Sunday, December 6, 2015

Tips for enjoying SantaCon NYC!

SantaCon NYC is swiftly approaching again!  You & your elves are excited and gathering your costumes for the upcoming festivities. Here are some tips for getting even more fun out of your day!
Arrive early.
The best part of the day is when Santa first gathers and everyone is full of cheer. Things are not sloppy yet and everyone is ready to play reindeer games!

Bring a Game.
A hula hoop, chalk for drawing sidewalk hop scotch or a beach ball for bouncing. Participate in some reindeer games and you are sure to make new friends and your inner child will thank you.  Just be sure you are willing to carry what you bring out of the park. This is a leave no trace event.

Make a Santa Choir/Band.
You and your friends could perform a few carols that will surely delight the other subway riders or tourists!

Do a group costume.
This is fun for everyone. You'll get great photos and make lots of memories as a nativity scene or the 12 days of Christmas. More ideas on my other SantaCon group costume post.

Dress appropriately.
Check the weather. Wear layers if its chilly. This year it looks like its going to be unseasonably warm. Either way wear comfortable shoes. Theres lots of traveling between venues.

BRING A METROCARD.
You don't want to be waiting in a crazy line for a new Metrocard and get left in the dust by the other Santas. Load up that Metrocard ahead of time. You will be happy you did.

Donate to charity.
SantaCon NYC donates funds collected through their website to selected charities each year. Its a great way to join together and give a BIG monetary gift to one of our local charities.

For Santa's location throughout the day follow @santacon on Twitter or Text "Follow Santa" to 40404 to receive text alerts. Send "OFF" to turn notifications off.


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Ultratoomba: Rest in Beats ~Halloween Night 2015~



The Good People of New York Present
**Ultratoomba**
Rest in Beats
Saturday, October 31st, 9PM til 4AM

TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
AT WWW.GOODPEOPLENYC.COM

Deep below Union Square, a gateway to the underworld will open for one night only. Journey through the nether realm for a festival of the dead unlike anything you have ever experienced. The Ultratoomba awaits you, in all of it’s splendor and mystery. Sometimes the meaning of life is death. 

From the Good People who brought you End of the World, The Fortunate, Party Cat, Cosmic Dawn and Wonderland comes more than just a Halloween party. Join us for an immersive underworld experience beneath the underbelly of NYC’s own Union Square. A world designed to heighten awareness, treat the senses and captivate you from beginning to end.


UNION SQUARE BALLROOM:
27 Union Square W #500, New York, NY 10003

FEATURING:

DJ’S IN 2 ROOMS
Ming | Hood Famous Music, Habitat Music, NYC
https://soundcloud.com/ming
Jake Lama | Kostume Kult, Go Deep, SF
Http://Soundcloud.com/JakeLama
Saya | Pacific Jungle, Hawaii
http://www.djsaya.com/saya_mixes/
Joro Boro | JunXion, NYC
https://soundcloud.com/joro-boro
Justin Aubuchon | NYC
https://soundcloud.com/justinaubuchon
Anna Morgan | Vitamin B, JunXion, NYC
https://m.soundcloud.com/djannamorgan
Illexxandra | Vitamin B, Tropic of Bass, NYC
https://soundcloud.com/illexxandra
PartyFoul 5000 | Thunder Gumbo, Shhhhhhhhh, NYC
https://soundcloud.com/partyfoul5k
Tektite | Vitamin B, NYC
https://soundcloud.com/tektite
Beat Kitty | Wonderland, Icarus, Good People, NYC
https://soundcloud.com/djorangekrush
Banginclude | Latino Resiste, NYC
https://soundcloud.com/banginclude
Vice Royale
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialViceroyale?fref=ts


ART & PERFORMANCES
- Performances by
Poppy Liu
Subflow Afterglow featuring Wolf, Snowflake and Bioluminece
- Life/Death Ceremony by the mystical Andromeda of Earth
- Body painting TBA
- Create your own Dia de los Muertos Skeleton
- Energy/body work by
Dalia Maltese of Mana Massage & Wellness
- Tarot Readings
- Cuddle Lounge
- Flow Artists
- more TBA

---------------------

Descend, humankind, deep beneath Union Square
To the dreamland of the Dead - the Boneyard Lair.
After life's parade, all ye bogeys by day,
at the golden hour, boogie the night away.
Join the Good People under their immortal moon,
At their bewitching foxhollow, as they swagger and swoon;
Come, human child, and bring a friend...
All mortals are invited to the dance at harvest’s end.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Kostume Kult Halloween Party 2015




Kostume Kult Presents
ESCHER’s LABYRINTH
Halloween Eve 2015 – Mischief Night!
Friday October 30th, 9pm-5am

TIX - Buy Now at: http://www.kostumekult.com/events/halloween_2015
Presale tiers $40/50 ($30 tier sold out)
More at the door (if available)
Drink specials all night
21+

SLAKE NYC

251 West 30th Street
between 7th & 8th Avenues
Manhattan

RSVP on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1007666242617821/

Mashing the surrealistic world of MC Escher with the Glam-Goth of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, we present a journey through the many dark, creepy corners of Slake… Beware the Goblins!

Enter this labyrinth in whatever Halloween costume you dare but prepare yourself for music, monsters and mayhem in many rooms - all designed to confuse and amaze… The Hall of the Skeksis mixes Henson, Escher and house music magick, the Urban Underground vibrates with black light, banging bass and street art, the Mystical Mesopotamia room flows with world beats and kaleidoscopic visuals, the Kreepy Karny room hosts ongoing performances, aerial displays and human oddities or take a break in the mezzanine's Purgatory where you can sort out your obliterated senses.

DJs on three floors INCLUDE:
- Lovecraft (No.19)
- Iman Rizky (Ebb&Flow)
- Terreyl Kirton (Soul Mob/Slur)
- Milk (Kostume Kult/Binative)
- Travisty (Trifucta)
- Myk 2Melo (JunXion)
- Monikkr (NYC Bass Collective)
- Teknacolor Ninja (Tropic Of Bass/PCF)
- Carmel (I Feel/Carmel Productions)
- Banginclude (Enchufada/Latino Resiste)
- Dirty Dan (Fresh Farm Music)
- Zach Ωhms (Future Strange)
- Casey Skodnek (JunXion)
- Rasta4Eyes (Stampede Sound)
- Bad Ginger (Digital Distortion)

ART / INTERACTIVITY
Enter an alternative universe with many rooms and multiple stairwells…
- Ridable Skeksis and Lamasu by Kimmy D
- Infinity Dungeon Photobooth by Gene Harrison
- Multiple Monsters by Themendous
- Visionary Live Painting by Myztico Campo
- "WHODUNNIT" Interactive Mystery Game
- Escherized Stairwells
- Muppety Mahem
- All-Peering Eyes
* More TBA soon… Propose something?

SPECIAL INSTALLATIONS
- Mural by street artist Gazoo To the Moon
- 3D Projection Mapped main stage by Rhizome NYC

PERFORMANCES
Curated by Link Link and Wang Newton

VIDEO
Vj Krunch
Rhizome NYC

CREATE ART or PERFORM?
Propose something, decorate? Set up art?
Do something fun or strange? Budgets available
fill out this form! https://goo.gl/BIWkG4

VOLUNTEER?
Who wants to help? Get Involved!
Fill out this form: https://goo.gl/n3iwuW

QUESTIONS?
Producer: Isabeau Vidal
Decor: Rachel Eisley
Volunteers: Eliza Spear
Performers: Link Salas
Music/Audio:  Milk
Press/Communications: Joelle Musante
Photography: Tom Egan
Ticket Problems: tickets@kostumekult.com

ABOUT
Kostume Kult is a themed event focused arts collective that has big fun while bringing tremendous people together… We are always looking for fresh faces and new energies and all are welcomed to get involved. Bring your own koolaid or try some of ours. It's delicious. More at www.KostumeKult.com

NYC HALLOWEEN PARADE 10.31
The day *after* the party Kostume Kult will be hosing its 16th annual Halloween Parade Float inviting to march along with our rolling party! 

Sunday, October 11, 2015

ZOMBIECON NYC 2015 is Saturday October 17th



Zombiecon NYC #11
~Walkers in Wonderland~

It's official, "Happy Ever After" is dead. Not only is it dead, its rotting and it stinks of putrid decaying flesh. Those fairy tale dreams and childhood story fantasies you once had are shot down like a walker who broke through the containment zone. Come stagger and moan as your favorite zombified cartoon, fairy tale or childhood movie characters at Zombie Con NYC 2015: Walkers in Wonderland. All day enjoy the company of your fellow undead as create our own Dismaland shuffling after mortals and scaring the bejesus out of tourists.

Saturday October 17th, 2015
11:30am til Night

Our starting location will be announced the day before and zombies shall assemble to put the finishing touches on their zombie make up and begin to terrorize the neighborhood. We will shamble through streets and into fine establishments to quench our terrible thirst for brains. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for hourly updates.

Theme: All zombies are welcome however if you would like to play along with the theme dress as a zombie version of your favorite fairy tale character, childhood tv show host, cartoon star, muppet, beloved movie hero/heroine. Just remember to zombify it. Add blood, add brains, add fun!!

And don't forget if someone asks you "What is going on?" The proper answer is "Brains!"

ABOUT: Zombiecon NYC was the first big zombie walk and maintains its uniqueness with themes. We urge all to participate while staying safe and "leaving no trace" at all venues we visit. We are part of a bigger community with many year-around events with more info at kostumekult.com.

RSVP
Mailing List:  http://www.zombiecon.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/zombieconnyc

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

KostumeGirl's Burning Man Packing List

The clock is ticking and you need to pack your bin to go to Burning Man!
Don't worry I'm here with my moderate experience of going to the playa to help you.

KostumeGirl's Burning Man Packing List: 



Shelter-
Besides your shade structure which you are hopefully building with some friends to share, this is your home!
To keep my bin relatively light I use a smaller tent. Its 4 person which is fine for me for a week. The tarp is in case of rain or to contain something messy. Remember any paint chips, wood chips, random nails need to be picked up at the end of the week! I use a door mat outside of my tent door to keep my boots on and "try" to keep some dust out. I NEVER step foot inside my tent with dusty boots or shoes on.

Eating/Drinking-
Plastic plate

Canteen cup w carabiner (license clear taped to the side optional)
This not a backyard BBQ, nobody brought a cup, spoon, plate for you. Don't bring disposable cause you will have to carry it ALL out with you. You will produce an alarming amount of garbage that way and end up with no room in the car for it during Exodus.
Some people tape a COPY of their license to their cup. All bars at Burning Man check I.D.s (The law is still the law).


Hygiene-
Towel

Washcloth

Toothbrush/toothpaste

Tissues

Baby wipes

DO NOT THROW BABY WIPES IN THE PORT-O-POTTIES. Anything that is not made by your body does not go in the potty. ANYTHING else gets stuck in the filters of the pump trucks and royally fucks up the whole bathroom situation. Deal with it. 
Power-
Power strip
The reason I list "heavy gauge" specifically for extension cords is if your camp has a generator for power you will be wasting power with flimsy household extension cords. Don't cheap out, get the heavy duty outdoor kind. 

Comfort-
Pillow

Lights for inside tent

Fan

Every hour of every day and night at Burning Man there will be someone talking, laughing, blasting music, etc. Thats just how it is. There are NO quiet hours. Someone will think its funny to blast the Sound of Music on the first morning at 7am (happened to me). Tent walls are made of supremely unsound proof nylon. SO pack the big box of ear plugs, ear muffs, Noise canceling hats, Air traffic controller type whatever!

Health-
Medications

SPF

Moisturizer
Eye drops
Each day take a little time to take care of your body. Simply spraying my nose with saline and blowing out all the dust make me feel like a new person every time. SPF every day more than once a day. Your body is working much harder to keep you going in this foreign and harsh environment. Replenish your vitamins and electrolytes.

Build-
Zip ties

Duct tape

Utility knife

Save your hands the pain of rope burn while tying down your tent. Put on gloves. Bring extras. 

Everyday-
Goggles (3)
Scarf


Boots
Socks lots of socks

Take excellent care of you feet, you will use them more than you thought at the Burn! Bring lots of fresh socks, pack them in zip-loc bags to keep them dust free, treat yourself to a vinegar foot bath every once in a while.
Headlamps are VERY useful. You may arrive in the middle of the night despite your best laid plans. A headlamp will provide hands free light for tent set up.

FUN!!
Finally enough preparedness and time for fun.
Decorations for your bike (pack a bike lock)
Fur coats!
Toys
Gifts
Glow sticks are not good for Burning Man. They mildly work for a few hours end up as trash you have to bring out again. I guess the same could be said for batteries but maybe you have a solar charger! 

COSTUMES!
My favorite part of the burn.
There are a million different events which are made better with costumes. The Billion Bunny March, The French Maid Brigade, The Unicorn StampedePirate Party, Onesie Monday, etc!  Pack your costumes!
OR
Come to Kostume Kult at 6:45 & Esplanade and we will gift you a costume transformation that you will not soon forget.

and lastly...
Things to NOT pack in your main luggage or shipping container.
Here are things you should bring in your carry on and have readily available.
Identification (not a copy)
1 Dust Mask
Your Actual TICKET
Vehicle pass (needs to be actually stuck to the windshield -not just shown)

1 pair of Goggles

Your first playa outfit! 
Including---- Work Gloves and practical shoes /boots. while some people get right to work "unprotected" its makes things more complicated on what you can help with.

Light - Porto potties are dark...


Friday, April 17, 2015

Kostume Kult presents: Black & Light Ball #10 - Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

Black & Light Ball 10 - Saturday May 16, 2015.


Our annual pre summer formal is turning 10 this year! What a milestone!
This glowing bash is a very special part of our Burning Man fund raisers for Kostume Kult and a great excuse to make yourself a new UV reactive costume!
Personally I start shopping with my travel black light in my purse cause you never know what kind of materials glow (or don't glow for that matter) under UV lights. 

Our theme this year is inspired by Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Phillip K. Dick, the sci-fi novel behind Blade Runner. It will be a futuristic and psychedelic dystopian wonderland that will glow like crazy! 

So what to wear?
Dust off your black light from high school and head to your costume closet to see what glows. Whites, neon greens and hazard oranges seem to glow brightest, although a good lightening yellow can pop well too. I am thinking of taking a white dress I've never worn and puffy painting the heck out of it to create a trippy glow patterned formal dress.
Remember to test your materials. I have bought fabric that I was SURE would glow great only to get home and find the black light results to be lackluster. I can't stress enough how handy a travel black light flashlight on a keychain is for testing your paint, paper or fabric before you buy.
Black & Light Ball has traditionally been our "formal" event, when we kind of poke fun of proms, formal dances or even cotillion. With this futuristic theme, top hats with gears and robot parts would be appropriate or poofy white glowing tulle skirts! Let your imagination go wild cause you cannot possibly overdress for a Kostume Kult party. Just look at some of the outfits of Black & Light Balls past.





Remember to buy your tickets early to get the best possible price. If you are worried that you plans might change, you can always sell your ticket to another party goer on the Facebook event page!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

New York City You Are My Garbage Splashed Glass Slipper.

What does it all mean? -Existential Pigeon
To visitors, New Yorkers probably seem like complete unfriendly douche bags with their face buried in their phone or a scowl for you because you're holding them up on their way to work or Afro-yoga class. Truth be told it takes a bit of a hard shell to simply survive a typical NYC day. If I reacted as any decent human would to each cardboard sign explaining a personal hardship or speech to a crowd of strangers about the struggles life has dealt I would be a walking open wound leaking out emotions all over 5th Avenue. We tune out with headphones, books or simply avoidance of eye contact at all costs as a coping mechanism. Pride surfaces when we announce how many years we have "survived" New York. However when it comes to a middle of the road girl like myself, not poor, but never going to be NYC rich, I wonder what is the end game? Survive NYC for 20 years then give up the game for the suburbs OR press on and hope I meet someone doing well enough so we can combine incomes and claim a handful of square feet on Manhattan proper where we will fork over our hard earned money for $12 boxes of cereal and gym memberships that we are gonna start using soon. Are the riches of culture, public transportation and food at all hours of night worth the daily survival of rush hour, noise pollution and unlimited smells?


Recently I had to get a large garbage  bag full of costumes from Queens to the Lower East Side via the subway. Between way too many flights of stairs, turnstiles and people the struggle was real. It led me to complain to my friend and former roommate, "Everything is so hard here!". Imagine if I was in the suburbs. It would have gone something like this: heave bag in car, drive car to destination, pull bag out of car. Oh, but who takes pride in surviving suburbia??
Having watched Breakfast At Tiffany's for the first time (can't believe it took me this long) I realized I'm like Holly Golightly. I'm clinging to my faux fabulous Manhattan life with all 10 manicured fingernails. That's my plan until I find a city that matches me as well. 
New York you are my garbage splashed glass slipper!

Here's another blogger who's feeling my pain.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Kostume Kult presents: Baaaaaad KKids Valentines Party

KK's 4th Annual Valentines Party
Saturday, February 14th, 9pm - 4am



Kostume Kult welcomes in the Year of the Goat with a fantastic, dramatic and slightly spastic Valentines celebration. Channeling this peaceful and whimsical creature with a penchant to climb, lick and chew, participants are encouraged to bring your goat-cheesiest or sexy-valentine's best.

27 Union Square West @ 16th Street
(across street from 456LNRQ trains)
Manhattan

TIX: Buy Now
Presale tiers $20/ 25/ 30
More at the door/ cheap drinks all night
21+


THEME
All Valentines style encouraged or play along with the theme… Formally the "Year of the Goat/ Ram/ Sheep" -- come as anything horny, wooly, cute or cuddly. Farmyard or mountain. Billy Goats, Nanny Goats, Baaaaby Goats ('kids'), mythical Fauns or anything baaaaaaad or naaauuuughty valentine in red, white or pink... Or be a Black Sheep and do something completely different !!! With participation comes maximal love.

DJs in TWO ROOMS:
Illich Mujica (MothLab Recordings)
$mall ¢hange (No Parking/WFMU)
Milk (Binative/Kostume Kult)
Reaganomics (ESO)
Kinner G (Atlantis)
Shisaa (Vitamin B/The JunXion)
Joro Boro (Hookahdome)
- more tba 

VIDEO
VJ Krunch - Sexy Goat Mashups!

ART/ ACTIVITIES
* Propose something or volunteer to help create:
Petting Zoo
Udder Wall
Salt Licking
Hoof Fetish
Horny Goat Weed treatments
Black Sheep Group Therapy
Kupid's Kloset
Lickety Goat Photobooth
and the return of the personally molded Chocolate Vaginas... And Nipples!. (Models requested.)


To VOLUNTEER 

WHO?
Marianna Lavin: Producer
Eliza Spear: Volunteers
Miguel Peschiera: Decor
Dba Milk: Music
Alizarin Zroob: Flyer
Ticket Problems?: Tickets@kostumekult.com

ABOUT
Kostume Kult's Valentine party is an absurdist take on an overblown consumerist holiday where the love and community are real and not forced by social convention. Kept fresh by baking in the Chinese New Year theme (Feb 18th this year) this is an excellent place to bring a date or find one. Or get involved in a creative project! All pervy references are with artistic license and meant in good humor