Now that Christmas is done, maybe I'm wishing I had a really good New Year's party to attend this year...but as things go, it looks like just me, Dick Clark and that glittery ball that drops in Times Square, along with a bottle of Cook's and some Doritoes. Well, maybe next year things will be a little more glamorous...

Two parties in the past I will always remember. The first one took place in 1979, when I was art director for a little underground newspaper called Cable. It was my 22nd birthday, and snowing like a banchee up in the mountains.[ this was the second day of such snow] My husband suggested we go into town to have dinner at the New Orleans Hotel that night and I thought he had finally taken leave of his senses!
Our little red and white Bronco four wheeled it's way into town and we parked near a big snow drift in front of the hotel. Walking in through the old lobby and in the Sun Kitchen side door, I had to double over laughing, leaning helplessly up against the doorway. The first thing I saw were elegantly dressed people at various white clothed, candle lit tables, calmly perusing the menu, or chatting with their companions...wearing Groucho Marx glasses and heavy black mustaches. [even the waiter] They all calmly looked up at once, and one by one I recognized all the staff and crew from Cable.
Later as we ate, it was hysterical to note the expressions of passersby as they looked in through the restaurant windows. One of my best birthdays!

The most amazing party? I attended it two Decembers ago. I would have never known about it, but a close friend invited the girls and me to the community Christmas Feast. Nicely accepting, I had visions of dreary high school cafeteria Spam Delight and a struggling senior choir mumbling their way through Jinglebell Rock. I was not looking forward to it at all. Was I ever in for a surprise.

The party was held at a huge, city block - long church right across the street from me. As we entered, I noticed there were no electric lights. Only small torches. We were greeted by criers in medievel dress, who walked into the large flickering room, announcing us as Lord or Ladye Whoever. Low, rough wooden tables were covered with pewter plates and thick mugs.It was like a walk through time. Dozens of medievelly dressed carolers and strolling musicians first served the hot wassail, then gradually served dinner in courses while we watched jesters and acrobats at the front of the room. After the last course was served the cast carried their small torches to the back of the room to sing the most wrenching, beautiful a capella music I have ever been lucky enough to hear...12th century carols with woven harmonies that transfixed every person in the room and moved us to tears. After a 90 minute concert, we were quietly escorted out the way we came, by candlelight. Out in the parking lot, it was the 21st century again, and we were in shock over what we'd just experienced. Later that week, I learned the choral director at our high school has won many awards for antique choral music, and our local singers were on their way to Los Angeles for a world wide competition. The costumes were lovingly made by history student volunteers at the University of Arkansas.
If they continue this program each year we'll probably go although the ticket prices are kind of hefty. Even my two daughters voted it 'worth every dime'.

So. What memorable parties have you been to lately? Any good ones on the immediate horizon?