A Ball to Remember

It’s close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark; under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart. . .

There was no getting away from Michael Jackson's Thriller at Alwun House’s Monster’s Ball on Saturday, October 30. The devilish ditty did the trick when it was cued up to rock the yard-full of costumed characters. Guests sipped spirits and chomped snacks all night while watching wicked performances by Opendance and Devil Dancers, as well as Poe readings and a little didgeridoo thrown in the mix. By the time the entertainment was over, the crowd was sauced enough to break loose from their tables and rush the stage to jiggle their capes and pitchforks.

When the outdoor debauchery was too much, patrons could escape to the house and feast their eyes on the malevolent “Monster’s Menagerie” art exhibition that graced the walls of this historic abode. Alwun House organizers kept shoving their balls into everyone’s faces — delicious dessert balls on trays, that is, piled high for guests to sink their fangs into. The Halloween spirit was in the air, with almost everyone disguised, and while the typical devil and monster costumes were at hand, many went the extra mile with hilarious or creative looks. One thing was for sure — the guests weren’t afraid to show some flesh with corsets and loincloths galore, making the Monster’s Ball a fiendish fetish.