A Most Unusual Event

Oscar Wilde once said, “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.”

One look at the outrageous scene at The Box on Monday night and the infamous Irish novelist would have been proud. Party-goers left behind their recession woes (and most of their inhibitions) to don brilliant costumes ranging from Victorian lady to sultry flapper to 1930’s screen siren. While some guests took liberties with the dress code, most of their wild interpretations of the theme were greatly appreciated including a perfect Sherlock Holmes, a pig headed (literally) Edwardian gentleman, a troupe of Napoleonic soldiers and a WWII aviator.

The party, aptly named, A Most Unusual Event, was a collaboration between Nerve.com, the online magazine about sex and culture, and Hendrick’s Gin, who brought their peculiar and decadent traveling burlesque show to town.

Joining Nerve’s Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman were VIP guests from the worlds of digital media, fashion, film and advertising who enjoyed the party’s “suspended reality” complete with a magician, an acrobat on a hoop, a stilt walker, a little person, and a bevy of scantily-clad burlesque dancers. Simon Hammerstein, founder and creative director of The Box curated an incredible show with fire-jugglers, lasso cowboys, singers and erotic performers that left the audience both amused and titillated. Hendrick’s supplied the A-list burlesque talent with The World Famous Bob mixing a gin martini in her cleavage and the stunning Angie Pontani who frolicked in a custom Hendrick’s bath tub full of gin.

Upstairs in the fondly named “pole room,” guests went further “into character” with the help of artist Derrick Little, who painted faces with fantasy designs of leaves, flowers, flames and more. While the audience, on the main floor, enjoyed a performance by contortionist Yogi Laser, and sipped Hendrick’s Gin punch from dainty porcelain tea cups or specialty cocktails like the raspberry infused Floradora with ginger beer or the Lady Danger made with rose, Parfait Amour, lavendarcello and seltzer.

After experiencing an evening of sensory overload and debaucherous play, will we ever want to lead ordinary lives again?

PHOTO CREDIT: Nikola Tamindzic / www.homeofthevain.com

For more photos, visit the Nerve gallery.