phx issue 03 launch party recap
A big thank you especially goes out to Sam Winans & Frankie Juban, our PHX Co-Event Coordinators!
Where were you on February 15th? If it wasn’t at Gracie’s Tax Bar between the hours of 5 PM to 2 AM, then I don’t want to hear it. Why? Club Rambutan teamed up with Sessions PHX to bring an unforgettable night of love, laughter and labour (we set up at 3 PM) at every alternative person’s favorite bar, Gracie’s.
And yes, we all had opps there.
Since it was the day after Valentine’s Day, we went hardcore with the hearts and flowers and the reds and pinks and spreading the love. When this team has a theme, they decorate crazy style, as seen below. Like, if I had to go into detail about what everyone did, this would be a Game of Thrones novel.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I have been to every single (phx) launch party for each magazine that Club Rambutan has released, and it has been an exponential growth arc. Granted, let me not talk too much since I just joined the team for Cohort 3, but it’s been such a ride watching from the sidelines and I never miss a chance to talk up Editor in Chief, Maria Manaog.
This launch party for 03: The Identity Issue is particularly special because it was the first time Club Rambutan hosted TWO launch parties -on the same day - in two different cities, which also officially debuted the freshly-formed San Francisco branch that was established by Maria just last September.
(yaaaas asu alum feature - maria)
For Phoenix’s event, we had a lineup of four local Phoenix DJs to set the mood, a raffle full of new Club Rambutan merchandise and personalized wine bottles <3, table of additional CR merchandise for purchase, and a beautiful heart cutout polaroid photobooth made by Thrisha. To my detriment, and I suspect many others, Gracie’s also provided pink glittery jello shots for purchase. An anonymous source told me they spent $70 on jello shots that night…
After our DJs finished up at 9 PM, Sessions had their DJs hop on and spin the rest of the night away. Wish I could tell you more details but I had two vodka sodas and a jello shot and I’ve never been known for my high tolerance for alcohol. Thank Rambutan there are other team members to provide their favorite parts of the night:
DOM: “Getting groovy with it, giggling, taking pictures.” (wish she’d used another g word for alliteration purposes)
FRANKIE (alleged $70 jello shot spender): “Getting to sit in the CR booth and talking to strangers about what we do and how cool it is.”
Drew: “Working the booth and letting people know who we are and what we do. Also dancing and vibing!”
Me (Maya) - Setting up the wine bottle bouquets, talking the ear off my fellow tabling volunteer (Jenna) and going, “Wow… this is so amazing…” every 10 minutes.
Also a HUGE SHOUTOUT to Baseline Flowers (incredible local PHX flower shop #JAPAN!) , who provided the dried flowers for our beautiful wine bottle bouquets, Kid Sister for the wine bottles aforementioned, and the Art Resource Center for the supplies to create many of the structures you saw about Gracie’s.
Much love and see y’all next time!
Preorder 03: The Identity Issue here!
I can confirm it’s the most insane one yet. Additionally, Check out the Cohort 3 Artist long form interviews below. I had the privilege of interviewing Marisa and Isabel so at least check those ones out. Just kidding…maybe.
