When Halloween dress-up takes on artistic levels, it is usually seen at Menagerie.
The annual gala is spooky and wild with cultural flair, in no small part due to its location: Two Rivers Gallery. A certain spirit comes seemingly out of those walls like party ghosts.
"Menagerie has been going for a number of years, but it has been revamped this year," said gallery managing director Carolyn Holmes. "We have changed it up a bit and put a whole lot of new energy into it, because of Aisha Hamis (public programmer) and Meghan Hunter-Gauthier (acting assistant curator). They have taken it over and really given it new life."
They couldn't help it. Both Hunter-Gauthier and Hamis are new to the gallery staff, they moved to Prince George from other locations in Canada to take up these posts, and neither was living here when the last Menagerie was held.
"It's fun to be involved in something that is a great time, that is already really well known in the community, that reaches towards opening our demographics by bringing new people into the gallery, and to wow people who have been there for Menagerie in the past. It's a great opportunity for us," said Hamis, who was raised in Ontario, got a masters degree in England (Newcastle University) and spotted the gallery job posting online just when she was finished school and ready for a professional adventure.
For those who've never been, or those who have and like to remember, Menagerie is a glittery, fiery spectacle of costume, music and food.
When guests arrive, they will be greeted by a fire-spinner at the door. Inside is a collection of fortune tellers, jugglers, burlesque dancers, aerial acro dancers, carnival games and cotton candy, with a sumptuous spread of food by Zaffron Restaurant, pulsing dance music at 11 p.m. and live musicians in the earlier hours.
"We are really excited about something new and original this year," said Hamis.
"We have a couple of excellent local musicians (Danny Bell of Black Spruce Bog and Raghu Lokanathan) who have written some music especially for this occasion and they will be performing it with us, live. It's a way to really make the evening one of a kind."
There will also be tasting tables for absinthe and scotch, a silent auction, art to view, and the living art coming with tickets in their hands. The level of Menagerie costume creativity is second to none, in Prince George Halloween events.
The winning outfit gets a free trip for four to Jasper on VIA Rail.
So what is Hamis going to be this year? When you work at an art gallery, helping organize a circus-themed Halloween spectacular, a department store super hero won't cut it.
"I'm not sure yet, but I'm working on it," she said. "It's hard to compete with some of the people who come. I know last year's costume winner has already bought tickets again this year so there is going to be a defending of the title. I have to step it up."
The event is headed for a sellout already, so Hamis recommended picking up any remaining tickets as soon as possible.
Also, bring along payment methods for the silent auction items and other fundraising components. Menagerie is one of the gallery's most important economic generators of the year.
Menagerie 2016 - Twisted Circus takes place Oct. 29 from 8 p.m. until late into the night.
Tickets are $50 plus tax/fees (student and group discounts available), available online at the Two Rivers Gallery website and at the gallery front desk while supplies last.
