But the cast of characters at the event created the opposite impression.
The event created a crisis for the security services, bringing large parts of the capital Accra to a standstill.
Ashton Eaton won the Millrose Multi Challenge, a quirky event created this year to bring together three of America's best decathletes.
On an event created to "Stop the Tory Coup" one user claimed the election was "a fix" - and started to organise a protest against the democratic outcome.
Last year, the event, created by the producer Arielle Tepper, whose credits include "Monty Python's Spamalot" and "The Pillowman," presented 18 plays, including 2 musicals.
"Fallen Blossoms," an "explosion event" created by Cai Guo-Qilluminatedinathe the Philadelphia Museum of Art's east facade on Friday at dusk.
But this brief yet packed event created by the intrepid Ben Pryor came at the right time to show how a generation of choreographers is embracing pop culture and pushing dance beyond its conventions.
But then "Black Tie Optional" was clearly an occasion piece, described in program notes as a special event created with friends and part of a benefit for the Joyce.
If, like Monkey, you miss the innocent banter, beige sets and even more beige outfits of Give Us A Clue, you can take part in the Twitter-led Christmas charades on 8 December, an event created by digital agency Collective.
Last year the music section of the event – created in 1987 with the aim of fostering new ideas and bringing creative types together – featured more than 2,000 acts, including headliners Bruce Springsteen and Jay-Z.
