(L–R) Tyson Call and Courtney Williams grace the party with their authentic punk garb. I think everything they wore was out of their own closet. Tyson shoots and writes for SLUG. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
SLUG Holiday Party 2015: SLUG Staff Slays St. Nick in Style
SLUG knows how to throw a party, and what better place for a party than the punk-rooted Metro Bar in downtown SLC? Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Tyson Call and Courtney Williams grace the party with their authentic punk garb. I think everything they wore was out of their own closet. Tyson shoots and writes for SLUG. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Loud and proud is the only way to strut when SLUG is hosting the party. (L–R) Office Coordinator Gavin Sheehan and writer Ben Tilton. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Pre-white elephant gift exchange, Nicole Stephenson and Ashley Lippert were caught talking about their love for video games and fermented beverages. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
What’s more punk rock than the middle finger? Maybe little buttons, but only maybe. (L–R) Eric Granato, Nancy Rivera, Alexander Ortega. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Jeffery Hacker was an absolute delight as he served our drinks. I don’t think the Metro Bar staff were previously made aware of the party theme. They didn’t need to be. They were punk already. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
What is better than a mustache to showcase the gentlemanly side of SLUG? Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Denim and cardigans were abundant but no two made it look as good or as punk rock as SLUG illustrator Robin Banks/DJ Tanner and Bat Manors’ Adam Klopp. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
What’s an X-mas party without white elephants? The table grew considerably with gifts toward the end of the evening. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Marina Quevedos, Katie Buda and the Bad Kids’ Klaus were the friendly faces who greeted the SLUG staff/volunteers as they entered Metro Bar. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
In case you can’t tell already, Metro Bar is a sweet spot. Complete with pool, stage, dancefloor and winter smoking patio. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Cori Norton and Cody Kirkland straight killing the punk look. I was actually a little scared. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Michael Sanchez, Hau and Frank represent the skate culture of SLUG. Incredibly chill folk who instantly welcomed the photo and conversation about local skate legends, stabbings and various other punk topics. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Henry Glasheen’s (R) serious face is only a front for the cheer these fine SLUGgers bring to those around them. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
John Barkiple and his lovely bride Bethany bring friendly faces to this otherwise dark party. John has been taking pictures for SLUG for ever.Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
“Last year everyone thought I was her dad,” says Rick Mimms (L) of Darcy (R). “I’m not … I’m her husband.” Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Angela Brown, the master of ceremonies, crafted a wonderful event and delivered in passion and participation for the evening’s awesomness. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Robin Banks/DJ Tanner, one of SLUG’s illustrators, could not have played better music for the X-mas party. I didn’t even know there were that many dirty Christmas songs. Metro Bar has a perfect stage for it as well with an impressive sound system which did not disappoint these punk-thirsty ears. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Passing gifts was made difficult with SLUG director Angela changing the direction, speed and music. “To your left… now to your right!” Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
SLUG’s Lead Designer Joshua Joye trying to decide if he wants to keep his treasure or trade it for something better. Not an easy decision with all the gifts surrounding and tempting. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
With dim lights it was a rather difficult task to locate a gift to steal. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
“Don’t drop the floral one!” Thankfully, drunkeness had not settled in for another half hour. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
I felt that I may have been the least punk rock, as I certainly did not think of dying my hair like Alex Vermillion. Zir smile says it all about the temperature of the evening. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
After the white elephant exchange, it was a blast to watch people open their gifts. In all honesty I have not been to a white elephant party with better gifts than this evening. Too many amazing and personal items to mention. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Renato Olmedo-González, Bethany Ford and SLUG’s Editorial Assistant Christian Schultz opening a Star Wars gift. Setting the bar high… Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
Possibly the greatest gift of the evening. A unicorn mug. I was willing to start a riot to take that from her. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
SLUG illustrator Eleora Nelson holding up her gift. “Well, perhaps you can use it as an outfit for your lizard?” Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
This was certainly a relic. Connect Four. It was so cool to witness people opening and playing with their gifts right away. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
(L–R) Towards the end of the night, close friends Adam Klopp, Brinley Froelich and Nic Smith became closer and smiles became bigger. Photo: www.johnnybetts.com
It is a remarkable thing to witness people from a myriad of backgrounds, talents, and passions serve a common goal: to enrich the community around them. The SLUG holiday party is the one time a year when the humans at the front line of community engagement come together and celebrate the impact they are creating. This year the theme was “A Punk Rock X-Mas” and was executed with perfection. Many SLUGgers have lives that are demanding outside the walls of SLUG’s office on Pierpont Ave. and this provides the opportunity to meet new faces, significant others, friends, and contributors who have made what SLUG Magazine is today. Every SLUG holiday party is a blast, and this year did not disappoint. Divine Esté pizza and drinks were served in the underbelly of SLC’s Metro Bar in their new location on 100 South. At first glance, an outsider may have pondered if a cult meeting of ghouls and golems was taking place, but upon further inspection would notice the warmth and “cheer” was genuine and anything but cold.
Music for the evening was spun by SLUG’s own illustrator DJ Tanner, who played tunes they certainly wouldn’t allow at my daughter’s Christmas recital. After feasting on pizza and libations, there was a white elephant gift exchange that made all other gift exchanges at your neighbor’s ugly sweater party a complete disgrace. I have not seen that many amazing gifts premeditated with love. It was impossible to receive a bad gift this evening and many probably would consider their gift better than their top item on Amazon. Before you get all jealous and teary-eyed, realize that there was also a tremendous amount of work and thought that went into making this event a reality as SLUG’s Editor Angela Brown doesn’t say thank you with a sausage and hot sauce collection; she says thank you by knowing how to throw a great f****n’ party. Honestly, that’s enough for me.
This year, I encourage the reader to spend time with those who care about them. Don’t even think of shopping at Walmart, and get or make something for someone who needs it.
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