Con badges will fit easily on the clip for the lanyards
Colors are red/green/blue with various light patterns..these things are BRIGHT

The skulls do what I like to think of as the Horror Movie strobe effect in white,green, red and blue, respectively, mellow green/blue/red fade in effect, and  solid white

These are gonna be fun, and I owe my boss big time on this one

Three Quarter Ale will be performing at this year's Pirate Party!

Very good news indeed!

Not really news, but I just had to show off the talent of the Pirate Party Crew! I asked for folks to submit a Party e-flier and so far have received 4 different designs and they are all equally awesome! ( Jump behind the cutlass for pics )

Talked to the boss, and I'll have not only the blinky jolly roger lanyards, but big blinky  skull and crossbones attachments to go with em! (Seperate batteries and led's, so seperate blinking pattern) 
The lights blink blue and red, and the lanyards will be able to hold con passes quite easily.

So, given my cost, I'l be bringing 100 of them with. If I can sell 80 of them around the con for $2.00 each, the skulls for $1.00, or the two together for $2.50 each, That will easily cover my cost and the luggage space and let me donate at least 10 full sets to the party swag (have to keep some in reserve for bribes, of course)

Edit: I've changed my user pic to a pic of me and my wife to make it easier to find me. See y'all at Con!

This one is by stupid_drawings

Want to make one too?

Please do and submit to info (at) dragonconpirates (dot) org

I'll use it for various plugs for the Pirate Party on dragoncon, myspace, messageboards, etc.

I think I'm also going to make a gallery of submitted e-fliers for the website.

Thanks Sasha! Great flier!!!!!

but in the meantime...



Bands will officially be announced when DragonCon updates their homepage with the approved musicians.

So, tell your friends, spam your neighbors, and spread the word!

Oh yeah, BIGGER ROOM!

Yesterday ended up being a very productive meeting for the folks representing the Pirate gathering. The good news is we have retained the big room we were initally given, so no changes this year (thus far, knock on wood!). It is still scheduled for Sunday night/11:30pm/Regency 6-7. We also made some headway with some live music and looks like we will get 2 bands that I've wanted since the beginning of planning and perhaps a 3rd but not sure on that one yet. I don't even know if we will have time for a 3rd since the Virginia Reel is getting scheduled time of its own this year.

DragonCon Tech Ops and Security have been super supportive of the Pirates and they have some fine folk serving 100 years before the mast, so I have to give a big thanks to those under appreciated groups for what they have done for us pirates both this year and last.

That's about it for the prelim stuff, we now begin the serious planning. Thanks for watching this community and be sure to ask any questions you might have or toss out any ideas you may to throw into the mix. We are still accepting donations for another 3 weeks or so if you are interested as well.

Thanks crew!

I'll be heading down with some other folk to check out the final DragonCon meeting. I'll keep you all up to date with any new developments upon my return!

One of my bosses at the haunt that I work at is securing me blinky pirate lanyards. I may end up buying a case of em and selling extras at DC of around $2 or $3 each if I get enough people interested (And if I can make my money back on em, donate some to the Pirate Party swag, of course)

Well crew, it's getting close. 63 days and counting. This entry is for parade info, discussion, etc. As it stands right now, I haven't even started thinking about the parade other than I'll more than likely be marching with the pirates again since my LOTR thing got nixed due to lack of funds. Not that I'm disappointed with marching with you all, but well, you know.

Anyway, we've got two wranglers this year heading up the ribbons and the like. pktaxwench and masterandre have been kind enough to volunteer to make sure we are all where we need to be, that we all have our ribbons, etc.

This is the most current info we have from the Parade Director (from the parade group Yahoo! group (dc_parade):

Parade Updates

Actually, more like a THANK YOU! and a couple of points of interest.

The THANK YOU! to all that have signed up for the parade so far. I
am yet-again amazed by the numbers. Right now, we're standing at
about 1600 pre-reg'ed marchers and over 40 vehicles. YES!!!!

Other "point of interest" is about the parade route. I do not have
an official word yet however now that the Marriott renovations are
done, I believe we're going back to the 2006 route which means we'll
be ending the parade at the back entrance to Marriott this year. This
makes the parade route a tad longer (about a block and a half) but we
believe it's a less congested and much easier place to disband.

That's all for now... more info is coming! And thanks again for
making this another great year!!!

JP =)

I'll be posting an open call to dragoncon and dragon_con to recruit new members to this community, which may get us some more parade marchers.

Also, there is a DragonCon meeting on Saturday, July 12. I know I'm going and a few others are as well so we can suss out all the room details/requirements and get our "official" confirmations. We will then probably walk around the Mariott (now that it is done) and then hit the food court for some grub.

In case some of you guys missed this, CaptBillbill, who I can only assume is our good mate Bill in TechOps, posted this to an earlier post:

(Anonymous) wrote:

Jun. 19th, 2008 01:45 pm (UTC)
Pirate Party at Dragoncon.
WE will need to warn the bands that the PA will not be what it used to be in the Regency ballroom for the pirate party.. If they have a big sound, then they will need to bring their own PA. We will have from 10-1130 to set up, and then the room till all the pirates pass out.

Captain Billbill.

So, if you are in a band that wants to play the Pirate Gathering, or know someone in a band who wants to play the Pirate Gathering, pass this info on. Plus, if you are in a band, or know someone in a band who wants to play, you/they must contact me. Right now, we have 2 bands who we want to play, but haven't heard back from DragonCon on either application, so if you're interested (or know someone interested), contact me.

Me good mate Captain Drew is working on pinning down a date for this year's PiratePalooza located in downtown Decatarrr, GA. Please check out the site to keep up to date on location and date/time. From www.piratepalooza.com:

Garrrrr, what be this PiratePalooza™ Pubcrawl?


"Scheduled on the weekend nearest to Talk Like A Pirate Day, the PiratePalooza™ Pubcrawl is the ultimate inland meeting of pirates, buccaneers, rascals, rogues, scoundrels, ruffians and scalawags this side of the bounding main. It’s an invasion, a sack, a pub crawl and a great way to meet other enthusiasts of the piratical arts ending in a fantastic pub sing starring some of the most popular renfest bands of our time! Join Captain Drew and his crew as they wend their way through the ale houses of downtown Decatarrr on their way to the big Palooza at the end of the night."

The DragonCon MMORPG Track has announced on their website and LiveJournal an additional promotional pirate party hosted by Sony for their game, "Pirates of the Burning Sea".

From grimthorn in dragoncon:

"Pirates of the Burning Sea Party (Hosted by Sony), we've talked with "The Pirate Party People" and done our best to make sure that this does NOT conflict with the Pirate Party."

From their website:

"Pirates of the Burning Sea Party (not in conflict with the "real"Pirate Party... you can do both)"

Just passing along the word.

Our first dconpirateparty caption contest!

Caption this pic of Captain Drew!!

It's Pirate Weekend at the Georgia Renaissance Festival. If you decide to make it out, come by the Pirate Ship and say hello to captnsparrow and myself. Also, be sure to check out Three Quarter Ale (or it may be Half Pint this weekend) featuring gypsyariana. See you there.

While I'm still reeling from what I considered awesome news about the Pirate Gathering's room, I now have to figure out what all we're going to be doing with this huge space. I don't have a time yet. Last year, we began at 11:00pm (start time was actually 11:30pm but FMB made us start earlier) so the chances are good it will start around the same time.

So far, I have asked 1 band if they would consider playing for us and 2 more have asked if they can play as well. Of course all bands have to be approved by DragonCon before they can play and entertain us.

The Virginia Reel was a huge hit last year so the plan is to have time allotted for this, both earlier into the Party and then again after all the live music is finished, it can continue.

So, is there anything you guys would like to do/see/partake in at this year's Gathering? What did you enjoy from last year? All suggestions will be considered.

Thanks!

You may or may not have known that DragonCon held a staff meeting yesterday. Unfortunately, I could not attend myself. My good friends and Tolkien Track Staff Members hazelrah1 and deej_1 were kind enough to ask a few questions about the Pirate Party in my stead.

After last year, the biggest change we requested was a bigger room. In 2007, due to occupancy (?) issues, some pirates were turned away at the door. The Pirates spoke and DragonCon listened. In a big way, so THANK YOU DragonCon for listening and taking action to help us out.

The tentative plan is for The Pirate Gathering to be (again) on Sunday night (time TBA) in the Hyatt Regency 6-7 (VI-VII). If you don't know where that is, it's the floggin' huge (huge!) room beside the room we had last year. At the end of the corridor. It's the same room that they hold the BIG Fabrications costume contest in. Whoa. We're talking room for 1400 pirates. Also, as of right now, they haven't scheduled anything in Regency 5 (V) and they may use it as overflow (!) if needed. Last year, the Gathering was held in Regency 5. Since DragonCon has only worked up a tentative schedule of events, this could change. The cool thing is that if the location is changed, it will be put in an even bigger room, but not smaller. I hope it stays put myself.

So, sorry for the tease last night. Yeah I know, I'm evil, I have accepted that. Pirate.

Drink up me 'earties and discuss this here.

Will post more tomorrow after resting from yet another Ren Fest weekend...

Stay tuned.

I want to thank everyone that volunteered to help out for the Pirate Party! It looks like we filled what we needed on the very first volunteer post, that's awesome!

Below are the list of volunteers to help out:

boldar
captnsparrow
cara_chapel (please email me: info [at] dragonconpirates.org)
earendilgrey
elvishtard
eponablackhorse
gryphonclaw
hazelrah1
iunnrais (please email me: info [at] dragonconpirates.org)
krystallazuli
masterandre (please email me: info [at] dragonconpirates.org)
paidiraiompair
pktaxwench (please email me: info [at] dragonconpirates.org)
pyanfar
shadowfax8
stupid_drawings

Also, a big thanks to those who have donated money to the cause, you know who you are!

Still looking for pictures for the dragonconpirates website as well as submissions/requests for music to be played at the Pirate Gathering. If you have an upbeat pirate shanty that could be played at the Gathering, please submit it to: info [at] dragonconpirates.org

There is a staff meeting on Sunday. While I myself will not be in attendance (Ren Fest duties, otherwise, I'd so be there!) I do have a good friend who will be attending in my stead and being my voice. We're hoping to get some times/dates/locations nailed down so we can really begin planning this sucker. As soon as I hear something, I'll pass it on immediately!

As always, please check out our website:

http://www.dragonconpirates.org

Please submit your pirate pics, chat on the forum, etc.

Thanks so much to those of you who have already allowed me access to their photos for the past 2 years! There are some GREAT shots in the galleries, I must say!

www.dragonconpirates.org's galleries are getting full up with piratical pics and I couldn't be happier with everyone who has submitted! Thank you SO much!

What? You want your picture displayed too? No problem! Send me links or pics to:

pictures (at) dragonconpirates (dot) org

and I'll throw them up on the site!

I'm really looking for some pics from 2006's party, but I'll take anything you got!

Thanks again!

I'm looking for pics to add to the DragonConPirates website. If anyone would be willing to help out with this, I'd really appreciate it. What I'm looking for is 4 types of pics:

1. Pirate Party 2006 & 2007 pics
2. Your personal pirate costume pics (you in your costumes)
3. Pirate Parade pics
4. Any other cool pirate costume pics (from other cons if you so wish)

email to:

pictures (at) dragonconpirates (dot) org

Thanks so much in advance for your chipping in!

Good evening everyone. Just wanted to let you know that the website (www.dragonconpirates.org) is up and operational. It is still in the early stages of development, but I will be working this week to get the galleries going strong and toy around on the forum. Feel free to go ahead and register and introduce yourself on the message boards. If you want to start a thread, go right ahead! Enjoy yourselves and feel free to peruse at your leisure. Remember, pics, news and other goodies will be updated as often as possible. FYI: The same info found here will be posted on the news page, so you don't have to leave the LJ community if you don't want to, so everybody wins!

Sorry guys, gave out the wrong email last time. The correct email is:

info (at) dragonconpirates (dot) ORG

not .com

Sorry about that. Again, donations, if you're interested can be made here:

Things are moving along quite nicely for the Pirate Gathering. We've had a good number of rogues step forward offering to pitch in and help either physically or through donations. It is much appreciated, thank you. Please remember that you do not have to donate any time or money and I won't think less of you if you do not. Times are rough, I understand. I am going to try my hardest to get all of you who donate a definite way into the gig, as you shouldn't be left out of the festivities you helped create. So, with that being typed, you can donate here.

The new website is still careened but is coming along nicely and should be ready for it's maiden voyage very soon.

Thanks to stupid_drawings for being a costuming judge for the 2nd year in a row as well as elvishtard and pktaxwench for donating their time to be our 2 new judges for this year.

Those of you who wanted to help out at the Convention (decor, security, etc.) please email me:

info (AT) dragonconpirates (DOT) org

so we can speak off-list about what is involved and I can make a list of all you guys. Thanks SO much guys, so much!

BTW, If any of you head out to the Georgia Renaissance Festival this year, drop by "The Pirate Ship" and say hello!

DragonCon is less than 5 months away, unbelievable! Here's the current news for the 2008 Pirate Gathering:

1. Early indications are that there will be another Pirate Gathering at DragonCon and we are working on getting a bigger room, of course this may mean it is relocated to another hotel besides the Hyatt (Mariott, Sheraton, or Hilton)

2. We are working on making sure those who contribute (either by volunteering, donating, or otherwise) WILL be guaranteed access

3. We are working on a new www.dragonconpirates.org website. Both this LJ and the site will have duplicate NEWS entries, just more goodies on the website that LJ doesn't support (forum, gallery, etc.)

4. We have 2 musical bands in the works, but will be setting aside "Virginia Reel" time, since it was such a hit last year.

5. Last but not least. We need volunteers again this year. Security (which is where we REALLY need reliable people), decorations/set up, and at least 1 costume contest judge. The "Donation Box" will be set up soon for anyone who wishes to help with funds.

In other DragonCon Pirate News

This year I will be marching elsewhere in the DragonCon parade (LOTR) so if somone wants to try to be Pirate Wrangler, let me know and I'll get you in touch with the correct peoples. Email foehelm (AT) yahoo. Please do not reply in this LJ to wrangle parading pirates. Thanks.

More news to come as it happens!

For the pirate girl....open at your own risk 

Brocade Vest for Sale - ebay link

Brocade Colonial Williamsburg Vest
- Made in and sold in Colonial Williamsburg, VA
- Perfect for Colonial or Pirate costume!
- Size Large (fits around me with breathing room at about 44" around at the chest)
- Made with a very nice maroon/gold brocade fabric
- S&H is $5.00 within the US (not including Hawaii and Alaska)
- International shipping available, but will calculate cost based on location