On October 31, nonstop theater, a costume competition and ballroom dancing will bewitch the East Village in Theater for the New City’s 32nd annual Village Halloween Costume Ball. This unique festival is as a grand coming-together for everyday New Yorkers and artists alike. A carefree fall tradition, it celebrates the creativity that comes with the season.
Big-Band Dance orchestras take over the large Johnson Theater. Last year, these included The Great Paprika Band, a noted Brazilian jazz pop orchestra, Hot Lavendar Swing Band, an all-Gay and Lesbian 18-piece orchestra, and New York Flaggers.
Outside, there are bluegrass and jazz bands, fire eaters, jugglers, storyweavers and stilt dancers, all free to the public and a gift from TNC to its neighborhood. Inside, there is theater all evening.
Doors open at 7:30 pm and indoor entertainment begins at 8:00 pm. There will be two continuously-running cabarets. Outdoor entertainment, free to the public, will start at 3:00 pm. Outdoor entertainment is capped by “The Red and Black Masque,” an annual Medieval ritual show written by Arthur Sainer, scored by David Tice and directed by Crystal Field which is performed by torchlight.
Scattered through the event will be stilt dancers, jugglers, fire-eaters, Vaudeville playlets and Burlesque. Lobby attractions will include a Wiccan Psychic Reader, Astrology/Numerology, Astral Portraits, an Aura Reader, throwing of the I Ching and Hellsouls.
The entire facility will be elaborately rendered for Halloween, featuring intricate and massive environments by leading theatrical scenarists, sculptors, and artists including Donald L. Brooks, Susan Gittins, Alexander Bartenieff, Mark Marcante, Richard Reta, Zen Mansley, Candice Burridge, Pamela Mayo, Desiree Conston, Evan Laurence, Viviane La Corte and Terry Ferrari.
The performers’ list, in formation as of this writing, includes: Penny Arcade, Bina Sharif, Amazing Grace & Company, Andre Brown (tap), Arthur Abrams, Bingo Gazingo, Bob Dahdah, Its’ The Economy Stupid, Chris Merwyn, Donald L. Brooks, Epstein and Hassan, Eve Packer, Gary Heidt and Friends, Gary Newton, Travid S.D., George Bellici, Imagination Explsion, Inma Heredia (Flamenco), Iration Squad, Jimmy Camicia, Joe Bendik, John Grimaldi (NY Lyric Circus), Katherine Adamenko, Kevin Martin, Jezebel, Andre Brown, Zero Boy, Laraine Goodman and friends (tap), Lauretta Auditorium, Lavinia Co-Op, Lei Zhou, Levanah (Belly Dance), Lissa Moira, the band Liv I Culture, New York Flaggers, Margo Lee Sherman, Maria Michelas, Michael Vazquez, Michelle DeAngeles, New York Ukulele Ensemble, Norman Savitt with Susan Mitchell, Paganini Apparition, The Bacher Boys, Gaby Nunic, Nikki Jenkins, Richard West, Robert Fitzsimmons, Salome James & Chuck Muscone, Samurai Sword Soul, Soce the Elemental Wizard, Sabor Cubano, Star 69, steve ben israel, The Love Show, The Wycherly Sisters, Vangeline Theater, Wise Guise, Witches in Bikinis, Carol Lugo and Zombies on Parade. Puppet theater artists include Candice Burridge and Evan Lawrence .
Theater for the New City is located at 155 First Avenue, at the corner of East Tenth Street. Reservations are strongly recommended. The TNC box office number is (212) 254-1109.