Worthy Of The Gods

Clash of the Titans - Models work looks for this year’s ocean themed party; (inset) performer Alexis Jordan.
 
Forget Atlantis, because the Fire Island Pines is about to top that underwater kingdom in legendary fashion. Joining forces with Josh Wood Productions for the second year in a row, this year’s Pines Party—an annual benefit for the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association Charitable Foundation and the Stonewall Community Foundation—will take to the seas for an underwater-themed beach spectacle featuring DJs Moto Blanco, Corey Craig and Warren Gluck, performer Alexis Jordan and the party’s signature tented surroundings. We spoke with Josh Wood about his plans for this year’s aquatic affair.
 
This is your second year producing the party. How did you first get involved with the event?
I have always wanted to produce the Pines Party. Since I first went in 1999, I knew that I loved it. As I gained more experience and my business grew, I kept in touch with the crew who planned the party and gave them ideas and thoughts. Finally, I felt I was ready for the challenge and I was appointed producer in 2009.


Explain the theme of this year’s party.
This year’s theme is inspired by Fire Island’s greatest asset: the ocean. I wanted to bring the underwater world of the sea to Pines Party. The idea is that Poseidon, the God of the Sea, has invited all the guests to a celebration in his honor. Guests are encouraged to dress in costumes inspired by anything that resides above or below Poseidon’s sea.
 
How will this theme come into play at this year’s party?
From the moment guests enter Poseidon’s Gates, they will inhabit a sexy, modern underwater world that is consistent throughout the party. Our guests—dressed as a multitude of sea creatures, sailors, pirates, divers, underwater gods and other citizens of the deep—will populate the sunken city we have created on the beach.
 
It’s impressive how dressed up people get for Pines Party. What has made the party so exciting for guests?
There is no party in the world like the Pines Party. Fire Island Pines has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The fact that we can create an entire dance-and-music spectacle next to the ocean is incredible. The lights, tents, giant dance floor and set pieces are absolutely surreal-looking against the night sky and mist of the ocean. The party draws the entire community: muscle boys, fashionistas, drag queens, our straight friends, the local business owners. It is truly a community event.


What’s different about this year’s party?
This year we have added a full working casino featuring wheels of chance and blackjack. The Cherry Grove drag queens are coming over to be dealers and table sharks. It should be fun. We’ve also added a three-DJ format and have performer Alexis Jordan singing her song “Happiness.”
 
Since the party is at night is it the kind of thing a day-tripper can come to?
Of course. We have a special late-night ferry dropping people off on Saturday night and when the party ends we have an early-morning special ferry going back to Long Island. Piece-of-day-tripper-cake.    N
 
Poseidon: The Pines Party 2010 makes a splash on the Fire Island Pines beach on July 31. Visit PinesParty.com for more info.