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What was "Happy Trails"?
Shortly after the boards started (Summer 1996), Kevin had a get together in Red Bank. It lasted two days, a Friday and a Saturday late in August. The whole thing was a benefit for Red Bank's Count Basie Theatre. The gimmick was that the "movie" he showed was entirely complied of trailers (the coming attractions shown before movies). The trailers were a healthy mix of good movies, cult classics, '80's movies, and other stuff that he could find in the vintage shops in California (he bought everything except what he felt was true crap). And, of course, Clerks and Mallrats [one each night].
What is this "Chasing Amy Gala" I keep hearing about?
It's a long story, but basically...
Kevin had a special screening about three weeks before Chasing Amy was released - March 15th to be exact. This was especially cool because it was after several weeks of extreme press screenings, interviews, and the like. He invited any boardgoer who was regular enough to be recognized by name. This all went down in Red Bank, NJ, where the offices are and near where Kevin lives.
Afterwards, we all had dinner at the Broadway Grill, where many a VA person was to be seen as well. Kevin screened an early cut of Mallrats for us, but he had frank fast forward through the stuff we'd already seen.
Then, as an added bonus, Vincent Pereira screened his movie, "A Better Place", for an even more select audience in Room 409 of the Oyster Point Hotel (which was Dutch's room). This was basically "If you heard about it, you could come" kind of thing, but it was a little hush-hush or something. Most of the so-called "Riders" were there.
All in all, it was a great weekend, which people spent anywhere from $100 [room and tolls] to $5000 [flight from Australia] to get to.
What was the Vulgarthon?
Vulgarthon (Official Event Site) was designed as an all day event, held Januray 5, 1998, which would showcase the three films that encompass the New Jersey Trilogy, as well as two films that are included in the View Askew pantheon. There was an original selling of 270 tickets, which sold out in less then 2 hours. So the good folks at View Askew put up another set of tickets which sold out less than a day later. Rumors even had it that tickets were scalped for as much as $200 by the time the actual day of the event rolled around.
The films screened at the Loews theatre in Red Bank (later the site of the Dogma Diabetes Benefit Premiere). The five films that were screened were:
Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Drawing Flies, and A Better Place.
"Askew folk" in attendance included Kevin, Scott Mosier, Vincent Periera, Kim Loughran, Jason Lee, Carmen Lee, Brian O’Halloran
Where and when was the "Stash Bash" held?
This event was in lovely downtown Red Bank, New Jersey, on Saturday, March the 6th, 1999. Kevin Smith and the View Askew crew thought it would be a good idea to hold an exclusive grand re-opening of the new and improved Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash exclusively for his web-based fans. In addition to a fun-filled two hours in the Stash, which featured many special guests and surprises, we were also treated to a two-hour tour of the area, hosted by Brian O’Halloran (Dante Hicks). It featured many of the sites that View Askew made famous: The Quick Stop, RST Video, Posten's Funeral Home, & the Marina Diner. Brian also managed to tell many a tale about the filming of the movies that most people had never heard before, as well as give attendees hints about the kinds of things to expect in the future from View Askew.
Besides Brian and Kevin, also in attendance that day were Jason Mewes, Scott Mosier, Jimmy Palmiotti, Joe Quesada, Vincent Pereira, Bryan Johnson, Walt Flanagan, Jennifer Scwahlbach (Smith), Kim Loughran, Ernie O’Donnell (Rick Derris) and Bob Yeoman.
Is it true that people received free swag at the "Stash Bash"?
As is the case at almost all of the Askew events, there was free swag to be had at the "Stash Bash." Attendees were given free t-shirts and a pin, which had the date of the event as well as the Jay and Silent Bob logo (as rendered by Matt Wagner). There were also plenty of opportunities to have everything you brought or bought signed by Kevin, Jason, Brian or an of the rest of the Askew staff.
Attendees of the Vulgarthon ’98 were also given a t-shirt, and attendees of the Dogma Red Bank Premiere were given a poster signed by Kevin.
What was the "Dogma Red Bank Premiere"?
This was a premiere held for the folks on the web board as sort of a reward for their loyalty over the past few years. Much like some of the other events that have been held, tickets were limited and sold exclusively through the web board. It was held at the Clearview Cinema in Red Bank on October 25, 1999, and was attended by some of the regular Askew crew. The cost was $30.00, but all the money went to the American Diabetes Association. Cost of admission also included a pass to attend an after-screening party at the Downtown Café, where people were treated to a musical set by Kim Loughran and the "Amazing Meet Project."
I heard that people had to dress up like either Jay or Silent Bob to get into the premiere. Is that true?
Originally the plan was to have the premiere held at the Count Basie Theatre, which holds almost 1500 people and in order to get in you would have to dress up. At the time, the premiere was going to be much larger in scope, including appearances by several members of the cast. Unfortunately, as time went on and the problems began to start with protestors and the like, the plans were trimmed down to cause less of a problem. Also, the screen at the Count Basie Theatre had actually been torn out, which meant the theatre could not be used anyway.
My friend said that he went to the premiere and got a free signed-by-Kevin exclusive poster. However, I went on the
Secret Stash web site the other day and saw the same poster for sale, signed by Kevin and Jason Mewes. What’s the deal?
The plan was for the poster to be an exclusive thing that only attendees received. Both Kevin and Jason were supposed to sign the posters, but Jason was sick the entire week before the premiere and was not able to get to it. Vincent (who organized the entire event) ordered 500 of the posters, but when they received the shipment they had been sent 2000. So, with the only other option being to waste the posters, they were put up for sale on the Secret Stash web site. At that time, Jason was feeling better and managed to sign the rest of the posters.
It’s not a conspiracy or anything like that, just an honest mistake.
Is it true that there will be another Vulgarthon coming up?
Yes it is. Kevin announced recently that the Vulgarthon 2000 will be held on Halloween of this year in Red Bank. Kevin is going back to the idea of dressing up somewhat, although he isn’t going to make it mandatory. But if you dress like someone from the Askewniverse he promises big prizes.
Tickets will be made available sometime toward the end of the summer, and right now the line-up includes:
Dogma – the Cannes version which includes Azrael’s "Hell" speech and the "Fat Albert" scene.
Vulgar – Bryan Johnson’s flick
Big Helium Dog – Brian Lynch’s flick
Drawing Flies – Malcolm Ingram’s first flick
Kevin has stated that Vincent’s A Better Place may screen as well.
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