Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Make Way for the New Wig Display


Masquerade Costumes, the Times Square branch of Halloween Adventure, announces plans to build a new wall to accommodate our expanding stock of theatrical wigs!

Masquerade masks and Venetian masks have been moved to the right of the entry door to make way for the larger wig display. Keep your eyes out for plenty of disguise-wearing people in the Times Square area; there will certainly be enough wigs to go around!

www.MasqueradeCostumesNYC.com

Thursday, May 14, 2009

All about the Theatrical Make-up! Issue 1

We are pleased to say that we at Masquerade, Times Square's Halloween Adventure store, are all about the theatrical make-up lately!

Over the past week, we've gotten in several large shipments full of theatrical make-up supplies, make-up special effects, latex ears and noses, scar kits, gore kits, bald caps in various colors, fangs, cone head bald caps, roll-on glitter, horns, press-on nails, all sorts of fake eye lashes, ClearNeon blacklight spray-on body paint, and more.


At this point, I will take a moment to talk about some of the more unique make-up effects we have here in stock at Masquerade NYC on 43rd street. First installment is......


Frozen Stiffs - Ice Effects Makeup
by Rubie's

Rubie's has put out a kit for the "frozen vampire." A novel idea, and one that blends an old favorite - the vampire look - with a nice new edge. The kit includes white, black, and blue base make up, as well as a pair of silver metallic fangs, Ice Gel (blue sparkle gel), Ice Crystals and Ice Powder (used to create "Frozen effects"), a make-up sponge, sponge applicator, and make-up brush.

The Ice Crystals look like little broken shards of ice, and the Ice Powder gives more of a frosty effect. Either of these can be used on your body or face, or in your hair. Hair gel would be a perfect compliment here to create a "frozen on end" effect. The Ice Gel is used to get the Ice Crystals and Ice Powder to stick.

The fangs are custom-fitted sorts. The kit includes directions on how to custom fit them yourself.

All make-up in this kit is completely water washable. The Ice Gel effects can be peeled off. Of course, only do this when you are ready to return to the mundane world!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Tons of Wigs, Eyelash Effects, and Huge New Banners

Whoa, we have a lot of wigs all of a sudden. And lots of make-up supplies, including lovely metallic eyelashes and lovely flesh wound effects.

Lots of new shipments have been coming in over here at Masquerade over the past few days. It's keeping us busy preparing all of the new items for the sales shelves!

Wig types include: afro wig, beehive, Biblical beard and wig set, blue starlet, child pop star, a bunch of glamour wigs, judge wig, Marie Antoinette wig, 80s rockers, a variety of neon wigs, werewolf wig....

... and so many others it would be ridiculous to type out a loooong list!

Additionally, we now have a happy lot of Metallic Fluttery Eyelashes just in from Rubie's. We've got them in green, blue, gold, purple, red, and silver. And, not pictured below, we've got natural and feather eyelashes as well.



Get your wig and make-up fix over here in Times Square. And come see our GIANT new banners --


-- We've got a pair of new flag banners for outside our store. Surely these can be seen from both 8th Ave and 9th Ave! And those are a considerable distance apart! So even though we are currently behind a construction site on the north side of 43rd street, we can be found very clearly by anyone looking over from the south side of 43rd.

Regards,
Damien
Masquerade / Halloween Adventure
311 W 43rd street
MasqueradeCostumesNYC.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Black and Light Ball 2009.. this Saturday, May 9

The Black and Light Ball 2009 -- "part masquerade, part love parade with any form of glowy finery acceptable for this night of art, dancing and full-on black-light."

Fashion and finery meets blacklight-reactivity at this huge dance-party spectacle of an evening.

Our downtown sister store, New York Costumes, is a sponsor for this event.  We of Masquerade are pleased to spread the word about this fine, upcoming, participatory Kostume Kult spectacle!  



The official Black and Light Ball 2009 announcement from Costume Jim:
------------------------------------------------
It will be a wild one on Saturday! Limited presale now $25 ($20 tier sold out) with cheaper scholarship tix a possibility to folks psyched to help out, especially with breakdown/ end of night... (e- Maria, CC'd, to volunteer). For costume stuff & glowy makeup remember there's always a... Kostume Kult discount at Halloween Adventure/ New York Costumes (104 4th
avenue at 11th street)...

*Kostume Kult & Disorient present:*

*BLACK & LIGHT BALL #4*

*A Psychedelic Spring Formal*

-- Flyer/tix: http://www.kostumekult.com/events/BLB/

-- Promo Video: http://vimeo.com/4416432

On Saturday, May 9th we welcome in a new era of psychedelia to NYC and the world. An annual high-tech sendoff of Truman Capote’s Black & White Ball, BLB is part masquerade, part love parade with any form of glowy finery acceptable for this night of art, dancing and full-on black-light.

When: Saturday Night, May 9th, 10pm til 5am+ with a stying pre-party 8-10
Where: Undisclosed location, art gallery/ loft space in lower Manhattan.
Info by presale only.
Cost: $25 via kostumekult.com or disorient.com. ($20 tix sold out). Event expected to sell out but, if not, $25costume/ $30normal at door.

Style: Black light reactive, neon colors and luminescent white, things that glow, blink or leave trailssssssss… Retro chic, future geek or time travel.

The dancefloor will be hot - Less is best!

Psychedelic Styling Salon pre-party (same venue) 8-10pm... Body paint,
costume accessorizing & cheap libations. Sponsored by Halloween Adventure (http://www.newyorkcostumes.com/)

DJs: spinning electro house and groovy breaks until late. Chill upstairs,
dancing down…
Miko (Disorient, NY)
Arrow-Chrome (Disorient, NY)
Lee Mayjahs (PEX, Phili)
Reda Briki (Disorient, NY)
Mic Rage (Kostume Kult)
$mall Change (WFMU)
John O'Connor (Love Tribe)
Justin Aubuchon (House of Yes)

Galaxies by Greg Skolozdra
Electric Sheep by Spot
Mural by Jimsu
Ariel performances by Archer
D9 installation by Soooz
Artwork by 2k from NYCRAVERS
Disorient Black Light Body Cell
Kostume Kult accessory vending

A fundraiser for Burning Man camp projects

Monday, May 4, 2009

Video from Artistic Inaugural Ball with Masquerade

Masquerade at NYC's Preeminent Inaugural Ball

Last week, I happened across a YouTube video for the Artistic Inaugural Ball which took place this year on January 20 here in New York City. We of Masquerade had a hand in this event: we donated a bunch of patriotic costume items to be sold by our allies of Kostume Kult as a fundraiser for their organization. We also donated make-up for the event's facepainting booth.

Stella, Damien and Damien's wife went to set up the Masquerade / Halloween Adventure supplies and facepainting area. Then Damien and his wife proceded to hold down the fort for Masquerade into the evening, working alongside to Kostume Kulters.

And now, only now, several months later, do I find a video for the event:





For the record, the below is an event promo written by Costume Jim.
----------------

FREEDOM'S RING - Dreams for a New Era

NYC's Preeminent Inaugural Ball
Inauguration Eve - Martin Luther King Day
Flyer/ info at http://actionartsleague.org/inauguration

This coming Monday- please join us for the most colorful inaugural ball anywhere!

A part of a national network of Obama transition team coordinated "Day of Public Service" events, this is unique celebration featuring music, dance and performances with multiple creative activities, in multiple rooms, in partnership with multiple groups� Not just a party-- this is an event with a CAUSE--- Where we will demonstrate the vibrancy of NYC's cultural arts scene in full view of this new administration at this most historic moment.

WHEN: Monday, January 19th, 5pm-2am. Kids activities 5-7, performances 7-10, artistic dance party 10-late with ongoing creative activities throughout.

WHERE: Theater for the New City, 1st Ave, between 9th & 10th streets, NYC

COST: Donation before 9pm and $5/stylish, $10/normal after 9. Cheap drinks all night. Proceeds to pay for event costs with any profits going to participating artists.

WHO: Hosted by Action Arts League with Theater for the New City, please join the Kostume Kult arts collective, Dance Parade, Globesonic, Body Temple, Disorient DJ's, Arts for Art/ Vision Festival, Groove Hoops, Gathering of the Tribes, the Lower East Side Girls Club and Power of Peace Youth Coalition amongst others.

THE CAUSE: The highest profile inaugural ball in America's cultural capital--- This is an opportunity to speak directly to your new President and he is listening� He is a community organizer. He believes in empowering the individual and he has reached out directly to all of us for help. As his team turns their attention to urban and cultural/arts policy, they will be looking for fresh new ideas and this event is an important opportunity to highlight a platform we have created advocating the arts as a primary driver for this new era (full details at www.artspolicynow.com).

EVENT THEME: "Dreams" � Consider this amazing time and the Dreams of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama and what YOUR dreams are for the future... Costumes, artistic expression and absurdity are encouraged! PARTICIPATE!

SCHEDULE:

5-7pm:
The Lower Eastside Girls Club & The Power of Peace Anti-Violence Youth Coalition are organizing a variety of kids activities with Groove Hoops, Kostume Kult and others contributing.

7-9pm
Theater for the New City curated performances led by Mary Tierney and Crystal Field (full details at http://actionartsleague.org/..inauguration/)

9-10pm:
Jazz Conductions by Arts for Art/ Vision Festival� A spectacular conduction, led by Warren Smith and Joe McPhee, with over thirty artists coming together to illustrate the significance of this moment in history! Come see this grand ensemble including dancers, vocalists and a growing number of musicians on Alto Sax, Flute, Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Guitar, Cello, Bass and Drums. Followed by more performances from 10-12pm� Full details at: http://actionartsleague.org/..inauguration/

10pm-2am
Dreams for a New Era- Costume Dance Party

* 10-11:30: DJ Fabian Alsultany (Globesonic) spinning World Music with Dance Parade rallying diverse dancers inviting all to join in. Featuring Parashakti and the Gatekeepers performing a Shamanic blessing to honor harmony, the arts, creativity and cultural diversity, Dance of Venus (Turkish/ Kurdish belly dancers) and performance by Akim Funk Buddha (Urban Asian fusion performance art)....

* 11:30-Close DJ's Arrow Chrome and Reda Briki (Disorient) spinning House, Breakbeats and Electro with colorful costumery by members of numerous participatory culture arts communities.

ONGOING All Day:

* Take part in the Dreams ..video) Project and speak directly to your new President about your hopes and dreams for this new era

* Help Build the Dream Tree: Add your dream to a leaf for this interactive art project.

* Costuming and facepainting: Stop by the creativity center hosted by Kostume Kult and Halloween Adventure's new 43rd Street store. (located at 311 West 43rd street say - www.masqueradecostumesnyc.com)

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Metal Tiger (video), ANIMUS (installation), Garth Anthony Allison (painting), Huma Gul (mixed media mosaic), Jason Hackenworth (installation), Jeanette Arnone-K. (sculpture), Jenny Yurshansky (poster), Kiri Bermack (sculpture), Logan Grednel (photography), Maha Saedaway (painting/mixed media), Marie Roberts (painting), Martha Burzynski (photography), Mille Kalsmose-Hjelmborg (video), Mollyne Karnofsky (poster), Olga Alexander (painting), Peter G. Pereira (painting), Philip Foster (experimental music), Rafael Shimunov (video), Robert Israel (drawing), Rosie Sharp (photography), Walker Fee (painting/mixed media).

AFTER-PARTY

Afterwards, follow the kids from Kostume Kult to a nearby watering hole for more music and dance� A grand future awaits--- who can sleep?

MORE INFO:

http://actionartsleague.org/inauguration

EVERYONE WILL BE PLAYING HOOKY ON TUESDAY--- CALL IN SICK NOW!
------------------------------

There you have it. Or had it. Or what have you.

Regards,
Damien
Masquerade
MasqueradeCostumesNYC.com