17 replies to this topic

[Steam McQueen]

The 'Art Car Parade' in Houston has turned into quite the event in it's 23 year history. This year, on May 8, Dan will be the Grand Marshal.

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It's TRUE! It's TRUE! Comedian Dan Aykroyd is set to stir up good times at the 23rd Annual Art Car Parade. Acting as official Grand Marshal of the parade, Dan Aykroyd will start the parade in style - and hang out in the VIPit area for meet and greet opportunities.

Art Car Weekend - Orange Show

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It looks like great fun. Here's a vid with just some of last years "cars." Notice the Crown Victoria at around the 1:48 mark ...
YouTube - HOUSTON ART CAR PARADE 09

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Will Dan Aykroyd be riding in Ghostbuster Ecto 1 or perhaps a Bluesmobile when he leads the 23rd Annual Houston Art Car Parade in Houston May 8? It hasn't been decided. "We're still looking for a choice open-air car for him so he can be seen by all," said Lynette Wallace, executive director of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.
Aykroyd, a member of the original Saturday Night Live cast and star of Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers, House of Mirth and Driving Miss Daisy, is a friend of the Orange Show through his association with artist John Alexander, Wallace said. Alexander, who has deep roots in the Orange Show community, recently collaborated with Aykroyd on a Crystal Head Vodka project.

2010 Houston Art Car Parade - Saturday May 8

Houston Art Car Parade - Wikipedia

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[theologica]

Sounds awesome. ^__^ He's gonna have fun with that.

[TakkunEG]

OMG I AM SO GOING. Even if only to see him in the open car!

I just called the number for the VIPit Party tickets (where Dan will be for meet-and-greet.) They are $125 each. That's a lot, but still better than the last Houston charity thing he was here for. I might save up, even if I can only afford one for just myself (no hubby or roomie, )

[TakkunEG]

Bah. Just called the number again to ask a clarification question. Apparently there's no set "meet and greet" time (like the text clearly says, grrr). According to the lady I talked to, he's just going to "breeze through" the VIP area before the parade and you can "hope you run into him."

So that saves me some dough. I'm not going to spend all that money on a Maybe. But still going to the freebie part. Hope I can get a good spot.

EDIT: Also, the parade route is going to be something like this.
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=heritage+society+houston&fb=1&gl=us&hq=heritage+society&hnear=houston&cid=0,0,7919422093359184568&ei=m6CeS9vHNcaWtge23tWIBg&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQnwIwAA

[Steam McQueen]

Some extra Dan sightings that weekend will be -

Vodka Promo/Signing - May 7, 2010 - 3 to 5pm
Spec's Liquor Warehouse
2410 Smith St., Houston
Dan Aykroyd bottle signing appearance at Spec's
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After the parade on Saturday, there's a benefit concert at the HoB ...

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Houston Heart & Soul Blues Benefit Concert with a special appearance by Elwood Blues himself, DAN AYKROYD in the Bronze Peacock Room. A Concert Benefitting INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF BLUES FOUNDATION in the Bronze Peacock Room

Featuring Performance by Houston's Own Living Blues Legends:
Little Joe Washington
Texas Johnny Boy
Milton Hopkins
Diunna Greenleaf

Houston Heart & Soul Blues Benefit Concert

Tickets are $20.

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[Jim Ridgeway]

Steam McQueen said:

Tickets are $20.

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20 bucks! A bargain. Wish I could drive over and enjoy.

[TakkunEG]

Sweet! I hope I'll be able to make it over there - money is kind of tight right now, but I hope to make it all work out. Cross your fingers.

[TakkunEG]

Looks like I will be plopping down $50 for a bottle of vodka and going to the signing. No go on the concert or the parade - maybe there will be pics on the local blogs.

[Jim Ridgeway]

takkuneg said:

Looks like I will be plopping down $50 for a bottle of vodka and going to the signing. No go on the concert or the parade - maybe there will be pics on the local blogs.

Cheers!

[TakkunEG]

Just found out that the concert is sold out.

[Steam McQueen]

This is the car Dan rode in with the Mayor ...





2010 Art Car Parade - Houston - Slideshows

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Then later at the HoB ...



Dan Aykroyd at the House of Blues - Houston - Slideshows

[Steam McQueen]

Kinda weird seeing the security guys right beside the car like that. Maybe some don't like the new Mayor ?



YouTube - 2010 Houston Art Par Parade - Part 9

You'll see some sort of an Ecto, followed by a Crown Vic Bluesmobile, then Dan, the Mayor, and her henchmen.

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[vicious]

why is belgium so far away from america?

[elizabeth]

vicious said:

why is belgium so far away from america?

Blame tectonics.

[TakkunEG]

Okay, so I got a bottle signed and got to shake his hand! Sadly, I did not get to take a picture with him. Dan was signing bottles rapid-fire and doing a little extra signing here and there. There were more people there than they expected, with the line going outside the building for quite some time, so they were trying to get people out of the heat, etc. I had taken three DVDs to get signed, but they were only allowing two, and he looked REALLY rushed and busy up there, so I decided to forego that. Anyway, I got to the front and nearly melted into a puddle. OMG, his smile is 10million times more adorable in person! And he has very nice hands too. :D

Here are a few shots I did take from the signing, plus a shot of the bottle I got.







The signature is done in plain sharpie marker and needs very little encouragement to start rubbing off. Does anyone who has already gotten a bottle have any tips on how to preserve it better? (Other than not touching it, obviously.)

[Rune31]

I am waiting for the day when I have the chance to shake hands and get a picture with Dan; it'll be a life goal completed. Love that Crystal Head Vodka, very smooth and a great theme. Lot's of Ghostbusters fans have the same complaint when he signs their proton packs with a cheap pen. Their tip: have your own permanent pen/marker for him to use.

[Steam McQueen]

takkuneg said:

Okay, so I got a bottle signed and got to shake his hand!

Right on! I am truly happy for you :D. So, did you drink the vodka yet? haha. Thanks for the pics. Have you figured out how to save Dan's signature? All I can think of would be a spray on sealer of some sort. Would something like this work ...

DecoArt - Product Information

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[TakkunEG]

Steam McQueen said:

Right on! I am truly happy for you :D. So, did you drink the vodka yet? haha.

Seeing as I don't drink, then no. I'm hoping to have a backyard cookout party in August for my birthday and I might crack it open for anyone who wants to sample it.