About this project

For fourteen years, the MERCHANTS OF DEVA brought their own unique brand of music and mayhem to science-fiction conventions in the Pacific Northwest. A few years ago, we decided to see if we could make a go of it out there in the so-called "real world" -- we rolled up our sleeves, got ourselves set up as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and started promoting parties and dance nights to raise money for various charities. It's going well so far, but -- we miss you guys. We miss doing the conventions. And from what we hear, you miss us too -- people keep asking us when we're going to be at another con. 

We want to come back and do another big room party at Norwescon this year, on April 23rd. We've come up with theme for it that we're pretty excited about. In honor of TRON: LEGACY, we've reserved the suite on the top floor of the party wing to turn it into one of the movie's signature locations -- THE END OF LINE CLUB. We've got a Daft Punk-influenced music set lined up for you, we know how we want to pull off the decorations -- all we need is you. 

We're going to need your help to pull this off. We get about 500 people through our doors at these parties, and in order to rent the suite, and come up with enough food and alcohol for everyone, we need to raise $2,500. (Because, man, you people can drink. I mean, seriously, we're impressed.) We thought long and hard about seeing what we could scale back -- a smaller room, fewer snacks, fewer drinks -- but in the end, we decided that this was only worth doing if we were going to do it right, and we're sure you agree. That $2,500 is actually a pretty conservative estimate -- we've spent more than that on one of these shindigs before. 

Oh, and remember how I said we'd been raising money for charity? Any money we raise for this party above and beyond our costs will be going to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a cause near and dear to our geeky little hearts, and one that seemed entirely appropriate for our theme. 

If you've missed having the MERCHANTS parties at Norwescon -- or, hell, if you've never heard of us before, but are just interested in having a good time -- then help make this happen. The biggest thrill for us in doing these parties all these years has been getting to watch all of you have a great time, and knowing that we made that happen for you. We want to share that feeling with you -- watching a few hundred of your fellow geeks having a night they'll never forget because of you feels amazing, and we can't wait to show you what that's like. 

Let's make some memories. Spread the word. Fight for the users. We'll see you at the con.