Pines Party Preview: 5 Questions with Guy Smith

The Pines Party is almost here, and we are salivating over the idea of all the trade that’s gonna be on the beach in their 80s inspired ensembles. The biggest party of the summer rolls into Fire Island this year with a Xanadu theme—think swirling 80s neon, musical fantasy, Kubla Khan’s faraway paradise, and everything Olivia Newton John.

From July 22 to 24, the Pines Party brings a roster of world-class DJs like The Carry Nation, Morabito, Peter Napoli, and Occupy The Disco that will have you believing in magic. Just be careful on your skates.

We are actually giving two tickets away at tomorrow night’s NextWorks! For more information on this very special giveaway, visit here.

Here is the lineup for the entire weekend:

VIP Sunset Cocktail Party – DJ Jeff Hall / DJ Aaron Aanenson
Friday July 22nd, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

The Pool Party – DJ Dawson
Saturday July 23rd, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Pines Party 2016: XANADU – The Carry Nation / MORABITO
Saturday July 23rd, 10:00 pm to 6:00 am

The Morning Party – Peter Napoli
Sunday July 24th, 6:30 am to Noon

The After Party – Occupy The Disco
Sunday July 24th, 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Now that we have the facts, we chatted with producer and creative director Guy Smith to get all the juicy insider information on what’s hot and happening at this year’s fete.

What are you most excited about for this year’s Pine Party?

First of all, the fact that we knew going into it that this is the biggest one in history – the last three years have seen a massive increase in attendance and interest every year. It’s always fun to be part of a winning team.

Why Xanadu?

This theme is very personal to me, and goes back to my childhood, and my very first exposure to dance music of any kind – both Big Band Jazz and Disco, which I am still passionate about. When I saw that movie at the age of nine in Nashville, I decided right then and there that I would build my own Xanadu one day. I was really inspired. It became my calling to create a cathartic, other-worldly experience for people where they can all feel like they are one – party of something bigger and more magical than they dreamed.

What is different about this year’s Pines Party?

We are creating new and expanded experiences for our guests at all levels, and especially for the VIP experience. There will be a Pleasure-Dome which references the mythical palace of Kubla Kahn, and will have all sorts of experiences for people to explore. And those experiences will morph over the course of the night….

We also are creating a special deck for our biggest VIP+ donors to share right on the dance floor which will have it’s own private party right at the ’50 yard line’ of the dance floor.

I am really excited about the expanded stage, with all sorts of effects, and the bigger surround sound system, and the lighting. There’s so much production going into this year, it’s going to be hard to believe we are on a beach unless you look up and see the stars.

What will you be wearing?

I’ll be wearing something ridiculous that we made at the house that day, in all likelihood. It could be booty shorts and leg warmers, or a caftan, a kimono or a tutu… I frankly have no idea. Whatever strikes my fancy in the moment.

To wear roller skates or not wear roller skates, what say you?

Oh my God! Please don’t! Can you image just trying to get down the boardwalks in them? You’ll end up in a pine tree or something.

Visit pinesparty.com for more information on all the weekend’s happenings.