Saturnalia Soirée: A Celebration of the San Diego Startup Spirit
Event Explanation:
Saturnalia: the original “work hard, play hard” festival. Back in ancient Rome, it was a week-long festival where the rules were flipped— the elite threw decadent parties for the less fortunate, masters served their servants, and joy reigned supreme. It was a time to indulge, let loose, and revel in life’s abundance!
Although in these modern times we have had the Saturnalia Festival replaced with another holiday, the Christmas Tree lives on as a remnant from Roman Days! So although this is neither about a tree nor a history lesson; it’s your chance to unplug from the grind and reconnect with the extraordinary people who make the San Diego Startup Community vibrant, innovative, and fun, from the best ocean-view rooftop in Del Mar!
Saturnalia Soirée honors the connections, support, and spark of innovation that make our community thrive. We succeed together because of collaboration, and that deserves a proper celebration. Connection defines us—both as humans and as a startup culture—and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a little Saturnalian revelry and games. Think Gladiator meets Matrix Reloaded dance party!
Why You Should Come:
✨ Reconnect: This party isn’t just about what we’ve achieved—it’s about who we are and the energy we create together.Forge deeper connections with fellow entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers. Together we all go farther and have fun doing it!
✨ Celebrate: Let’s raise a glass to everything we’ve built—and everything ahead. Celebrate the bold ideas, relentless drive, and incredible people who keep the San Diego startup ecosystem pushing forward.
✨ Unwind with Rad Games: Saturnalia is about embracing abundance and enjoying the ride, so get ready to laugh with our startup-focused games, and surprise yourself with a toothpick & gumdrops rhino horn building contest!
✨ Cut the Rug on the Dance Floor:
Around 9pm, we will cross the street to dance the night away at Jimmy O’s with a DJ and outdoor patio!! And free dance lessons included for all participants — why not learn a new skill for 2025 and show off your Roman bravery at the limbo contest!!
✨ Midnight Swim in the Ocean: Just a few feet from Jimmy O’s is gorgeous Del Mar beach begging us to cool off for a midnight swim… Saturnalia style!
What You Can Expect:
Breathtaking Sunset: So good, your Instagram will thank you. And… Monarch has the best sunset toast in town with a bell and rhyme and everyone participates!!
Live Music: We will have a serenader f
Finger Foods: The $10 donation goes towards finger foods. For those who arrive early, some drinks will be hosted – thank you Chad T!
Prizes: Worth you dressing up and playing-to-win at the games!
Real Connections: Go beyond LinkedIn; make friends for life!
Dancing: Because even the Romans knew how to party, and dancing is how we hack our brains!
Parking: $$, but easy, parking below Monarch, or free on the streets all around.
Attire Suggestions: Costumes, togas, glitter, and posh attire are highly encouraged! Whether you rock a Roman-inspired toga, go for bold and sexy, or keep it classic cool, bring your A-game so we take first place and become the cover photo of MyStartupBeach! Thank you Hussein for creating it!
Details:
📍 Location: Monarch, on the oceanview patio & Jimmy O’s Dance Floor
📅 Date & Time: Friday Dec 20, 2024, Before Sunset – 11pm
🍹 Specials: Sponsor a round or two and get publicly knighted Saturnalia-style! Prizes for best outfits, festivusing, gaming and disrupting!
Let’s toast to being alive, being bold, our successes and being part of something bigger. The Romans knew it, and now we do too: sometimes, you just need a damn good party and to cut loose on a pitch black dance floor!!
Invite a friend, register to be eligible for prizes, and get ready for a night of revelry, honoring the return to more sunlight after the winter solstice, making it through another holiday season, and welcoming in an awesome 2025!!!
Cheers to Saturnalia—and to you!
