User:Nss

NSS is Jesse Niou, currently residing in Orange County, CA.

=Current Projects= 

=Background= Jesse has a very eclectic and diverse background in various fields, sciences, and arts. He picks up and drops skills as a day-to-day thing. He is never living in the now, but wondering what to do tomorrow.

Random fact: Jesse used to be an Network and Systems Specialist.

Music
Jesse was born and raised on music, with profound knowledge in classical theory and piano. Jesse also has experience in Guitar, Clarinet, and limited in Violin and Cello.

Despite his classical upbringing, Jesse enjoys listening to, composing, and performing many modern forms of music (and some nostalgic), including Acid Jazz, Rock, Industrial, and especially Trip Hop.

Random fact: Jesse has perfect pitch. In ideal conditions, he can even tell how many Hz a pitch is off from the closest Western tone in the range of (with about 5% error).

Dance
No longer performing (or even remembering for that matter) modern, Jesse is now a strictly social dancer. He likes dancing Lindy Hop (Savoy Style and Hollywood Style) and Balboa. He is also seeking to expand into Collegiate Shag, and perhaps (once his Lindy Hop foundation is secure) into West Coast Swing and Carolina Shag as well.

He dances frequently at Sugarfoot Stomp (Alhambra), the Atomic Ballroom (Irvine), Tia Juana's (Irvine), and travels often to visit various other events such as Lindy and Bal Exchanges. He is frequently seen in Pasadena, San Diego. Sometimes he goes to San Francisco (no longer on business).

Random fact: Jesse doesn't know the electric slide.

=Services=

Piano Instruction
Teaching students from the absolute beginner to competitive advanced.

Torn Red Carpet Photographic Services
Founder Torn Red Carpet Photographic Services is dedicated to making unique photographic art available to everyone. Specializing in portaiture, candids, and photojournalism.

Cheek to Cheek
Cheek to Cheek will be a themed dinner party, held in the spirit of the "Charmed to Meet You" and "One Enchanted Evening" dinner parties. The first Cheek to Cheek will be held as a goodbye party for Jesse Niou (User:nss), who is leaving for school in Charleston, South Carolina in January, 2006.

=Important Info=
 * The date and location has not been decided at this time.
 * The theme will be Mark Sandrich's "Top Hat," starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
 * The dress code will be formal, black tie.

Cheek to Cheek Tickets go on sale for a recommended $30 donation starting November 1st. Dance tickets will be available that night for a recommended $7 donation.

=Volunteering= If you have are interested in volunteering and/or planning, please visit the section.

If you would rather not have spoilers and be pleasantly surprised, simply sit back, get your tickets, RSVP, and we'll see you at the event!

=Donations= You may make donations via paypal, cash, check, or various things we need on the.

=Miscellaneous= A website may be put up, but I'd rather just keep it a wiki.

Cheek to Cheek Planning
This is the planning board for "," which is Jesse Niou's (NSS) goodbye party held for his swing dancing colleagues. If you would like to celebrate but do not fit in this category, there are various other events going on (not necessarily organized by him). He is leaving in January 2006 to go to Charleston, SC for school.

You can help (even if you live thousands of miles away) by contributing your ideas. Try to follow format, and if you don't know how to, just talk about it in the discussion tabs on top of every page. Thank you for your help!

=Current priorities:=
 * Staff Recruitment
 * Acquire a private location: See General Planning
 * Set up a Wishlist at the

=Planning=

Cheek to Cheek Planning: General Planning
The broad scheme of things.

Current Priorities:

 * Acquire Private Location

Current Priorities
Delegating responsibility into various departments.

Department heads:

 * Main designers: Jesse N and Sarah M
 * Hosting:
 * Food:
 * Venue (2):
 * Tables:

Cheek to Cheek Planning: Food
Whatever is edible (and some things that aren't).

Current priorities

 * Listing out needs. Planning budget.

Cheek to Cheek Planning: Setting and Ambience
Whatever has to do with the venue itself. Lighting, Music, Floor, etc.

Current priorities

 * Acquire location (see )

Cheek to Cheek Planning: Tables
What goes on top of the tables, seating, etc. from start to display. Most of the papers can be found here, including the program.

Cheek to Cheek Planning: Entertainment
The difficult task of entertaining people with incredibly short attention spans.

Current Priorities
Just some game ideas. What matches the time period?

Cheek to Cheek Planning: General Planning
Cheek to Cheek will be for swing (Lindy Hop, Shag, Balboa, Charleston, etc.) dancers. If you do not belong in this category, perhaps you can attend one of NSS's many other events (planned by other people).

Back to Home:

=Theme= The theme should be a dinner party around the time period of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Only that we're dancing savoy!

=Budget:= The total budget should be around $400-500. Food needs: $x Lighting needs: $x Venue needs: $x

Funding sources
This money should mainly be provided by ticket sales, which should be $25 or $30 each. Other possible sources:
 * donations/sponsors
 * tips at the event
 * advertising in the programs.

=Attendance:= This is held for Swing Dancers. I figure an open invitation would work, but I will still send out invitations as per usual. Open invitations to swing dancers.

=Dates:= Ooh this is a toughie. I can have it either at my very last week.

Thursdays:

 * December 1
 * December 8
 * January 5

Sundays:

 * December 3
 * December 10
 * January 7

Timeline:
October 28: Hopefully location found by now. November 1: Tickets go on sale. Location reserved absolute deadline. If this has not been done by then, the whole thing is off. November 5 (around): Location scouted and blueprints made. 3 weeks before: Purchasing begins. Staff execution training begins. 2 weeks before: Scripts produced. A week before: Execution begins. Printing, consolidation of resources, etc.

=Location:=
 * We need to obtain a private location with a sizable dance floor suitable for 10-12 couples dancing Lindy.

Renting a studio is unfortunately is out of the question. Memories is like $1,000 for downstairs, $2,000 for upstairs. Atomic could at best be $1,500 (it's really $1,800, but Jerry would cut me a deal because of my patronage).

Cheek to Cheek Planning: Tables
Everything that goes on tables goes here. Back to.

=Current Priorities=
 * Getting basic programs up
 * Getting invitee list (see )

In the meantime, we can decide some universal things like... What size tables? What tablecloths? what color scheme? Candles? etc.

=Program= 4 pages, 8, or 12? Assuming we are using 5.5x8" (8.5x11" folded in half width-wise). Any other ideas?

Cheek to Cheek Planning: Food
Here is the page on food in the grand scheme of.

=Drinks:=

Martinelli's
As per tradition. $3/bottle.
 * Fizzy and non-alcoholic!
 * How much do we need is the question! Usually 1 and half bottles per person?
 * Assuming $4.50/person, for 16, we'd end up with $72 total.

Italian Sodas

 * A couple flavors:
 * Cherry
 * Vanilla
 * Almaretto
 * Peach
 * Lemon


 * Various other drinks including wine? $2 a glass donation? Maybe hire a bartender.
 * Soda in the ice chest. Or bring a minifridge.

All-Around Drinks
=Hors D'oeuvres:=

Shrimp
Definite yes. Maybe 4 pounds or so. Probably want to make things as simple as possible and buy the precooked frozen, peeled, deveined stuff. I hate shelling shrimp (even though the flavor is dramatically better).

Quiche
The mini-quiche packs. Pre-made. Whee.
 * (maybe 50 or 60)

Olives, salami, and cheese

 * Olives you can buy in a large jar... $5-6 should serve everyone)

=Appetizers= What do you feel like? Add on your ideas, no matter how crazy they are! Include an estimated cost of serving everyone.


 * Deviled Eggs (No they're fattening)
 * Smoked Salmon ($20 should make more than enough).
 * Sushi? (Can't make it, don't know.)
 * Would also need Wasabi and soy sauce.
 * Artichokes (And spinach- butter dip!)
 * Chicken Wings (Vons has $6 for 4 lb.)
 * Avocados (with... something)
 * Ribs

=Main Courses:=


 * Stuffed Ravioli
 * Needs ravioli, cheese, etc.
 * Filet Mignon Steak - about $10/lb?
 * 4 or 6 oz. No one will be able to finish an 8 oz. with the appetizers, let alone finish and 8 oz. steak with appetizers and dance.
 * Tri-Tip Steak - about $9/lb?
 * We have to make them small.

=Sides:=

Vegetable Salad

 * Spinach Salad? ($8/4 people)
 * (I'm allergic to spinach). Spinach is the good stuff, but expensive. Maybe $8 to serve 4 people? So $32 will serve everyone?
 * Add cranberries and walnuts?
 * Caesar Salad ($5 / 4 people)
 * Cheapest stuff around. $20 will serve everyone.

Salad Toppings

 * Bleu Cheese is definitely a must
 * Olive oil and basalmic vinegar is easily made.
 * I hate ranch. god that sucks.
 * Walnut and rasberry or apple vinegar would be great.
 * Bacon Bits
 * Nuts
 * Chicken strips?

Other Sides

 * Potato Salad

Clam Chowder
Might be a little too rich. Probably will reconsider.

Chicken Noodle Soup
One that's not only fresh, but NOT WAY TOO F-ING SALTY.

Chestnut Soup
This is a definite must. I can't currently find my recipe.

=Dessert:=


 * Ice cream ($10 for a gallon)
 * Chocolate cake?
 * Fruit lots of fruit.
 * Creme Brulee
 * Cheesecake, granted, would be lovely, but much too filling.

Cheek to Cheek Planning: Staffing
Back to

Like One Enchanted Evening, there will be two main designers. Other staff will be appointed ahead of time to allow for open schedules and to aid execution and efficiency.

=Hosting=
 * Emcee(s):
 * Scripts and skits:
 * blablablablabla

=Food=

Purchasing:


=Setting and Ambience=
 * Lighting
 * Furniture/Decoration Placement
 * Music

=Tables=
 * Seating
 * Programs
 * Placards
 * Candles
 * Table decorations

=Entertainment=
 * Games?
 * Other distractions

=Other services:=

DJ:
I want Neil to DJ. Someone to trade off with would be cool too.

Photography:
I will arrange for photographic services cuz I can hook you up, y'know? Yay for Torn Red Carpet Photographic Services