When we saw this in the Flavorpill New York inbox, we didn’t know how to react. It’s either the coolest or the weirdest thing we’ve ever heard of. Or quite possibly, it’s both. If you’ve been to a Club Animals event before, please leave us some background info in the comments area, and if you plan to head to Odessa, we’ll pay for your booze if you’ll send us good pictures — not of the mascots, but of random patrons who just happened to be craving some blintzes that night.
“Club Animals is a secret society of mascots. Donning mascot costumes, our group of lovable, cuddly animal characters hit the town for once (instead of them hitting us). Why do we do this? Because we love the brief moments of joy we bring to random strangers who are lucky enough to encounter us all together, wearing our animal costumes, and well, that’s about all there is to it. We consider it to be our old school New York good arty deed for the day, as a gift to the city we love and its inhabitants. Think SantaCon without the Santas. Created by Nate Hill (Chinatown Garbage Tour) and Ryder Ripps, tonight Club Animals hosts a meeting for newcomers. Mascot costume not necessary to attend, but we’re definitely curious to meet your alter ego animal. Are you a Cat? A Turtle? A Flying Wombat?
“Activities at our meeting will include an informative mini-lecture with the current NYU mascot, the Bobcat discussing the duties and details that job entails, followed by a Q&A with Bobcat. Veteran Club Animals members Fishy will discuss the rare intermingling of art and mascots in New York, Dog will entertain us with a choreographed jig, and Bunny has free cookies for us to munch on. And to top it all off, the meeting is being held in a bar, so we intend to drink like animals! Do join in the free fun.”
Saturday, January 17th, 2009 Odessa Bar 117 Avenue A 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., free