a better-than-average picnic. Recognizing that people have differing quotients of expertise, time, and resources per instance, NAEPDS protocol offers a framework for the distribution of effort in supplying the consumables.

There are 3 broad roles which participants will, for the most part, fall into automatically:

Feature.
These are people who can and will make and bring something that could be thought of as a main dish, or basis, or killer app. that will be shared by the entire group. Deviled eggs, chicken salad sandwiches, homemade cupcakes, St. Germaine cocktails, strawberry daiquiris, etc. They are usually homemade, on-site-assembled items that have been developed and vetted over many occasions of exterior portable dining. These contributors should broadcast their plans to the group so that others can plan around them. Perhaps by posting to whatever medium is used for coordination (e.g. the FB event wall or e-mail chain.)

Utility. 
These are people who will provide something that is necessary for any picnic, so that people bringing Feature items don't have to (as well.) E.g. Ice, plates, cups, flatware, napkins, paper towels, blankets, water/juice/soda, also in some cases, where necessary, the staking of territory. This role is usually assigned to people who either can not put in the time/expertise to make something, or attend at the last minute, or are uniquely suited to the particular contribution (e.g. can get to a limited-space first-come-first-serve event early.)

Ancillary. 
These are people who will make and bring something that compliments or supports one or more of the Feature items. e.g. Alcohol for cocktails, fruit, crudites, bread, crackers, spreads, and anything specifically requested. In general these are generic, versatile items that the event can survive without if one or two don't make it.

For Utility and Ancillary items a technique has been developed to aide in the optimization of provision, known as Coordinated Crowdsource Protocol (CCP).

The New Amsterdam Pastiche Regatta - Primer

The New Amsterdam Pastiche Regatta is an afternoon aboard rented rowboats on Central Park Lake, with attendees dressing and acting as if at a fancy regatta (e.g. The Henley Royal Regatta)

Or preferably their exaggerated and embellished interpretations thereof.

There will be (mock) contests of rowing and diplomacy similar in concept to the Idiotarod--albeit diametrically opposite in form and style. But mostly if there is any contest worth winning it will be of aesthetics, and portable culinary arts (picnicking on the boats.) Participants should bring some manner of haute comestibles to share with others.

The Guerrillegatta - Primer

On a particular weekend day in the late Spring or Summer an unsanctioned, rogue boat "race" is held by self-selected participants using the rental rowboats on Central Park Lake.

While there is an objective, some rules, a course, and participants do compete in contests of rowing prowess, the "race" is mostly symbolic, lasting only around 20 minutes and is neither officiated, nor considered particularly seriously. The majority of the event consists of the pageantry of the competing teams and the collective picnic and socializing that follows. After the "race" the boaters will lash the boats together into a flotilla of sorts and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the various food and drink they have brought with them and each other's company on the Lake.

Participants will self-organize into teams of 2 to 4. Each team is expected to have a
theme, and dress, accessorize, adorn their boat, and behave according to theme.

If a team can not be assembled, or a theme can not be instituted, it is recommended for those who wish to participate none-the-less to dress and act how they imagine one typically would to attend a regular or famous regatta. For example the Henley Regatta dress code, or derivative thereof.

It is preferred that participants bring food and drink that befits the occasion of a regatta, and to share with everyone. Coordinated Crowdsource Protocol is usually used to supply the comestibles.

Urban Spelunking - Primer

Urban Spelunking (US) is more commonly known as Urban Exploration (UE). UE involves the exploring of structures, areas, and urban features that are hidden, inaccessible, or prohibited, such as abandoned buildings, ruins, wrecks, tunnels, and various city infrastructure.

We prefer the term Spelunking because of its evocation of hidden and forbidding destinations. "Exploration" might conceivably refer to investigating a new and exotic neighborhood, or trying different and strange cuisines.

US also extends the conceptual scope of UE to include activities like infiltrating events in which one has no expectation or sanction to participate. One such example is society balls. These are grand parties usually thrown by or at least originally patronized by groups of people connected by ancestry or affiliation. They are customarily lavish and somewhat exclusive (if not by policy then by privacy and/or economics.)

TERMINOLOGY
We use the following terms and phrases to communicate, categorize, and manage urban spelunks. These are mostly of our own amateur devising, and by no means represent a standard amongst all urban spelunkers/explorers, or even anyone other than us:

Difficulty: A criterion of a spelunk describing the level of physical effort, skill, resilience, etc. involved in breaching, escaping, or contingencies. This can be categorized as "Low", "Medium", "High" (and variations.) Low level may entail things like walking moderate distances, clambering over obstacles, or waking up very early in the morning. High level might be free-climbing bridge towers, picking locks, and diving in sewer water.

Danger: A criterion of a spelunk describing the aggregate risk and consequence severity of bodily injury or damage to equipment. This can be categorized as "Low": cuts and scrapes, soiled/ripped clothing; to "High": death, permanent suffering, etc.

Exposure: A criterion categorizing the likelihood of being discovered (specifically by people who might put an end to one's spelunking activities.)

Jeopardy: A criterion categorizing the severity of legal consequence to being caught. "Low" being a small fine, "High" being hard time.

Recon (abbreviation of Reconnaissance): Any necessary field investigation of current actual conditions. E.g. discovery of access points, testing of security measures, surveillance of patrols and other Exposure measurements (i.e. determination of the odds of getting caught,) etc.

Breach: The crossing from an area or conceptual space that is open/accessible/known to the public, to one that is not. This happens at an Access Point. The converse of this is Escape.

Night Market - Primer

The Lost Horizons Night Market is a recurring underground volunteer-produced carnival of sorts whereby attractions are built and operated inside box trucks parked on a New York City street.

Each attraction is independently conceived, funded, built, operated, and cleaned up after by its proprietors; and their scope and scale determined only by those proprietors' imagination and resources.

Pillow fighting ring

Blacklight painting

Pie in your face

Hot tub

It is expected that the amusements and services be provided free of charge, but patrons are encouraged to tip proprietors to show their gratitude and appreciation.

The locations selected are usually industial areas with no stores or other facilities nearby. Toilet facilities are available, but otherwise patrons must bring everything they need, and remove their own trash.