The Playa's Christina returns to "dock" at Hard Rock Lake Tahoe

The Christina, a 65-foot yacht that once called Lake Tahoe home, is now an iconic art car that has been cruising along the playa in the Black Rock Desert. She is returning to Lake Tahoe during "Docked at Hard Rock" November 1-2.

Flipper Manchester, a South Lake Tahoe construction company owner, was originally hired to demolish the yacht that had been dry-docked at the Tahoe Keys Marina for years.

Instead of tearing it apart, he saved Christina. He breathed life into the boat as an art car, converting it for cruising along the playa in Black Rock Desert in northwest Nevada. Investing more than $35,000 of his own money, he designed a mounting trailer with 10 wheels, added a motor and steering system to replace propellers, life jackets and throttle. Christina ‘sailed’ the playa for eight years, memorably transporting up to 140 revelers per voyage along the desert to what some might call “different” plains. Three times it was designated as “Queen of Black Rock”.

The 35-feet tall vessel will once again be dismantled, but this time it's just for her final voyage to Lake Tahoe. She'll end up in three layers this October and be trucked on a route from Gerlach along State Route 447 to Interstate 80, onto US-395 to US-50 to fit under overpasses and away from more congested routes. Upon arrival at the Hard Rock Christina will be reassembled.

After the November 1-2 party, there will be others at the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe prior to ringing in 2020.

“Christina” will be creating another set of new friends at its homecoming with its first venture on private property for the public. Tahoe’s weekend celebrations will be highlighted with nationally acclaimed DJs, fire spinners, Boots ‘n Cats Gogos, Psychedelic Sailors dancing atop the boat, 104-degree giant hot tub, plus special guests, all starting at 6 p.m. The Hard Rock’s outdoor pool party deck setting with cabanas at this “Christening for Christina” will lend to the electric atmosphere. While it all starts outdoors at 6 p.m., the nightly after party moves indoors to Vinyl Nightclub and Center Bar at midnight.

“Christina’s unique story sets the tone and provided the theme to commemorate an authentic local institution in a meaningful way,” said Jordan Laub, event promoter and owner of VELUFUR. “Reflecting Lake Tahoe’s status as an environmental leader and Hard Rock’s corporate principles to that end, we’ll also be raising funds for organizations including the Tahoe Fund and Artech dedicated to promoting sustainability and cultural enhancement.”

Attendees at the Docked at Hard Rock celebration, Friday, Nov. 1 will be treated to the talents of the nationally acclaimed Justin Martin, an American house DJ/producer based in San Francisco. Martin first entered the electronic music scene in 2003 and consequently helped develop Dirtybird Records while also booking international festivals.

The next night, Zach Sciacca, better known as DJ Z-Trip, an American DJ and producer from Phoenix, Ariz. will make his splash, climbing aboard Christina to lead the charge. Z-Trip, "America's Best DJ" (2009), is a pioneer of the mashup movement and has worked with renowned artists including LL Cool J, Dan the Automator and Public Enemy.

Tickets are $25 for one-day; $45 for both nights during the early bird sale online dockedtathardrock.com. Daybeds, cabanas and reserved tables with bottle service are also available for purchase dockedtathardrock.com.

Special accomodation rates are available.

After 2019, the future of Christina hasn't been made public.