A Look at the Venues Making Mogstock Magic

Mogstock has long been a highlight of the Eorzea culture scene, bringing together some of the most interesting venues from around the Star as well as the top musical acts Etheirys has to offer. Now entering it's fifth year, the promise of Mogstock means different things to different participants. With the music festival's renewed focus on its venue partnerships, the Black Chocobo Courier has spoken with those partners, both legacy participants and the newer additions to the Mogstock family. 

Organizers at Mogstock have admitted that the fourth outing for the festival was underwhelming for many of those partnering venues, which led to this year's increased focus on those venues. One returner from last year, Dueling Otters and Twin Otters, is still relatively new to the Mogstock family, but is excited to return for the festival again.

The Otters provide both a fight club and bar for those looking for a relaxed, if a little punchy, atmosphere. Co-owner Xavier Wingrave is a combat educator, promoting mindful sparring as a Fist of Rhalgr. Meanwhile, his spouse Ezzie Wingrave is the Otteriest, literally carrying rocks in her pockets. Given her commitment to the bit, it's a little surprising that the Twin Otters was born of a misunderstanding. 

"Otters are friendly, love to hold hands and keep favorite rocks in their pockets. They are just a bunch of joy, friendship and happy vibes," explained Ezzie. "I was telling my friend that I had been working with the Twin Adders for some trade and he thought I said Twin Otters! We had a good laugh about it, but then realized that it would be the perfect name for a venue."

At Mogstock, the Otters will be providing their cozy tavern experience as well as arm wrestling. That slice of normalcy is what matters most to the Otters. In contrast to opulent pillowhouses and famous tea parlors, the Otters are just simply themselves. Warmth, inclusiveness, and entertainment arte their core values, and those are clearly displayed at Mogstock.

"When we first opened Otters, we just wanted to offer a safe and exciting place for people to go. These festivals do the same. I have never been to a dull festival or left one without a huge smile on my face," Ezzie said. "Mogstock is so full of life. Music and art surrounding you. There is no safer place to be."

One of the venues joining Mogstock for the first time this year is the bathhouse Afterglow. Plushie, Afterglow's manager, was excited to be part of Mogstock's pivot to be more embracing of adult entertainment venues for Mogstock '12. Afterglow began as an outlet for Plushie's creativity, letting her design space and theme for potential guests, before the venue took on a life of it's own.

"It feels like a surreal full circle moment to now be able to provide a stage for the people I've looked up to," she told the Courier. "I get to work with these people and see what their behind the scenes look like, and that is a reward all by itself. I don't think I'm capable of being normal about it."

She explained that the kinds of entertainment on offer at Afterglow tend to be based on their theme of the moment, citing examples like pillow fights, scavenger hunts, and classic death roll tournaments. They even had a fully scripted night based on a faerie tale in recent memory, she explained. And she's so proud of Afterglow's role, showcased at Mogstock, of promoting art and music.

"It's a thrill to work my way into a position where I get to be the person pouring gasoline on their fires of passion," Plushie said. "I get to sit here and say that I watched them improve and hone their craft. I feel like that about all of my creative teams. I don't care if it's cheesy, I want to invest into people, and I look for people who share that vision. That's why I'm here at Mogstock."

As for the cheekier tone of this year's Mogstock, Plushie didn't say much on Afterglow's role in that, but praised the greater expression and acceptance available with Mogstock's more approach to adult entertainment. 

A partner of many years, seen as a legacy, is also of the cheekier sort. The Bandee Pakshee has been a long supporter and partner in Mogstock, fueling the festivities with companionship and good food. Like their fellow adult venues, Pakshee's courtesans won't be 'on the chronometer' for this weekend's festival, but will be bringing their full charm to bear on the attendees.

Andromeda Laruzedah, the owner of Bandee Pakshee, spoke about why the new direction the festival is taking was a particular kind of welcome to her venue.

"Mogstock is easily the best part of every summer for the Pakshee," Laruzedah explained. "This year, though, we feel specially honored. Not only are we back again, as both a partner and a sponsor, but Mogstock is welcoming us in whole, not just in part. We aren't being told to be ashamed of who we are and what we do. Not every festival shows that kind of positivity."

Laruzedah, a highly-priced courtesan and singer, will be participating alongside her right-hand woman Zana Ahkabila in the after hours Dating Game event, one of the examples of the more audad approach Mogstock has taken to nightlife. If there is a face to the cheekier Mogstock, Laruzedah makes her case for being it.

"We've never lost the faith in Mogstock; we're here to stay," she continued. "But we're especially hopeful about the ways venues are being promoted and appreciated this year. It's our hope to bring our taste of Thavnair to everyone who wants a little more heat in their music festival this summer."

Laruzedah's venue, in it's ninth year, is focused on bringing the Hannish custom of tawaifs - artists, scholars, counselors, advisors and sex workers all in one - to Eorzea and remains one of the few purveyors of intimate services to maintain it's status among more all-audience focused events around the Star as well. 

Between Pakshee, Afterglow and Otters, several generations of Mogstock come together this year, pouring time and effort into making more than music at this year's festival; they make community.