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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 29 > Entry
Monstrously good, with no pretensions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That same ol’ Morpheus outfit from “The Matrix” just wouldn’t cut it anymore. Buzz had worn that diddy to about 40,000 Halloween parties since last year, and we wanted to wear something, well, different for the Monster’s Ball on Saturday night, hosted by Dwight Eubanks, Rick Smalls, Charles Sims and Jamell Young.
So what did we become for the charity event at Eubanks’ Purple Door salon in the historic Sweet Auburn district?
Ernestine, the Forgotten Pussycat Doll. Yes, it was a hot mess.
But of all the parties we’ve had the honor of attending, we must admit this could very well be the best — and we don’t use superlatives around here very often.
Needless to say, walking two blocks up Auburn Avenue to the salon dressed as a hairy drag queen in leopard print was a serious challenge, so we sprinted as fast as we could. Awaiting at the front door was a horse-drawn carriage that whisked guests off on a nerve-calming trip up the street and back to the red-carpet entrance in the rear.
Once inside, eerie cobwebs and two real coffins set the mood as DJ Chaoss spun his own web of hip-hop, old-school R&B and house music. Light fare was served, from turkey and dip to fruit and salmon to cakes and more cakes. Everything was set up stylishly well for the event that benefits Pampering for Peace, which aids victims of domestic violence.
Three bars poured, and Footwork, a dance group made up of Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta students, danced their hearts out, the highlight being their superbly replicating Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video.
But what took the cake here was seeing all the ghosts, goblins and about 150 other costumed night stalkers — gay, straight, white, black, young, old — partying without pretensions, grooving like there was no care in the world.
Anyone can throw tons of loot into a soiree and call it a success, but Buzz likes it most when people from diverse backgrounds can come together and dance and mingle with perfect strangers (in outrageous getups, at that) and leave having made new acquaintances and friends.
And that’s what you found here. People coming to support a good cause and creating a wonderfully festive and united vibe. This is one for the memory books.
But no matter how much fun we had, don’t expect to ever hear about Ernestine, the Forgotten Pussycat Doll, again.
Interesting tidbits behind ‘Halloween’
While we’re on the subject of Halloween — one thing about Buzz, we love a good horror flick. Anyone who can appreciate a good, B-list scare will recall such cheap thrills as “C.H.U.D.,” “Evil Dead” and “Trilogy of Terror,” with that icky little demonoid doll chasing Karen Black around her apartment. We’re still wondering why that hasn’t made it to any “scariest movie moments” list.
Anyway, John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” made in 1978, had the makings of one of those flicks that came and went. And with a tiny budget of $300,000, it was definitely in the cheap thrill category. We already know how the movie went on to become a major studio hit and made Jamie Lee Curtis and Carpenter household names. But some interesting tidbits really caught our attention while watching “Backstory” on AMC on Saturday morning.
*The Michael Myers mask originally was a William Shatner mask from “Star Trek,” bought from a costume shop. Carpenter, making some adjustments to it, liked it because of its natural blank look (hope Shatner’s ego isn’t too crushed).
*Donald Pleasence’s role as Dr. Loomis was originally offered to horror honchos Peter Cushing (he wasn’t available) and Christopher Lee (he turned it down). Lee said later it was the biggest mistake of his career.
*The film, made for the aforesaid $300,000, went on to gross more than $70 million worldwide in its original release.
*Carpenter intentionally had Curtis keep losing her weapon (hanger, knitting needle, butcher knife) to maintain her sense of vulnerability to the audience.
*Actress P.J. Soles, Curtis’ sex-thirsty friend who was strangled soon after sending her boyfriend for a drink in the middle of making out, also played Norma, the wild teen in pigtails who helped mastermind the pig-blood stunt in “Carrie.”
Catch “Halloween” Wednesday at 10 a.m. on AMC.
A princely $41,000 for the first ‘Potter’
The “Harry Potter” empire is still strong, folks.
A copy of J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel sold at auction Thursday for almost $41,000, according to The Associated Press.
A signed, hardback copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” published in 1997, was sold to an anonymous private bidder for $40,326 at Christie’s auction house.
The seventh and final installment, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was published in July. The seven books have sold nearly 400 million copies and have been translated into 64 languages.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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