How the entertainment of American students of the last century changed

Truman Capote's Black and White Ball

Guests of Truman Capote's Black and White Ball

In 1966, Truman Capote published his nonfiction novel In Cold Blood. The book tells the story of two drifters who murdered an entire family of farmers in Kansas. The novel, which Capote worked on for six years, immediately became a bestseller, which only a child would not read. Having sold the rights to publish the book and film adaptation (and received about $2 million for it), Capote decided to throw a party that would be remembered with reverence centuries later: the Black and White Ball.

Capote himself selected the guests for the party of the century: actors, writers, politicians, journalists. From time to time he re-read the list, crossed out some names (Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, all the journalists who spoke unflatteringly about the book) and added new ones. As a result, 540 people received invitations—that’s exactly how many people could fit in the large hall of the Plaza Hotel, where they decided to hold the event. Inspired by My Fair Lady, Capote asked guests to come in black and white outfits and masks. The owner’s wish was fulfilled unquestioningly: everyone’s masks turned out to be so unique that the Museum of New York later collected them along with invitations and costumes and created a commemorative archive - the kind only awarded to the ball in honor of the inauguration of George Washington.

Suits

Almost seven decades and many directions – the options are endless! Therefore, decide in advance whether there will be any restrictions. If yes, please mention this point in the invitation card. If not, then clothes for a party in the style of the USSR can easily become perhaps the main decoration of the holiday. They will probably come to visit you:

• October warriors, pioneers and Komsomol members “in uniform” , with badges, cap scarves, ties and other recognizable attributes. Funny accessories – shoulder straps “Guardian for drinks”, “for barbecue”, “for toast”;

• urban fashionistas in costumes from the 60s to the 90s. Paisley patterns, oversized chunky knit sweaters (yes, the ones with a pigtail), blouses and dresses with shoulder pads, bell-bottoms, dumplings;

• disco fans in incredibly bright tight T-shirts/Tank tops , shiny dresses, leggings and tight leg warmers. The choice of clothes in the USSR style for a party with a disco theme is simply huge! Accessories – bright plastic glasses, large jewelry (in excess), a headband that supports voluminous creative chaos;

• dudes in no less colorful costumes . Fluffy skirts and dresses, polka dots, ribbons on the head. Skinny trousers, bright socks and ties, plaid suits. This direction also developed during the Soviet era, and definitely deserves a separate topic;

• Soviet schoolchildren in recognizable uniform. The favorite look of many girls at such parties: a short uniform dress, a white apron, braided bows, openwork knee socks;

• representatives of the working class. Men in colorful overalls and “dirty” T-shirts. Or in jackets with patches on the sleeves and trousers that are almost too long. Girls in colorful light blouses, long skirts or sundresses with wide straps. Accessories – mother’s earrings, grandmother’s coral beads, braided scarf;

• bandits and just street scamps. Stretched sweatpants, a sports or leather jacket one size too large, a cap pulled back in a rakish manner. Do you have any seeds? And in contrast to them are the brave Soviet soldiers, vigilantes, people's militias, policemen, etc.;

• hippies (60s and later), punks (70s), metalheads (80s) and representatives of other subcultures. The folk costumes are very colorful (my country is wide!) and... And so much more! Get inspired by watching old films, fashion magazines, retro photos.

Today it is still easy to find real clothes in the style of the USSR. You can rent a suit for a party or, if you have little time to prepare, come in stylized clothes - a flag on a T-shirt, the letters of the USSR on the back of a jacket, etc.

Mr and Mrs Bradley-Martin's party

By the end of the 19th century, the world was experiencing a severe economic crisis - the Long Depression. Unemployment, falling wages, bankruptcy of thousands of American companies. In order to somehow stimulate the economy of New York, two wealthy socialists, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley-Martin, decided to throw a grand costume ball on February 10, 1897.

The family invited 1,200 of America's wealthiest people to their lavish reception at the Waldorf Astoria. Mrs Bradley-Martin asked everyone to come dressed in 16th, 17th or 18th century attire, always purchased from a local merchant.

On the appointed date, about 700 of the wealthiest people of that time came to the hotel, which for the day turned into the French Versailles (it is not surprising that the most popular costume among women was the image of Marie Antoinette). Oysters, foie gras, a turtle dish—the guests had the entire exquisite cuisine of Astoria at their disposal: the hosts invited them to safely order whatever they liked from a very expensive menu. True, many were outraged by the family’s wastefulness - to such an extent that the Martins soon had to leave America and go to England.

Invitations

Compose the text of the invitation so that guests get a sense of the theme “Back to the USSR” in advance. Let the “party” be a formal event or meeting, the dress code be a form of clothing, etc. Write in neat handwriting, and the title can be stenciled. Example:

Comrade! On 17.17.17 at 17-00 there will be a solemn event on the occasion of the anniversary of our dear Mikhail Borisovich.

We invite you to participate. Plans include: discussion of the last five-year plan, buffet, entertainment program.

Invitation options:

• postcard in the style of the USSR (sold at post offices, or printed);

• a letter to a friend living on the other side of our vast homeland. In a stylized envelope, with stamps (also print);

• an invitation card on worn paper of a pale yellow or bluish color (there are photos of the real ones on the Internet);

• party card or CPSU member ID. Write that it must be presented at the entrance;

• stylized flyer, poster or poster processed in FS.

The Merry Pranksters welcome the Hells Angels to Ken Kesey's home

Half a century ago, Ken Kesey—he was not yet thirty, but had already written two landmark novels—invited bikers from the famous Hell's Angels motorcycle club to his home in the San Francisco mountains. Kesey was the leader of the Merry Pranksters, a mid-1960s American commune that sparked the acid revolution. At this party, the young writer decided to pit the educated and talented Pranksters against the asocial Angels, always running into trouble. Kesey was brought in contact with the latter by Hunter S. Thompson, who had already been working on a novel dedicated to bikers for a year. Thompson saw that the two groups were not so different: both were anarchists, nonconformists, and had problems with the law (the bikers for being accused of violence, and Kesey and friends for possessing and using marijuana). Such arguments worked, and the Angels, usually reluctant to make contacts, accepted the invitation.

On the appointed day, about forty Hell's Angels rode their Harley Davidsons into Kesey's domain. The huge area was all lined with sound amplifiers - they were hidden in the crown of tall redwood trees, from where music could be heard: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and almost continuously - Bob Dylan. Others were connected to a fictitious radio station, on which some of the Pranksters read impromptu poetry. And across the entire square was a giant banner that read, in red, white and blue letters, “The Merry Pranksters Welcome the Hell’s Angels.” The party, as expected, turned into a classic “sex, drugs and rock and roll”, where the main figures of the beat generation - Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassidy, Richard Alpert, Hunter Thompson himself and the Hell's Angels - merged in frantic fun.

Preparatory stage

First of all, when preparing for a retro party in the style of the USSR, you need to decide on the location of the holiday. Any room can be adapted.

At home, you need to remove modern items and add more details. The same goes for the office. If you are looking for a hall or loft for a USSR-style party, give preference to those located in buildings built in the 1970-1980s. It is easier to recreate the desired atmosphere in them.

An excellent option is a holiday in nature. It will turn out to be a kind of community cleanup or pioneer camp.

Invitations

Once you have decided on the location, it’s time to make a list of guests and invite them to a party in the style of the USSR era. It is better to start sending out 1-2 weeks in advance, so that guests have time to choose costumes and plan their affairs.

You won't be able to get by with a regular postcard. Since a themed party in the style of the USSR is planned, this should be felt even in the invitation. Design ideas:

• Soviet postcard. Many people have children's cards lying around in their apartments. It's time to use them.
• Telegram. You can find a form on the Internet and fill it out.
• Party card. It will serve as an entrance ticket for guests. Only by showing that they are party members will they be able to pass.
• Certificate of honor.
• Poster. Typical posters can be found online and inserted instead of the cover of a regular postcard.
• Complimentary ticket. It must be red, with the state emblem and have a seal.

In the text, use the characteristic address “comrade”. You can subscribe to the “Celebration Organizing Committee”. Be sure to indicate your clothing style.

Interior

At a party in the style of the USSR, everything around should breathe history. You need to be attentive to detail and think through every detail.

Search the mezzanine and balcony. Will come in handy:

• Soviet press.
• Toys.
• Glass bottles.
• Labels, wrappers, etc.
• Soviet money.
• Attributes of pioneers.
• Retro items: cut glasses, cassette recorder, abacus, receiver, etc.

You need to choose the style of the room. It could be a party museum, a canteen, a meeting hall, an apartment, etc. When choosing, consider the occasion of the meeting: a birthday, a corporate event, a professional holiday, maybe it’s even a New Year’s party in the “Born in the USSR” style.

Design ideas

• Place a small mat at the entrance “Wipe your feet. Hang the sign “Wardrobe” on your wardrobe. Make plastic or cardboard numbers.
• Hang posters on the walls “Man is a friend, comrade and brother to man,” etc., announcements about a disco, portraits of party leaders, stars of the era, etc. You can create an honor board on which photographs of those invited will hang.
• There should be a red tablecloth on the table. It would be better if it had fringe. Place a decanter and cut glasses, a vase with wildflowers.
• Don't forget the details. On the table are newspapers or magazines, lotto, and a chessboard. On the cabinet there is a lamp with a lampshade. In the corner or under a chair there is a string bag with bottles. You can make a “red corner” in which a portrait of Lenin will hang or his bust will stand, as well as a banner.

At a birthday party, you can’t forget about stretching with congratulations. It is better to make it yourself and decorate it with characteristic pictures. To celebrate the New Year, look for glass toys and a red star.

Costume ball of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra

In 1903, while the revolution was just creeping up to the gates of the Winter Palace, Emperor Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna decided to organize a masquerade ball. The event was timed to coincide with the 290th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, which the emperor wanted to celebrate on a grand scale. They decided to hold the ball over two days: first, the guests were invited to the Hermitage for a concert, where, among other things, the opera “Boris Godunov” performed by Fyodor Chaliapin and the ballet “Swan Lake” with Anna Pavlova were shown, and then to a luxurious dinner.

The costume ball itself took place on the second day - and it was royally pompous. All the nobility of the Russian Empire dressed in costumes of the 17th century: boyars, atamans, archers, even peasants - dozens of tailors and artists worked on outfits worth an entire estate. Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra made themselves dresses for Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Tsarina Maria Ilyinichna, borrowing original jewelry. Dressed up guests came to the Hermitage Concert Hall, where they danced the waltz, quadrille and mazurka into oblivion. Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich later recalled: “... all of St. Petersburg danced in the Winter Palace. I remember this date exactly, since it was the last big court ball in the history of the empire.”

P Diddy's White Party

It was 1998, Sean Combs, known as P. Diddy, was not yet one of the most influential rappers, but his singles were already topping Billboard, the album had gone platinum and won a Grammy. Not knowing what to do with the fortune that had fallen on him, Combs bought a house in the Hamptons, crowded with smooth, well-behaved and very rich white Americans who were not happy about such a neighborhood. Puff Daddy realized that in such a company it would be difficult for him to be considered one of his own, and the only way to make himself known was to throw a party where everyone would be in white. White party.

Combs invited 75 guests to dinner at his all-white home. Most of the people who came were friends of the owner—hip-hop producer Russell Simmons, actor Chris Rock, and Saturday Night Live producer Marcy Klein. That summer, all East Hampton was talking about was P. Diddy. The White Party became an annual event, to which prominent producers, musicians, actors, models—in a word, everyone—were expected to be invited. Over the years, Combs has taken guests to St. Tropez, rented the original Declaration of Independence, and turned away food critic Katie Lee for her cream-colored outfit: white means white.

Party in Retro style: script, music, design and competitions

Fans of retro style should not despair, because in recent years, songs that sounded 30 years ago and the fashion of that time have gained their second popularity. Just look at the incendiary parties in the style of the 80s, where both young people and the older generation enjoy having a blast listening to the songs of Modern Talking and ABBA. In addition to music, you can use them to create an image of that time: stylish clothes, hairstyle, shoes.

By combining the music of the 80s and 90s, clothing style, retro interior design and fun competitions into one party, you can have an unforgettable time with your best friends. This party is ideal for corporate events, New Year, birthday, bachelorette party, etc.

Stages of preparation and implementation:

1. Invitations.
2. Interior decoration.
3. Guests' outfits and style.
4. Drinks and treats.
5. Competitions and entertainment.
6. Music.

Party Invitations

Since the party is in retro style, the invitations should be appropriate. Invitations designed in the same manner that was popular at the end of the last century are ideal. These could be dance tickets, cinema tickets or travel passes. Finding a template for such an invitation on the Internet is not a problem, but you can fill it out by hand with a regular ballpoint pen.

In the text, it is important to indicate the time and place of the event, as well as a strict dress code, that is, bright clothes in the style of the 80s or early 90s.

Interior decoration

You can hold a retro party anywhere: in a cafe, apartment, country house and even in the office. The main thing is to create the appropriate surroundings.

Not a single party in the style of the 80s is complete without a mirror ball suspended from the ceiling - this is an integral attribute of discos of that time. You can purchase such a ball or rent it. If you couldn’t buy it, you can make it yourself. An old globe covered with pieces of a mirror or disk plus glue - voila, the ball is ready!

What would an 80s party be without lights and a cassette recorder? Since it is not so easy to find a working tape recorder of that time, you can use it as a decorative element.

The walls of the rooms should be full of posters, posters and records of the musical idols of that time. The retro image will also be complemented by confetti, garlands and flags hung on the walls.

The most avid enthusiasts can try installing a soda fountain; previously, such installations were incredibly popular.

Being a generous and kind party organizer, you can purchase retro style elements for guests in advance. For example, large sunglasses with funny frames, various wigs in the “clown” or “Afro” style, false ties and headbands. All this is sold at any holiday supply store.

Guests' outfits and style

The theme of the party requires a certain dress code. This is an important factor when preparing a holiday, because without fun, bright outfits, a retro party can easily turn into ordinary get-togethers.

Finding clothes in retro style is not difficult; now there are plenty of places where you can rent any outfit you like, or have a good rummage through mom and dad’s closet. Parents are unlikely to refuse the pleasure of letting you wear fishnet tights, a blouse with glitter and super-fashionable colored leggings, bell-bottoms, checkered jackets, banana jeans and much more.

Look for girls:

• A loose dress plus colorful printed tights, jeans or colored leggings would be perfect for a themed party like this. An outfit made of lycra or lurex, many bright and crazy shades, sparkles, sequins, shine - a great choice for this evening.

• There won’t be a lot of jewelry - the more, the better. Huge hoop earrings, massive beads, many multi-colored plastic bracelets. All jewelry should be as bright as possible, sparkle on its owner and attract the attention of men.
• In the 80s and early 90s, voluminous hairstyles with backcombing or curling were popular. The bangs can be pulled up, carefully combed into a bun, and covered with a significant amount of glitter varnish.

• Makeup, like the entire image, should be rich and at the same time expressive. You can line your eyes with black eyeliner, apply shadow to the level of your eyebrows, and highlight your cheekbones with blush. The priority is pink and lilac colors, no flesh or matte shades.
• It is best to choose pearlescent shadows, false eyelashes, and choose lipstick with a purple, orange or red tint. It is preferable to use special glitter for the body.
• Shoes, completing the look, should immediately catch the eye, but also be comfortable, since a retro party involves fiery dancing. You can choose bronze or silver dancing sandals, ballet flats or pumps.

Look for guys:

• A combination of a plain turtleneck with a contrasting jacket will look irresistible.
• They will fit perfectly into the look of shirts and sweaters in pistachio, lemon, peach and black colors.
• It is best to choose practical shoes to dance until you drop to the energetic music of a bygone era. These could be moccasins with bright laces or colored shoes.
• The hairstyle should also reflect the man’s style: macho or Elvis Presley, and then all the girls at the party will not deprive such a stylish young man of attention.

To diversify the retro party, you can come in the guise of a star of that time, a famous performer or movie character, for example, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Elvis Presley, members of The Beatles or Queen.

Drinks and treats

The older generation remembers that in the 80s there was some shortage of food, so the treats and drinks of those times were quite modest. When organizing a retro-style party, you don’t need to focus on the treats; they should be simple and tasty:

• Bread with butter and sprats or sausage.
• Salad “Olivier”, “Vinaigrette” or “Shuba”.
• Chips in a plate.
• An ordinary cake, from a store or made by yourself. For example, “Napoleon” or “Honey cake”.
• Drinks that are perfect include champagne, preferably Soviet, beer, port wine, liqueurs.

Competitions and entertainment

Competitions will add additional excitement and fun to the party. Naturally, the entire entertainment program should fit into the theme of the evening.

Guess the melody or movie

A standard and timeless game, it always stays relevant and is a lot of fun. The rules are simple: the host turns on the music for a few seconds, and the participants must guess the artist and the name of the song. This type of game can also be played for films. Showing still frames of famous TV series and films of that time from a laptop screen, participants must guess the title or the actors who played in it.

Fashion designer from the past

For this game you will need a lot of old audio and video tapes. Each participant is given 6-7 pieces of these tapes, and he must create a fashionable outfit in the style of the 80s from the film. You can also use vinyl records, tape and, of course, scissors.

Price 80's

Playing this game will be easy for those who lived in the 80s, but for the younger generation such entertainment will not be easy. All participants are shown some thing made at that time, for example, an old toy, notebook or dishes. It is necessary to indicate the price for this product correctly or as approximately as possible.

If finding products from that era is a problem, you can ask verbally “how much did milk cost in the 80s? bread?" etc.

Lemonade fans

The start of the game is preceded by a survey of party guests on the topic, who remembers the names of lemonades from the 80s? Several names are sure to be heard, then the two most devoted lemonade fans are selected and go to the center of the room. The goal of the game is to pour Buratino or Duchess lemonade from a bottle into a glass. Whoever manages it first wins.

80s Olympics

As you know, in the 80s the Olympics took place in the USSR. In this regard, you can arrange comic competitions for guests of the holiday. For example, who can do the most push-ups, who can defeat whom in arm wrestling, or who can twirl a hoop around their waist. Prizes can be chocolate medals for champions, the color and size corresponding, first place - a large gold medal, second place - a smaller silver medal, third place - a small bronze medal.

Retro hairdresser

This competition will appeal primarily to girls. Participants with long hair and their potential hairdressers are selected. Whoever makes the hairstyle more interesting and exotic wins. The reward for winning the competition is a comb with a bow.

Let's remember history

This quiz will test the erudition of party guests. The presenter takes turns naming historical facts, events, famous figures of the USSR and the whole world, you need to remember who it is, what event, when it happened, etc. For example, who is Brezhnev, when Yugoslavia collapsed, the most famous chewing gum of the 80s, and more .

80's dancing

A synonym for a retro party is unbridled fun and fiery dancing. It is necessary to prepare musical accompaniment in advance, such as lambada, macarena and dance of little ducklings. By playing songs one by one, party guests must remember how to dance to them correctly.

Party star

Those guests who came to the event dressed as celebrities can compete for the title “Party Star”. The competition takes place in three stages: the similarity of the image with a real star, a vocal performance, and imitation of the idol’s movements.

Karaoke competition

Everyone can sing any songs from the past to the soundtrack. The soloist sings, some participants provide backup dancers. Whoever had the most interesting and funniest act won.

Queen and King of Disco

All party guests will enjoy this competition. You can show off your choreographic skills and become the king or queen of the evening.

Musical accompaniment of the holiday

To make the party fun and energetic, it is important to choose the right music. Since the main part of the event will be accompanied by fiery dancing, it is necessary to choose retro hits, and not just music of that time. The 80s and 90s were rich in musical masterpieces among both bands and performers. Consider the legends of world music ModernTalking, E-Type, TheBeatles, Queen, ElvisPresley, Michael Jackson, CC Catch, BillHaley and many others.

A well-organized retro party will help recharge you with positive energy for many years to come, bring a lot of positive and bright emotions to everyone present, and will become one of those events that you always remember with warmth and a smile on your face.

Author: Irina Rezanenko

Party in honor of the premiere of Stravinsky's Les Noces

Two wealthy Americans, Sarah and Herald Murphy, lived in Paris and were friends with Pablo Picasso, F. Scott Fitzgerald, composers Cole Porter and Igor Stravinsky. In July 1923, Diaghilev's Russian Ballet came to the city, bringing a production of Les Noces to the music of Stravinsky.

To celebrate the premiere and welcome everyone who was there, the Murphys invited friends on a barge cruising along the Seine. The party turned out to be fun: Stravinsky was mischievous and confused the cards of the guests, according to which they were seated at the table; Sarah Murphy built pyramids of toys - clowns, animals, cars, dolls - in the very center of the table, and Picasso rearranged them, as if there had been a miniature accident, on top of which was a cow on the fire escape. The famous pianist Marcel Meyer played Scarlatti while artist Natalya Goncharova read hands to Jean Cocteau's cries of “We are drowning!” Already at dawn, two guests stretched a huge laurel wreath across the deck and forced Stravinsky to jump over it. Then the composer recalled this party as the best night of his life.

Menu, serving

Organize a hybrid of a buffet and a general store against the wall - an atmospheric version of the menu design in the Soviet style:

• a long table or a pair of tables covered with a common tablecloth - patriotic scarlet, tablecloth snow-white or rustic lace, oilcloth;

• put a large samovar (chic if it’s a working one - guests will be able to pour their own tea into porcelain cups). It would be great if there were scales, string bags, wooden abacus and other attributes that evoke memories;

• arrange jars of sprat and gobies in tomato , oil sprats, Gost condensed milk, squash caviar and other products with recognizable labels, stylized under the era of the USSR, in pyramids;

• make several types of sandwiches - with sprat, with caviar, herring, doctor's sausage and cervelat, processed cheese, with half a cutlet. Simple, home and table;

• Place the sweets Mishka in the North, Alenka, Little Red Riding Hood, Squirrel, Barberry, etc. in crystal vases. On trays in slides and rows - white baskets and potato cakes, tubes with cream, shortcakes and shortbread rings. And also grandma’s pies, poppy seed cakes, pancakes with different fillings. It’s impossible to list everything!

• leave the juice directly in three-liter jars , serve the punch/compote in a bucket (with an inscription in red or white paint), stick labels “Pinocchio”, “Baikal”, “Tarragon”, etc. on the soda. Pour milkshakes into cans and place large ladles nearby. Don’t forget cut glasses/shot glasses, heavy beer mugs, grandma’s dinnerware;

• drinking “Three Axes” or “Zhigulevskoe” port wine at a USSR-style party is fraught with consequences. Therefore, it is better to stick old labels on high-quality alcohol, and put a few bottles of drinks from that era just for the surroundings .

In general, this is enough for a party with active competitions, dancing and noise. If you are planning a feast, prepare several dishes familiar to everyone from childhood: Olivier and Mimosa, chicken Kiev , aspic, solyanka, jellied meat, etc. Make coasters for hot dishes: hammer and sickle, coat of arms, posters printed on cardboard.

For those born in the USSR, you can organize a party in an unusual style - a buffet. But all dishes, combinations and tastes are ours, recognizable. The result is an interesting tandem of a modern format and a retro menu. The colors of skewers, tubes, cupcake skirts and snacks are red, yellow, white.

Make cards to decorate dishes, use simple dishes and Soviet crystal - salad bowls, candy bowls and glasses still “live” in many buffets, ask around. Perhaps one of your friends has Gzhel and other examples of folk art - that’s also on topic.

Woodstock

Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, The Grateful Dead, David Crosby, Stephen Stills - all gathered for the legendary three-day (and gradually turned into four) rock festival in 1969. The organizers deceived the authorities by declaring 50 thousand visitors, although they sold almost 200 thousand tickets. As a result, there were so many people wanting to attend the concert that the barriers were removed altogether and entry became free. Traffic jams on the road to Woodstock stretched for several kilometers, so participants had to walk to the festival. Half a million people intertwined into a single intoxicated and raging organism.

On the first day it started to rain, and the entire festival area turned into a huge mud pit. This did not scare anyone: people continued to use drugs, run around naked and have sex in front of everyone. Despite the unprecedented number of guests, Woodstock was held very peacefully: during all four days, the police did not receive a single report.

Admiral Russell Punch Fountain

Back in 1694, Admiral Edward Russell was a respected figure in the Royal Navy, at least until he decided to please his officers and throw them a party. Think about the biggest cocktail you've ever made. A giant glass of Long Island? A jug of punch? A pot of mulled wine? Lord Russell mixed 1000 liters of brandy, 600 liters of wine, 635 kilograms of sugar, 2500 lemons, 75 liters of lime juice, 2.5 kilograms of nutmeg and poured it all into a huge fountain.

Bartenders plied the makeshift bowl in small wooden canoes, refilling guests' glasses. The task is not the easiest: the waiters had to change every 15 minutes so as not to fall overboard from the intoxicating alcohol fumes. The party lasted a whole week and only stopped briefly during the rain while the silk tent was stretched over the cocktail party. The officers dispersed only when the fountain was completely drained.

50th anniversary of the Sultan of Brunei

When you are a sultan, your birthday becomes a national event. In 1996, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, decided to celebrate his fiftieth birthday with a two-week break. The program includes a military march, a full-scale polo match with Prince Charles on a specially built site, and an inexhaustible flow of champagne and black caviar. The celebration ended with a personal concert by Michael Jackson, to which the birthday boy himself did not appear. The party cost about $27 million (nowadays such a feast would cost $40 million), sixteen of which Jackson took.

Masquerades at an elite Hollywood sex club

Damon Laughner never thought of creating a sex club - just at the moment when his life was going to hell, he watched Stanley Kubrick's film "Eyes Wide Shut." He created a page on Facebook, and dozens of people immediately started adding him.

The loudest sex masquerades in Sanctum take place on Saturday nights. Scantily clad priestesses greet guests at the entrance to the mansion. There is a party atmosphere inside - guests drink, dance, flirt with each other. Then they will be offered to caress or whip the “slave” who was led into the hall on a golden chain. Today, an annual subscription to a sex club costs $10,000, and a lifetime membership costs $75,000. Sanctum guarantees anonymity, so billionaires, Hollywood celebrities, famous TV show hosts, rock stars come here - and some return more than once.

Wild parties of the last century

This costume party, to which the elite of the time was invited, took place in December 1972 at the French Rothschild estate. Among the organizers was Salvador Dali. The party consisted entirely of satanic rituals. The Rothschild party at their French estate Chateau de Ferret was photographed by Baron de Red (Alexis von Rosenberg). In the late 1970s, he quarreled with the Rothschild family over financial disputes, and then the baron decided to make these photographs public in retaliation. In which, to your surprise, you can even see Audrey Hepburn.

Marie-Hélène de Rothschild scheduled the meeting for December 12, 1972, the day when, as she believed, “the forces of the earth on the eve of the winter solstice give strength to the initiates.” Members of the French Masonic lodges were invited to it, as well as, as Baron de Red called them, “the last fragments of the Illuminati.” According to him, “the shadow of Lucifer lit up the party.” Party participants received “personalized mirrored invitations” that could only be read in the mirror, they were made “in the style of the Belgian artist Rene Magritte (who, by the way, was a sympathizer of Marie-Hélène de Rothschild during his life).

“Guests had to walk through a kind of labyrinth of Hell, made of black ribbons, they looked like a spider's web. Guests were greeted by a “random cat” - a man in the guise of a black cat - he brought them to a salon upholstered with mystical tapestries,” recalled Baron de Red. “Then they were accompanied by a young man with a hat on a platter, and Marie-Hélène herself with an artificial head crying tears of diamonds.” Then the guests called Baphomet - the “black God of the Knights Templar,” or otherwise the Devil. The party ended in an orgy, “in which no one looked at the sex of the partner.” Later, as Baron de Red pointed out, American director Stanley Kubrick used some of these rituals in his 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut. In this film, "members of the secret lodge" also carried out "strange sexual orgies and pseudo-religious rituals." Later, a similar occult gathering of the “powers that be” was filmed by American documentary director Alex Jones. In California, he snuck into the Bohemian Grove private club hidden deep inside the redwood forest of California. He testified that at that party people also wore occult masquerade costumes, they sacrificed a “stuffed man”, and their main mascot was an owl. Alex Jones was declared a "dreamer" and "crazy", and his film was allegedly faked. By the way, Baron de Red was also declared “insane” by the Rothschild family, and after some time he himself became bankrupt.

Something similar happened in the legendary club “Studio 54”. There was a wonderful post about this club on Gossip.

Studio 54 is an iconic nightclub and world-famous discotheque, famous for its legendary parties, tight face control, promiscuity and excessive drug use.

One of the owners, Steve Rubell, personally selected the audience who were allowed into the club; everyone else was ready to do anything to get into Studio 54 - they offered bribes, stripped naked, tried to get inside through the ventilation shafts. Sometimes the club remained half empty, although hundreds of people crowded outside.

Quite a large part of the interior has been preserved from the old times, when the building housed a theater: balconies where tables for guests were located and where sexual intercourse was usually carried out, the stage and stage created a theatrical atmosphere. In addition, the decorations changed for each party. Around the perimeter of the dance floor were sofas covered in silver fabric, and the bar was encrusted with diamonds. The dance floor was decorated with an animated Man in the Moon with a cocaine spoon and cocaine sprayed from the ceiling. The club was equipped with the best equipment at that time. On the third floor there was a “Rubber Room” with pieces of rubber on the walls. They also had sexual intercourse and used drugs here. In the basement there is a room for VIP guests.

In the late 1970s, New York was free-spirited—HIV was discovered a few years later, and drug use was common. In the “Studio” it was possible to use drugs and have sex with anyone with impunity, so the club became the habitat of all those whose lifestyle consisted of endless parties. The audience consisted not only of celebrities, but also of ordinary people. Regular visitors included Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol, as well as Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger with his ex-wife Bianca, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, Calvin Klein, Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov and many others.

On December 14, 1978, agents from the American Internal Revenue Service burst into Studio 54. They found cocaine and a large number of bundles of bills in the club, which amounted to undeclared profits. The daily income was estimated at $70,000, which meant tax evasion amounting to $2.5 million for the year. The owners were arrested and sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, of which they spent only 13 months in prison. The farewell party on February 4, 1980 included, among other guests, Richard Gere, Gia Carangi and Sylvester Stallone (it was he, according to legend, who bought the last alcoholic drink). Liza Minnelli sang her hit “New York, New York.”

The new owners were Mike Flachman, Carmen D'Alessio and Michael Overington, who hired Rubell and Schrager after their release as consultants. The fashion for disco was over; the possibility of contracting AIDS made casual sexual relationships dangerous. The club lost its former importance and was finally closed in 1986.

They are planning to organize a similar party today at the Chateau de Fantômas club of Snezhana Georgieva with the help of Alexey Kiselev, better known as Kisa, Lolo’s husband.

georgievas Monsieur Fantômas' assistant continues to deliver invitations to the Friday party in honor of the legendary "Stidio54" which will take place in # noirbar # chateaudefantomas

georgievas

# studio 54 # preparing outfits # creating the mood

mashildaglam

@ georgievas yes yes,) some have already broken their heads!

georgievas

Today it will be exactly like that! # chateaudefantomas # noirbar # studio54 # who is not dressed

vikagazinskaya

@ georgievas Seezhanchik, please provide us with such guys, we will live with you))

georgievas

Vikul, both you and I have enough male acquaintances and friends with good bodies, another question is that they are not interested in girls...)))) # selyavi

alexkisa We had a dream to throw such a hellish party that Moscow had never seen before. And make it last forever. To create a world in which, as of today, all prejudices will remain outside the threshold. NOIR Bar without rules!!! #fridaynight #noirbar #studio54 #chateaudefantomas #thekisa #sexdrugseverythinginexcess

ida_lolo It was a place where all prejudices remained outside the threshold. A world without rules. #studio54 #sexdrugsdisco #noirbar #chateaudefantomas