by Erica Boni

There's no need to go to bed tonight. Join a host of artists of all mediums at Michalopoulos Studios (527 Elysian Fields Ave) for an all night event of creation, observation and collaboration, slumber party style! The party begins at 9pm and continues until seven in the morning. Reese Johanson, a theatrical producer, performer, dancer and visual artist manifested the event in the hopes of creating a space in which artists of all kinds could inspire one another.

She wanted to schedule a variety of performances throughout the night without disturbing neighbors of the venue’s residential surrounding area. That’s when she came up with the idea of distributing wireless “silent disco” headphones to guests during the wee hours. With this alleviation of the threat of noise complaints, Johanson realized the party might as well continue throughout the night.  

The idea of a slumber party evolved into a theme that’s being reflected in the work of many of the contributing artists.

“We have some art installations that are ‘bed-inspired’” Johanson explains, “Chris Herbeck is doing some kind of a steam punk crash pad and Sarah Dunn is doing a literal waterbed so the bed frame has water and you can sit in it like a little kiddie pool with fish and it even has a fountain.” 

People are taking a creative approach to the ways in which they’re planning to set up their reserved sleeping areas as well. Brad Wilkins, owner of Oak Street Café, for instance, says he plans to drive his Volkswagen van into the studio since it sleeps four. Of the overnight structure of the party Johanson adds, “It makes people feel like they’re ready to engage in a more intimate setting. I don’t mean sexual really but lying in a bed with someone involves some sort of willingness to interact and that’s what the night is all about.”

There will be several opportunities for guests to make participate in the action as well. A drawing nook will be set up featuring live models and an assortment of costumes. There will be a pillow top poetry den in which people can read to each other aloud and Bella Blue will be guiding amateur dancers with her “Burlesque 101” tips as well.

In keeping with the collaborative theme of the event many of the scheduled performances involve multidisciplinary art. Chris Herbeck for instance is teaming up with Michael Patrick Welch for a performance that amalgamates film and music.

“A lot of the video art I do is stop motion animation style” Herbeck said. “It’s a very simple quick technique which I find is very easy to mix with music. You can make it really pop with photos of a couple of toys or spinning objects. Michael uses drum machines for his beats so that same sound can be put behind the video too and they’ll be in sync.”

Other performances will span from short films to pop orchestra to dance to name a few. As for the specific plans of the artists, many are choosing to remain elusive adding another layer of excitement to the mix with the element of anticipation. According to Herbeck, “Some of the stuff is kind of secret. Some of the artists are revealing things for the first time so even as one of the artists involved I expect to be as surprised as anyone else.” 

It should be an exciting platform for artists of all kinds to expose each other to new mediums of creating.  

Food will be provided throughout the night and a breakfast is planned for sunrise. Tickets are $12 in advance, $16 at the door, $8 after 1 a.m. and $120 to reserve a bed space which sleeps up to six. A full schedule of events can be found below.

Elektrik Zoo presents projections and music videos from 9 to 9:30

The Reese Johanson Collective presents an interactive theatrical and dance combination performance from 9:30 to 10pm

From 10 to 10:30pm., Rob Cambre performs experimental songs on the electric guitar in conjunction with a presentation of the George Melies' silent film Le Voyage dan la Lune.

Helen Gillet presents a cello performance that incorporates toys form 10:30 until 11pm.

From eleven to midnight Trixie Minx performs burlesque while The White Beach musical trio plays to Chris Herbeck films and Bella Blu teaches amateur groups from the audience some Burlesque 101.

The women’s marching group NOLA Cherry Bombs performs until 1 a.m. along with The Ratty Scurvics Trio.

MC Trachiotomy spins electronic dance music and the Reese Johanson Collective performs a second piece. There will also be hip hop/punk rock bands from 1 until 2am.

Sundog and Daneeta Jackson play a variety of instruments alongside sound-activated video projections from 2 until 3 a.m.

DJ Tony Skratchere spins on your “silent disco” headphones from 3 until 4:30am followed by DJ Schitzomoffett who’ll be spinning until 5am.

During the following half hour, The Reese Johanson Collective performs another act as the Federico Fellini's film, "8 1/2" is screened.

At 5:30 the James Singleton and Justin Peake, jazz duo performs accompanied by the films of Anrea Dupree.