KLINGON PARTY
A Klingon Party lies halfway between what we do as PIRATE and what we
do as a FUTURE-STATION... Not as childish as the first, not as
expensive as the latter.
AMBIANCE
Putting people 'in touch with the elements' is the goal of Klingon
ambiance. All those floofy, flowery, hotel decorations should be
masked with banners and starscapes. All those dull and dark
lowtech surfaces should be accentuated with colorful lighting, and turn
off those damn ovrehead lights that shine their cursed point-source
lighting.
Klingon lights come in two flavors; Cherry and Chocolate... in other
words, Red Alert lighting, and Blacklights. Any white lighting
apart from these should be carefully isolated not to overpower their
effect.
Blowing firepots seem a cool novelty now appearing in Klingon room
parties. They're electric (uncertain if by AC or batteries) and
add both a fiery light and a fluttering, flickering 'flame' of tissue
paper blown by the fan inside.
Garden foggers would be perfect for this kind of event. For
$25-$70, you can get a water fogger that requires no oils or
chemicals. It simulates the 'dry ice' effect using a Peltier
device, which electronically refrigerates and heats at the same
time. Just add water. Such a fogger is solid-state, and can
run non-stop, but if it also has a halogen lamp inside then it may be
limited to ten hours of use per day.
MUSIC
Since Klingon rock is growing all so slowly, there is also ambient
metal dance stuff that can fill the time nicely. There are even
tracks by bands like Nine Inch Nails made for eerie games like Quake,
providing hours or suspenseful/paranoid background.
REFRESHMENTS
Klingons have a rich heritage of foods and drinks to choose from.
If the theme is Klingon, you should carry the minimum staples of their
diet.
Bloodwine, be it 'virgin' or kicking, should be present in at least one
form or many. It makes a good punchbowl drink, if the layout of
the room permits. On the other side, Raktajina (coffee) offers a
good counterpoint, and comes in many recipes. Other inventions in
blue and green can be expected.
Gargh is the most expected Klingon snack... even if it's stale and
stiff in pretzel form, or 'gummy gargh.' More interesting
Gargh dishes involve noodles and meats. Chocolate is yet another
party-food staple. 'Bloodpie' often comes in the disguise of a
Jello pudding pie. 'Heart of Targ' is often the center of a
celebratory feast. As for the rest like 'Pypius Claw' and 'Bregit
Lung,' your guess is as good as mine.
Service of this food also benefits from good presentation.
Sterling white plates seem just too 'Feddie'... Black china, deep
cauldrons, strange cocktail forks, and knives seem far more apropos to
the Klingon way of life. Color, shape, transparency, and
heftiness communicate a world of difference.
CREATURE COMFORTS
Klingons often boast about living in comfortless conditions... but that
doesn't mean that's how they party. Animal skins, bar stools,
"the big chair" with ottoman, and places to rest your Stein of Ale are
all good ideas in party science.
- joel