Help with Pan-Asian themed party
Sep 12th, 2007, 10:40 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help with Pan-Asian themed party
I know this is not completely travel related, but I am planning our first trip to SE Asia for March (Thailand, Cambodia) and have pretty much planned my trip with all your excellent suggestions, so hoping you can help me a bit on this one.
Hubby and I are Co-Chairs with another couple for our kids school's Auction in May. We are leaning towards doing a Pan-Asian theme, but are looking to come up with some sort of "tag line" or names to call the event that relate to the theme. So far I have only come up with "Shanghai Nights" or something with the "King and I" - I'm quite certain they asked us to be co-chairs because of our organizational and leadership abilities - not our creativity!!
We have two events. On Sat. night is an adult only fancy ball, and Sunday afternoon is a more family oriented, casual event. Last year the theme was Alice in Wonderland and the Sat. night was "The Queen of Hearts Ball" and Sunday afternoon was the "Mad Hatter's Tea Party". Just something to give you an idea of what we are looking for.
I am hoping some of you maybe creative and with your many travels to Asia you might have some ideas. Any and all ideas are welcome - they might just be a jumping point for a great idea.
Thanks again!!
Hubby and I are Co-Chairs with another couple for our kids school's Auction in May. We are leaning towards doing a Pan-Asian theme, but are looking to come up with some sort of "tag line" or names to call the event that relate to the theme. So far I have only come up with "Shanghai Nights" or something with the "King and I" - I'm quite certain they asked us to be co-chairs because of our organizational and leadership abilities - not our creativity!!
We have two events. On Sat. night is an adult only fancy ball, and Sunday afternoon is a more family oriented, casual event. Last year the theme was Alice in Wonderland and the Sat. night was "The Queen of Hearts Ball" and Sunday afternoon was the "Mad Hatter's Tea Party". Just something to give you an idea of what we are looking for.
I am hoping some of you maybe creative and with your many travels to Asia you might have some ideas. Any and all ideas are welcome - they might just be a jumping point for a great idea.
Thanks again!!
Sep 12th, 2007, 06:17 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Shanghai Nights" – would that be like a 1930's art deco theme? That sounds workable. Good 1930's big band music. Good decorating possiblities with art deco lamps, etc. Good opportunities for Chinese food. Great clothes for men and women.
I would just mention that "Asia" is huge and so don't forget about countries like India (a Bollywood theme), or Indonesia (could do "Bali Hai" although that was really supposed to be the South Pacific). There is Japan with some kind of Zen theme maybe tables on teh floor and cushions (might work well with kids). I don't know if you consider Australia to be in Asia (we do here), but there are some theme possiblities there ("Land Down Under"
. Also, the Olympics are in the PRC in August 2008 and that may lend itself to an afternoon theme with kids and sporting activities.
I would also mention that most Thais find the "King and I" films and fictional underlying story on which they are based to be offensive to the memory of King Mongkut. (The musical version was in fact banned in Thailand when it was first released as being insulting to the Thai people.) If there are any Thai students, teachers or parents at the school, you may want to rethink that theme. A general Thai theme may work fine, you know, "Thai One On" at the dance....
I would just mention that "Asia" is huge and so don't forget about countries like India (a Bollywood theme), or Indonesia (could do "Bali Hai" although that was really supposed to be the South Pacific). There is Japan with some kind of Zen theme maybe tables on teh floor and cushions (might work well with kids). I don't know if you consider Australia to be in Asia (we do here), but there are some theme possiblities there ("Land Down Under"
. Also, the Olympics are in the PRC in August 2008 and that may lend itself to an afternoon theme with kids and sporting activities.I would also mention that most Thais find the "King and I" films and fictional underlying story on which they are based to be offensive to the memory of King Mongkut. (The musical version was in fact banned in Thailand when it was first released as being insulting to the Thai people.) If there are any Thai students, teachers or parents at the school, you may want to rethink that theme. A general Thai theme may work fine, you know, "Thai One On" at the dance....
Sep 12th, 2007, 08:05 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for some good ideas - I knew you guys would come through for me!! Yes, I knew the King and I might have some issues... but my creative juices were being stumped. Love the idea of 1930's theme with "Shanghai Nights" and the Olympic sporting idea is kind of fun. East meets West also has some potential - the school is really working on teaching themes like globalization and Pacific Rim issues. They just started a Mandarin Chinese program last year.
Sep 12th, 2007, 08:52 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like the One Night in Bangkok idea too...
For Shanghai ideas, the opening scene in "Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom" is at a Shanghai nightclub in the 1930s. Also look at "Empire of the Sun" and the Shanghai scenes in "Last Emperor" and "Joy Luck Club" for ideas for fashion and decor. Also try http://www.asiandesignhouse.com/lamps.htm for the lotus lamps and lanterns I was thinking of. You should be able to find paper versions of these.
Gangsters (and molls) are part of the theme too, as Shanghai was a hot bed of smuggling and crime. The expression "to get Shanghaied" (i.e., kidnapped and in the oldest sense to be forced to serve in the navy) comes from this period.
For Shanghai ideas, the opening scene in "Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom" is at a Shanghai nightclub in the 1930s. Also look at "Empire of the Sun" and the Shanghai scenes in "Last Emperor" and "Joy Luck Club" for ideas for fashion and decor. Also try http://www.asiandesignhouse.com/lamps.htm for the lotus lamps and lanterns I was thinking of. You should be able to find paper versions of these.
Gangsters (and molls) are part of the theme too, as Shanghai was a hot bed of smuggling and crime. The expression "to get Shanghaied" (i.e., kidnapped and in the oldest sense to be forced to serve in the navy) comes from this period.
