Tonight, during my breaks in reading up on how to properly brine a turkey, I’m looking around the internet for inspiration to guide me as I set out to make my costume for the big Krampus event on December 11. All I know at this point is that I want something that won’t disintegrate when subjected to gallons upon gallons of sweat, or, as I like to call it, “Maynard gravy.” It also has to be warm enough to keep me alive on the walk across town, from the Corner Brewery to the Savoy, with the Detroit Party Marching Band. I’d like my costume to have a horn or two, but that’s an option, I think, that I could live without. (I don’t want to spend my whole night obsessing about the possibility of goring someone on the dance floor.) I do, however, think that fur of some kind is absolutely essential, as is a hole near my mouth for the delivery of fermented beverages. In terms of the general vibe I’m aiming for, I think it’s pretty squarely between what you might find at a traditional Krampus event in Eastern Europe, which looks absolutely terrifying, by the way, and Ziggy Stardust era Bowie. Basically, I want to look as though I’d fit in at a sci-fi monster dance party in outer space. The best thing I’ve found thus far, inspiration-wise, is the work of performance artist Nick “not that Nick Cave” Cave, which is absolutely brilliant. (Thanks to Linette for making me aware of Cave’s work.) If you’ve not seen his work before, here’s a short video:
I know I’ll probably just end up going in some kind of kids’ Halloween mask, but I’d like to think that I could pull something cool together.
Oh, and I don’t know what the DJ will end up playing, but here are the songs that I’m suggesting just to get him thinking about things. If you’ve got thoughts on others that might fit with the event, leave a comment.
Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi’s Dead
Alice Cooper – Teenage Frankenstein
Anything by the Mummies
The Stooges – Search and Destroy
David Bowie – Moonage Daydream
Meat Loaf – Paradise by the Dashboard Light
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First, if you don’t know what I’m talking about when I mention “the big Krampus event on December 11,” follow that first link in the post. It should help explain everything.
Second, if you never got to go to your prom, and would like to make up for it by volunteering to help on our Decorations Committee, we’ve got a lot of spray painting and stuff that needs to be done. You can find contact information for our volunteer coordinator here.
And, third, if you want to keep track of our Krampus related activities, you can do so on Facebook.
I got to my prom but it was totally lame. I did win a mock election award though. But totally stupid prom.
Anyway, my costume will have horns but soft ones. And perhaps a riding crop if I can dig it out from under my bed.
That’s the spirit, Patti.
(Please leave the ass hook at home, though, as we’ll have TSA screeners working the door.)
Yes. No. What I need is more anxiety about what to wear to holiday parties. No mom. I didn’t think about it. I did. No. Hah-ha! Oh. I’m sorry. If I’d known. I thought it was just family. I’m sorry. Yes. Yes. Yes. I will. No. No. No!
No. I didn’t know.
A festive sweater does not “take care of” the issue. I thought this sweater would take care of my holiday wardrobe issues. Yes! This is it! No. It does not. Not by a long shot. No.
god i wish is was February already.
“Christmas costume party.”
Christmas. Costume. Christ cost. Chris Cross. Christ Co. Crisco. Christ tomb. Tombmas.Tum. My tummy. Tum a tum tum. Numb. number. Crumb. CHRIST! No mas, no mas, no, mum. no.
damn, my costume has to be redone then. (kidding, not sure I can make it, we have to work at the Big Chill that day for the Ypsi Youth Orchestra). But I’m going to try.
I take it that traditional zombies will not be turned away. Is that correct?
song request: “Monster” by Lady Gaga…
Look at him
Look at me
That boy is bad
And honestly
He’s a wolf in disguise
But I can’t stop staring in those evil eyes
That boy is a monster
M-M-M-Monster
That boy is a monster
M-M-M-Monster
That boy is a monster
I want to go as a toilet brush with fangs. Would that be acceptable? What if I sprinkled some glitter over my bristles?
Do the “kinky boots” Mark.
I’ve been saving dogshit since the day this event was announced a month or so ago. I’ve been putting it all into a kids plastic swimming pool in my back yard. My plan is to marinate myself in it for several hours prior to the ball, and then paint on a clown face.
I was worried that I wouldn’t find the other mm.com’ers but at least I’ll know how to find T Timmons.
I hope EOS goes!!!!
Thanks for the intro to Nick Cave. Amazing work. As for a costume…
How about some Balkan Brass Band music? That will make the Krampus dance!
I will be hot gluing feral cats to my entire body. Will I be allowed to hit the dance floor?
I plan to go completely nude, with former Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell duct taped to to my back.
I want to come on a Segway, dressed like a Redcoat.
I’m going to go as Tim Walberg.
Sorry if I scared any of you off with this post. I didn’t mean to make you fee shitty about your own work by showing Nick Cave’s. I don’t imagine that any of us will come up with anything remotely as cool. So, if you’re making an outfit from garbage bags and duct tape, please don’t just home in it. I promise that no one will laugh. We just want everyone to try.
And I wouldn’t have guessed it, but I’m apparently a fan of Balkan Brass Band music.
And if anyone knows how I’d go about getting in touch with Shirvell, let me know. I’d love to dress him up in assless lederhosen and have Krampus give him a good spanking.
Are there any hunters out there willing to loan me their collection of animal penises? I’d like to hot glue them all over my body.
Am I the only one thinking of coming with a rotting turkey carcass on my head?
Cave is coming to speak at the University of Michigan in February and it’s open to the public.
FEBRUARY 3, 2011
Nick Cave
Nick Cave is an American fabric sculptor, dancer, and performance artist best known for his Soundsuits: wearable fabric sculptures that are bright, whimsical, and other-worldly. He also trained as a dancer with Alvin Ailey. He resides in Chicago and is director of the graduate fashion program at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Cave_(performance_artist)
The Nick Cave speech at the Michigan Theater that was scheduled for this afternoon as part of the Penny Stamps lecture series has been canceled due to weather. It will be rescheduled.
http://www.art-design.umich.edu/stamps