Sled Island: Factory Party 6 ‘will be fucked!’
Photo by Randy Gibson. Despit all of the art, modelling, live music and other inspired creations that are synonymous with Factory Party, organizer Randy Gibson says it is the crowd that makes this event a must-attend.
It’s quite apparent that the Factory Party series has outlived its 15 minutes of fame. The sixth installation has once again been re-worked to bring something new while remaining true to its ideals. It may seem odd to some that FP6 is being held on a Wednesday, and a $5 increase in ticket price isn’t always welcome. Plus all the advanced tickets are sold out.
But there is a reason for this supposed madness.
“It will be fucked!” says organizer Randy Gibson.
Collaborating with another homegrown celebration of local talent, Factory Party 6 is the official Sled Island festival launch party. The $12 ticket price is definite bang for your buck as there is no other event in the city where you’re going to see avant-garde art, interactive art, performance art, fashion, DJs and live music for a mere dozen loonies.
With acts such as Andrew WK, Japanther and The Whitsundays, FP6 will definitely be more music-focused than previous parties.
Sled Island Spotlight
Factory Party 6
Venue: Marquee Room, 612 8 Avenue S.W., at 9p.m.
Note: Sled Island festival passes do not guarantee admission to Factory Party.
“We’re doing musical things we never even dreamed of doing before,” says Factory Party organizer Gibson. “We’re reaching a whole new level of aesthetics.”
The planning for the Sled Island launch began even before the last Factory Party. Photographer and organizer Gibson is always looking to make the Factory Party more inclusive, not catering to the hipster, scenester crowd, or to the live music fans and art lovers. And while he may have accomplished that by including such a wide variety of mediums and artists, the party is only as good as you make it.
“We provide the entertainment, but three quarters of the crowd make it what it is,” explained Gibson in a conversation months prior to today’s event.
While many may not be used to partying on Wednesday, don’t be surprised to see a line-up coming from the doors of the Uptown Theatre all the way down the street and around the corner. All of the advanced tickets have been sold out, Sled Island VIP pass-holders have a guaranteed in, which means festival pass-holders and those who really just can’t commit will be the ones making up that line. How to avoid that misery? Get there early.
“People who come to Factory Party, stay. They don’t leave,” Gibson explained when chatting about the crazy line-ups of the past two parties and why people had to wait in line when the venue reached capacity.
As a seasoned Factory Party attendee and artist — get there early. It’s worth it.
Check back on thereflector.ca in the coming days for coverage of Factory Party 6.
Editor’s note: Former Reflector arts editors Kimberley Jev and Selina Renfrow will be contributing to Factory Party 6 with the fashion segment from Calgary Fashion featuring local designers, models, hairstylists, makeup artists and stylists.
