Last year, I had a very low key Halloween since I didn’t dress up although I participated in a Halloween event for the children at my parents’ church. My mind was still adjusting to relocating back home. So, my energy was mostly for survival rather than creativity. Halloween had snuck up on me and passed me by.
Chair Dance Class
Not this time. I ordered my costume before October. Although I bought an adult women’s large, the head piece could have only fit a child’s head. I then learned that most tailors in town were either fully booked until the end of October or they didn’t make costume alterations. Fortunately my sister knew a woman whose side hustle was costume-making.
Witchy Xmas Tree
She and her husband had an incredible number of action figures around their living room and dining room along with three adorable dogs. I knew I’d found my seamstress. She flawlessly enlarged the headpiece after a week.
Festive Ahsoka Pose
Another unexpected challenge was getting one of my costume accessories: eyelashes. First of all, I don’t enjoy shopping, which is why when I look at the items I need to pick up for the week, I get them all, preferably, at one place. If not one place, then I plan to visit places that are close together to save both time and money. So, for this shopping excursion, Walmart.
3 Haunted Chair Dancers
Normally, that would have been OK, but not this time. Apparently, if a customer needs an item that is locked behind glass, not only does the customer need to hunt down an employee, but the employee has to escort the customer around the store until in the check out line. I went pie-eyed when the employee told me that. For $10 worth of lashes and glue, I got my very own Walmart escort to deter theft. I told him that he was fortunate that I only needed one other item before checking out. Just to compare, I ended up going to three other stores a few days later and they were all swinging in eyelashes for just anyone to take!
Head Skeleton in Charge
My costume came together the day of my event: a ladies only Halloween dance showcase. All the performers were teachers and students. Although I’d been invited to perform, I happily told everyone that I was coming to pose.
Feeling Halloweeny
My sister, who’s an art teacher, painted my face, arms, shoulders and back. Thank goodness because I wouldn’t have even attempted this costume without her assistance. I could have done a decent job with the design on my face, but not the rest. Talk about costuming commitment! By contrast, she dressed up as “Pumpkin Spice.”
Pumpkin Spice
The focus to detail paid off in another way as well: we arrived 30 minutes after the doors opened. As soon as we walked in, the show began. We still looked for available seats. Typical Black people. Arrive 30 minutes late, still want a good seat. My sister opted to sit on the floor within the ring of seated audience members. I remained standing. I didn’t get all costumed just to sit on the floor. She got the bird eye’s view to all the twerking on the floor. In the middle of the event, we scored two chairs.
Hey Boo!
All the performances were phenomenal. My very first level one teacher, who’d moved away, performed. The student performances blew me away, especially my friend who was on the lyra (hoop). Her performance even amazed the lyra teacher.
Ahsoka and Instructor
No adult Halloween party would be complete with libations. The back room had a delicious selection of Jello shots, punch, alcohol, desserts, and savory dishes. I practically inhaled the meatballs in barbecue sauce.
Ahsoka and Students
Once the show was over, I introduced my sister to everyone. As we mingled, there seemed to be some conspiracy about me performing in a Christmas-themed event. That remains to be determined.
Costume Party Time
I have no interest in performing except in a storytelling fashion. For much longer than a fleeting moment, I pondered how I could write a short spoken word piece, which I could dramatize. I’m not sure if it’ll be Christmas themed, but that’s a far more interesting performance idea for me.
After the Performances
Then again, instead of writing a brand new piece, I could always polish off one of my past works and revamp it as a performance piece. Who knows, life is full of possibilities.
Final Bow