Artist Sharon Shapiro’s provacative promotional artwork for the first Artini event in 2006 gave new meaning to the term “nursing a drink.” Will this year’s event be just as thrilling as it was in ‘06?
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

Once again, Second Street Gallery’s Artini fundraising dance party is happening in the Ix building this weekend. This is the third annual Artini event, named for the specialty martinis that are served at local restaurants leading up to the event, the first having been what some described as “the party to end all parties.” There was a thunder and lightening storm that night, sending torrential rains through the gaps in the roof of the old textile mill, which made it feel like an “end of the world” party.

But the folks at Second Street cued up the event the next year, adding slick features like a VIP section, bikini-clad painted dancers serving drinks, circus performers spinning fire and whirling hoola-hoops, and a harem-like white gossamer tent with a small pool and fountains where party goers lounged on colored pillows. There were no torrential rains that year, but folks drank a torrent of wine, beer and liquor. According to party organizers, the crowd went through 20 cases of liquor, 30 cases of beer, and 12 cases of wine in just two-and-half hours, a situation that had revelers grumbling.

For a time there, it looked like that was it for Artini, as city building officials announced they would allow no more events in the IX building until it was brought up to code. “I’ve been monitoring the floor for years and decided that it was time to stop the public access to the space before someone was injured or killed,” said city building code official Tom Elliot.

Elliot says he and the city Fire Marshall finally came up with a solution for use of a small section of the building with a concrete slab floor, and which isn’t affected by roof leaks. The Ix folks also added a 10-foot interior wall that separates the building, and installed proper exits with exits signs and emergency lights to bring the space up to coded. Though Elliot says there is “still a section of the building that needs maintenance,” there are no plans to put the kibosh on this year’s event.

Artini III will again feature a VIP section and entrance, something that Miller High Life beer delivery guy might frown upon, plus music from DJs Padati and WesternFront and food by Hamdingers. The party takes place at the Ix Warehouse at the corner of Second Street and Monticello Avenue on Saturday, June 27 from 9am to 1am.  Tickets are $50 for the general public, and $95 for VIP “high rollers.” Consult the Artini website for more information and to buy tickets. Ticket sales for the event end at Noon on Friday, June 26.