We came, we karaoked, and we prevailed. SXSW 2009 was the {RV}IP Lounge’s greatest incarnation yet.
5 Reasons Why 2009 was the Best SXSW Ever:
1. We upgraded to the RV of our wildest dreams (after a completely non-nightmarish fuel pump breakdown–actually one of our funnest nights). Never underestimate the power of being stranded in the company of brilliance.
Above: Sad, broken 27′ RV. Above: Happy, Thriving, 40′ RV.
2. We had the best turn-out to date, with endless participation from a hilarious and engaging community, who kept the rockage going until the break of dawn Every Single Night. From the Barbarian Group/Onion Decider party to Laughing Squid/Get Satisfaction’s 32 bit event, we had fabulous co-conspirators that helped make every night on the Lounge completely epic.
Above: The front of the RV Above: The back of the RV
Below: The secret back room of the RVIP Lounge. Someone got into the ribs…again. Note that it is not a table they are sitting on, but a bed.
3. We made incredible new friends who know how to karaoke like it counts. This year’s {RV}IP Participation Awards go to:
@NickRob: This guy is EXACTLY who you want to have around when technical difficulties arise and you need a legendary storyteller who can follow-up with earthshattering renditions of R.Kelly. We’re pretty sure he makes hilarious movies, as well.
@Trammell: Just when you thought it might be a bad idea to open a can of showtunes, Trammell proves once again that when you’re a jet, you’re a jet through and through– and we’re ALL better because of it. Also, turns out it’s nice to have a Digg.com UX strategist on-board when LA Weekly starts to interview you.
@micahsch: If you get a flat tire, it helps to have a mighty mind on-board to help strategize your way back into successful all-night karaoke mobility, against the odds. We hear he’s responsible for Youtube’s success, but you’ll never hear it from his mouth. He’d rather be singing Les Mis.
@spangley: Equal parts rockstar, goddess, and adorable geek, Ali helped us maintain our SXSW Music cred, and also made sure we got our daily dose of Hall & Oates. Where we would be without hot hilarious girls like this one, we shudder to think.
@lionelshmoo: Where to begin? He informed us that we had our own Foursquare badge (der?) and helped us look good for the media when 2 camera crews descended upon us (and still managed to work his full-time job to the finest capacity, masterminding the future of technology)
Honorable Mentions to Friends who Helped us:
@crashgrab: The second-to-last night of {RV}IP, she taught us to love again, @beccafrog: she schooled us on how to operate our own system, @mickipedia: always spreading the word!, @aubs: wine & bbq– who knew?, @u_m: carla, the urban mermaid, brought the rock, @Bolty007: your panoramic animations rule, @ideasproject: keeping us cultured and informed, @cathybrooks: uniting us with our heroes, @nick & @m: keeping the snark alive, paul de jong: for teaching us how to do it all, and @foursquare: made us our very own {RV}IP Lounge badge. Thanks guys!
4. We have the best sponsors ever, without whom {RV}IP SXSW 2009 would have happened not-at-all:
Intel: Aside from making the world a better place with cutting edge technology, you shared your awesome Netbooks and MID’s with {RV}IP Lounge participants, creatively supported other great projects like Tech Cab Confessions, and were a positive and inspiring force at all times. Thank You! @intel
CauseCast: You make us want to be better people. You helped us clean up Austin and organize the SXSW community to make their voices heard via the power of the Moustache March. You sang all night long and supported us every day in our quest to spread hilarity and joy through the power of karaoke. Thank You! @causecast
GirlGamer: You got us off on the right foot– rocking all night long with incredible geek women singing rockband until the break of dawn. You tirelessly spread the word about {RV}IP on-and-off of the internet, and brought a posse of troops rivaled by none. Thank you for keeping the RockBand alive– and congrats on your launch! @girlgamer
LOUD3R: Without companies like Loud3r, this event would never have happened. The first man to step-up to the plate is invaluable. Thank you, Loud3r, for sharing Jonathan Grubb with SXSW 2009 and the tech community at large. The indomitable driver of the {RV}IP Lounge, Captain Grubb is the secret weapon that makes the wheels on the RV go ’round and ’round. @LOUD3R
…and special thanks to our music co-sponsor, Blue Collar Distro: You gave us hamburger t-shirts, but more than that, you gave us a home at SXSW 2009. @bcdistro.
Others who helped us at SXSW 2009: Honest Tea: you kept us antioxidant-loaded, RePurpose: wouldn’t be the same without compostable cups, StickAm: for showing us the live-streaming light, Letterbox Pictures: you make a mean budget, Dipity: thanks for being with us from the begining!
5) Press
Photo Credit: Erin Broadley
“SXSW and the Future of Media: Impromptu Core Conversation on Content Distribution at the RVIP Lounge” by Alexia Tsotsis
“Chasing the Party Van: From RVIP to Gawker to Facebook – SxSW Parties ” by Alexia Tsotsis
“SXLA: Los Angeles Interactive in a Post-Network, Post-Geographical World” by Alexia Tsotsis
“SXSW Games and Girls: ScreenBurn Arcade, Facebook Party, RVIP Lounge”
Photo Credit: Erin Broadley
(more pics here)
Coming Soon: Announcement of RVIP Lounge Intel Netbook Raffle Winner, Video, & Next Year’s Plans…
{RV}IP Lounge & Karaoke Cabaret 