Julio Torres’ Guide to Throwing a Halloween Extravaganza
Make it stand out
There are Halloween parties - the kind where everyone puts on a pair of cat ears and proceeds to get drunk on bright orange ‘punch’ - and there are all out Halloween extravaganzas. These are events where the runway is Drag Race standard, and everyone who enters through the doors has put so much effort into their looks, they could well have just walked off of the set of an expensive, conceptual horror film.
You won’t be surprised to hear that the Polyester gals are fans of the latter approach (extra? Us? How dare you), which means that we’re beside ourselves with news of actor, writer and director Julio Torres’ second annual NYC-based Halloween party The Cursed Amulet, taking place on October 30th at 154 Scott in Brooklyn.
The night, thrown in conjunction with Disco Nap and Presenting Sponsor Urban Decay, does not have a theme but more of a vibe (“Mommy’s Moods” - truly terrifying you’ll agree), and replete with live performances, special guest hosts, DJs, and even a Julia Fox-judged costume contest.
“At Disco Nap, we love partnering with artists who have a distinct point of view, and helping to bring their ideas to life,” says Disco Nap Founder and Executive Producer Lauren Mandel. “Julio Torres is a true visionary and we can’t wait for everyone to enter the universe of Mommy’s Moods at this year’s Cursed Amulet. We’re now in our second year and plan to keep this event going year after year.”
It should be all about the costumes
There’s plenty of events where you can be a sexy little something on a dance floor or where people put in a lot of effort that isn’t seen. My party is where your glory can be appreciated.
Speaking of, find a costume that says something about you!
The best costumes are the ones that make the wearer feel fully realised at a level they hadn’t before.
Be very serious about the silliness of the guestlist
I’m thinking: which friends can make this REALLY fun and silly?
Make the snacks actually spooky
I’m not a canapé oriented person but if it brings people joy, sure. They should not be explicitly Halloween themed. Like, why would food in a spooky house have pumpkins on it? The food should be, say, rotten fruit. Cupcakes with Halloween imagery are no better than a kid wearing a Disney princesses costume with the face of the princesses printed on the chest.
Channel the spirit of Halloween, not capitalism
Halloween should be embodied, not purchased. I’d love for my guests to discover something about themselves that they will then apply to the rest of the year.
Read on for the full event lineup and get your tickets here -
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Tomás Matos
HOSTS
Bobbi Salvör Menuez
Bronwyn Newport
Ceyenne Doroshow
Cherry Jaymes
Fran Tirado
James Scully
Josh Sharp
Julio Torres
Mondo Guerra
Richie Shazam
COSTUME COMPETITION JUDGES
Dara Allen
Julio Torres
Julia Fox
Sydnee Washington
DJs
Leland
Makadsi
OHYUNG
RAHFAHAEL
Rose Dommu
DJ Zenobia
PERFORMANCE
Cherry Jaymes
Spike Einbinder
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE
Allie X