PARTY ON! PARTY PEOPLE
A series of interactive parties celebrating isolated elders.
Party On! Party People is a living portrait of a city and some of its lesser-seen characters. In each city, For You presents a series of interactive parties celebrating isolated elders who are identified through local nonprofits working to combat isolation. Audiences show up not as passive guests, but as party-goers ready and willing to throw their hands up and welcome them. Each bespoke party is crafted with careful and specific consideration of each elder’s hopes and dreams. We get to know what makes them tick, their big ideas and small fantasies, and how they love being in the world. Then, based on those hangs, we craft accessible experiences that hopefully say: we hear you, we see you, and we’ve fallen in love.
SAN FRANCISCO
THE HARRY PARTY: CHINATOWN, SF
Sunday, June 9th, 2024
Party On! Party People’s opening act was a celebration of Harry, an elder from San Francisco’s Chinatown. Harry grew up in a large, working-class family, helping his parents in their restaurant jobs and helping to raise his seven siblings, before settling down with a long-term partner. Harry is now finally trying to expand his social horizons. On Sunday, June 9, at 2 p.m., For You hosted a surprise party with games and photo ops for Harry with featured guest artist Bijun Liang, an interactive media and installation artist based in Chinatown. One of the primary goals of this event was to kickstart Harry’s effort to make new friends, both in person and online through social media.
THE TOM PARTY: TENDERLOIN, SF
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024
Tom is a gay elder who lives in the Tenderloin. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he has lived in San Francisco since 1991 and craves connection with like-minded people who want to have fun in the city.
On Tuesday, June 11, For You hosted an invite-only meal for Tom in the Tenderloin at the former location of the legendary Turk Street Baths which opened in the 1930’s. At 10:30 p.m., we walked across the street to Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, an historic working-class gay bar. In collaboration with Brittany Newell and Maria Silk, the hosts of Angels, a monthly drag and dance show at the bar, For You honored Tom with a number inspired by the things he loves (i.e. the Netflix Swedish drama Young Royals).
THE 4 O’CLOCK PARTY: MISSION DISTRICT, SF
Saturday, June 15th
On Saturday, June 15, at 4 p.m., For You hosted a happy hour in honor of eight LBFE elders at Ruth’s Table. Over snacks and drinks, storytelling and a live set by DJ Lamont, the public was invited to meet and engage with these eight individuals, and perhaps bring an elder friend of their own. This event was designed to foster intergenerational friendships.
THE JANEY PARTY: MISSION DISTRICT, SF
Saturday, June 22nd
Janey is a 91-year-old native San Franciscan. A former director of San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department, Janey began her career as a social worker in the foster care system, later working in a preschool program with special needs students after the Reagan administration deinstitutionalized community mental health clinics. With roots in the deep South – her parents came to San Francisco during the Great Migration – Janey has had a profound, lifelong love of jazz and blues. In honor of Janey, For You hosted an afternoon concert – with special guest artist Elijah Rock – in the garden at Ruth’s Table. Rock interlaced songs from the Great American Songbook with stories and conversation.
These events were produced in partnership with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) and supported by an inaugural artist-residency at Ruth’s Table, an arts nonprofit committed to increasing access to creative opportunities for older adults and adults with disabilities, providing an inclusive and inspiring environment for creative expression and meaningful connections. With intergenerational exchange at the core of their mission, Ruth's Table offers a dynamic combination of rotating gallery exhibitions, creative programming, and community initiatives. Party On! Party People is made possible by support from New England Foundation for the Arts, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, and Sahm Family Foundation.