Growing up in New York City you find yourself involved in many situations and events that other cities and towns across the world. As a child Halloween held a special feeling within me, a feeling of magic and creepiness that made me feel excited. Seeing costumes of angels and power rangers and grim reapers. But now that I am an adult Halloween has become much more, because in New York City, Halloween is not just for children.
First and foremost, what I like to do around Halloween time in New York City, is hit up the Kostume Kult parties which take place nearly all month. Kostume Kult rent out spaces and produce rave like themed parties. An example of some of the themed parties Kostume Kult traditionally throw is their under the sea costume party, where those who attend will dress up in neon and glow in the dark costumes to mimic the luminescent undersea. You will find mermaids with bright pink hair, jelly fish, sharks, all glowing under the black lights. Then of course, on Halloween, where the theme is just Halloween, where many from the streets flood in to the party with their Mad Hatters and their Jack Skellingtons. My fondest memory was my first Kostume Kult party where I felt totally out of place and newly 21, my friend invited me to the party but did not tell me what he was going to be. I soon found out that he dressed up as the Naked Cowboy after he climbed on the stage of the club, sang my favorite song, and then asked me to be his girlfriend. Needless to say, we have head back every year since.
Another tradition which I’ve kept up has been part of my October in NYC roster ever since I was 16 years old trying to find something to do. It is the New York Blood Manor. No refunds, but guaranteed scares. Every year they change it up, and every year it gets more grotesque and scarier than ever. It has never failed to meet or exceed my expectations, with chilling zombies and vampires and mummies! The dim walk-through mansion straight out of a Stephen King or Anne Rice novel, and the light footed light touching crew that have devoted themselves to the art of the scare, create an atmosphere which I do not recommend for the light of heart or the weak of bladder. I have seen many people leave with stained pants, and like I said, no refunds!
If Blood Manor is not your cup of tea, and neither are the crazy Kostume Kult extravaganzas, perhaps you would be more inclined to do attend a show. And for Halloween, the only show is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There are a lot of places in Manhattan who perform Rocky Horror, and I have been a to a lot of them having once been a performer myself. But out of all of them, my favorite show to watch is Oh You Pretty Things’ production. Michael T is a fabulous Rocky, and their cast and music is hot and vocally pleasing. They bring up the first timers to be “devirginized” by pulling them up on stage and playing games like, guess who she is dressed up as, or compliment this beautiful woman’s long legs. It is all in good fun and spirit but be warned Rocky Horror at its core is raunchy, and you should expect nothing less no matter whose production it is. And if you do not want to be pulled on stage, you can always just sit back and relax, and enjoy the show.
Whatever you decide to do with your October 31st and the days which precede it, just remember, Halloween in New York City is not and never will be just for children.
