All Hallows Eve : Dinner, Dancing, and Spooky-Cool Gift Bags

What does candy corn, dancing, and $8,000 have in common?  The Starving Artists Halloween Ball, an annual event hosted by the non-for-profit Studio 42.  Next week on the night before All Hallow's Eve, actors, dancers, and circus performers alike will dress up in Halloween fanfare and flock to the Judson Memorial Church in Washington Square Park.   

Now... the Starving Artists Ball, quite contrary to its name, isn't a handful of actors gathered in someone's Williamsburg basement stringing plastic lanterns to the ceiling and drinking boxed wine [we've all been there].  This Ball is a relatively dressy and prestigious affair, having touted speakers such as Charles Busch, John Patrick Shanley, and The Sopranos'  Michael Imperioli who, you know, might just bring along his Emmy.

Other specially noted past guests include writer Emma McLaughlin (The Nanny Diaries), Justin Long (Accepted), producer Jeff Marx (Avenue Q), and Sam Rockwell (er, everything).

The Ball will include a silent auction, which will send baskets of salivation-inducing artist packages (sessions with famous acting and vocal coaches, website design, headshots!) into the air.  Not only will artists be privy to the many goodies and gift-bags to be had, but they'll also enjoy dinner, dancing, an open bar, guest DJs, and the presentation of the annual Starving Artist Award, which will be given to an artist of "exceptional merit". 

The Ball will be held Thursday, October 30th from 9pm till a bit past witching hour.  Tickets are surprisingly affordable, starting at 50.00.  For more information, check out Studio 42's website.

And who knows -- perhaps in the middle of drinking free wine and doing the salsa with a friendly ghoul or ghost, you might even make a few connections.  Just remember to get business cards, and put your costume of choice in the email subject line the next morning.

-- Ashley Avis