2004 Witches Ball Advertisement: Visit Xcentricities
 

 

Witches' Ball 2004 is an exotic charity masquerade ball celebrating the incredible wealth of culture, commerce and cooperation found along the historic Silk Road...

The network of trade routes known as the "Silk Road" stretched from the ancient Chinese capital city of Chang'an (now Xi'an) all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Costumes from 7th - 15th century Cathay (China), Persia, India, Tibet, Mongolia, Constantinople and Venice would be perfect. But demand for the precious and exotic goods traded along the Silk Road influenced many other cultures as well. So all manner of traders, dancers, mystics, poets, magicians, entertainers, nobles, thieves and warriors may join us from Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Northern Africa and Europe.

Drape yourself in the robes of Chinese ancestry. Float through the evening in a gauzy kaftan. Don the brocade finery and elaborate carnival masks favored by Venetian citizens. Stay comfortable in a simple Indian kurta. Or remain elusive and mysterious behind shimmering veils.

Perhaps you already have an extravagant bedleh waiting in your wardrobe for just such an occasion. But even if you don't know your assuit from a hole in the sand, don't be intimidated!

Advertisement: The Magic Wardrobe

The Silk Road theme offers a wide range of costume possibilities, including:

  • All manner of characters, including nobles & city folk, travelers, merchants, thieves, guards and guides from 7th - 15th century China, Tibet, India, Persia, Mongolia, Byzantium (also called Constantinople and now Istanbul) and Venice. Here are a few examples of Historical Costume Sketches from all parts and eras of the Silk Road.
  • Belly dancers, gypsies, caravan traders, courtesans, musicians, drummers & acrobats, of the Silk Road cultures (listed above).
  • Chinese royalty, silk weavers, porcelain craftsmen, scholars and government officials
  • Venetian masks The Carnival in Venice is said to have originated in the year 1162, so you may choose a costume inspired by that wild and multicultural celebration. The Masks of Venice can be inspiring and quite spectacular!
  • S.C.A./Renaissance Faire Garb would be appropriate
  • Even tartan-clad ancient Celts may have visited the Silk Road. Mummies unearthed in the Xinjiang region of Western China are believed to be of Celtic ancestry (see "The Tarim mummies of Xinjiang")
  • Zoroastrian priests, Buddhist monks, Nestorian Christian priests, Muslim imams, as well as nomadic shamans and healers from the steppelands.
  • Astrologers, Himalayan yogis and nomadic fortunetellers
  • Oasis dwellers, herding peoples and horse traders
  • Hun warriors and other nomadic bandits
  • Bronze Viking helmet Sailors who traveled either the Mediterranean or Arabian Seas during the 7th - 15th centuries - which includes a few Viking ships
  • Byzantine soldiers, nobles and government officials
  • Persian artisans and the wealthy citizens of Damascus
  • Marco Polo and other merchants from Venice
  • Officials and servants in the court of Kublai Khan
  • Mongol chieftains and warrior princesses
  • Spice, pearl and precious stone merchants from Zanzibar, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and India
  • 7th century Russian jewelry Visitors from 7th - 15th century Russia, Turkey, Syria and Africa
  • Chinese deities such as Kuan Yin (Guanyin), the Jade Emperor (Yu Huang) and the chief goddess of silk - Lei Tsu (also called Hsi Ling)
  • Buddha and Queen Maya (mother of Siddhartha)
  • The Eight Immortals of Chinese Daoism
  • Hindu deities such as Brahma, Ganesha, the many different aspects of Devi and the ten Avatars of Vishnu
  • Animals seen along the Silk Road such as monkeys, camels, horses, peacocks and other exotic birds
  • Mythical beasts such as Chinese dragon kings, Garuda (half human, half eagle), Simurgh (fantastic bird of ancient Iranian myth) and the Djinn of Arabic and Islamic lore (sometimes depicted as the fairly benevolent Genie found in Aladdin's lamp and sometimes depicted as demonic evil spirits running amok.)
  • Open Sasparilla! Fashions inspired by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Dragon Inn, the Sinbad Series, The Thief of Baghdad, Arabian Nights, The Rubaiyat and the Merchant of Venice

Surprise us with your creativity, but please remember that this is a family friendly event.

While sexy and risqué costumes are allowed, we recommend that you come in something that is "naughty, but nice." Costumes need to stay within a PG or mild R rating. No X-rated costumes will be admitted.

You need not be formal, but we do ask that you leave off the gross and hokey. This is not the Exotic Erotic or the County Fair's "Carnival Hall of Horrors." Bring style and class, but not that severed limb...

No edged weapons of any kind are allowed at the Witches' Ball. Theatrical Grade weapons are allowed (and we will let the Police know that our guests may be carrying these.)

We will have a Cloak Room, so you can bring a purse and so that you can layer to keep warm.

Are you still feeling uncertain or uninspired about your costume?

Here are some Web Links to help you create your "look":

A Few Words About Silk...

Silk - the main commodity traveling east to west - not only gave this series of trade routes its name; it also makes a perfect basis for numerous costume possibilities.

From the basic white silk traded in bolts to the extremely rare and expensive pieces of dyed purple silk worn only by aristocrats, this glamorous fabric lured entrepreneurs and adventurers to risk their lives to cross some of the most hostile land in Central Asia. And to this day silken fabrics feel luxurious, sensuous and beautiful against the skin.

For more information on the history of silk, please visit our THEME page. And for more information regarding the care and types of modern silk, visit Fabrics.net.

 

Oh, whatever shall I wear?

 

© 2004 Full Circle Events

 


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