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The Seventeenth Annual Samhain
(and free midnight Samhain Ritual)
Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Highlands Masonic Center
3550 Federal Boulevard
Denver, Colorado
(at 35th and Federal - West Entrance)
*See Map
7 pm until midnight
Adults $15, Children 6 to 12 $5, Children under 6 are free.
Wear your finest costumery!
(costumes optional)
Presented by Living Goddess LLC
Featuring
- Live Get-Up-and-Dance Music by Tuatha
- Belly Dancing by Serpent Moon Dance and EnDleSS Dance
- The Launch of the Front Range Pagan Community Calendar and the Pagan Purple Pages
- Community Organizations Fair and Fundraiser
- Psychic Readers, Energy Healers, Chair Massage, Henna Tattoos
- Face Painting & Aura Photography
- Merchants & Artists in our basement Magickal Marketplace
- Costume Contest at 9PM
- Improvisational Trance Drumming & Dancing Upstairs
- Free, Open, Midnight Samhain Ritual by Tree in the Circle and the Dragonfest Crones
Volunteers Needed - Free Admission to Reliable Volunteers
Presented by Living Goddess LLC
Advance Ticket Sales by Credit Card or Bank Transfer
Available September 15th through October 24th here:
Adult Admission
$15.00Children's Admission
$5.00Not available online the day of the Witches' Ball - buy tickets at the door
After
September 15th, Tickets will be available at:
Herbs & Arts,
2015 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303.388.2544
Isis, 2775 S Broadway, Englewood, 303.761.8627
Spirit Wise, 6590 S. Boadway, Centennial, 303.730.2974
For Heaven's Sake, 4383 Tennyson St, Denver, 303.964.9339
It Must Be Karma, 12008 Melody Drive, Westminster, 303.252.7489
Tickets also available at the door at the Witches' Ball.
Entertainment
~~~~~2008 Witches' Ball Entertainment Schedule~~~~~
- 7:30 to 8:15PM, ballroom - Tuatha's first set
- 8:30 to 9PM, ballroom - EnDleSS Dance - Opening Ritual to invoke and honor the Elemental energies and the end of the harvest season
- 9 to 10PM, ballroom - Costume Contest
- 10 to 10:15PM, ballroom - Serpent Moon dances a dark fusion of Celtic and mid-Eastern dance to celebrate Samhain
- 10:15 to 11:30PM, ballroom - Tuatha's second set
- 11:30PM to midnight, front door vestibule - Johnny Judish and friends with drums, digeridoo and more
- midnight - The Samhain Ritual, ballroom
- All night, basement - The Magickal Marketplace
- All night, mezzanine room - Psychic Readings and Aura Photography
- 8 to 11:30PM, second floor, north Lodge Room - Improvisational Drumming and Dancing
- 7 to 10:30PM, second floor, south Lodge Room - Community Organization Fundraising Fair
Serpent Moon is a group of performers who strive to widen the definition of belly dance in America. The dancers of Serpent Moon - Chaya, Zaina, Sevilla, Eoduin, Aiyana, Tirzah, Peggy and Jonna - bring graceful motion, unusual music and a dash of whimsy to their audience. With shimmying hips, glinting swords and swirling veils, the dancers captivate and entertain.
Up on the second floor in the north lodge room, we keep the improvisational drumming and dancing going until 11:30 pm. If you can keep a beat, you are welcome to bring your percussion instruments and join in.
At 9PM, on the main stage, our traditional Witches' Ball Costume Contest begins. Don't miss the artistry and imagination that goes into these fantastic costumes -- some people work on theirs for weeks beforehand. First we judge the children's costumes, and then the adults, with prizes for the best costumes each year.
Merchants and Psychics
The psychic readers, energy healer and aura photography will once again have their own cozy room for divining on the mezzanine level between the basement and main floor.
Our artists and vendors will fill the basement of the Masonic Temple with their Magickal Marketplace, a tempting bazaar of colors, smells and sounds. They offer for sale the beautiful, the exotic and the magickal: clothing, costumes and fabrics; jewelry, chainmail and leatherwork; CDs, tapes and books; candles, altar tools and statuary; swords, knives and staffs; gemstone-encrusted crystal wands, fused and stained glass; herbs, oils and incenses; handmade soaps, lotions and bath salts; imports from Bali, India and Greece; paintings and banners; fairies, dragon puppets and stuffed animals; pottery and drums; crystals and gemstones; tarot boxes and medicine bags; unique mouse pads, cauldrons and t-shirts. We'll also offer henna tattoos, chair massage and face painting.
Buy your Yule gifts from that unique assortment of wares that you can only find together in one place -- at the Witches' Ball!
If you wish to view a sampling of our vendors' wares, check out these websites:
- Divas Healing Herbs and Gifts at www.divasbotanicals.com
- Kamala Health and Beauty items at www.kamala.com
- Sue Clover's Henna Skin Art at www.anandahenna.com
- Clan Stormdancer magical items at www.clanstormdancer.com
Food and BeverageReturning to the Witches' Ball from their overwhelming success running the kitchen last year, is University Grill Catering. For years Dave ran Vella's Italian Restaurant on south Federal Boulevard. Now he's running University Grill Catering and The Tap House on 26th and Kipling. His lasagna is homemade and the burgers are cooked to order. He offers reasonably-priced dinners, snacks and hot and cold beverages for both vegetarians and carnivores.
The kitchen is behind the main stage in the ballroom. Tables and chairs will be set up for dining on either side of the ballroom. Recycling containers will be provided for depositing plastic water bottles and aluminum pop cans. Additionally, cold beverages will be for sale in the basement Magickal Marketplace.
2008 Witches' Ball Menu
All-beef Hotdogs with condiments and chips Hamburgers with fixings and chips Smothered Beef and Bean Burritos with fixings BBQ Chicken with Potato Salad Meal Meatloaf and Potatoes with Green Salad Vegetarian Lasagne (blended cheeses), bread and salad Meat and Cheese Lasagne, bread and salad Beverages (soda, bottled water) Dessert Gourmet coffee drinks, tea and hot chocolate will be offered by the folks from the Witches' Brew Coffeehouse. After the Witches' Ball, the Brew will be open late for after-the-Ball socializing at 4900 W 46th Avenue (just east of Sheridan Blvd). See Map
Community Groups
This year at the Ball, WRAPP is launching its new website with a Front Range Pagan Community Calendar and the Pagan Purple Pages. In combination with the launch of this new community resource, the Witches' Ball is throwing a Community Organization Fair and Fundraiser. A dollar from every paid adult admission to the Ball will be donated to the community groups taking part in the fundraiser which are some of -- but not all of -- these organizations:
Alexandria Temple of Universal Metaphysics
The AlexandriaTemple of Universal Metaphysics has been serving the Denver area for many years. In the last few years it has affiliated as a branch of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church to strengthen its primary role in providing ministry to the Pagan and Wiccan prison populations of the state of Colorado. ATUM can use donations of spiritual reading material for the inmates, allowable ritual supplies, office supplies, stamps and money.Reclaiming Spirit, Denver
The Reclaiming Church in Denver is a community working to unify spirit and politics. Reclaiming offers rituals, workshops and classes, many featuring nationally-renowned teachers of Reclaiming Witchcraft.Grove of the Morning Star Wiccan Church
Grove of the Morning Star facilitates family worship of the Goddess and Gods at the Sabbats and Esbats, and monthly reiki healing sessions. An assembly of diverse Pagan people, it is the second branch of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Denver.The Circle of Transformation is a teaching coven in Wheat Ridge, offering free Wicca classes for the serious student.
The Covenant of the Wiccae is a teaching coven in Littleton, offering Wicca classes for the cost of materials, and open seasonal rituals.
The Denver Pagan MeetUp Group provides a vehicle for meeting and discussion among Pagans of different paths.
Highlands Ranch Pagan MeetUp Group (HRPMG)
The HRPMG offers classes, discussion groups, rituals and activities for adults and for children in the south Metro area. They sponsor an annual community Beltane Festival each May.
Northern Colorado Covenant of the River
This group, based in Fort Collins, serves the northern Colorado Pagan community, providing a vehicle for meeting and discussion among Pagans of different paths.
Prairie Wilderness Cemetery is pursuing the local implementation of ecological burial, which promotes low-cost, low-impact burial while preserving natural, native-grass prairie habitat.
Wiccan Rights and Pagan Pride (WRAPP)
WRAPP is a Colorado nonprofit corporation working for Earth Religion Civil, Constitutional and religious rights and religious tolerance in Colorado. At this year's Witches' Ball WRAPP is launching it's new website with the Front Range Pagan Community Calendar and The Pagan Purple Pages listing directory.
The Midnight Samhain Ritual
This year's Samhain Ritual is written and performed by Tree in the Circle and the Dragonfest Crones. Tree in the Circle has been producing New Moon rituals at the Witches' Brew Coffeehouse that combine Pagan and Kabalistic elements. The Crones went through a croning ritual together at Dragonfest and have continued to share personal and spiritual exploration together ever since.
This ritual will focus on change and transformation. A Boy and a Girl, transformed from infancy, look forward to adulthood. A Man and a Woman, remembering their childhood, recognize their future as sage and crone. Sage and Crone, enjoying their lives, invite contemplation of the Final Transformation. The six decide to visit the Land of the Dead, and all are invited to join them, protected with cuttings from the Golden Bough. Hecate, the Sybil of Cumae and Charon will be our guides as we journey to learn what we can and to honor the dead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Do I have to wear a costume?
Answer: No, it's optional, but about half the attendees do. Feel welcome to wear a costume, party clothes or jeans -- whatever would make you comfortable.
2) Do I have to be Pagan or Wiccan to attend the Witches' Ball?
Answer: No, it's open to the public. Some folks come just because it's the best Halloween party in town! If you would be comfortable with an eclectic mix of friendly folk of all ages and genders, some of whom who practice nontraditional religions or beliefs, then you're welcome to join us.
3) Is the Witches' Ball suitable for children?
Answer: Generally, yes. In the Pagan community the Ball is considered a family event and many bring the whole family. Be advised, however, that there is not any special children's or teen programming, so if dancing to music or drumming, the costume contest, etc. would bore your child, I do not recommend bringing them.
My only caution might be that one or more of the adult costumes can occasionally get a little risque'. If you would not be comfortable with your children seeing that, then it's probably best they not come. Please do not leave your child or teenager unsupervised at the Witches' Ball.
4) What if I just want to come to the midnight ritual?
Answer: That is fine. Arrive after 11:30PM and there will be no admittance charge. (Also it will be easier to find parking.) We will not be allowing folks into the ballroom or main floor hallway for a half hour before the ritual begins because congregating in - and blocking - the hallway is a safety risk. You may visit the merchants in the basement or you may wait in the foyer of the front door, but security will stop you from entering the main floor.At midnight those waiting in the foyer will be summoned for the processional into the
ritual hall. Anyone waiting elsewhere in the building for ritual to start will need to keep track of the time and come to the foyer at midnight. After all worshippers have entered the ritual hall, all exterior doors of the Masonic Temple will be locked and there will be no further admittance to the facility. All doors to the ritual hall will also be locked, and no one will be admitted late to the ritual.
People not attending the ritual will not be allowed to wait unsupervised in the building. Either wait in your car, make arrangements to meet at the Denny's restaurant south of the Temple on Federal, or volunteer to be part of the supervised cleanup crew.
5) Is there an expected standard of behavior at the Witches' Ball?
Answer: The vast majority of Witches' Ball participants (up to 900 of us each year!) consider this a spiritual community event and have a great deal of fun in a responsible, loving and positive way, but a few immature souls (just a couple handfuls over the last 16 years) sometimes act less honorably. Therefore, see the Expected Standard of behavior below.
6) Is there alcohol for sale?
Answer: No, this is a nonalcoholic event. If you want an altered state experience, try out the trance drumming and dancing upstairs! Dancing to Tuatha could get you there, too.
7) Can I take photographs at the Witches' Ball?
Answer: Yes, but please ask permission first, and respect those who decline. Some Pagans or Wiccans are not "out of the broom closet" and prefer their anonymity.
8) What about parking?
Answer: I encourage folks to carpool to the Witches' Ball, as there is limited parking in the parking lot. You may also park on the adjacent streets and in the surrounding neighborhood. As we have had one incident of vehicle theft (from across the street) and one smashed window/radio theft (in the parking lot) over the years, I am cautioning folks to leave valuables at home, or lock them in the trunk, out of sight. Remove radios, DVD players, cell phones, etc. And do not say, "I'd sure like to be rid of this vehicle" before entering the Ball (i.e do not tempt the Gods or the neighborhood delinquents).
We will have Security patrol the parking lot, as in years past, but we cannot be everywhere at once. So please help each other out by reporting any suspicious activity to Security.
9) Is the Witches' Ball wheelchair accessible?
Answer: Yes. There are wheelchair parking spaces at the south and north of the Temple building. Send word to the front door (the west door facing Federal) that you need to be let in at the south door facing 35th Avenue where there is an access ramp, and someone will go round and let you in.
There is an elevator near that ramped south door that can take you to the basement or second floor. The only space not accessible by wheelchair is the mezzanine lounge where the psychic readers hold sway. If you would like a psychic reading from one of them, please ask for help. Tell our Security volunteer at the Information Table and s/he will work on a solution for you.
The wheelchair accessible restroom is to the right of the entrance to the kitchen. People going into the kitchen to buy food will turn left. You will turn right and enter the office. This small restroom is used only by staff, merchants, and the wheelchair-mobile. Signage in the ballroom will point to this restroom.
10) What about ticket sales?
Answer: Advance ticket sales are available at Isis, Herbs and Arts, Spirit Wise, For Heavens' Sake and It Must Be Karma beginning September 15th. You may pay with cash or check. You may buy them at the last minute at the stores, unless they've already sold all they had.
Tickets will be available for purchase online, here at this website, by credit card or bank transfer September 15th through October 24th. Do not purchase tickets through this website on the day of the Witches' Ball because we will not have time to log on to the computer that day. Just buy them at the door.
Tickets are transferable - if you can't make it to the Witches' Ball, just give or sell your ticket to someone else.
11) Do I have to purchase my tickets in advance?
Answer: No. you may purchase your tickets at the door. We might change that at some time in the future, but not this year. For those who've already bought their tickets, it just speeds up your entrance to go to the shorter line for those who've already paid.
12) What if I need help, have a question, have lost an item, need a first aid kit, etc?
Answer: Go to the Information Table and the person there will summon someone to help you. That's also where the first aid kit and lost-and-found will be. Out on the floor, roving Security staff will be in uniform and Security volunteers will be wearing armbands that say "Security".
13) Can I smoke cigarettes at the Witches' Ball?
Answer: Yes, but not inside the building. The smoking area is outside the south door.14) Can I go out and come back in again?
Answer: Yes, You will get your hand stamped when you first go through the entrance door and that will let you in and out again all evening. You may exit from any of the exit doors, but you may only come back in again through the front door. Please flash your hand stamp at the registration volunteers when you come back in.
15) What if I'd like to be a vendor or reader at the Witches' Ball?
Answer: Call or e-mail me, and I will mail or e-mail you out a vendor packet after asking you a couple questions. The vendor packets get sent out at the beginning of September. There are waiting lists for jewelers and psychic readers and I may limit vendors in other categories if we are getting too many folks selling the same kind of goods.
I screen the readers before they can work the Witches' Ball. You need to show me that you are accurate, insightful, articulate and ethical.
The merchants' Magickal Marketplace tends to fill up about a week before the Witches' Ball, so get those vendor applications back to me early.
16) What about volunteering at the Witches' Ball?
Answer: I couldn't produce the Witches' Ball without volunteer staff. It takes over 70 volunteers to make everything run smoothly. As a token of my thanks, volunteers get into the Witches' Ball for free.
Some volunteer jobs can be done before the Ball, some are during, and some are after (such as late-night hauling and cleanup). The majority are short volunteer jobs that last for 2 1/2 hours. Some angelic spirits volunteer for longer stints. A few work for me all night; I shall be grateful to them until the day I die.
If you wish to volunteer I will question you to determine if you are a responsible person and attempt to match you with a job you would enjoy. If you volunteer it is your responsibility to have someone to back you up if you can't make it at the last minute. No-shows are one of the things that stress me out the most each year!
I also hire a small number of staff each year to assist me in coordination of it all. And security staff. If you are a licensed Security professional I may be able to hire you.
17) Can I volunteer for the Witches' Ball if I'm a teenager?
Answer: Probably not. If you can provide me with references (besides your mother) who can vouch for you, I'm willing to decide that on a one-by-one basis. Unfortunately, I've had bad experiences with young volunteers. The teenagers who are flakes tend to ruin it for the ones who are gems. (That's true of adults as well, isn't it?)
I need volunteers who are self-directed, who can get the job done without a lot of supervision because I am distracted by multiple problem-solving needs all night. (There are six to eight major activity areas going on simultaneously all night long.) Most of the kids I've worked with seem to need direction and/or supervision, and I'm not able to give it, so it hasn't worked out well.
Expected Standard of Behavior
- As this is a family event, overt or crude sexual behavior - even when dancing - is not appropriate. Those behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave.
- No drinking, no drugs. Those arriving obviously drunk or stoned may be refused admittance or asked to leave. Those caught engaging in illegal activities will be reported to the police.
- No firearms or unsheathed knives or swords.
- No fighting. Not even among hormone-crazed teenagers and young men. You will be asked to leave.
- Pick up after yourself, depositing trash or recycling in the appropriate containers. Before you leave, check to see if you've left anything behind.
- Vandalism or shoplifting will be reported to the police.
- Your admission will not be refunded if you are asked to leave because of irresponsible behavior.
- Please find a Security professional or a Security volunteer wearing a security armband if you need assistance or run into problems. Feel free to tell people who are misbehaving to stop, and call for backup from Security if necessary. Key personnel, including Security, will be connected by walkie-talkie and the Information Table will be the communications hub.
Witches' Ball 2003 Photography Courtesy of Christopher Stark
Witches' Ball 2005 Photography Courtesy of Jeannot Pasteur
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