Friday, February 27, 2009

Bici Coop Valentine's Day party; or Hipsters, Birmingham Style

Two weeks ago I went to Birmingham to try to see if I could round up a job for when I graduate in May. While that wasn't quite success, I was able to attend the "Bici Coop Heart Brakes Prom Benefit" ("Bici" is pronounced "beachy", as in, the Italian word for bike; "Coop" is pronounced "co-op," in case there was any misunderstanding).

Bici Coop is a non-profit group that a friend of mine is starting, along with another girl, which fixes up old bikes and gives them to inner-city residents who do not have a car so that they can have some form of transportation. It will also provide these people with low-cost bike maintenance. You can check out their website here.

Anyways, as a fundraiser, they hosted an alleycat bike race (which a friend of mine from the Magic City lacrosse team actually participated in) followed by a dance party featuring music by Andy's Tea Party, and DJ Nastique of Kids Got the Disco fame. If you don't know what any of those things are that I just mentioned, it's OK; it simply means that you are not familiar with the hipster scene in Birmingham. However, fear not! I managed to get some footage of the party so that you might have a better understanding of just what happens at these things.


In case that video wasn't enough for you, T. Scott Carlisle of T Photographic was there to photodocument the whole thing. You can view his incredible photos here.

I should note that it was a prom themed party, so naturally I wore a tuxedo. Not surprisingly, I was the only one there who did so...Anyways, I had a great time, as I always do at such hipster events. I got to see a lot of friends and acquaintances and had a good time dancing.

Also, if you would like to read a more professionally written account of this event, please read my friend Carrie Rollwagen's article that she wrote for the Birmingham Weekly.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your friend sounds like a pretty cool person. That is a great idea for a non-profit.

trip said...

Memphis,

You're right, she is pretty cool. I forgot to mention the blog that she runs, along with Anna, the other girl who is helping to organize Bici Coop. It can be found at http://www.bikeskirt.blogspot.com/.

Elisa M said...

Well, thanks! Had fun dancing with you, Trip...as the photos show.

t.sc said...

I still get about 3 or 4 hits a week for the photos from your blog. I think this is you: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tscarlisle/3424420570/

Thought you might like it.

tsc

trip said...

t. scott,

Haha, yes, Elisa showed that to me a couple of weeks ago. Pretty fun. The photos from that party were pretty fantastic.