"Goth for a day"? Any of you heard of this?

[cupcake_goth]

I just got this question submitted to my website, and, I'll admit, I'm agog. This is the first I've heard of this sort of thing, and I'm trying to figure out if this is some sort of obscure joke I'm not aware of.

I am trying to find info on a 'Goth for a Day' makeover that I hear is gaining popularity in cities like San Fran and NYC. Apparently, for a small fee anyone can buy a Goth makeover and go clubbing with local Goths. I thought that since you are a steward of all things Goth that maybe you could shed some light on it for me. Have you heard of this phenomenon? Do you know anyone involved in this sort of thing? Is there a site that I can check out?

(And yes, I am very flattered to be called "a steward of all things Goth".)

Is this really happening in SF and NYC? Does anyone know?

(Oh, and I'm x-posting this to GR, so my apologies if you see this twice.)

Comments

[water-of-fire.livejournal.com]

As a card-carrying and exceedingly cranky San Francisco goth, I'd rather claw my eyes out.

[audiblecell.livejournal.com]

Its laughable...I dont think I know any "goth" who would take any ammount of money to hang out with some vanilla dressed up as a goth. Funny though.

[lilmartini.livejournal.com]

I some rag sheet (maybe seattle weekly)? I saw an article once about a writer who went to NY and got all gothed out by the locals and went clubbing. I didn't find the article at all favorable (the writer sounded like a wet fish). I had no idea ppl where actually offering this kinda thing.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

This is not a joke. I read an essay by Sarah Vowell about the time she did this very thing in San Francisco. It's in the collection Take the Cannoli, which I have at home.

Hey. For once I get to help you out.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I (kinda-sorta) knew about Sarah Vowell's essay (now that you mention it, I have a vague memory of reading it), but I'm trying to figure out if what the guy who wrote me about is happening. I can't imagine there being a "Goth for a Day" service, somehow.

[lilmartini.livejournal.com]

*That's* where I read it. I knew it was somewhere. Doi.

[hecubot.livejournal.com]

Sarah Vowell wrote an article about getting a Goth Makeover. (Much discussion as I recall about the Goth of Pink.) I wonder if it spawned from that.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm trying to find out. I remember the article/essay (and now can't find it anywere, drat it all).

[skepticle.livejournal.com]

It was also broadcast on This American Life.

http://audio.wbez.org/tal/118.m3u

[queeniex.livejournal.com]

omg..
i think it sounds fun and would totally make someone over that is curious about the whole lifestyle..
and hell make some money while im at it! :P
i do at least hope the makeover is done by someone that won't make them into a swirly eyed goon and by someone with scene knowledge and great fashion sense!

i look at it as like someone paying to be a cowboy or a football player for a day or even hang out with a 'movie star'...

[pandarus.livejournal.com]

Bless you. Speaking as a non-goth, I think it sounds quite fun. Remarkably unlikely for the reasons outlined, but fun nevertheless. It's always nice to play dress up and testdrive a different flavour of you, isn't it? I remember dressing up in 1920s gear on my 18th birthday, and spending the day pootling around the Yorkshire and Derbyshire countryside in a chauffer-driven vintage car with a gang of similarly clad mates, stopping for a champagne picnic on the lawns of Chatsworth House...now THAT was fun. And I'd love to have a crack at the drag king thing - I mean I don't think I could remotely pull it off, but it's fascinating just the same, and my friends who have done the cross dressing thing are about as girly as I am myself, so I guess it's doable.

In fact, if nobody IS doing it, I think you should offer it as a service! Because it could be fun AND a moneyspinner! (On the understanding that participants were to be courteous and respectful, rather than come along thinking they were playing as some kind of freakshow.)

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Dressing (and behaving) as though one is in the scene when one's not may be annoying to purists, but it does no harm. Any scene that can't survive going in and out of style and the attendant visitors and/or bad press isn't viable, anyway. Says the girl who's been in the kink scene since 1978.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I'm just wildly curious to know if someone IS running a tour package service for the goth scene.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Oh, believe me, the idea of running a "Mingle with the Goths" tour package is a bit tempting ...

[coulrophobe.livejournal.com]

The Resident Weekender (tm) says you should!!

Obviously, I'm in the "what harm would it do" camp on this one. As long as the tourists are respectful, I think it's great. Better to get some regular folks that are just plain curious in, than be a completely insular and inbred scene that looks down our noses at anyone that's not One Of OURS. *hee*

[aimeejmc.livejournal.com]

Where, exactly, is the line forming? I'm about as vanilla as one can get (as you know), but I'd love it.

Also? SpaceNeedle!

[mearagrrl.livejournal.com]

Hee. If I can be a drag king, anyone can, eh? :)

[thingunderthest.livejournal.com]

I remember seeing things on similar deals where they crossdress guys and take them to clubs. Looks like they are starting to go for other subcultures.

[ilex011.livejournal.com]

From Dallas. Never heard of anything like this. When the SF person up there is done clawing out his/her eyes, s/he can have a go at mine.

[mahariel.livejournal.com]

On a completely unrelated note, I'm in love with your icon.

-Victoria

[ilex011.livejournal.com]

Heh, another [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] classic! :)

[paperdol.livejournal.com]

Can't I get this service for free just by visiting you?

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, but that's different. That's me going "Wheeeee! Let me dress you up and take you out and introduce you to people because I love you and want to lure you into moving here!", instead of running a GothTour.

[shoindiematrix.livejournal.com]

Oh my! ^_^ Sounds like something many of us wish for. *chuckles* Of course, this is just one person's experience, from hearing similar comments at their first time to the club.

[mahariel.livejournal.com]

Chalk me up for another who doesn't see the harm in it, if it's done in a respectable manner and not presented as "Come get all dragged up so you can ogle the hot deth chix and maybe score some kinky booty."

If it's done well, it could help counteract all the negative press.

-Victoria

[radcliffe.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know this has happened. I heard a long piece on 'This American Life' on public radio a couple of years ago where a lady did just that. Perhaps a search of their archives?

[radcliffe.livejournal.com]

Ah, and here is the article:

http://207.70.82.73/pages/descriptions/98/118.html

[ashbet]

I can't decide whether or not I'm horrified about this . . . I have certainly allowed friends to raid my closet and benefit from my (lack of) makeup expertise because they wanted to go clubbing and have fun dressing up . . . but I'm not sure it would translate into a paid service. Hmm.

Hey, on an unrelated matter, can you please drop me an e-mail? ashbet@gmail.com -- I'm Plotting :)

**hugs**

-- A <3<3

[ogremarco.livejournal.com]

It's a terrible idea, a truly awful idea. It will go far as terrible ideas often do.

[alexiarnps.livejournal.com]

There is no grey-faced emoticon big enough.

[valerian.livejournal.com]

Heh, or green. It kind of appeared cute at first, but the more I thought about it the more insulting it got...