Bitten on the Bayou Elite Bash @ The Mint

My first elite event ever and it was a blast! How could vampires and all you can drink jack daniels be anything but pure awesomeness?! From cow girls to count von count, the costumes were fabulous. I had a lot of fun meeting all the cool Unilocalers. Thanks for setting this up Dawson!
**I know I’m like 4 months late, but I’ve had this sitting in my «unfinished reviews» with every intention of posting it. =P

To get me prepared for this event, Lils had me watch the very first episode of «True Blood». I was thinking there would be more «Southern Belle» (from the show) type vampires, but, was still pleasantly surprised with the different array of vampires. I guess it’s safe to say there were no «Twilight» ones. :x
Now, I don’t know if there was some sort of spell being cast on me by the lady vampires at this event, but a lot of them did look quite, seductive. Normally at an elite event, it doesn’t feel like you’re being seduced, I just did this evening.
At first The Mint wasn’t too bad, but once the party really got going, it was quite difficult to get around and catch the servers with their trays of food. It was just as difficult to get a drink at the bar. I wouldn’t blame the staff, we Unilocalers tend to be locusts at the idea of free food and alcohol.
I raise a glass of blood wine to Dawson for being a wonderful host and coming up with this theme. *bite

Armed with a bag of garlic, a big cross, my bowling, I mean vampire fighting stick, and my vampire slaying black and red pumps, I was ready to fight off any vampire that may have deterred me from my first LA Unilocal elite event! My first elite event outside the + 1 shadows of Miss Keisha F. that is!!!
How can you not LOVE hanging out in the Bayou?!
— Yummy quesadillas, sliders and pita and garlicy hummus. Perfect! Garlic breath that helped Unilocalers from being bitten.
— Free flowing glasses of wine and gentleman’s jack
— Red Velvet Bundt Cake
— Unilocaler in awesome costumes!
— Air Guitar Players!
— Miss Dawson — For making an awesome party happen!!!

I wasn’t going to attend because it’s so far… but after finding out that some «Greater Cerritos Area» Unilocalers let me tag along with them! YEAH.
I love the theme… and I totally would have dressed up but didn’t get enough time to get an outfit together. But I thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone elses outfits. I was however a bit confused with the theme… it was vampires meet a western… there were cowboys that have been bitten… to hot men in wifebeaters showing off some guns … to counts that are ready to suck your blood.
My favorite outfit of the night had to be the sparkling vampire! That was the most creative … Twilight inspired.
My favorite moment of the night was definitely the airband contest… so fun! Unilocalers can definitely rock it.
Drink of the night were the whiskey sours for me… not too shabby.
Can’t wait till the next event … I wonder what the theme will be…

Dawson, great job! Trust me, the 1 star off is just cause the place was so dark, it’s so hard to recognize anyone =| and I think someone forgot to plug-​in the air-​conditioner for this many people to fit into the small room, we need some air people!!! =P
Glow in the dark fangs by the door — Awesome
Bartender made me a special Fruity Virgin Drink — Awesome
Fake Guitar Performance by Kevin C — COOL
Matthew K winning Funnel Cake Machine — LOL!!!
Velvet Cupcakes with Unilocal on the icing — Super COOL!!!
Meeting Great-​Looking-​Blood-​on-​their-​face Unilocalers — Super Duper Awesome!
Dawson Hosting a Theme Party — Super Cool and Awesome!!!
What matters is I had a great time, that’s all folks!!!

These.
Bitties.
Bite.
Anything Gothy-​related is definitely right up my alley — especially when I get to wear a long flowing black skirt, heels and a ruffled blouse. But nothing could have prepared me for a night like this…
Bitten on the Bayou was indeed a sight. Southern Belles, Gentlemen and Vampy types incognito — Your fake blood gave you away.
People really go all out with these themed events — some were sparkling and twinkling ala Ed Cullen from Twilight, others were entirely over dressed and over clothed, and some just came as is.
Everyone was glistening and fanning the sweat beads off their faces — The Mint really provided that muggy, humid feeling of the south. Or maybe the A/​C was busted?
The wine and whiskey were great… well, not great, but good. Anything complimentary tends to be GREAT in my book, so let’s keep it to great. The food; I only sampled the chicken quesadilla. I have to admit, the onion is a close cousin of the garlic… Vampires don’t like anything smelly.
The music was a bit perplexing — a mix of hip hop and dance music. I suppose this was appropriate considering people like to dance as they stand around staring into the darkness. I would have much rather preferred Sisters of Mercy or Bauhaus… but I got none of that.
It was nice to see some of the usual suspects… even if for a Vampire second.
Fun theme, Dawson!

— Food (3.5 stars): First round of quesadillas came by and I got shoved out of the way and hissed at with fangs bared by fierce Unilocalers. Second round of sliders came by and I learned my lesson. I made Virginia D. get it for me. They were pretty good albeit too much bun.
— Booze (3 stars): Wine a plenty. Jack was a very stingy Gentleman.
— Hoodie (1 star): none in sight. The biggest regret of my 2009 life was not getting one at Bollywood Nights. The Second regret would be not using a condom on March 18^th. I’m totally kidding?
— People (1 star to me and 5 to everyone else): Always a joy to see the book club pals. Always a greater joy to look awkwardly at people you know for sure are on your friends list, but can’t remember their name or think of the last compliment they gave you so you have some sort of first approach. I usually just shrug my shoulders after 5 minutes of brain frustration and don’t say anything like an asshole.
–Venue (3 stars) Hot damn. It was stuffy in there. I was dying in my priest collar. Can’t imagine how everyone in the heavy satin gowns and the capes felt.
— Dawson (5 stars): Once again you’re awesome for planning us events and hooken us up with the goods.
— Air guitar people (5 stars): Wow that was a lot of body rolls and pelvic thrusts.
Overall (5 stars): It’s free bitches.

Vampires?
Southern vampires?
Bitten on the bayou, baby!
I love all things kitschy, bizarre, alluring and of course, vampy. I have read almost all of the Anne Rice books (yeah, I’m going to admit to that) along with all of Laurell K. Hamilton books (who does a better job of vamp lit in New Orleans) so naturally, I’m going to want to go this event.
It’s ever so fortunate I found my fangs in the garage, tarted up an outfit and a helpful vampire bit me a few times. It was even better to arrive to Gentleman Jack shots which was the way to go as the bar was swamped (har har). I didn’t try any of the wine but people were 0-​positive it was delicious.
I managed to get a few nibbles; chicken quesadilla, cheese quesadilla, half a slider and a bit of this hummus… sandwich? I don’t know what you want to call it. Maybe hummus quesadilla? All were good for this starving vamp victim who needed the food to fight becoming a true vamp.
Sure it was hot in the Mint but it’s the bayou! I thought it was pretty accurate. Loved the giveaways though I didn’t win any. I guess I’ll have to go to New Orleans to sample that chicory coffee and get a beignet!
The music was rockin’, the peeps ever so fine and as the night faded away, the dawn proved I was once again human after all.
Thanks, Dawson for the morbidly good time! I’ll see you in the night’s velvet embrace soon!

Bitten on the Bayou Elite Bash
— — — — — — — — — — — — — –
I walked in with what I thought was a nouveau vamp look. You know the kind. They’re the ones you might see in some cheesy made-​for-​cable, or straight-​to-​DVD movie, where these blood-​sucking cats live in Eastern Europe — probably Brataslava, since all the bad things happen there, as evident in the movies Eurotrip and Hostel — and look charming at first, but once the sun goes down, want nothing but to suck your blood… or kill you… whichever fits the movie’s theme better.
Anyway, the sun went down on May 19^th, 2009, and I wasn’t looking for blood. I came out looking for free alcohol. I was surrounded by many other aspiring vamps and vampettes looking for the same. Some were dressed in all black (yours truly, included), while others intermingled a red and white color scheme with their black. It was a communal setting, and just like a human-​feasting party in From Dusk Till Dawn, we all huddled around keeping ourselves company, waiting to prey on unsuspecting drinks, and the appetizers that came our way.
The drinks didn’t disappoint. And, hey, among them were a couple of red wine options, such as cabarnet and merlot. So, if you really got into the vibe, you could pretend you were drinking blood. Cool, huh? Wha’…no? Alright, well let me tell you what was cool…
A party and a theme that could mobilize a fleet unit of LA and OC’s greatest Unilocalers; free drinks with a steady access to them; an air guitar competition that saw us rooting for a swivel-​hipped female and a gyrating male, doing their thing on stage; free appetizers, in the form of chicken quesadillas and these triangular shaped hummus treats (my personal fave); a raffle with awards that fit the theme, such as beignet mixes from Café du Monde — a New Orleans staple; and possibly walked away with a new favorite cocktail, one in which I may make my signature drink.
All this, thanks to our wonderful host, Dawson S. who struck on all cylinders to make a theme so immortal last in our hearts and minds eternally.**
** Ok, that was pretty cheesy. Basically, if you didn’t get your ass to this event, and you had every chance to, you deserve to get your blood sucked the hell out of you.^^
^^ Ok, that was a bit harsh, but I seem to pick the good events to go to, so if you aren’t sure whether you should attend a certain event or not, you should most definitely hit me up. I promise I don’t always look like a nouveau vamp from Bratislava.

In my interview with a vampire, I am Mina Murray. Decidedly reserved and resolute, yet with all the desire to go to the dark side!
In my interview with a vampire, I want to be bitten. But not like how Dracula did to Lucy! And if I had my choice between Anne Rice’s characters, I would have to choose Louis over Lestat.
In my interview with a vampire, I would develop some sort of gene therapy to inhibit any intolerance to garlic. Save for the inability to go outside on a sunny day, not being able to eat garlic would be the worst!
But alas, at last night’s «Bitten on the Bayou Elite Bash at The Mint,» my interview with a vampire never took shape and neither Louis, Lestat, nor Dracula himself showed up. No one went to the dark side and the only thing that got bitten was a delicious red velvet cupcake from Kiss My Bundt. And though it was a bit of an effort, I was able to snack freely on some garlicky hummus on pita bread, expertly served up by the staff at The Mint.
But as I wiped away the bit of red (wine, that is) from my lips, I thought to myself, man oh man, what made this event great were the people themselves!
Overall, it was great seeing everyone — you know who you are! And after all, it’s not everyday that I’m in Mid City on a Tuesday night!
Until we meet again! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

Cool event, as usual. They had the drink specials, the free samples of Gentleman Jack, the free food, the free, free raffle with awesome prizes, great people, an air guitar competition, and I got to dress up as a vampire! What else can you ask for? Maybe a little more space and a little more ventilation… but otherwise, awesome!
I do wish there was more food, but maybe that was because we got there around an hour after it started. And I wish that one of the raffle tickets was just one number lower (we were so close!).

My Bloody Bayou Valentine, your bash at The Mint has left me once again smitten. I loved your glow in the dark vampire teeth at the check in table.
And all the Unilocalers too happy and cute to look like scary vampires or zombie hicks. Nice try though guys! Your bartenders were super fantastic and made drinks in the bat of an eye. Shauna D. recommended the gentleman jack and ginger ale and they were my beverage of choice for the night — very refreshing.
Everyone was super nice to my non Unilocaler Polish Plus One who had no idea where I was taking him, just that I told him to wear something black. He tried the quesadilla and told me, «this is a really good pizza, Anjia!»
The air guitar competition was definitely better than watching the Lakers game, so thank you for that. I missed out on your bloody red velvet bundt cakes but, that’s okay cause I’ll kiss your bundt some other time. Dawson is the bloody bomb!

Why be a lady when there’s gentleman jack flowing like wuuuuurrrrter?
Arriving at the scene, it was a little daunting to drive by the event and see a line of morbid lookin vamps when you’re dressed as the other theme: southerner. Black cape, black cape, black skanky HOT tops, oh hey its a priest, bloody faces (did you eat your date?), vampire pimp (?) with the cane, and oh hey its a cowboy! oh wait… it has vampire teeth and blood on his face.
Me and my +1 Diana would be feasted on, furrrrrr sure in our cowboy getup.
The first question of the night was: «Do you have anything to confess?» I turn around and it was an OH FATHER I HAVE SINNED priest. I had to get away… quickly… Started out the night with some free merlot and then moved on to jack + seven. The evening loudly progressed and it was pretty hot and sticky – another sign of a packed and successful event.
The air guitar competition was ridiculous, and I mean that only in a hilarious way. Who knew you could bust those kind of moves with nothin but a mic and some stage.
Last but not least, I have to mention the bundts minis, as were awesome in a way that I felt like a vampire feasting on prey. That delicious, delicious red velvet didn’t know it had it coming. Please tell me what is in those frosting, crème a la crack?
Okokok one more thing. Big thanks to Dawson for putting on another fantabulous event!!!

For once, I got to be here a little earlier and got to hang out and talk to my friends who I hardly get a chance to do these days. Didn’t get a chance to try the bloody mary drinks but did get Gentleman’s Jack and coke and an extra shot straight up.
A fun night and didn’t get bitten. Still glad a few friends I got a chance to talk with and a few I got to feast with. That’s all I’m going to write about.

I’m usually the last person to win things (in life, in love, or in sweepstakes) but somehow i wound up being a big double-​winner last night. First, I won the faaaaaabulous Studio DNA vampy-​vamp makeover (thanks Amy and Lindsey!). The girls did such an amazing job and made me look so crazy smokin’ hot I couldn’t help but have a blast the rest of the night… I felt like the sultry and sexy belle of the vampire ball! Later on Mike and I held one of the winning raffle tickets and won some spicy snacks and sauces:
All of that winning makes me terribly biased towards a huge 5-​star rating! I would’ve knocked off 1 star for lack of food. I mean, I was in my head comparing it to the last event at Cole’s where the food was seemingly never ending and I stuffed my face silly with all kinds of food. At The Mint I don’t think I even saw a tray go by me that wasn’t already empty. Oh, that’s a lie… at the end of the night I sunk my fangs into a red velvet cupcake. I think I got lucky because most of the Unilocalers had already cleared out for the night. I wish I had gotten to try the quesadilla at least though… I kept smelling it on the breath of everyone around me and it was making me sooo hungry!
At least the alcohol volume more than made up for what was lacking in the food department. I only made it to the bar once, but I made sure to stock up and was double-​fisting some Jack and Cokes. Add that to a couple more «tastes» (sure they were small, but you could go back for more!) of Gentleman’s Jack and I was a couple more than three sheets to the wind… needless to say I didn’t make it back to try the blood mary… but I DID get into some red wine just before heading out the door. It was so cool that they didn’t run out of sponsored drinks!
I gotta say though, it was might hot and sweaty up in there… muggy if you will… and very fitting for the Bayou theme as others mentioned. Oh and daaaaaaark. It took me a while to get my eyes adjusted so that i could see who was who! I know a lot of peeps were there last night that I just didn’t even see… and I KNOW others had a hard time recognizing me in all my gussied up glory… even close friends would be standing next to me for a few minutes and then suddenly yell out «oh my gosh! Amber, it’s you… I thought you were some new Unilocaler I hadn’t met yet» ahhhh it’s so fun playing dress up!
Thanks times 49 830 231 750 265 to Dawson for putting on a great shindig!

Any chance I have to wear my push up bra and stockings is a great time. Period.
I LOVED the theme. Whether the vamps or the hicks, I’m always amazed at what everyone shows up with (Esp. Vinh… my GOD that man can costume his ass off! And Dawson without a bra is also a treat!)
As far as the drinks… they were great.
I like my drinks like I like my men, strong (but not overpowering), tasty, smooth and don’t make me wait… tonight, the drinks gave me exactly what I wanted. And they were free, so I was happy as a vamp in a blood bank.
I didn’t try the food (damn you lactose!!) except for a bite of the cupcake which was very tasty. But I’m on this «special» liquid diet, so that’s fine with me. ;)
Heat? Yeah it was hot, that only means there were lots of people. And seeing said people glistening with sweat in the dark dark night was kinda hot in a figurative way…*wink wink*
And watching a hillbilly sexual assault a microphone stand was one of those things that a person cherishes in their memory forever.
As always, Dawson’s party didn’t suck…

Vhat a vunderful event, I had too! Too good of a time ah ah ah… *cough*cough* Okay, enough already!
As hot and crowded as the event was it still was a blast.
— The Jack was smooth but not as smooth as Kevin C. and his lovely gyrating hips (I still got some extra singles for your pants)
— The vampire theme was fun and very left field
— The ladies were hot and sexy as usual *blushes underneath the purple makeup*
— The band that played for ¼ of the room was pretty good and it was a shame more people didn’t get to experience them
— «Ken I col you sum thyme? Jhas too sey hi? Yor berry petti»
— Heard the food was decent
— I was glad plan B costume turned out well
— After party/​dinner as usual
— Of course having a blast with the regular Unilocalers and meeting new ones!
Thanks again Dawson for another wonderful event!

5 stars: everyone’s costumes and seeing /​meeting Unilocalers and +1s
4 stars: Halloween 5 months early? awesome. Another theme party? Yes, please!
I finally found an excuse to buy and wear some 1.5-inch spikes on my wrist and red fishnet stockings. too bad it was so dark, you can’t see anything. oh wait, it must have been my sunglasses (you know, the will-​vaporize-​in-​daylight thing) except i probably came off as a douche. I lend my cowboy the hat and he looked great along with his beard, flannel and jeans! :)
3 stars: the food — could have been better, and I wish there were more. One round of the quesadillas came out so hot, all the chicken jumped off and escaped. the cheese murdered tastesbuds and roofs of mouths. The burger halves were OK. Pita+Hummus needed more hummus. We were waiting for the red velvet cupcakes but had to leave before they came out (and Kiss My Bundt closes at 7pm)
2 stars: the heat. I was at the Mint before for my friend’s gig and the temperature was nice, but last night was a nice taste of the southern humidity
1 star: i don’t really give one-​stars :)
Hooray for Dawson and the check-​in lady and everyone for making this party possible!

Hi, I’m First to Review… So there.
Did you know that vampires can time travel? We sure as hell can!
Okay, really, we can’t, but we sure as hell are sneaky. Hell, call us the ninjas of Europe with our stealth and stalking and covert groping skills.
Wait… cancel the groping skills, I’ve given up that life already. I’m a reformed Ninja Vampire Southern gentleman after all.
This was one hell of a theme and I love how so many people dressed to the nines for it… (what the hell does dressed to the nines even mean??)
The Drinks were flowing freely, even when they ran out of Gentleman Jack, the bartenders kept it flowing with other complimentary options. Kudos! There’s nothing I hate more than getting c-​blocked on my whiskey sours.
I definitely have to agree though, as great as this event was, it was made all the better by the company you keep. =)
Thanks for a great event, Dawson! and thanks for doing a great Job of keeping up with bloodthirsty Unilocalers, Folks at The Mint!
«Good for Kids?» YES

========UPDATED POST EVENT==========
This event was sooo cool!
Thanks for everything, I especially loved the _​quesidillas_​_​and the _​_​gentelman jack_​_​drinks. Everyone looked fantastic (that dressed up) with their costumes.
when _​Kevin_​_​C_​. did that thing, I nearly crapped myself with laughter.
Another excellent event Dawson!
I’m so glad that we went out for _​Bossanova_​afterwards. I hadn’t had Brazilian food in a long time!
==========
Predictable, but fun! I love these events. (-: