Planning the Launch

I
am neck-deep in preparations for my album's launch this March 28. I am
still amazed that I am actually having an event of my own! Well, in
truth, it isn't just mine - it will be our (me and my studes') semender
party, but that only makes the whole thing so much better!

I had this amazing idea one night in December, riding the KNL trike
home and the trike passed by Perk's Place and I thought - what if I
launch my new album there? What if I organize this party, invite my
students, play the whole album and dance to it? I wasn't able to sleep
at all that night. I was overly excited about the event, I can't wait
to tell my students about it.

By January, plans for the event somewhat died down since I was busy
with acad stuff but then last week, my biochem students reminded me of
the planned launch and most of them appeared enthusiastic about it.
They were actually going to push through with it. They immediately
started spawning... (hehe) ideas and I was overwhelmed by the support
they are willing to give. We had a hasty planning of the venue, the
date, the food, the activities, etc. and some of our ideas were serving
drinks with laboratory glassware (shots given in test tubes, drinking
from beakers, shot volumes measured in pipets or burets), blue food
(light blue is the theme color for the event) including blue iced tea,
blue distilled water, and blue gelatin (imitating a dyed SDS-PAGE gel),
ambitious production numbers, and plans on having a shirt made for the
event (black tee with "THE ICE" written in stylish light blue letters
in front).

Yesterday, I gave my students survey forms so I will be able to gauge
what they want for the party. For my Chem 16 classes (lec and lab),
here are the results:

Willing to have a semender party? Yes: 100%

Maximum amount of money willing to spend?
P100: 3%
P150: 29%
P200: 26%
P250: 9%
P300: 17%
P500: 11%
infinite: 6%

Priority in venue?
cost: 20%
proximity: 37%
amenities: 29%
fun: 9%
food: 6%

Date for the event?
Mar 28: 54%
Mar 29: 29%

Activities?
Games: 45%
Dancing: 21%
Food: 18%

Food?
Pasta: 34%
Pizza: 28%

Dessert?
Ice Cream: 39%
Cake: 27%

I have yet to give the survey to my biochem students, but as of this point, here are the arrangements (so far) agreed upon:

Date: March 28 (friday night... and the lights are low)
Venue: Perk's, along Maginhawa,
UP Village, The place has two floors including an open rooftop area and
there will actually be a stage area complete with eventish sound
system, lights, plus bubbles and smoke effects! Woohoo! There are even
plans for hiring bouncers I'm not lying).
Time: 7pm to 12mn (hopefully)
Venue capacity: 100 cool, talented, and beautiful people
Who are invited: My present students, some former students, some faculty, friends (Dr. Villaseñor may give the opening remarks. Her daughter is my Chem 16 student)
Ticket cost: Probably P200. I
have to raise the cost because there is a large demand for drinks (and
they're in no way very cheap you know). Quality food may even raise the
cost higher (depends on how many will come)
Publicity: tarp(s) will be made
featuring the album cover (naks!), pictures of the performers and other
students. This may also serve as the backdrop for the stage. Tickets
will be provided before hand. Announcements, text brigades, for former
students.
Food: Light food like finger
foods, snacks? (we'll be dancing anyway) It is suggested that we eat a
heavy dinner before going to the event. I'm thinking of Friuli for
pasta and pizza (cheaper but very good quality)
Drinks: Budget emphasis on
alcoholic drinks (You can eat anywhere. Not the same for drinking) Open
bar type. I will probably hire Julian (if he's available) to serve the
drinks. Blue-colored drinks a must!
Attire: anything (some performers might opt to wear costumes) "The Ice" t-shirt idea also considered
Program: Daring games
(suggested from survey). For the main album launch, all songs from the
album will be played in order of their lineup in the CD, and each will
be performed by me and my current students. It depends on the students'
style on how they will perform the song (real singing, lipsync,
dancing, chorvaness, etc!). Dancefloor is open while performances are
going on. Idea of awarding the best performance, to be determined by
neutral guests. After, dancing and drinking til you drop. Last,
album-giving and crying. Also, speeches galore.
Music: Songs requested by students

Well... I hope this event does push through and I expect we'll be
having loads of fun that night. It is a better alternative to going
out. At least, with this event, we'll be able to get what we want and
we will not be bothered by other people. An event of our own and in the
heart of it all is "The Ice", a tribute to coolness, chillness, and
having good clean fun. A musical testament to the good things in life!

See you there!