Hello Dolly
Guest blogger Stan Williams, a lifestyle writer and editor, shares his inspiration for Dolly Rama 2008, a fun theme party hosted in honor of his favorite singer, the legendary Dolly Parton for the CD release of her album”Backwoods Barbie.”
I have been a Dolly Parton fan since I can remember. So when Dolly postponed her New York concert on March 7th, I decided to celebrate anyways by bringing the Big D to the Big Apple with a cocktail party for friends. Theme parties have a tendency to be over-the-top if you have too many ideas so here are some simple tricks to keep your vision streamlined.
Incorporate One Element Throughout the Party
The words and music of Dolly Parton inspired details throughout the space. Dolly loves butterflies, so that was my main motif. I found appliqué butterflies at Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts and ironed them onto vintage thrift store napkins from Housing Works and new ones from Martha Stewart Every Day at Kmart. I bought dimensional stickers at Marcella by K at Target, mirrored butterfly beads at Jo-Ann and feathered butterflies at Pier 1 to flutter around my dining room. The tablecloth is based on one of my favorite Dolly songs, “Coat of Many Colors,” which was crafted using scraps of butterfly-prints, gingham and colored ric rac.
Create a Signature Menu and Specialty Drinks
Fried chicken, baked beans and sweets were perfect for Miss Dolly! Signature cocktails were based on Dolly songs: The Jolene, a shaken concoction to flip your wig and A Hard Candy Christmas, one part Jack Daniels, three parts R.C. Cola from Mitchells, a splash of triple sec and a candy-stick garnish.
Use Vintage Props and Simple Décor
I used vintage cardboard stand-ups, album covers and posters that were in my bedroom as a teen to give an authentic feel to the party.
Get Your Guests Involved
I edited a Dolly Parton playlist and put it on an iTunes shuffle. When sending in their RSVPs, guests responded with their favorite songs for a Top 10 Dolly Countdown which I made into a CD as a party favor for my guests.
Stan Williams’ thrift store decorating book, tentatively titled “Better Than New: Thrift Store Decorating from the Experts at Housing Works,” will be published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, in Spring 2009.
behind the scenes, dolly parton, housing works, jo anne fabric crafts, stan williams theme party
Comments
LOVES the LOVE for Lady Dolly! The food and decorations look amaz! Is this Stan Williams guy available for parties?? If so, we needs to chat!
Stan, that was a great party; decorations, drinks, music, very interesting group of people and spirit of Dolly. I had so much fun. I hope that Dolly will come back to Bleecker Street home again, maybe next year.
Wow! I am a lifelong Dolly fan as well and might just have to recreate this party on the left coast! Love the butterfly theme and can’t wait to flip my own Jolene.
My partner Jonona and I were lucky enough to get an invitation to this fabulous party. One can get a small taste from the few pictures posted here of how well Stan executed the theme of this shin dig. However the full impact of the décor, food and drink and Stan in his Dolly wig could only be experienced in person. All the guests were decked out in very original interpretations of Country and Western dress. There were lots of boots, tight jeans, snap button Western Shirts, Trucker Themed T –Shirts, and there was a un official contest of who wore the largest belt buckle. Mark Ciolli was the hands down winner with a belt buckle that was originally awarded to the winner of a Rodeo. This prize winning belt buckle was about a foot long and 6 inches tall, Ride Em Cowboy indeed!!! The ladies wore anything from denim and straw in their hair to 70’s Countrypolitan jump suits. The food and drink was delicious, aside from the signature cocktails The Jolene and A Hard Candy Christmas, the hosts were kind enough to offer Black Cherry Cola to the teetotalers in the crowd. Stan presided over the party goers’ top ten countdown with pertinent and some times surprising trivia about each song on this list. Stan’s collection of Dolly memorabilia was mind blowing, and as a record collector who posses over 15,000 LPs, I don’t get my mind blown easily in the collecting department. Of course he displayed his rare Dolly LP’s, concert programs and ticket stubs from Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner concerts but, the most impressive memorabilia is Stan’s collection of Official Dolly Parton Fan Club Membership Cards from the 1980’s. Stan and Veli are spectacular hosts who managed to turn the un happy postponement of Dolly’s NYC concert, into a truly memorable event. Jonona and I are anxiously awaiting their next theme party. Every time I listen to the CD that Stan put together of all the guests’ favorite Dolly Parton songs I will think very fondly of Dollyrama 2008.
Excellent!!! It looks and sounds like everyone had a DOLLY of a time! I am sad that I could not be there and experience this event first hand. Where is the picture of you with the Dolly wig???? Ha!
Sorry we missed Dollyrama 2008. Distance and a new grandson kept us from coming. We enjoyed reading about the event. We had a little insight so we knew it would be an extravaganza. Our imagination fills in the gaps. We are sure Dolly would have enjoyed the event!
What a celebration! What great ideas for a gathering! Such simple & smart ideas - love the signature drinks, love the giveaway CDs. Stan, Dolly will be most proud!
Wow! I am very impressed with the Dolly Rama sign. The next theme party should be for Stan the Man.
OMG….. Amazing! I’m from East Tennessee and I can tell you it was like I was literally transported there for a night–but this was in the middle of Manhattan! The down-home spread of fried chicken, sliders, and biscuits; the non-stop Dolly hits coming at you all-night long; the memorabilia that told the evolution of a Tennessee-mountain-home hopeful to the 21 century mega-celebrity queen of country;… It was almost too much! It was so magical that I noticed by evening’s end, simply everyone was speaking with that tell-tale lilt and hillbilly twang of YOU-KNOW-WHO. It was like we were drinking, breathing and living Dolly! Stan thank you so much for an unforgettable evening.
I came to support Spyt and had never had a wealth of knowledge about Dolly or her music. He turned out a fabulous event with the food, drinks, decor, music and gift bag! I’m now a Dolly fan and loved my CD. Way to throw a party Stan!
A great party — I stayed until 1:30 in the morning and wasn’t even drinking.
It was a major event, especially the countdown of the top ten dolly hits! The only thing I would have changed about the night is a request for the “Jolene” cocktail to be served to me from a keg. They were so tasty I kept hounding the “bartender” for the next batch! Jolene, Jolene, Jolene!!!!!!!
Hello
I would have loved to be there ! It sounds very funny and I know how Stan works out every detail. Though we don’t know very well Dolly Parson down here in France and Paris, I’m sure I would have been a great fan by the end of the night…
OMG - Can you please have another party asap? I cannot believe I missed this one! Love Love the all the cupcakes, cookies and others sweets on display as well as all the personalized decorations. And the drinks sound absolutely delicious. Seriously, please have another soiree soon…
That was obviously a perfect party.Stan,like everytime, must have been perfect.
Reading the comments of the guests,I am impatient to meet this Jolene.
It looked like the type of party that made you happy to be there. All the lovely colors and special attention to detail. Fun is the only word that comes to mind. Dolly would be proud to know she’s so loved.
Oh My God that Stan Williams is the Most. Everything he touches is DIVINE. I remember a certain 30th birthday party for the S-Man that was the talk of the town for YEARS!! I want him to plan my funeral party.
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