From: jamesk*tripzine.com
Subject: Party Problem: Analysis & Potential Solutions
Date: May 28, 2004 4:39:52 PM
Bruce, (gotta love email)
I read about the problem you are having at your house parties here:
http://www.khephra.org/PermaLink,guid,aa7a9745-361b-42ed-ba71-1409f9eec70d.aspx
A few comments... This is not actually your problem,
rather it is your neighbors' problem, and any solution
you consider should include them in the
equation. Because the only outcome you care
about is that your neighbors don't
call the cops, and as long as that happens
the party may get as big and loud as
it wants to.
You have already thought of many solutions
to keep the emotional
level of the party attendees in check,
but your neighbors still remain an
x-factor. They could "go off" at the
slightest disturbance no matter how hard
you try to control your crowd, so you
must first "soften them up" and include
them in the solution somehow. I realize
this becomes more complex than
controlling the crowd, but perhaps
you should consider the following;
1. Go around the neighborhood a few days
in advance and offer some neighborly
bribes, such as a hand delivered card
and some baked goods (or low carb snacks
for atkinsy folks). This will work wonders
at creating a zone of goodwill the
night of the party. Of course, all
of these people could be invited to stop by
for a beer if they want to. Doing this
(or even dropping notes in the mailbox)
could keep the cops from arriving until
much later than usual.
2. Plan a "neighbors only" version of the open-house
party a week or a few weeks
before the actual SBSW party.
This can be more of your typical BBQ mixer type
deal. The nieghbors would get their own party,
and their inverted persepective
would lower their tolerance for the BIG party
a few weeks later (when they might
actually drop by too).
3. Incorporate them as "spoilers" in your other plans.
Have a few of them agree in
advance to help you out if the party gets too big.
You can call one of them up
and say, "Hey, can you come over to my house
and yell a little bit?" And stage a
little scene. This will get you to
clear random people out quickly, and get
others to quiet down.
Handing your neighbors is a known factor. You can count
them on a list. It takes a little more advanced work,
but if make the effort you will at least get to
know your neighbors as well as the random folks
who stop by SBSW. I have lived in many neighborhoods
that have yearly "block parties" and know from
experience that the best way to keep the cops
from giving you a hard time is to keep the
neighbors involved (or at least aware)
so they don't give the cops a hard time.
Simple little things can create a buffer
of goodwill, which is essential to the
longevity of any temporary autonomous zone.
Best,
James Kent
http://tripzine.com
