Multiple sources sent us several different internal church messages this morning which all claim that last night at Scientology graduation ceremonies the church finally announced dates for upcoming events to be held in its giant tent in Clearwater, Florida.
We can imagine that today, Scientologists around the country are scrambling to get flights and accommodations, because they’re expected to be in the Florida town in less than two weeks for the start of a series of big parties that will be unfolding through the end of the year.
We’re so excited we can hardly stand it! So here is the schedule that we’ve been able to put together from multiple messages from several different sources…
Things will kick off with a full weekend dedicated to the Golden Age of Technology Phase II and the opening of the Super Power Building, as parties are held on Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17.
“The recommended arrival date is latest between the 13th and 14th of November. This will give you adequate time to settle into your accommodations, route in and prepare for the epic activities that are to come. The attire for two of these events will be formal-wear and one will be business wear. Of course bring all else you may want to be comfortable for your stay at Flag,” reads an invite for the event.
Then, two weeks later, another weekend will be dedicated to the annual gala of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS), which normally was held in October in England in the big tent which was moved to Florida this summer.
“The IAS Anniversary will be held LIVE at Flag on Friday the 29th of November 2013, followed by the seminar and Patron Ball on Saturday the 30th,” reads an announcement we were forwarded.
An immediate question that strikes us — will some or all of the people who are asked to fly in for the GAT II/Super Power event on Nov 15/16/17 be expected to stay over for a couple of weeks to attend the IAS events on Nov 29/30?
And finally, one more date to announce: Scientologists are being told that the New Year’s Eve celebration in Clearwater will be held on Friday, December 27.
As for the tent itself, Charlie Frago of the Tampa Bay Times reported this week that the city is determined to fine Scientology for its draping which placed a giant “KSW” (for “Keep Scientology Working”) on the tent in violation of the city’s tough signage rules. He also revealed that Scientology apparently plans to replace the KSW drape with one or more others. (Any guesses for which slogan is next?)
We talked with city planning director Michael Delk earlier this week, and confirmed with him that fines of up to $250 a day is all the city can really do at this point. When we asked him if Clearwater could actually seize the draping and pull it down, he started talking about court orders, and we got the message: all Miscavige really has to do is write a (rather small) check and can put any draping or sign he wants on the thing.
Anyway, we’re thrilled to finally get these dates, and we’re looking forward to reports from our Clearwater readers as these events unfold.
Since Scientology has asked for no permits from the city on these dates (and according to a city official we talked to, it’s too late for them to ask now), there will be no official street or sidewalk closures. We figure that may make for a fairly potent mix of gawkers, bystanders, and Scientologists as they crowd the downtown’s sidewalks. We don’t envy the Clearwater police their task of keeping it all from boiling over.
…and by that we just mean that things could get crowded. We look forward to reports from our Clearwater folks, but please, don’t antagonize the clams. And don’t argue with the cops.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 2, 2013 at 09:40
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