Photos: How to throw a Star Wars-themed, body-painting Bitcoin party

Click here to view original web page at fusion.net

Advertisement

A long time ago (or rather, just over a month ago) in a galaxy far, far away (actually, in Palo Alto) there was an epic party. It was thrown by a group of young Bitcoin stars who hope that the crypto-currency will restore freedom to the galaxy. The party was, as you may have guessed by now, Star Wars-themed, and it involved copious amounts of body paint.

If you are a crypto-geek, you might be thinking, “That sounds amazing! Please help me replicate it, Yoda.” Much to learn, you have. But we can guide you with a photo essay of the proceedings.

The force was strong with the racially-diverse crew of Bitcoin ballers. They started their pre-game session at 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning, with bagels, tea and water-proof FAB body paint. They had hired Elizabeth Nguyen, a physical therapist who does body painting as a side gig, to ink them up for the big night. The first person to go under the brush was Joel Dietz, the resident in charge of the single-story house called the “Love Nest” where the party was set to take place.

DSC09301

Dietz got a black tribal tattoo painted on his face, chest and left arm. The pattern evoked the psychedelic Guy Fawkes mask taped to the wall; he looked sort of like a modern version of Luke Skywalker, one who prefers temporary tats to a Jedi’s robe.

DSC09370

He did have a light saber (and he may have vanquished the woman to the right with it). It was behind that coffee table, near the karaoke machine.

DSC09400

Frank Sowokinos, a friend of the bunch, showed up while Dietz was getting his paint on. George the dog came with him. He didn’t dress up, but his name was Star Wars-themed all the same.

DSC09374

While he awaited his turn at body painting, he showed us his permanent tats. We could totally imagine Han Solo sporting this one:

DSC09384
Though we’re not sure Solo hearts PB&J sandwiches as much as Sowokinos does:
DSC09386

While Sowokinos was in the backyard enjoying some sun and a smoke, Jessalyn Ballerano was in the kitchen, metamorphosing into Chewbacca, Han Solo’s loyal hairy Wookiee friend.

DSC09439

The transformation was complete. Ballerano was ridiculously good at imitating Chewbacca’s signature vocals, which in case you didn’t know, were a mix of bear, badger, lion, seal, and walrus calls.

DSC09498

Dietz and his girlfriend, Marion Vogel, got the house Star Wars-ready. There weren’t a lot of decorations, but famous lines from the movie adorned the doors and walls.

DSC09467
You can’t have a Star Wars party without some reference to the opening crawl:
DSC09485

Meanwhile the body painting continued in the kitchen. Kelly Kerry ChowChow, who used to work at a venture capital firm, went as the Death Star, the menacing spacecraft with a killer laser.

DSC09514
Angela Morente’s avian look was inspired by the Millennium Falcon.
DSC09521

Some Star Wars karaoke happened. Fusion’s own Pendarvis Harshaw and Dietz sang Weird Al Yankovic’s “The Saga Begins” to the tune of American Pie.

IMG_6333
Sowokinos morphed into Darth Maul, the light saber-toting Sith Lord from The Phantom Menace.
DSC09566

He traded in the saber for George.

DSC09578
Dance! Dance! Revolution-style videos with Star Wars-themed songs were loaded up for a galactic dance-off.
IMG_6348

Even we jumped on the body-painting bandwagon. Fusion’s Daniela Hernandez has always had a soft spot for R2-D2.

DSC09575

With the body-painting sessions wrapped up, it was time to party. Eric Smalls, the founder of stealth bitcoin startup Manna, came in Millennium Falcon gear.

DSC09598

Stragglers let themselves in throughout the afternoon. One guy showed up with a box cut out to look like a Storm Trooper helmet.

DSC09604

Now you know how to throw such a party yourself. Do…or do not. There is no try.