If you're burned out by Christmas, had enough of Hanukkah and count yourself out from Kwanzaa, maybe Festivus is for you.
The quirky anti-holiday eschews gift-giving, cheeriness and trees in favor of camaraderie, complaints and an aluminum pole. The Loft is throwing a Festivus party Saturday night, complete with a screening of Bill Murray's "Scrooged," which shares the anti-commercialism spirit of Festivus.
What started as a joke on "Seinfeld" in 1997 has morphed into a phenomenon, apparently celebrated by little pockets of friends around the country.
Festivus includes an airing of grievances, in which friends and family members tell one another the ways they've disappointed them, as well as feats of strength, including a wrestling ritual in which the head of the household must be pinned to the floor before the festivities conclude.
People are also reading…
"I wanted to do something kind of unique for the holidays," said Jeff Yanc, the Loft's program director. "I'm a big 'Seinfeld' fan, and I thought Festivus would appeal to people who maybe don't necessarily like to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa and are looking for an alternative."
Bridget Palmer, a 26-year-old lexicographer who blogs at myadventuresintucson.blogspot.com, celebrated the holiday with her friends in high school after getting the idea from "Seinfeld."
"Some friends and I used to celebrate it on Dec. 26 to stave off the day-after-Christmas blues," Palmer said. "Everyone had busy schedules on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but none of us ever had much going on the day after Christmas. It was a fun excuse to get together and have a party without the stress of it being the Christmas party with gifts and lots of decorations."
Other than the Loft's shindig, and a celebration at Club Congress at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the largest local Festivus gathering is usually the one hosted by Janet and Trevor Hare. The couple were interviewed about their Festivus parties by MSNBC in 2005. And although the Hares won't be hosting a celebration in town this year because they're visiting family in Mexico over the holidays, last year's party drew about 300 people at The Hut, a bar on North Fourth Avenue.
"It was just a complete goof at first," said Trevor Hare, a 45-year-old conservation biologist. "It was actually suggested by nephews and nieces of mine who we spend Christmas with. I thought, 'We should do it.' "
Palmer described the appeal of Festivus:
"It's a chance to celebrate with friends during the holiday season without worrying about it being specifically a Christmas or New Year's party. It's a made-up holiday, after all, so there's no stress involved in planning a celebration for it."
Celebration to include 'Scrooged' screening
• What: A movie-themed celebration of the "Seinfeld"-popularized holiday, combined with a screening of "Scrooged." The celebration will include an exchange of gifts you wouldn't want to give or receive.
• Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway.
• When: 9 p.m. Saturday. The screening starts at 10.
• Cost: $7 for the movie plus the Festivus party; $5 for the screening only.
• Contest: To try to win tickets to the Loft's party, send an e-mail to caliente@azstarnet.com with your grievance in 100 or fewer words by 5 p.m. today.
