New York (WCBS880) -- Last night, I went to a charity Pirate Party Pig Roast at Water Taxi beach! It was organized by chashama, an organization that coordinates with private and public property owners to allow artists to convert empty, unoccupied spaces, and into thriving art hubs.
I headed over around 6, under a threatening gray sky. It had actually begun to drizzle a little, and I figured that would deter a lot of people from coming.
Wow was I wrong. Hundreds of others also defied the rain to party on the sand, have some beer and cocktails, and eat roasted pig, delicious barbecue or even some tasty vegetarian dishes. Dozens of chashama performers were also on-hand -- donned in their best pirate garb -- to help keep the spirit of the party alive. Some performed as fire-dancers, others did hair decorations and face-painting for the guests. One performer simply lied in a lawn chair with a pig snout and an apple in her mouth, and allowed guests to "season" her. (Many of the male beachgoers were more than happy to oblige.)
Check out my pictures from the Pirate Party Pig Roast HERE.
The guests, who widely ranged in age, were encouraged to dress up as well, and many of them did! One little boy was decked out in a pirate suit, complete with sword and eye patch. Some women chose to put an imaginative pirate-themed spin on their bikinis. Whether or not you dressed up, chashama also gave partyers tools to celebrate the event, with bubbles, noise makers, hoola-hoops and even child-sized sand buckets and shovels with which to play.
The celebration went well into the night, and ended with a packed dance party under the Water Taxi Beach tent with some great mash-ups spun by DJ PartyBen. Those who made it to the end of the night went home with a goodie bag, filled with a "Not For Tourists Guide To Queens", Clif and Larabar chewy snack bars, and a canvas sun hat and bag.
This is the second time I've been to Water Taxi Beach for an event (I can't forget my Paella Festival from two weeks ago!), but the first time I've been to the one in Long Island City, and it definitely won't be the last! You should definitely head out to WTB -- rain or shine, it will promises to be an outstanding time!
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