This morning was the IATSE (theatrical stage hands union) Christmas party. They do a party every year that is just for the kids of the members and the grandkids of the members. It's the rockingest kids Christmas party in town. Even better, it starts at 9 am on a Sunday, a time when no stage hands are working, and is done before the matinee call. Santa was there, and Adara tickled his nose with her cows tail (at her dad's suggestion, as Santa was vaguely familiar).
Here's Adara in front of the massive blow up train. The classic moment of the party was when all of the IATSE parents were desperately trying to hold up the train by sheer strength as it collapsed with kids in it. A kid had opened the end and let all of the air out, resulting in the collapse. Clearly, it was the non IATSE half of the families there that were trying to hold it up. Of course, I'd do the same thing in that situation "ARgh! I shall hold this train up and protect my child by sheer will, argh!"


Here's the overall scene of the IATSE breakfast at nine am. A three piece band, massive blow up train, puppeteer/stilt walker/balloon animal maker, face painting, slides, and a lotta theatrical lighting.


Adara and her dada.