Sydney — By Lauren Katulka on October 29, 2009 at 12:05 am
Filed under: featuredarticle, festival, Halloween, markets

Sydney Gets Spooky with Under the Blue Moon Festival’s Halloween Celebrations

We may not really celebrate Halloween in Australia, but that’s no reason for Sydneysiders to miss out on embracing the darker side of life. The inner-west is currently hosting the Under the Blue Moon Festival, a celebration of “all things darkly beautiful.”

Of course, Saturday’s events are the pinnacle of the festivities. During the day there’s the Festival Market, a fun family event. Local and national artists will showcase their wares in shops and stalls along the Gothic Mile (or Enmore Road as those who aren’t in the know call it). If you’re looking for weird and wonderful Christmas presents, this is the place to look. You can also watch and eclectic mix of street performers, and grab a trick or treat showbag for the kids. There’s also a fantastic photographic exhibition, and a motorcade of vintage hearses!

A vintage coffin hearse

For something completely different, why not attend an educational and entertaining lecture by Simplicity Funerals parlour owners? Sure it’s macabre, but the tales of Sydney’s gangster past, the ritual of blood rites, and other eclectic topics are fascinating. The youngest male embalmer in Aussie history, Lance Proctor, will also speak about his fascinating obsessions and tales from the crypt!

Once night falls it’s time to send the kiddies to bed so the adults can play! And the All Hallows Eve Ball at Marrickville’s Factory Theatre is the place to do it. Of course there is music from bands like GPKISM from Japan, TheArt, and Juke Baritone and The Swamp Dogs, but this is much more than your average ball. There’ll also be burlesque performances by Lola the Vamp, an awe-inspiring performance from Celia Curtis and her bed of nails, and an alternative fashion show. DJ sets from DJ Requiem, Ash, DJ MetaVirus, Unit 13 and DJ Dasein will have you dancing well into the night.

See the Under the Blue Moon website for more information or tickets to the ball.

Image source: Under the Blue Moon press gallery