Photo by Stephan Morais
Guests in masks and fancy dress played a large part in setting the tone of the evening

• Name: Sweet Siamese
• Date: Saturday, March 22, 2009
• Location: Madera Design space, Downtown Los Angeles
• Who was there: Actresses Melonie Diaz (Be Kind Rewind) and Judy Marte, Grammy-winning mixer Manny Marroquin (Kanye West, Alicia Keys), artists Matteo and Lilli Muller; Amy White of the band West Indian Girl, The Siamese Sisters (of course) and a whole cast of characters.
• What was served: The Lola - a cucumber infused vodka with a splash of ginger beer, an assortment of food from the Georgian (as in Republic) caterer that was served on silver platters among drippy candles and lush bouquets, decadent dessert pastries and Belgian chocolates.

Everyone has a favorite fairy tale, but I never expected to step foot into my very own Wonderland. Castle Builder Productions and Madera Design’s debut event, Sweet Siamese, was just that - a whimsical, intimate gathering filled to the brim with intriguing performance art and tantalizing visuals.

Photo by Nina Liwag
A Sweet Siamese welcome

The 3,600 square foot space could be described as both modern and surreal, with beautiful brocade wallpaper tucked into a vintage phone booth and faux greenery bursting through the pristine white fireplace of the boudoir. The evening’s participants were encouraged to dress in “avant-garde attire.” Those who followed suit contributed to the fantastical mood of the evening.

Photo by Stephan MoraisLe Loup - a party guest gets into the spirit of things

Photo by Stephan MoraisSweet Siamese was a night bathed in soft candle light

While much of the ambiance was set by the decor, what made the evening truly enchanted were the performance artists. Some of them walked among us - the silent Geisha tending to the needs of her guests, the attendants donning Venetian-like carnevale masks. Others beckoned to us to interact - the scantily clad sisters of the boudoir playfully spreading the newest gossip and the ballerina running out of steam in the middle of the floor waiting for a kind soul to wind her up.

Photo by Stephan MoraisThe He/She Greeter

Photo by Nina LiwagThe Sirens were chained to the piano

And still others demanded our full attention. Notable in this group was Beautiful Days, described in the Playbill as a trio “with rich harmonies, hypnotic piano and soulful melodies.” The pair of chanteuses filled the air with their airy, utterly amazing voices despite spending the entirety of their performance chained to the piano.

Photo by Stephan MoraisBeautiful Days - the enchanting sirens and their captor

The night truly had the makings of an art salon, coaxing party guests to engage in living, breathing art - something that I am glad to see springing up in Los Angeles. But alas, all stories must come to an end, even fairy tales. As the He/She Greeter led us to the old-style freight elevator, I longed to find a small bottle with the words “DRINK ME” printed in large letters, but there were only empty drink cups.

Bravo on a smashing night, Castle Builders. For those who missed it, look out for the next Sweet Siamese in May.