How to Host a Hip-Hop Graffiti Themed Party

Even if you think graffiti is a public nuisance, you’ve probably done it sometime. The instinct to leave some personal imprint that declares, “I was here!” other than on a tombstone is universal. And the illegality of tagging only enhances the appeal. We all want to tell it to the world, but most of us lack either the creative tools or the chutzpah to take it wide. At this party, your guests won’t say it--they’ll spray it!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Flirtini: A Guide to Mixing and Mingling by Allana Baroni
• Rolls of matte black and white paper
• Paint, paint pens and spray paint
• Easels and blank canvases
• 2 step ladders
• Puff paint and fabric pens
• Drop cloths
• Music
• Lots of white sheets to throw over everything
• Old clothing, shoes and accessories

1. Assemble your crew digitally. Download graffiti images from the net for the invitation (see resources and search "images" for "graffiti"). Add party facts (who, what, where, when, why and RSVP) and don’t forget to tell your guests to dress down, because this party gets messy. That’s the point!
2. Think Soho loft space. Get rid of excess furniture, breakables and stainables. Throw white sheets over your furniture, rest blank canvases on easels (raid toy stores for inexpensive ones), and lay drop cloths on the floor to catch any drips (art supply stores carry this kind of stuff).
3. Space 2 step ladders about 6 feet apart and rest planks across the steps to create the bar. New tin paint cans from the hardware store make great ice buckets and containers for bar supplies.
4. Line a wall of the party area with matte black paper, sold by the roll, for guests to tag up with chalk. Make sure the paper isn’t glossy, because the chalk won’t stick if it is.
5. Attach big sheets of plain white paper or muslin (found at art stores) to another wall for the paint and markers.
6. Throw up outlines of letters and images for your taggers to fill in. It will help them overcome their fear of creativeness.
7. If your guests want to tag it and take it, bust out the old jeans, T-shirts, thrift store purses, and athletic shoes. Have glittery and puffy fabric paints, paint pens and markers available (found at craft supply stores).

Tips & Warnings

• Use blue painter’s tape to attach items to the wall. It peels off easily without taking the paint or a chunk of the wall with it.
• Get the guests involved with "dj’ing" the music by asking them to bring CDs or loaded iPods and take turns at playing the hot list.
• Ignore your adult-like tendencies to paint between the lines and really let your guests enjoy the theme of the party. If Mary wants to color the banana hot pink with green polka dots, then so be it.
• This is a graffiti party, so it may look like Sherwin Williams just exploded in your living room. Relax…it’s all temporary.