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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Moonlight Costume Ball at Fairytale Town
by David Alvarez, published on August 6, 2012 at 7:13 PM
Storyline: Festivals and Events
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Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
King Arthur’s Castle, a pirate ship setting and Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest were a great background for the third annual Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town on Friday, Aug. 3. This year’s theme was “Men in Tights.”
Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
The event was held to raise funds to renovate Fairytale Town’s Sherwood Forest playset. Sharlene Lal-Hernandez, education and program manager at Fairytale Town, estimated that over 400 people attended the 21-and-over ball.
The Mother Goose Theater served as a concert stage for the Celtic rock band Tempest. This prolific San Francisco-based group was formed in 1988, and has 15 CDs to their credit. Tempest continues to tour regularly and is currently on a West Coast tour until Nov. 17.
Tempest performs at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
Fusing rock, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian and other world music styles, Tempest entertained its audience, and many took to the dance floor in front of the stage. Their elaborate costumes fit the “Men in Tights” theme.
The Pirates of Sacramento Meetup group attended, having encouraged their members to attend the ball and help with the fundraiser. The group was in character, wore splendid pirate costumes and spoke in “pirate” style.
Pirates of Sacramento at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
The next big event for Pirates of Sacramento will be Oct. 20-21, at the Folsom Renaissance Faire.
The weather on Saturday night was pleasantly cool. However, the Sizzling Sirens Burlesque Experience changed that, as their sizzling hot performance lit up the audience when the group took the stage.
Sizzling Sirens at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
The Sizzling Sirens can be seen at many venues in Sacramento, and have performed at the Crocker Art Museum, Dive Bar and regular gigs at Harlow’s.
The talented group was quite entertaining, and had a captive and responsive audience who cheered what they saw on stage. This imaginative group is in the process of bringing the tasteful (and at times, not so refined) art of burlesque back to events in Sacramento and surrounding areas.
Sizzling Sirens at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
The Sizzling Siren Show performs every third Thursday of each month at Harlow's.
Food was available at the Dish & Spoon Café and the Wicked ‘Wich food truck. A no-host bar sold alcoholic beverages to keep the merry men and women in good spirits.
Wicked'Wich food truck at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
Another highlight of the evening was a costume contest. Several categories were announced, and the audience cheered for its favorite contestants.
Costume contest at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
Prizes were awarded for best costumes, and dancing followed until the event ended.
Costume contest at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
Noting that the ball was in its third year, I asked Lal-Hernandez who came up with the event. She told me that Fairytale Town’s executive director Kathy Fleming came up with the idea.
Asked about the concepts of themes for the ball, Lal-Hernandez said, “We change the concept every year. Last year it was ‘Arabian Nights,’ the first one was ‘Once Upon a Night’ and it was a fairytale theme, and last year we had ‘Arabian Nights.’”
Lal-Hernandez also said that it took about six months of planning to do this year’s event.
During the event, DJ Matt from Extreme Productions, who was playing in between acts, continued playing as guests danced the rest of the evening away.
DJ Matt at the Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
The event was quite a hit, and allowed guests to showcase often homemade elaborate costumes.
Entertainment for the evening was just as intricate, as sizzling performances hit the stage.
Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
As Prince John in “Men in Tights” said, “Tell everyone that when the day is out, we shall have a wedding. Or a hanging. Either way, we're gonna have a lot of fun, huh?” Indeed, although there were no hangings or weddings, the third annual Moonlight Costume Ball was a lot of fun!
Men in Tights Moonlight Costume Ball held at Fairytale Town
(Image by: David Alvarez)
More photos from the event can be found here.
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