This June marks my 30th Birthday, which makes this year's Crazy Hat Ball my GOLDEN BIRTHDAY. This is the fifth Crazy Hat Ball in the history of the world.

Waking up I hear that!

Food and Drinks:

More information to come...

Attire:

A Crazy Hat is exactly what it sounds like, a hat that is unique. Think... costume party or if you prefer, elegant ball. Crazy Hats are optional... but please dress to impress. HOWEVER! This year, being my golden birthday, the attire has been changed to WHITE and/or GOLD. (Emphasis on GOLD.)

abcdefGoldhijklmnopqrstuvWhitexyz!

Schedule:

6:00pm | Guests Arrive

Please make yourself welcome. Explore my castle and its grounds nestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Meet my unique family and their wonderful dogs. Drink from golden goblets and make the most of life. This year, the plan is to bring together friends from all over the country. You are welcome to come at any point on the 25th. Alas, we will waste no time before the night's festivities begin...

8:00pm | Gladiator Fight

Cold steel and blunt force. The contestants will be wearing suits of armor and wielding medieval weapons. A full contact display of what our ancestors experienced in total war. (just kidding... maybe) Behold, the plan, as of now, is to have an amateur Muay Thai fight. Three 5-minute rounds, three judges, one announcer/referee, and two warriors competing for GOLD. The victor will be awarded a golden ball and will gain the title of Crazy Hat Champion! More information to come…

The heart is in heat. Summer heat.

10:00pm | Chosen Woman is Sacrificed

It has been written in ancient stories! It has been passed down into folklore (with the nearby village people!) It is whispered... that my castle, the Studio Lair, was once a summer home to the goddess Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

I see into a pool, her face a mirror.

She goes foward and cups her hands,

I watch her drink all my tears.

Venus is more beautiful than spring.

-Unknown

Each year on the night of the Crazy Hat Ball this divine spirit will leave her heavenly realm and return to earth in the form of a flower. A flower that only grows on top of the castle Portal (next to the Seven-Sided-Star...) When the goddess Venus is on earth in flower form she is only a spirt, she longs to feel what it is like to be human again!

Therefore, at the beginning of the party all women will pick a flower (in the form of a magic ring) from atop the Portal. One of the flowers (rings) will have the markings of Venus. If you pick this flower you are the chosen one - you are the Goddess Venus! You will gain supernatural powers for the night and as the sun sets, the ritual begins, I will ask you to come foward and say the following:

"Venus smiles not in a house of tears!" - Shakespeare

Then the crowd will respond:

"She moves a goddess, and she looks a queen!" - Pope

Chosen woman please also take this time to say goodbye to your friends, family, and the earthly world before we sacrifice you in the castle's Magic Pond. This will conclude the ritual and for the rest of the night you will be worshiped.

12:00am Midnight | Guests Depart

Alas, the 5th Annual Crazy Hat Ball is officially over. Please return to town. There are many hotel options in Charlottesville. We will have a shuttle that will take people into town at midnight, where they can uber/taxi to their respective places. However, you are very welcome to bring a tent and camp near the castle.

Make her this day smile on me,

And I'll roses give to thee!

-Unknown

Please drink responsibly. As we are not responsible for you or anything that happens to you or by you, at any time. And by accepting to come to this party you also agree that you are completely responsible for yourself and anything that happens to you or by you, at any time. Please drink responsibly. Thank you all so much!

But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad." "How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.