Clear Channel Party at Museum turns in to a Puke Fest-Art Damaged

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=404718

The glistening white Santiago Calatrava addition has made the Milwaukee Art Museum one of the city's classiest social addresses. But a recent martini fete held there turned into an overcrowded, drunken affair. Some unruly guests accosted artworks, which have been taken off display for a checkup.

People threw up, passed out, were injured, got into altercations and climbed onto sculptures at Martinifest, a semi- formal event organized by Clear Channel Radio and held at the museum Feb. 11, according to several people who attended or worked at the event.

<snip>

As was the case with prior events, the sculptures lining one of the long gallerias in the museum's Calatrava-designed building were in close proximity to serving areas during Martinifest. But this time, food, drink and vomit were on and around some of the artworks by night's end, according to some accounts.

<snip>

A group of four young men climbed onto "Standing Woman," a tall, bronze sculpture of a goddess-like woman with exaggerated features by early 20th-century American artist Gaston Lachaise.

"They were standing on it, grabbing the boobs, and somebody was just taking pictures with a cell phone," said Laura Collins, 35.

[RamboLiberal]

1. Guess Ann Coulter was there

Zarnoth saw a few guards - removing a drunken young woman.

"Her arms were slung over them and her feet were dragging, basically," Zarnoth said. "I'd say that was pretty passed out."

[shadowknows69]

2. You really don't want radio people getting drunk

in any place that can't withstand a little property damage or controversy. I say this as a veteran of many scandalous corporate radio xmas parties.

[Horse with no Name]

5. I've been to a few of those

And once imbibed a wee bit too much myself.
I didn't see myself as drunk...however, others weren't quite as myopic.:blush:

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Ah, yes, Wisconsin.

Such a classy state. Where else would an upper-crust function be called "Martinifest?" The Plebes here have to settle of a slightly less-refined sort of event, the Beer Brawl.

[theshadow]

6. And on top of that, they weren't serving brats! eom

[supernova]

4. Yuck!

I think the events person at the museum is about to be fired.

[otohara]

7. Knowing Clear Channel, They Are Thrilled

with the press coverage.

[HereSince1628]

8. Ok ClearChannel makes me puke too, but where was security?

As a dues paying member of the museum I can only say this was a tragic mistake. They have already heard from me, and I am not happy.

The building has security cameras EVERYWHERE. In my letter I asked them a simple question...Was anyone watching the monitors? A couple of years ago vandals painted gang tags on the outside of the pure white building...security didn't see that happen, either. I'm not a happy museum member.

Now I know the museum needs money, and I respond to their appeals and generally agree with renting out a truly beautiful space to raise money.

BUT I'VE GOTTA VENT...This event was organized by morons at both the museum and the radio station...what age demographic simulataneously has widespread appreciation and respect of art treasures AND is into all you can drink parties? martini's? in Milwaukee? Well newsflash in Cheddarland--THERE IS NO SUCH DEMOGRAPHIC.

What the delinquents that organized this should know now is that in the middle a long mostly snowless winter there are many Cheeseheads so craved for nightlife they will drink anything, even martinis, if you put it in front of them, and they'll do it until they fall and lay into thier own puke.

[f-bush]

9. I hope this makes it into the MSM

America needs to see how repukes act and think. No respect for anybody or anything. Fuck 'em!

[jane_pippin]

10. Free Booze + Milwaukee---well I can't say I'm surprised, exactly.

Classy move, fellow citizens. CA-lasssss-eee move.

[quiet.american]

11. Unlimited martinis is insane -- and what about drunk driving?

Seriously, how many people do you know who can drink more than two martinis and not be impaired to drive? How were all these people supposed to get home without killing someone?

Three martinis is realistically most people's absolute limit. I mean, what is a martini, essentially 4-6 shots of pure alcohol, dusted with a a little vermouth. Two martinis can be like having eight shots of vodka -- and they were talking about unlimited martinis?

Bad idea.