Murder at the Juice Joint

Prime Suspects: Juice Joint Regulars

Rosie Marie—Juice Joint Owner. As the widow to Louie Marie, the original Juice Joint owner, Rosie not only inherited a gold mine but the power that comes with it. It is hard to say, is Rosie out to avenge her husband’s death or capitalize on it? 

Notorious Nick Nemetz—North Side Mob Boss. Since the rise of organized crime, Nick’s operation has done nothing but prosper. With Nick having so much power, he seems to have a lot going for (and against) him. 

Natalie Nemetz—Notorious Nick’s Sister. Annoyed by her brother’s over-protective nature, Natalie has kept more than secrets from Nick. 

Mugsy Malone—North Side Henchman. As Nick’s right-hand man, Mugsy has worked hard to gain his position in the operation and will stop at nothing to keep it. 

Cy Ramsey—Juice Joint Bouncer and North Side Gang Member. Cy’s success in Nick’s operation could be considered a threat to those in the operation….and to those opposing it. 

Kitty Cocktail—Cocktail Waitress. As Cy’s main squeeze, Kitty will do anything to help advance her boyfriend in his chosen career.

Southside Sal—South Side Mob Boss. It is no secret that Sal has been making a push to expand his territory. The real secret may be who is working with him

Flora Nemetz-Gadora—Notorious Nick’s Ex-wife. Caught cheating, Nick divorced Flora immediately a month ago. Left without anything, Flora’s romantic interest has shifted from one mob boss to another.

Hal Hollywood—Movie Director. Hal is in town to cast for his next project—the first talking picture. Since this project will be one that makes history, Hal is taking his time in casting his lead lady, for he knows his decision will have a lasting impact.

Molly Moll—Notorious Nick’s Girlfriend. One of the most popular women in town, Molly had no interest in Nick until she realized what he could do for her movie career.

Dina Diva—Juice Joint Singer. Dina’s voice and stage presence seem to be exactly what Hal is looking for. Dina won’t let anyone come between her and her dreams of starring on the big screen.

Mayor Biggs—Mayor. As the head of the city, the Mayor’s power is what many seek. However, is it the Mayor who is really calling the shots or are the decisions coming from someone else?

Mabel Biggs—Mayor’s Wife. Mabel considers herself the brains behind the Mayor and she will not let him do anything that could ruin his political career. 

Chief Cameron—Police Chief. As the city’s main law enforcement officer, Cameron enforces the Mayor’s decisions…but whose side are they really on?  

Cindy Butt—Cigarette Girl. Responsible for ruining many lives, Cindy doesn’t stop at spreading rumors to get her way. 

Bernie Booze—Bootlegger. Bernie had one of the most successful bootlegging businesses in town before Notorious Nick had them blacklisted. Will Bernie’s business end up dying for their mistake or will someone else? 

Gino Gin—Bartender. As the eyes & ears of The Juice Joint, Gino may know more than they let on.

Flirty Flapper—Juice Joint Patron. It is no secret that Flirty desires a man with power and she will stop at nothing to get it.

Anna Marie—Rosie’s daughter. Still mourning the loss of her father, Louie Marie, Anna is ready to seek revenge at whatever cost.

P.I. Pinkerton—Investigator. As the private detective on the scene, P.I.’s job will be to take charge and decipher the clues and reveal the truth. 

** Some names and characters may or may not be included in your version.

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Download this dictionary to brush up on your lingo and fit in as one of the Family.

A speakeasy is an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages illegally. The term “speakeasy” derived from the idea that people patronizing a speakeasy needed to stay quiet or “speakeasy” to avoid detection.

In addition to offering alcohol, some speakeasies operated as nightclubs with music, dance, gambling and other entertainments for guests. In order to avoid detection, you often had to enter a speakeasy by the back door and provide a password to enter. These restrictions were designed to admit only select elite clientele and used to keep government agents out.

Flapper in the 1920s was a term applied to a “new breed” of young Western women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior. Flappers were seen as brash for wearing excessive makeup, drinking, treating sex in a casual manner, smoking, driving automobiles and otherwise flouting social and sexual norms.

FIND MORE ABOUT FLAPPER FASHION AND COSTUMES
BY CHECKING THE COSTUMES RESOURCES BELOW

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The Charleston originated in the early 20’s in illegal drinking places during the time of prohibition. The combination of a particular type of jazz music and the highly polished,
slippery floors of the Speakeasies gave rise to an in and out flicking of the feet which
essentially characterized the dance.

If you don’t see the video below, refresh your browser!

 Follow this link to learn how to Dance the Charleston.

One of our hosts chose to teach her crew the Charleston

And even had a Juice Joint Singer!!!

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Here are some examples. For more information, check the Costumes Tab below this section.

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If you are set on having a flapper dress, check out this assortment you can order online.

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There is no stopping you from taking a little black dress and accessorizing it up to give it that flapper appeal!!!

FLAPPER ACCESSORIES:
– Long Beads
– Feather Boas
– Sequined Headbands
– Feather Headbands
– Cigarette Holders
– Bobbed Wigs (see below)
– Garter (gun optional)
– Fishnet Leggings
– Fringe on your dress
– Fake Eyelashes

1920’s Hairstyles

Check out these links to give you the best “do” of the time

The Earphone Hairstyle

A Recap of Hairstyles

Don’t have short hair? Check out this video on how to do a 1920s-30s hairdo for long hair.

Search the web for the perfect Hair Tutorial for yourself!!!

See the Murder at The Juice Joint Pinterest Page for some additional resources and links!

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Complete any outfit with a number of accessories that scream 1920s. You can find a number of these around the house or at your local thrift store or follow the links to order them online.

Mustache
Suit Vest
Suspenders
Tie
Cigar
Fedora
Holster with Gun

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Check out some of these get-ups!

The Entrance

There are a number of ways to “decorate” for your party, but the most authentic way would be to set up your space to resemble a speakeasy. In order to do this, there are a couple of things to pay attention to:

• Have the guests enter by the side door instead of the front–many speakeasies had secret or side entrances so as not to call attention to themselves.

Use a sign to bar the front entrance.

• Use a peephole in the door before letting your guests in.

• Have the guests use a secret password to get in. If the guests do not know or can’t remember the password, make them do something (sing a silly tune, do jumping jacks, etc.) in order to gain entrance to your private club.

• Create your own crates (boxes) of bootlegged liquor. Included in the Murder at The Juice Joint mystery are 6 label designs. Simply download and print out these labels we’ve designed for you onto craft paper and paste them onto the sides of boxes. You can place the boxes on the outside or in of your speakeasy to help set the mood.

• Create “WANTED” posters for felons coming to the party – Southside Sal, Notorious Nick, and Mugsy Malone – to name a few. (Included with the mystery when you order Murder at The Juice Joint mystery.

• Set up an actual gun check.

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Inside the Party Space

• These printable designs (and more) are included in your Murder at The Juice Joint packet when you order. Simply print them out to make signs for your Juice Joint.

MORE DECORATING IDEAS:

• Shower your walls with bullet holes (clings) to remind your guests of past events that have gone down at The Juice Joint.

• Chill your beverages in the bathtub (bathtub gin).

• One elegant addition may be a juice fountain for some of your “juice” or champagne cocktails.

• Tea lights placed around your home are an easy way to create atmosphere. Don’t forget a few flickering flames out on the patio, but make sure they’re secure in a votive glass.

• Flapper accessories, feathers, and shiny beads can also be used for decoration. Maintaining black and white is best.

• Set up an intimate nightclub atmosphere. This can also be created outside by using white table covers, hanging lights, candles.

• Have a small dance floor and tiny stage with a bandstand– you could even hire a jazz band! Or create your own.

• Have a fog machine– to fill the speakeasy with “smoke”.

• Play silent and/or black & white movies on the wall– This is the era of the silver screen. Some suggestions include Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, The Great Gatsby.

• Set up tables for gambling– since the Juice Joint IS where Notorious Nick runs some of his gambling rackets out of!

• Create a bar stocked with “old” liquor bottles.

(1) Save empty bottles.

(2) Print out old liquor labels (included with Murder at The Juice Joint mystery packet)

(3) Cut labels out and paste them to your bottles.
Tip: Ask a local bar to save empty bottles for you on a busy night.

• Post pictures of gangsters— Have them sign “To Rosie–…love, Al’ for instance on Al Capone’s picture. NINE autographed pictures are included in Your Murder at the Juice Joint mystery party when you purchase! (pictured below)

• Take “mug shots” of your guests. See how some of our customers have done this in the past:

Line-up board included with mystery purchase~ allows you to enter in your own party date!

• OR create your own jail!!!

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Create a Photo Spot!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A few suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make a difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra captain’s hats, feather boas, tiaras, lifesavers, large sunglasses, anchors, etc.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter.” These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone into the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for your Murder at the Juice Joint photo spot

• Create a line-up board and take pictures of all of your suspects. Line-up board included with mystery materials. 

• Use scene setters to make a simple background. (There is a brick one that many people use!)

• Use props to enhance the photos. Have things like hats, boas, Tommy guns, etc. for your guests to pose with.

• Paint your own backdrop to pose in front of!

<< CLICK ON THE TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE RESOURCES <<

What did average Americans eat in the 1920s?
Food historians tell us we had a sweet tooth, a taste for the exotic, and a well-developed sense of ordered creativity. Translation? Fruit cocktails, Pineapple upside-down cake, and Jell-O molds. Tea sandwiches, fancy salads, and chafing-dish recipes were also “in.”

Serving a large crowd? Here are some affordable choices that were popular that decade.

• Molded/fruited Jello-salads, fruit cocktail, sliced pineapples & bananas (maraschino cherry ok)

• Deviled eggs, celery, olives, pickles, salted nuts (almonds, pecans, peanuts, filberts)

• Breadsticks, Parker House rolls, saltine-type crackers, potato chips

• Caesar salad, Waldorf salad

• Finger sandwiches…peanut butter & jelly, ham, turkey, chicken salad, tomato, egg salad, cream cheese

• Fried chicken, baked ham

• Pineapple Upside-down cake, angel or devil’s food cakes, ice cream & chocolate sauce, chocolate pudding.

• Canned peaches work well.

Decadence

The 1920s were the era of elegant food and elaborate presentation.If you are a master chef and/or want to treat your guests to an authentic fare from the times, you may want to consider this lavish menu from the time period.

Appetizers — Gravlax Canapés • Shrimp Canapés • Oysters on the Half Shell• Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Sides — Tomato Onion Panade • Smashed Red Potatoes • Broccoli and Cauliflower with Garlic and Oil • Rice Pilaf

Main — Beef Tenderloin with Marinated Walnut Sauce • Chicken Amandine• Rack of Lamb with Mustard Sauce • Magret of Duck with Fig and Port Sauce

Dessert — Vanilla Rice Pudding • Chocolate Mousse Truffle Cups • Create your own fruit salad

Serve appetizers and desserts that give the appearance of elegance, but not the time-consuming process of making it.

Some suggestions: Stuffed Mushrooms, Deviled Eggs, Bruschetta, Strawberry Shortcake, Cheese or Chocolate Fondue, Fruit Salad, Artichoke Dip, Finger Sandwiches.

• Dress up your food — garnish them with beads, feathers, etc. (See pictures above.)

• Use silver serving trays — To add class without the price, check out your local dollar stores. We found quite a selection there.

• “Name” your food — Serve “Speakeasy Cheese,” “Flapper Fruit Salad” or “Gangster Guacamole.” With the right adjective, any dish can become timely. Included with the mystery is a designed menu where you can add in your dishes included with mystery materials.

Juice Fountain — reminiscent of the times and the joint it is named after. You can serve your beverage spiked or not.

A Killer Cake

No matter what design you want for a cake, one way to make it murderous is to insert a knife into the cake and drip it with red decorating gel or icing.

Whatever your menu choices, download this menu, input in your foods and print it out.

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SERVE IT UP

• Drinks were often served in coffee mugs or tea cups so that if a raid were to ensue, it would be less conspicuous.

• BATHTUB GIN — Instead of a cooler, use a bathtub to chill your drinks in.

COCKTAILS OR MOCKTAILS?
With the advent of cheaply-made illegal alcohol during Prohibition, they quickly became popular, often to cover the taste of the inferior alcohol. Fashionable parties with fashionable drinks.

Not sure what to serve at your Juice Joint? Here’s where we found some great recipes for cocktails from that time period.

• Prohibition Era Cocktails

• Cocktails of the 1920s

• Classic Cocktails

• Blackberry Bramble

• Gin Fizz

• Bees Knees

If alcohol isn’t on the menu, consider the popular beverages of the time:

• Soft drinks garnished with fruit & fruit juices (ginger ale with maraschino cherry juice, decorated with cherries)

• Ginger Ale

• Coca-Cola

• Kool-Aid

• Lemonade

• Punch

• Orange Pekoe Tea

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RAGTIME
An early type of jazz, in vogue from about 1895 to 1920, usually written out rather than improvised. Most ragtime was played on the piano. Scott Joplin was the most famous composer of ragtime. Find it here.

JAZZ
The jazz decade saw the emergence of many of the great figures who defined the music for the world. Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Earl Hines, Bix Beiderbecke, Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden, Fletcher Henderson – these giants set the standards for blues singing, big band arrangements, and solo improvisation that are the foundations for jazz. Find it here.

DO THE CHARLESTON
Originated in the early 20’s in illegal drinking places during the time of prohibition. The combination of a particular type of jazz music and the highly polished, slippery floors of the Speakeasies gave rise to an in and out flicking of the feet which essentially characterized the dance. See downloadable instructions above. Find it here.

SWING
A form of jazz music that developed during the 1920s. Swing is distinguished by a strong rhythm section, medium to fast tempo, and the distinctive swing time rhythm that is common to many forms of jazz. Find it here.

FOR FREE MUSIC
Try your local library for a number of compilations from the time.

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Step Back In Time…

Since alcohol was prohibited in this time period, speakeasies were often located in obscure places with secret entrances, and often passwords to get in. You can simulate this all with your party to make your guests feel like they are really stepping back in time to a 1920’s speakeasy. Here are a few ways to do this.

Have your guests enter through a hidden/secret entrance — maybe around the back, down a basement stairway, etc.

Prohibit your guests from entering the front door…

Don’t have a back or alleyway entrance? No problem. Make one using a styrofoam facade (directions included when you purchase the mystery).

Make a peephole for your entrance. We made this out of a door that we purchased at a home improvement store on clearance.

Have a secret password and/or knock to allow the guests to enter. 
– Have the password listed when the guests RSVP.

Have a bouncer and/or a gun check at the door. Cuz… you know you don’t want any of the riff raff at your party. Or do you?

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The Charleston originated in the early 20’s in illegal drinking places during the time of prohibition. The combination of a particular type of jazz music and the highly polished,
slippery floors of the Speakeasies gave rise to an in and out flicking of the feet which
essentially characterized the dance.

If you don’t see the video below, refresh your browser!

 Follow this link to learn how to Dance the Charleston.

One of our hosts chose to teach her crew the Charleston

And even had a Juice Joint Singer!!!

<< CLICK ON THE TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE RESOURCES <<

Theme Ideas

These are not imperative to do, but may add some extra fun to your party!

• Have a bouncer ‘frisk’ your guests at the door– gun check!

• Stage a midnight raid– by Elliot Ness and his prohibition agents.

• Drink out of coffee mugs and teacups. They often did this in speakeasies to “hide” the fact that they were drinking alcohol.

• Have a Charleston contest. See more on tab above.

• Create a Juice Joint Jail.

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Check out our Pinterest board!!!

For even more party planning ideas, check out our Murder at The Juice Joint Pinterest Board here. It is filled with ideas for recipes, costumes, decorations, etc. for the perfect Murder at The Juice Joint party!

Go To the Murder at The Juice Joint Pinterest Board

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Create a Photo Spot!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A few suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make a difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Consider extra captain’s hats, feather boas, tiaras, lifesavers, large sunglasses, anchors, etc.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter.” These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone into the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.
o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for your Murder at the Juice Joint photo spot

• Create a line-up board and take pictures of all of your suspects. Line-up board included with mystery materials. 

• Use scene setters to make a simple background. (There is a brick one that many people use!)

• Use props to enhance the photos. Have things like hats, boas, Tommy guns, etc. for your guests to pose with.

• Paint your own backdrop to pose in front of!

<< CLICK ON THE TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE RESOURCES <<

Utilize All of the Extras!!!

Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party!

Included will be:

• How to make a styrofoam brick wall

• Liquor crate labels (6 designs)

• Juice Joint Graphics (7 designs)

• DESIGNED MENU (1 design you can personalize with your menu items)

• POLICE LINE-UP BOARD (A design you can personalize with your own party date)

• WANTED POSTERS FOR MUGSY, SAL AND NICK (3 designs)

• AUTOGRAPHED MOBSTER PICTURES (9 posters)

• LIQUOR LABEL DESIGNS (14 labels)

AND MORE!!!

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Win a Free Party!

Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!

To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com

Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!

Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! Once submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!

Check out some of our past winners here! Night of Mystery POM Blogs

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