Fat Season!!

What's up party people? I didn't forget about you.

Here's the deal - fat season is upon us. What with Halloween candy , Thanksgiving turkey and Chrismahanakwanzakah dinner, sweets, eggnog, etc - we're all getting fat. Let's not even talk about the dark and cold that leads one into hibernation all season. Let's just say that the winter coat is going on for most of us (and I'm not talking about a Bubble Goose).

What does this have to do with prom? Well, most people freak out and try to look better than they've ever looked once they're presented with formal wear. And, while you could probably get all extra-sexy between New Year's and May, why not start thinking about your eating and dieting habits now so that you don't have to get all anorexic then? Don't say that I don't look out for you.

So, with that in mind, I have found the best online sources for healthy eating and dieting that will help you lose (or maintain) your weight the fun, healthy and sane way.

• My personal favorite is SparkTeens. This extension of SparkPeople was started by one of the early employees of eBay with the massive riches that he got when that company blew up. This website gives you FREE food advice and recipes, personalized workout plans and it provides communities that you can join to find workout buddies or people that you can talk to about your challenges. Last, but not least, you can also win a $5000 scholarship when you join. You really don't have anything to lose.
  

• Another site that's doing a good job is CosmoGirl! (I'm not super excited about it. The exclamation point is part of the proper name.) If you read the magazine, you know that each month features an exercise section. Well, they've compiled all of the exercises in one place on their website so that you can get the perfect workout plan for whatever it is that you're working on (delts, gloits, croits, whatever). There's also a nutrition section so that you can learn delicious alternatives for Wendy's fries (put the Frosty down!!) They even have a prom workout for you and a CosmoGirl! group on SparkTeens that you can join.

• And for the guys, don't feel left out (you can totally do either of the ones above), but also check out this No-Gym workout from Men's Health. It's a totally free, 8 week workout that apparently helped 20,000 guys lose weight. Get cut; make the ladies swoon. That's all I'm sayin'.

Alright, so put down the hot chocolate and cookies. You'll thank me when Jan. 1st comes around and you don't have to make that resolution to lose 20 pounds of turkey gut.

Censorship on the Dancefloor

Party People be aware!! There are forces in this world that would censor your right to listen to Lil' Wayne and shake that thang at prom! I'm here to show you what you need to look out for.

www.schooldancenetwork.com calls itself "The School Administrator's Best Friend" and comes complete with a national Do Not Play list (of songs that DJs shouldn't play at dances, ever), a slang dictionary called Slanguage, "No Freak Zone" posters to keep people from "freak dancing" and a totally random youtube clip of Ellen playing guitar hero. This is like Footloose for the 21st century, people. Fight for your right to pop, lock and drop it!!


Okay, wait, now I'm really freaked out. This group claims that its long term aim is to "keep [the 30 largest record labels] informed regularly of those songs that have been determined to be inappropriate for a teen audience at school dances in hopes that in the long term it may play a role in improving the content of music being released. We have compiled a list of the key upper level managers that will recieve updates on our DO NOT PLAY list. We will also inform major radio station program managers of those inappropriate songs. " Basically, what this means is that if this group decides that Flo Rida's newest album is too sexy, they're going to tell radio stations not to play it. Pardon my French, but that's bullcrap.

Student Council leaders and Prom committee members, remind your faculty advisors that you're not tiny kids who've never heard a swear word before. You have the right to listen to The Whisper song.

Oh, wait, don't worry though. There's a preferred playlist that is "made up of a variety of songs in varying tempos from Top 40 music, 80's and 90's “Old School” and novelty dance songs that combined help to create a fun and lively environment for the entire student body. DJs can play this song list in the order listed and it will likely work for most school dance events." So, go wild dancing to Miley Cyrus, Thriller and the Cha Cha Slide all night. That sounds awesome!


Here are the most recent additions to the DO NOT PLAY list....

L = Language S = Sexual V=Violence

Inappropriate for school dances
Inappropriate for Middle School, Junior High and conservative high schools V = Violence
“Radio Edit” version available and appropriate

Posted	Song	Artist	Appropriate?
9/24/2008	lolli lolli pop that bo...	Three 6 mafia	(S)
9/3/2008	Thizzle Dance	Mac Dre	(L)
8/13/2008	I Kissed a Girl	Katy Perry
8/11/2008	Paper Planes	MIA	(V)
7/28/2008	The Business	Yung Berg	(L)

...Sigh... what kind of world do we live in?

TRADITION!!

Hello All. I hope that you missed me as much as I missed you... I will do my best to give you more reasons to come visit.

In the meantime, let's talk about some of the age-old and kind of new traditions that are a part of proms around the world today. I did a bit of research and it turns out that everyone likes to celebrate this end-of-the-year party in fun and varied ways.


The Classics / Prim and Proper

• Crowning a Prom King, Queen or a whole court - My friend Mizz1218 is still bitter that her school crowned her prom queen and only gave her a certificate (no sash, no crown...wamp wamp)
• The Junior Class hosts / plans the prom in honor of the Seniors (Juniors and Seniors can both go, but maybe the Seniors get a free ticket, gift, both or the honor of just not having to plan it)
• One girls' school in Delaware partners with a Boys' school to hold prom. The guys get etiquette and dance lessons and then write a letter to a girl at the partner school inviting her to prom... very Pride and Prejudice
• At one school in Chicago, all of the guys (and male chaperones) wear kilts and a Scottish bagpiper and dancer comes to bring it all together
• At Junior prom, the guys give corsages. At Senior prom the girls get bouquets (sweet).
  

The Clothes Make the Prom

• At one school, there are several formals. The Sophomores have cotillion and wear long straight dresses. At the Junior prom the girls wear ball gowns and at Senior prom they wear fishtail gowns.
  
• In Hawaii, the guys give the girls a bouquet and the girls give the guys leis made of vines called maile. These traditional leis can be anywhere from one strand to about seven strands thick. They symbolize anything from love to friendship. These leis have no flowers and the guys wear them right on top of their tuxes.
• Some schools have a contest for the best dressed couple - (fun idea, but I think this would just encourage people to spend ridiculous amounts of money)
• At one school, only the Seniors are allowed to wear white. Imagine a room full of big white dresses and tuxes with a few pops of color here and there.... gorgeous.
• Another idea that I think is beautiful comes from a school that has its attendees wear masks to the event. At the end of the night, there is a contest to see whose mask is the best.
  
• Finally, I've heard about schools that have garter dances. The guys pull garters from their dates' legs with their teeth (or hands. Let's bring it down a notch), and then wear the garters on their arms and later hang them from their car rearview mirrors... racey.

Small Town, USA

• In a lot of smaller towns, prom is one of the biggest things going on. Therefore, they are more likely to have an actual "promenade" or red carpet-like procession where the town comes out to see everyone's beautiful dresses (and to find out who came with whom).
• Also, in a lot of towns, it's a big deal to arrive in some sort of creative conveyance. I've heard of everything from the (now) traditional limos and stretch hummers to golf carts, Segways, horse-drawn carriages and firetrucks with hot tubs in the back. (I feel like this last one has to be an urban legend).
• Another big tradition is to make the event a whole day of fun to spend with friends and dates. The day starts with movies, bowling, miniature golf or some other type of day-date (I've even heard of one town having a big school-sponsored triathlon with girls and guys teams and everything) followed by the dance and ending with a night of camping and bonding.

International Ideas

• While most countries outside of the U.S. don't have a prom at all, a lot of other English-speaking countries (U.K., Australia, New Zealand) do something fairly similar. Typically, there is a formal dance held in conjunction with graduation, the handing out of diplomas, etc, called Grad Night. One tradition that seems to occur all over these places is called Safe Grad. This is where after the students have officially graduated and received their diplomas, had a formal dinner and a big fun dance, everyone is bussed off to a secret and remote location (no one knows where they're going except the planning committee) where the students then proceed to get drunk and carouse until the wee hours of the morning. They then crash and later get bussed home to sleep more. This system keeps everyone from drinking and driving on the big night. **Let's remember that the drinking age is often much lower in countries outside of the U.S. and it is therefore legal for high schoolers to drink.**
• A lot of our foreign friends at least have a big breakfast after the dance is over to give everyone time to sober up and get some food in their systems to soak up the alcohol. (which is a myth. Food does not actually soak up alcohol. A drunk person who has eaten chicken wings is still drunk and should not drive. The only think that "cures" drunkeness is time.)
• Another big thing that happens at most schools abroad (and a lot of schools in the U.S.) is an after-party where the student council raises money all year to pay for a casino night, karaoke, sumo suits, food, bouncy houses and all sorts of fun stuff to keep people entertained and kickin' it with their friends all night long.
• Also, the end-of-the-year shindig is much more often a family affair abroad. In one school the students dance with one of their parents on the first song, with their date on the second and then the kids go off to party in one room while the parents stay and party in another.

Social Deviance

• Thanks to a late night of dancing, partying and going crazy, a lot of schools have a tradition of skipping school either the day of or the Monday after prom. I think this is kind of awesome, but definitely be sure that your school is okay with it before you get in serious trouble. (Like not being allowed to go to prom, or worse, graduation.)
• At another school in Chicago, it's a tradition for the guys to try to sneak in to one specific bar in town and buy a drink. As the legend goes, if you're able to get the bartenders to sell you a drink, you'll get lucky on prom night....
• A lot of schools are starting to impose an under-21 age limit on people attending the prom. This policy is supposed to help cut down on drinking.
• Some schools have taken the age limit one step farther and actually started checking non-students' criminal backgrounds to cut down on drinking, violence and sexual aggression (i.e. rape).
• I've heard of some schools holding a super early morning event (or graduation) the day after the prom to encourage students to not get wasted the night before and end up hungover the next day...
• And I've even heard about some schools issuing breathalyzer tests at the front door to keep drunk people out.

But, On a High Note

• There are some other really cute and random traditions that I've heard of including guys asking the girls in fun ways (filling balloons with tootsie rolls and shaving cream and leaving the girl a note saying, "Hey "toots", I've heard that you're a really "smooth" girl and I would "burst" with joy if you went to prom with me. After which she has to pop the balloons to find the name of the guy who asked.)
• I've also heard of a school that has its students make videos to ask their prom dates out. The most inventive one wins a free ticket to prom (my Matrix/broccolli florets video would have totally won).
  
• Another big deal at a lot of schools is to keep the theme a secret. Students try to sneak peeks into the gym or caf while it's being decorated to be the first in the know - but otherwise they have no idea until they buy their tickets which feature some sort of clue.
• And finally, my personal favorite... have an all out, sugar-coma inducing dessert buffet. The diet and exercise regimen to fit into the dress is over - you may as well pig out.

The End. Now, go out and create some fun traditions of your own. If I missed a really good one that your school does (or did) or if you want me to write about anything in particular, please feel free to comment. I'm totally open to posting your questions, ideas, pictures; whatever you got.

Tie a Bow on It

As promised, in this episode we will discuss the all important component of prom planning, decorations! In my opinion, this is the fun part. You can be as subtle or over-the-top as you (and your budget) can handle, but no matter what you do, this is what will set the mood, drive home your theme and really get people into the spirit of the party.

• Lighting - This is going to be the most important element of your decor. Use color, shapes and different light sizes to create a mood. Doing a Spicy Salsa theme? Use reds to crank up the excitement. Is your prom going to be a Midsummer Night's Dream? Blues and purples will create an ethereal landscape. Raid the drama department and set up spotlights with different colored gels (colored sheets of plastic that change the tone of the lights) and gobos (flat sheets of metal cut into different shapes) to create the backdrop for your event. Also, spend the majority of your decor budget on lighting and anything that you buy this year can most likely be saved for next year.
  

http://www.luminousld.com - Farmingdale, NY - Professional Lighting Design

• Backdrops, cut-outs, build-outs - If you're trying to drive home a specific theme or cover up a less-than-pretty space (ahem... ugly gym), you may want to include some larger-than-life "set pieces" that will draw the eye away from, say, a basketball hoop. While there are companies from whom you can buy this stuff pre-made, you will cut down dramatically on cost, cheeseball factor and generic-prom-itis by getting a group of volunteers together to make this type of stuff yourself. Using a little bit of time, creativity and local talent, create an Arabian sunset, a lush tropical garden or the Hollywood hills.

• Details, centerpieces & accesories - Use the little things to pull it all together. People will need somewhere to sit, so why not toss colorful, flowery lais on the table for a luau theme? Having a star-studded event? Then include a red carpet. Or, get a group of freshman and sophomores to be paparazzi by taking pictures of and interviewing the superstar couples. If you're offering favors, make them match your theme. Display a brightly colored candy bar for a Willy Wonka Wonderland or create a centerpiece of stacked vases with real or silk flowers (maybe toss in some key chains or money clips for the guys) for a Secret Garden theme.

www.partyspot.com - Party Planning by The Knot

As always, have fun, be creative, go wild. The only things that I would advise against are balloons and streamers. They're bad for the environment, can't be reused and scream 5-year-old birthday party!! You don't want someone to show up to the prom and immediately wonder where the clown is. Either way, two heads are better than one... feel free to write me with all of your trickiest decorating conundrums.

Location, Location, Location

A lot of you will be having your prom somewhere on campus - whether that's the school gym, maybe on a soccer field (if your school is really rad and lets you take advantage of the spring weather to do a pretty outdoor thing), or some other large gathering place inside of your school. If that's the case - don't worry, the upcoming episode on decor will help you make the most of your space. But, if you get to spend a little money and explore places off campus, here are some suggestions for you to consider:

Hotel Ballrooms - This is a classic choice. Hotels are extremely well equipped for large gatherings like this, can usually help with your lighting and sound, and if you're serving food (which you should to soak up the alcohol... we'll revisit this in later episodes) - they're really good at that stuff, too. A few drawbacks are that hotels can get expensive and oftentimes they are a little impersonal and cheesy which means - lots of decorating necessary.

Huntington Ballroom at Colonnade Boston Hotel - Boston, MA - www.colonnadehotel.com

Local Theaters - I think this is often an overlooked option, but big old theaters in your town will most likely have a ballroom space or even a very large stage that would work for your gathering (if your school is very big - this may not work out). This is a good potential option because a theater usually has a lot more character than a hotel ballroom, they're less likely to be booked during your weekend and because they probably don't get as much event business as hotels are used to, they may be willing to cut you a deal.

Fox Theatre - Atlanta, GA - www.foxtheatre.org

Fraternal Organizations, Women's Leagues, Etc. - Almost every town in the U.S. has a Mason's Group, Junior League, Women's Federation or something similar. And most of these groups have some sort of headquarters with large beautiful spaces that are perfect for big events. The other great thing about these guys is that, since they're non-profit, charitable organizations, they're probably willing to give a deal to their local high school for its prom. It'll most likely take a bit more research to get in touch with these groups, but it's definitely worth looking into.

The Mansion - The Texas Federation of Women's Clubs State Headquarters - Austin, TX - www.themansion.info

Event Halls - Traditional event halls are exactly what they sound like. They are businesses that have bought buildings and outfitted them specifically for holding big events. Therefore, they should have anything that you could possibly need for your prom. They should also be able to help you find local vendors to provide things like DJs or Bands, food and other services. The downside to this option is that because they're in the specific business of providing event services, they're less likely to cut you a break. Also, they may have certain vendors that you have to use in order to hold your event with them. Be sure to read all of the fine print before you sign on or you might end up with something you don't want and spending way more money than you expected.

Silver Star Hall - San Diego, CA - www.silverstarhall.com

Public Outdoor Spaces (parks, beaches, etc.) - In most areas, prom season = gorgeous weather which should definitely be taken advantage of. By holding your prom in some outdoor area, you can take advantage of the warmer temperatures, the romance of having a canopy of stars above you and you're pretty much guaranteed to have enough space to spread out and really enjoy the dancing without having hot, sweaty bodies crammed onto a tiny dancefloor. That having been said, there are a lot of questions to ask when considering an outdoor space. Especially if it's a public space. Do you need a permit to be there? Is there a certain time at night that the music has to go off? Are there rules regarding food handling, number of people that can be in the area, or security that must be present? And most importantly, what about port-a-potties?

AA Tent Company, Inc. - Salem, OR - www.aatentcompany.com

If you're still looking for ideas, there are plenty of other miscellaneous options that you should feel free to explore (be creative - you would be surprised by what's in your town). But, hopefully this list has given you some initial inspiration. Check out the links below for more information and ideas.

• http://www.gatheringguide.com/
• http://www.eventective.com/
• http://venuechooser.com/
• http://www.cvent.com
• http://www.local.com

Need more ideas or more places to look? Did I forget anything? Do you have an Event Space that I ought to mention? Let me know!

The Heart of it All

For those of you with the responsibility and privilege of planning your school's prom, the time to think of awesome themes is upon you. To make your job easier, I have compiled a list of, what I feel, are the best prom themes available for 2008. I hope that you feel inspired!

• Club Prom - Make your prom into a night club ~ the main decorating element for this prom is the lighting - set the mood with low lighting, place lots of tea candles and find out about serving mocktails

• Italian Carnevale - Masquerades have been the height of celebration through the ages ~ use Italian influences including fountains, gondolas and arches to create a romantic landscape. Get festive by inviting guests to wear masks with their tuxes and dresses

• Vegas Baby - Roll out the roulette wheel for high excitement ~ A casino theme is always super high energy and super fun. Hire underclassmen to be poker dealers and let guests win Prom Bucks to use during an auction of prize packs at the end of the night

• Miami Nights - Create a spicy, beachy night ~ using lots of white, bright pastels, or cool blue lighting, recreate the heat of Miami beach and the coolness of the South Beach party scene. For a splurge, bring in sand for a real beach feel or create elaborate sand castles

• Hip-Hop, Don't Stop - Bring back the 80's ~ use bright neon colors, create backdrops of graffiti hearts and stars and put a little Grandmaster Flash on the ones and twos. Invite a group of students or local B-boys and girls to pop lock and break for entertainment

Or, think of old and new movies with great characters - romantic or popular songs that set the mood you're going for - seasons - exotic locations - different time periods through history - or do something that's unique to your school or town. Your prom theme won't make or break the party, it will just give you the direction you need as you're planning the food, decorations and supplies. Get creative and have fun - you can't go wrong!

For more ideas, check out these websites:

http://www.stumpsprom.com/
http://cmerry.wordpress.com/the-big-list-of-prom-themes/
http://www.partypop.com/Themes/party_themes_prom.html
http://www.plumparty.com/Themes.html
http://www.promspot.com/ps_article.htm?Object=A50113170513&subchannel=prom_committee&site= - 25k

In the next episode we'll talk about movies that feature prom. What are your favorites?