This past weekend, DeadStarlet and I attended the Hello Kitty Fan Appreciation Party at Royal/T — the meow-off event for the first ever North American Hello Kitty Exhibition …ever! A MUST for all those who claim to love HK.

The Appreciation Party is the first in a series of HK-themed events dubbed Three Apples, celebrating 35-years of feline cuteness. Don’t miss the HK Halloween Party this Saturday, October 31st (with pumpkin carving and costume contests and prizes). And Hello Kitty’s B-Day party on Sunday, Nov. 1st. FREE goody bags for the first 100 visitors! Check out a more detailed schedule here.

But, don’t worry if you can’t make it for the weekend parties you can still go on the weekdays, browse the amazing HK-inspired art and eat HK shaped food ^_^.  Yummy goodness for all kitty fans!

HK Artists Simone from tokidoki and the legendary Yuko Yamaguchi Hello Kitty Mama sign fan art.

Die hard HK fans Judy Chung, Tara P. and Ariene Brandt waited in line for almost three hours to get into the Party last Saturday.

Some people waited all day just to get their artwork signed.

Hello Kitty Exhibition van outside of Royal/T.

Inside, the place was packed. We took a ride on this kitty-licious interactive theme park experience by FriendsWithYou!

More fun and games. I took my chances with the crane machine. Lost!

A room full of every Hello Kitty item in the world! I would stampede a class of 3rd graders to get in there first.

Julie T. and Jennifer Ernester enjoy some cake and tea.

I hate to say it, but Paris Hilton is photographed wearing this dress. Did Hello Kitty just throw up in her cute little mouth?

Hello Kitty is redeemed by Sid Vicious of all people.

DeadStarlet hiding next to a little HK playhouse.

Beautiful sparkly handbags by Judith Leiber. The exhibition was curated by JapanLA and featured 80 other artists, like the 7 foot sculpture featured below by Colin Christian.

Leave it to Culver City’s adorably naughty Japanese-style cosplay café, ROYAL/T, to be the first North American venue to purr like a kitty.

The “Three Apples” Exhibition: Celebrating 35 Years of Hello Kitty will meow-off this FRIDAY, Oct. 23rd. That’s right; Hello Kitty is a Gen-Xer. And like any good Gen-Xer, she knows how to throw a birthday party.

Curated by JapanLA, 80 artists will take on Hello Kitty in everything from paint to fiberglass to a super secret interactive theme park. The proceeds made by the artists’ work will go to the charity L.A. Works.

If an art show isn’t kittycore enough for you, then show up on SATURDAY, Oct. 24th, for The Hello Kitty Fan Party.  The head Hello Kitty designer fresh from Tokoyo, Kitty Mama’ Yuko Yamaguchi, & tokidoki creator, Simone Legno will be giving a special signing. After you drool all over the creators, you can participate in artist workshops, nibble on Kitty sushi, drink Kitty cocktails, and sing Kitty Karaoke. Free goody bags for the first 100 visitors.

But . . . if that’s still not enough Sanrio kitten porn (you cute little freak), ROYAL/T will be hosting several insane Hello Kitty Parties over the course of the next THREE WEEKS, including a Halloween party, a Goth Party and a Hello Kitty Birthday Party.

If that doesn’t make you feel like a Sanrio character on steroids, then you should just move to Japan.

ROYAL/T

8910 Washington Blvd.,

Culver City, CA 90232.