VAMPIRES MASQUERADE BALL
A Night in the City of Roses
by Armando Nex—
As darkness slowly descended over the City of Roses, and the chill night air brought a touch of mist and fog, my colleague and I decided it was now safe to leave the confines of our hotel and set out into the night. Donning my top hat, frock coat, white gloves and scarf and my chum similarly attired we grabbed our walking sticks and set briskly off into the bleak evening. Our destination was eastward over the Burnside Bridge across the inky Willamette River to the ironically named Melody Ballroom. The Melody Ballroom, built in 1925, was the site of Portland’s 9th annual Vampires Masquerade Ball.
Welcoming Smiles
The Vampires Masquerade Ball, hosted by Lady Raven, has been a part of the Portland scene since 2002. It was created as an especially elegant and unique event to appeal to the local “creatures of the night” as well as newcomers. It is not specifically an event for Vampires but rather an occasion for those who like to dress up in costumes, period attire, or anything but normal street clothes. Think dark, romantic and dangerous sophistication.
A Charming Attendee
Passing through a gauntlet of Victorian, Edwardian, Steam Punk, Gothic, and Vampiric guests, we entered the portals of the aged structure and presented our tickets to the fanged receptionist and slowly made our way into the Grand Ballroom.
The scarlet-walled Grand Ballroom, featured: thirty foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers, cove lighting and neo-classical cornices, molding and pilasters, spread over 6,000 square feet to accommodate the expected 1,000 attendees. A fog machine and filtered red lighting added to the supernatural effect.
At one end of the Ballroom stood a large stage where burlesque, dance, and music performances took place including a DJ area, while at the other was a large V-shaped bar serving specialty drinks with three or four stations, including a well-patronized, self-serve Absinthe area.
At the Absinthe Bar
While there were a few tables, covered with red tablecloths scattered about the edges of the floor, including several stand-up tables, most of the floor was given up to expressionistic, siren-like dancing. Making ones way through a crowd of bustles, feathered headdresses, and long coats was not always easy.
The DJs with fanciful names such as: Ghoulunatic, Ronabell, and Wednesday, were periodically paused in their dark spinnings by the musician Adam Hurst and the artistic dance performers: Bhriga GypsiKelt, Immortalia, Dyhana Aesthetic and the revealing (literally) Vienna La Rouge.
It was entertainment almost as fascinating as the patrons gyrating sinuously on the dance floor.
Proof I have a reflection
Heading downstairs to the secretive “Lower Ballroom” I was astounded to find a large spread of canapés including assorted cheeses, savory meats, pastries, fresh strawberries and a chocolate fountain and an adjacent secondary bar (no Absinthe there). Unfortunately I had not correctly read my invitation and had dined previous to my arrival at the Ball, although the chocolate was tempting. It was a puzzle though to think of these particular guests actually eating coarse foodstuffs.
I was also deeply mystified by the photography area. I did not think the undead could be photographed, as they cast no reflection. Turning to one side to reassure myself, I looked into a nearby mirror and could not see my own reflection. It was almost too much! Had I quietly slipped over to the other side? I suddenly realized it was a window… to the vendor area. Following a labyrinthine path I made my way there.
I believe it was the corset she was selling!
The sales area, containing the wares of thirty different vendors, including stylish hats, jewelry, millinery, corsets, potions, dolls, posters, masks, leather, and costumes, was notable not only for the peculiar wares offered but by the attractiveness of the entrepreneurs. I’m sure it was just a coincidence. Of course I don’t usually run into many vendors wearing a corset.
Some of the sales staff are up to haggling on the prices but don’t count on it. Many of the products are hand-made involving hours of work with lace, stitching, etc. Many of the jewelry pieces were well-crafted, iconic, metal shapes. There were also feathered hair pieces and little mini-hats for the ladies, known as “Fascinators”. Often they were…
I toyed with the idea of buying a vial of aphrodisiac, or was it some bodily substance (?), but decided I already had enough problems to deal with and moved on.
Missed opportunity?
Back on the main floor we ran into William Hicks, iconoclast and owner of one of the best vintage clothing stores in the Pacific Northwest, Hollywood Vintage. He was quite flamboyantly dressed in the style of Louis XIV complete with powdered wig. He was quite knowledgeable about the history of the Ball, and about the history of Portland as well.
As we all chatted and drank exotic beverages midnight fell upon us and the music of the cello wafted across the room inviting all to waltz. The movement on the floor was hypnotic… or so I was told as I was in the next room trying to pluck a rose from a arrangement for my lapel.
Oh well. I finally found an empty seat and plopped down in a chair. My walking stick didn’t really keep my feet from killing me from five hours of standing and walking.
Hours flew past and it was soon time to leave the premises. In keeping with the spirit of the event we labored to return to our abode before sunrise. A few elderly gentleman of the street inquired of where we had been… but I doubt they really wanted to know. We bid bonne nuit…
Beau Brummell & King Louis XIV
http://www.themelodyballroom.org/about/grandballroom
http://www.facebook.com/#!/vampireballpdx?sk=photos
The Last Dance