Halloween (31 October) is my favorite folk festival and has been since my childhood when I went trick- or-treating in America. Modern Halloween customs are remnants of the pagan All Hallows Eve, a feast of the dead. It was called Samhain by the Celts. It was believed that this lunar calendar festival fell on a night when a crack between earth and the underworld would open up and spirits  could pass through and visit their loved ones. They would bring gifts or goodies to the children. Later the the church insisted that demons were abroad on Halloween who were summoned by witches. Sorceresses were originally pagan priestesses who communicated with the dead and witches were originally Wise Women who knew the arts of herbs and healing rituals.

The Church instituted  the feasts of All Saints and All Souls on 1 and 2 November. But pagan customs fortunately tend to die hard and aspects remain. Then some people began to worship the Devil and Halloween became their high feast day with all sorts of evil rituals. That is the darkest aspect of Halloween and even today some evil things do take place on Halloween night. But for most people tricks and pranks are confined to relatively mild forms of mischief such as toilet papering (TP'ing) someone's yard or egging someone's house.

I was thrilled to have a promising Halloween at Studio 80 , which is one of my frequent and favorite 'haunts'. The fun begins before the party in planning and assembling ones Halloween costume or outfit. It becomes a pleasant process of inspiration, imagination and creativity. So with my sorceress costume and camera in my bag, I set out for Studio 80 with high hopes of a fun party and I was not disappointed. 

I arrived at midnight,“ the witching hour, and was greeted warmly at the door by Daniel who had  blackened his richly bearded face and a security guard with a scary mask. All the staff were dressed in the Halloween spirit as well as some of the D J's who were playing that night. Studio 80  has the right dark and simple interior and is the right size to create an intimate and genuine Halloween party. I found the decor to be just right! It reminds me of what a really creative friend might put together at a private party to create the spooky atmosphere. I won't describe it here because the pictures speak for themselves. The only thing I would have added is candy for the guests.

The dance floor was already busy and filled with happy costumed revelers. D J's Julien Chaptal,  David Labeij and Melon were in the booth and dressed for Halloween. The party was hosted by Vassallo the Floor killer. The music was very nice techno, tech-house, and house. I alternated between dancing and taking pictures of people in costume. Wearing masks and costumes usually helps people let go and act a little crazier than usual. People were dancing, laughing and clowning around with each other and it put me in a great mood. 
 
People were flirting a lot at this party and I experienced it as playful, respectful and affectionate so I could just enjoy it without feeling like 'prey'. One guy asked me flirtatiously “What kind of witch are you?” Wanting to discourage him I replied wryly, “an OLD one.” ;-D  Another  asked me if I was going to turn him into a frog. I said “no, not as long as you behave yourself.” He assured me he would-so he gets to survive in his normal state! ;-D

Dressing up can be a  chance to be someone you are usually not for one night or to exaggerate a part of yourself even more. It is a occasion  to put on a  persona which is scary, ugly, strange, funny, crazy, destructive, sexy or beautiful. The kid in me just loves dress-up parties (though I usually avoid erotic parties. Even though I like the clothes, I don't like to see the way some people behave.)

When the dance floor got too crowded for my comfort I moved into the back room where  there was no line yet at the bar. Studio 80 offers a standard drink selection and the price is reasonable (2,20 for my spa blau). There is a smoking room upstairs. I danced to some good hot music by  Zomar and chatted with new and familiar acquaintances. People were clowning around with the decor props and it was all lively fun. Then Sandrien got behind the decks. What she played was not as appealing to me personally so I chatted with people and took more pictures while others danced enthusiastically to her music. I left when I got tired so I missed the sets of Cesar Merveille (Cadenza/Circus Company) and Richard Parker.

This was a  great party experience for me and I kept remembering the fun I had the next day. Then there came the fun of uploading and enhancing the pictures. To my surprise I saw that there were those translucent dimly lit “spirit balls” in some of the photos – so apparently spirits were at the party too!  (If you are curious, ask me about it sometime). Maybe real photographers have a rational explanation for it...

Anyway, I got to thinking about the gifts of this Halloween party for myself and the party-goers. It was first of all a chance to dance to good music among friendly, upbeat, playful people in a great atmosphere. It can also be a night to play with archetypal characters, to celebrate death and resurrection, the underworld and our shadowy aspects.

After all, don't we all have some usually hidden parts of ourselves which might be a bit monstrous, destructive, scary, ugly, seemingly (but not really) dead, deteriorating, weird, alienated, strange, catty, addicted, creative, glorious, wonderful, beautiful, sexy and/or enchanting? Who knows, maybe if we take them out and play with them at parties we might just make friends with them. 

Perhaps the spirits of our friendly ancestors and loved ones can occasionally slip through the crack between worlds and watch us enjoying ourselves together. Who can know for sure? But in any case keep on dancing! ;-)

Love,
Dancin Queen

PS. For pictures of this party please check out www.myspace.com/lovedancinqueen where you can also add comments if you wish.