Radio station joins in on Halloween fun
For the majority of college students, Halloween isn’t about candy and trick-or-treating — it’s about parties.
This weekend the Southern California public radio station KCRW is throwing one of the most exciting parties slated for the Los Angeles area: a masquerade ball.
The event, on Saturday at the Park Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles, marks KCRW’s second annual Masquerade. Last year, KCRW launched its first Halloween party, which turned out to be a big success, attracting thousands of participants. This year, KCRW has implemented new additions to make the party even better than before.
“Halloween is so much fun. Everyone gets into the spirit — especially our audience,” said Jason Bentley, executive producer of events at KCRW and a scheduled DJ for Saturday night.
Proceeds from the masquerade benefit the public station. Although tickets are a bit pricey, running at $75, the organizers have made sure that the Masquerade will be worth every penny.
The Masquerade is not like any other party; it is an overdose of colorful costumes, music and DJs. KCRW has pulled out all of the stops to satisfy partygoers when it comes to music, atmosphere and food.
Attendees get the chance to explore five different rooms, each filled with different attractions. The Grand Ballroom of Park Plaza will feature psychedelic light shows and dancing, but the Gold Room dons a calmer 1930s jazz feel. In the haunted bridal suite, local storytellers gather to discuss haunts and legends.
Onstage, bands such as The Duke Spirit and Gram Rabbit will contribute various genres of music to the scene. In addition to famed DJ Cut Chemist are 14 KCRW DJs, including Valida the Vicious Vixen and Jeremy Dr. Funkenstein Sole, will provide an eerie spin on the event.
Adorned with decorations and lights, the Park Plaza itself is an ideal choice for such an extravagant gathering.
“It feels haunted — it feels like a great spot for a Halloween party,” Bentley said.
Although the party is titled a “masquerade,” attendees are not required to wear elaborate masks — just costumes. Last year’s ball featured many strangely dressed partygoers, including the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, the Octomom, jellyfish and even Santa Claus.
Riding on the success of last year, the organizers behind 2010’s Masquerade hope to draw an even bigger crowd.
“We’re always improving,” Bentley said. “We have a really good staff that does our benefit events. It’s really imaginative, their whole approach to it.”
This year’s Masquerade will attempt to make the ball even more flashy and entertaining. Visitors can expect to interact with Lucent Dossier, a vaudeville circus troupe, throughout the halls of the Plaza. People can also use photo booths to take memorable photographs of the evening’s events — a very convenient addition for those rushing in and out of crowded rooms.
And nobody needs to worry about the supply of food — KCRW has secured five food trucks for the outdoor plaza to feed thousands of partygoers. Border Grill, The Slice Truck, Coolhaus, The Sweets Truck and Patty Wagon will ensure that partygoers can enjoy food throughout the evening and into the night, as they dance their way back into hunger and ready their sweet teeth.
Unlike the inaugural masquerade of last year, KCRW isn’t unsure of what will happen. Going on last year’s turnout, the event’s organizers are prepared to make the party a spectacle worth attending.
“I’m hoping that people will look forward to participating,” Bentley said. “It’s more about the overall experience for people. It’s only as good as you want to make it. It’s infectious.”