EYES ON HALLOWEEN!

Take a second to set your screen at 150% to see the photos larger.

This Halloween I finally get out of the Tower -- Ivory that is. I am seeking humanity in all its fabulous forms. Power to the People!

Bill and I like Shooters Waterfront Cafe in Ft. Lauderdale. After we watch a video of their lively 2008 Party with the sensational Riverdown Band, we know exactly where we want to go to see it ALL.

We hit the road for Shooters, arriving at Twilight....



Witchy Woman is on deck and yachts are rafted 4-deep.



We observe the gathering of Goulish Ghosts and



Ghastly Goblins.



But I am no match for the Wicked Witch of the West



and her band of Hellish Harpies



winners of Miami radio's "2009 93ROCK Halloween Contest".

A Nifty Nurse stands by, eager to help,



while hopefuls amass out front to compete for Best Costume and Hottest Bod.



Some contestants cause a double take on the dock.



Adam and Eve make multiple appearances



in different guises with snakes in tow.



Some Raggetty Dolls will do anything for a beer,



and this Fantastic Four must be up to something,



while Marshal Dillon returns to Dodge City with the Ladies of Gunsmoke.



And which yacht did my friend with this hat come from?



As I ponder this array of salty specimens, the Grim Reaper sneaks up on me....



but I escape to the bar, crowded by people, TVs and yachts,



to get a delicious, chilly Chardonnay from the Pirate Lass.



If you wonder what to wear on Halloween, all witches wear black, like my Sassy Sisters,



as well as Sexy Soulmates,



and a Sultry Spirit floating in with The Batman.



Black is also a favorite of Batgirls,



Comrads-in-Arms,



and Headless Honchos.



But RED is everywhere, the predominant fashion statement of the evening --



from the Russian table -- really --



to the Saudi Power Couple -- as if --



to Little Miss Red on the waterfront.



But don't you agree that this Red Beauty should win for moxy?



Meet my friend, Dennis Higgins, the real deal. He is an Irish FDNY veteran that will provide the bagpipes and drums for any event -- fdnydigger@yahoo.



But what's up with this "tattoo shirt" on my Biker friend. I say,"No pain, no gain."



What's wrong with this picture? Two handsome Jokers with perfect teeth!



And the Cop and the Perp are doing time together.



Behold! The Bishop and the Barmaid!



At 10 O'clock Riverdown is Rockin' and Rollin'.



Jimi Robinette is the Lead Vocalist,



Clint Ettorre is on Guitar and does vocals,



Howi Hughes is on Bass Guitar,



and CJ Wereski is on Drums.



Jimi rocks it.



I think I'll dance all night



with my new X-friends, Mystique and Wolverine



and roll with the rockin' Riverdown Band.



Thanks, Jimi!

Catch him below in the 2009 video, featuring a colorful crowd at Shooters Waterfront Cafe. See "Oz Fest" winning the $5,000 first place award for costumes in the 93ROCK Halloween Contest (updated 3/18/10).

http://www.shooterscafe.com/

A tip for the day after: Put Shooters on your calendar for Halloween 2010."

Until next Halloween,

Witchy Woman

All rights reserved © 2009 Leora Long and © 2009 Bill Long

X-SCREAM!

For the past two years I have had the privilege of photographing the X-Scream Halloween Show for the G-Star School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, even though no cameras are allowed. Last year the photos included my niece, Heaven, portraying one of the ZOMBIES who jump out from behind the school busses outside the show.



This year she has been working tirelessly behind the scenes with a crew of dedicated volunteers, helping the director, George Colavecchio, produce the most successful show in the event's history.

The 2009 show has broken all past records for box office, number of student volunteers and SCARINESS. The show was highly creative, based on six copyrighted themes developed by the students.

Seen on the website: http://www.xscreamhalloween.com/haunts.htm

On your way into the show Zombies were inescapable, coming at you from all directions.



But apparently they were told not to touch anyone, so no brains were eaten in the production of this show.



Dead people never looked so alive ...



... or threatening, especially carrying guns.



Mysterious dancers performed for us as we waited in line for the show.



We had a manic harlequin greeter. I had to remind myself that these were student actors with makeup by student volunteers. Brilliant.



Through a deep fog which occasionally lifted, we saw waifs lost in disturbed childhood....



or stuck in a no-exit hotel and up to no good....



or puppets made from human remains, following you from room to room.



The following video from the Travel Channel about my niece's extraordinary school will give you a brief tour through the 2008 event, one of the "13 Scariest Haunted Attractions in America".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82hKc_4iNsk

Tip for the day: Volunteering is a great basis for creative thinking.

Enjoy, Leora

All rights reserved © 2009 Leora Long