Rebecca Schoonmaker
SALEM | You've got a fabulous costume this Halloween, so where to go to be the belle -- or beast -- of the ball?
Salem plays host to several costume balls during the spooky season, so whether you want to go frugal or fancy, there's an event for you.
The Salem Jazz Festival presents its first Halloween extravaganza this year, offering a laid-back concert-like atmosphere. Then there's the Hawthorne Hotel's ball, a Haunted Happenings staple for more than 20 years and featuring some serious costumes. Other events fall somewhere between the two extremes.
Here's a breakdown of costume balls sweeping through Salem this Halloween:
Salem Jazz and Soul Festival Halloween Costume Ball
What: Features live music with Michigan Blacksnake, Eric Reardon, and Sarah Seminski, prizes for best costume, and cash bar.
When: Saturday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 94 Washington Square.
How: Tickets are $10. Visit www.salemjazzsoul.com. Proceeds benefit music education in Salem schools.
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is throwing its first-ever Costume Ball this weekend. This benefit ball serves as the final fund-raiser for the festival, which started this summer, as well as for Salem schools.
In an effort to throw a memorable end-of-the-year bash, organizer Matt Caruso of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival wanted to blend in with "the way things are in Salem" this time of year, he says.
What sets this one apart from other costume balls? For one, it's earlier and the ticket price is lower.
Also, Caruso says this one is very focused on the music. Headlining is funk, rock, and soul band Michigan Blacksnake.
Guests are encouraged to come in costume, but the pressure's not on; this is more of a concert.
"People can feel comfortable to come however they want," Caruso said.
But if you do dress up, it's worth it; the ball will offer six prizes, all bags filled with Jazz and Soul Festival gear, gift certificates to local restaurants, and more.
The Vampires' Masquerade Ball
What: Includes music by Goth DJ Addambombb, hors d'oeuvres, fashion show featuring clothes from the Fool's Mansion in Salem, and performances by The Black Cat Burlesque and tribal dancer Dark Euphoria.
When: Thursday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square.
How: Tickets are $95. Call 800-595-4TIX or visit www.festivalofthedead.com. Must be 21.
The Vampires' Masquerade Ball started in 2004 as a somewhat controversial event with a focus on vampires, offering a "saucy, sexy look at death," says organizer Christian Day.
The ball, aimed at the adult crowd, has since simmered down, but still has some of it's original appeal.
"Everything is a little stylish, a little sultry," Day says.
The Official Salem Witches Halloween Ball
What: Includes live performance by Fiona Horne, Goth DJ Addambombb, and drumming troupe The Dragon Ritual Drummers, along with psychic readings, hors d'oeurves, a free witches' almanac for all, gift bags for the first 100 guests, and the Magic Circle celebration honoring the dead.
When: Friday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Hawthorne Hotel.
How: Tickets are $95. Call 800-595-4TIX or visit www.festivalofthedead.com. Must be 18.
This ball, organized by Salem's witch community, is extravagant and upscale.
"It's going to be like attending a party at the Hamptons," says organizer Christian Day.
The Witches Ball, which started in 1995, was on hiatus from 1999 through 2001 and was resurrected in 2002, is "an over-the-top extravaganza," Day adds.
The focus is not only on Halloween, Day explains, but also on Samhain, a celebration of the end of harvest season.
"It's a time when things are dying and we recognize our dead," says Day. "It's a very magical time, but it's also meant to be festive."
The costume-wearing is taken very seriously. Day says some people start preparing their costume as far as a year in advance.
The Bridget Bishop Ball
What: Includes prize for best Bridget Bishop costume and live music with the Brian Maes Band
When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m. to midnight at the Lyceum Bar and Grill, 43 Church St.
How: Tickets are $45. Call 978-745-7665 or visit www.lyceumsalem.com.
Get a dose of spooky Salem history at the Lyceum's first Bridget Bishop Ball. This ball focuses on the first woman executed during the witchcraft trials in 1692.
And it could get seriously spooky.
"The Lyceum is actually built on the land that Bridget Bishop lived on and it's rumored she haunts the restaurant," says Lyceum catering sales manager Elizabeth Brewin.
The Hawthorne Hotel's Annual Costume Ball
When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m. to midnight at the Hawthorne Hotel.
How: Tickets are $85. Call 800-729-7829 or visit www.hawthornehotel.com. Must be 21.
What: Includes three floors of entertainment, live music with HUSH, a t-shirt and for guests photo, costume contest with cash prizes, and food.
The Hawthorne Hotel opens seven rooms up for costumed guests during the annual ball, which has been taking place for more than 20 years. This year's theme is "Ship of Ghouls."
"The Hawthorne Hotel is getting turned into a giant ship-themed haunted hotel," says hotel general manager Judi Lederhaus.
The ball offers a blend of live entertainment, too. The ballroom will host a live band, and other rooms will have DJs.
"We have a mobbed crowd scene, but if you want something a little more intimate and personal, you can get a different atmosphere," Lederhaus said.
The ball always sells out, Lederhaus says, and tickets are going fast this year, so make your reservations fast.
