>> About Us
We are hyper-networked community leaders with a tendril dipping into every creative nano- community and sub- scene in the Bay Area. As a team we have been producing events and bringing people together for nearly 10 years, and have used our community as a petri dish for our social experiments.
This is Polly Whittaker AKA Polly Superstar >>>
You can read her blog with her most recent writings here
And you can download a more personal peek here
<<< And this is Barron Scott Levkoff AKA Professor Violet
We have put our flag in the ground as champions of CREATOR CULTURE and spend all our time thinking about ways to midwife this new social model into being. We are nerds who like to study social theory, history, economics, art and new technology and we understand how this all fits together. We are also charismatic leaders capable of the kind of rallying and rabble rousing needed to make stuff happen. We are not academics, and are totally unqualified for the job, which makes us perfect!
RESUME
Expertise
Polly and Scott have been collaborating as a team since 2000. They have a deep understanding of cultural trends from the perspective of the creative sector, and are both dynamic speakers, presenting their authentic perspective with passion and eloquence.
Their playful approach has focused in creating a ‘Social Design’ for actualizing communities through non-hierarchical creative collaboration.
Their skill set also includes a unique perspective on social technology, with an in depth knowledge of how creative people use online tools, a broad comprehension of the current tools available, and a vision of where things are going.
They are champions of ‘Creator Culture’ and believe that living creatively is the key to unlocking humanity’s potential.
Consulting
(February 2010- present day)
Shapeshifters is a subscriber based global network of opportunities for the creative sector, with all entries vetted by local correspondents. Originally brought in to be local correspondents, now lead global correspondents and cultural creative consultants, influencing the direction and structure of the company. (www.shapeshifters.com)
(October 2009- December 2009)
Black Box Republic is an online social dating network. Consulted on UI design, branding, vision and company message.(www.blackboxrepublic.com)
(February 2005- March 2005)
Wise Ass Wisdom is a weekend of workshop events. Consulted to produce interactive, creative Social Design to help facilitate the weekend.
(December 2004- June 2005)
Couchsurfing.com is a social networking tool for global travelers. In it’s early years, influenced the vision of the company, consulting with the founder on it’s development and direction. (www.couchsurfing.com)
(January 2001 to present day)
Mission Control is a sex positive community center hosting regular events, workshops and meetings. Founders of the space, managing operations for nine years. In 2009 facilitated a process to transfer management of the space to the community, and it is now a volunteer run cooperative. Still consult with the community, and are board members of the cooperative.
Press
April 2004: SF Weekly COVER STORY
Our work was featured on the cover of the SF Weekly, with a 6 page article.
February 2007 Common Ground Magazine
Article on transformational experiences at Mission Control.
July 2007 San Francisco Bay Area Guardian
Winner of the Best of the Bay award for Kinky Salon.
June 2008 PSFK Snapshot
Featured in trend-creating report from New York.
February 2009 San Francisco Bay Area Guardian
Bay area newspaper featured story about Mission Control.
History
History
Polly Whittaker C.E.O. The Moral Minority, Inc. (1999 to present day)
Created fashion label. Oversaw all aspects of promotions, brand image and management, as well as designing and manufacturing apparel. In 2005 shifted business into teaching and consulting.
Barron Levkoff Founder The Mystic Midway (1995 to present day)
Created professional puppetry, costume character and event production company. Performed over 1400 puppet shows, and directed large scale productions.
Current
(December 2000 to present day)
Authors/ Creators: The Beauty Engine
Developed ‘Social Design’ to catalyze and accelerate creative process in communities. Self published ‘Beauty Engine’ Book. Appeared as Keynote Speakers at 10th Anniversary of Global University in Japan (August 2006) and voted ‘People’s Choice’ for presentation at the Planetwork conference in San Francisco (June 2004) (www.beautyengine.org)
(April 2003 to present day)
Creators/ Hosts: Kinky Salon
Created and hosted participation based sex positive events. Following a series of workshops, Kinky Salon is now global, with events in Austin, New York, Texas and London, UK. (www.kinkysalon.com)
(August 2008 to present day)
Founders: Openly.Us
Guided a collaborative process with invited community leaders to create this online social networking tool as an alternative to larger networks with privacy issues. Now has over 2500 members and is run by volunteers. (www.openly.us)
(July 2007 to present day)
Creators: Peepshow Minigolf
Created interactive live action ‘flash mob’ style game, which gives adults permission to play. Organized roadtrips designed to build community and build resonance within groups to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Black Rock City, and San Francisco. (www.peepshowminigolf.com)
Past
Creators/ Facilitators: Kinky Salon Booty Camp
Created a series of workshops designed to teach everything you need to ‘throw your own Arty Sexy Party’.
(January 2007- March 2007)
Co-Founders: Ua Noa Festival
Co-founded with Izanai Dance Academy and New World Group. Created participatory structure of festival, curated performers and art, and designed promotion materials. Hosted festival in March 2007 in Maui, Hawaii (www.uanoa.com)
(July 2006- August 2006)
Workshop Facilitators: Beauty Engine- sponsored by New World Group
Created workshop series based in ‘Beauty Engine’ and toured Japan talking and facilitating, visiting multiple communities and educational organizations in Japan.
(March 2007-April 2007)
Workshop Facilitators: Beauty Engine- sponsored by New World Group
Hosted Japanese educators in San Francisco with advanced training in Beauty Engine
(April 2005-December 2005)
Founders: Abundance League- “grassroots collaboration network of social innovators” which still exists as a series of monthly events. (www.abundanceleague.org)
(March 2004- January 2005)
Creators/ Hosts: SuperStar Nation
Hosted weekly gatherings to explore the use of creative tools to facilitate interaction and collaboration.
(March 2004- January 2005)
Creators: SuperStar Nation Alpha Website
Developed working alpha social networking tool which allowed users to create their own customized trading cards to share at live events.
(December 2000 to November 2001)
Creative Directors: Aesthetic Science
Directed creative content for start up games company. Responsibilities included visioning new products, overseeing creative team of graphic designers and copy writers, and directing stage show for launch party.
You can delve deeper into our world by checking out these links to a few of our current and past projects
Openly
Our social networking tool created for people who live open-minded, creative, alternative lifestyles
Kinky Salon
Our regular (twice monthly) costumed, sex positive events with cabaret, interactive art, and community vibe
Ua Noa Festival
A self organizing festival we produced with the Japanese groups ‘New World Group’ and ‘Izanai’ on Maui
Booty Camp
Our series of workshops designed to teach you ‘How to throw your own Sexy Arty Parties and change the world doing it’
Big in Japan
Read about our tour of Japan, funded by New World Group, where we were keynote speakers at the 10th anniversary of Global University
Polly’s Blog
Polly’s first hand account of everything that interests her
Mystic Midway
Scott’s puppetry and character acting, including his famous Punch and Judy show
Evolution Revolution Roadshow
Our community driven ‘talent show’ and journey of self discovery
Enthusiasts Club
A social club for discerning menfolk, founded by Scott
Peepshow Minigolf
What we like to do on our day off. Peepshow Minigolf keeps us young
CrushLab
Our singles night including interactive social tools to help people connect
Abundance League
A grassroots collaboration network of social innovators. Founded as a collaboration, but we have not been involved for a while.