Greetings On-Line Family!

"Darkness Falls Across The Land.  The Midnight Hour is Close At Hand.  Creatures Crawl In Search of Blood To Terrorize Yawl's Neighborhood.  And Whosoever Shall Be Found Without The Soul for Getting Down, Must Stand And Face The Hounds of Hell And Rot Inside A Corpse's Shell.  The Foulest Stench Is In The Air, The Funk of Forty Thousand Years. And Grizzly Ghouls From Every Tomb are closing in to Seal your Doom. And Though You Fight To Stay Alive Your body Starts To Shiver For No Mere Mortal Can Resist The Evil of The Thriller"

Lyrics from Michael Jackson's 1984 hit single "Thriller." Rap by Vincent Price

Halloween Time is here...A spooktacular time of year!  A fun time for kids as they move ghostly without fear from house to house adorned in masks and costumes singing happily

"Trick-or-Treat...Trick-or-Treat, Give Me Something Good To Eat. Give Me Candy, Give Me Cake.  Give Me Something Sweet to Take!"  

Their little eyes sparkling as they sing so sweetly, and how gratified they are of your false ghastly expression of gory.  A bid of good night rings out in song as they skip along their shadowy way to frighten another one.  With joy in their hearts and thoughts of good eats, they can't wait to get indoors to tear open their treats.

Written By Susan Mangatal

Halloween, is celebrated on the night of October 31st, and is just a day away.  Different cultures view this holiday somewhat differently, but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.  It is celebrated with trick-or-treating (a catholic tradition of eating and giving soul cakes on Halloween), bonfires, wearing costumes (originated by Celtic villagers who would dress up in ghoulish costumes and noisily parade around, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess), costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns (comes from Irish folklore).  Actually, some think it's a time for fun, friends and family, while others see its superstitious nature or ties to deceased, and some religions view it as an unholy holiday.  However, millions celebrate this holiday each year, and many do so without knowing its origins, which makes the holiday that much more exciting.  

This holiday is one of the oldest and the second most popular in America (Christmas is the oldest).  The story of Halloween is fascinating and its origins date back thousands of years ago, actually in the Catholic Church, it comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve -  November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), which is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints.  

However, in the 5th century BC about 2000 years ago the Celts who lived in Ireland celebrated the official end of summer on October 31st (and continued celebrating their New Year on November 1st.)  This was celebrated with the festival "Samhain" (sow en), which was the day that marked the end of summer and harvest, and the beginning of the dark cold winter.  This time of year was often associated with human death and the Celts believed on October 31st the night before the New Year, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred; and due to them entirely being dependent on the volatile natural world, they believed that all laws of space and time were suspended allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.  The Celts further believed that the ghosts of the dead and disembodied spirits of those who died throughout the preceding year would returned to earth in search of living bodies to possess for the next year, as well as cause trouble and damage to crops.  They believed that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids or Celtic priest to make predictions about the future; and to commemorate the event the Druids build huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

Interesting...indeed it is, and the history of Halloween is certainly worth a read, so for more details and the history of this fascinating holiday, PLEASE CLICK HERE! Courtesy of www.history.com.

As you celebrate this holiday either partying with your friends and loved ones, or trick-or-treating with your kids please be safe and enjoy the holiday!!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Before I move on, and away from Halloween, bear with me as I share with you our first experience at a Bonfire Party this past weekend!  Actually, My Husband - Todd and I were unaware of what a Bonfire Party represented until recently.   (As I completed my research of Halloween).  

Last weekend we traveled to the woods of Maryland to a Bonfire Party that Carl Malcolm and the Positive Vibration Band was performing at.  When we arrived at this private party on the several acres of land owned by the party organizers, we were met by the bright flicker of the flames and warmth of a large Bonfire.  (See the picture we captured on the right).  Being that it was a cold, crisp,  and windy night we were glad for the warmth of the Bonfire which made our time watching Carl and the PVB's performance quite pleasant.  We spent the night in the cold air enjoying the good music, sipping cider, chatting about everything including the weather, music and how lovely this private outdoor party was - under the stars; as well as trying to decipher...why a bonfire.  Funny we didn't realize at the time the bonfire represented Halloween.  (Bonfires were lit throughout England to celebrate "Guy Fawkes Day",  and they were also built and lit by Druids for the Celts to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. )

Boo To You From Our Crew!

"Much Ado About Nothing" - My Thoughts!

I was afforded the opportunity to see the play "Much Ado About Nothing" which is currently being performed nightly at the Folger Theatre in Washington DC by a great multi-ethnic cast.  This interesting modernized hip version of Shakespeare's  romantic comedy was indeed quite charming and witty.

As you know Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer and the world's preeminent dramatist, and it was nice to see his "Much Ado About Nothing" set in modern day Washington DC during the DC Caribbean Carnival Season.  The director tried to portray the setting with Carnival masks and music.  However, for me he fell short with making me feel as if it was Carnival Time by two (2) simple, but very important elements of Carnival - Soca Music and Steel Pan Music!  The masking too was not elaborate when compared to the Caribbean Carnival Costumes and masking, but the masks used did depict Carnival.

Cultural authenticity is very important for any public display of culture!  Therefore, I am surprised that these important aspects of Carnival was not portrayed, and to its fullest.  It is clear that more detailed collaboration with folks who "live and breathe" Carnival was not seeked, or if seeked was not conveyed accurately, intensely or passionately.  

For me being a part of Carnival (1) previously as one of the members of the organizing body of DC Carnival; as well as (2) a participant in the parade (organizing and managing a masquerade band).  It was a bit disturbing that I didn't get the "feel" of Carnival.  I guess this crazy thing called Carnival has great meaning to me.  I however was proud that the play opened with the radio commercial of the 2009 DC Carnival Celebration (voiced by Giselle the Wassi One,) and with the Character "Lady Beatrice" holding the Carnival flyer in her hands which clearly displayed the DC Caribbean Carnival Logo (Lady Beatrice pasted the flyer onto a pillar located on the stage which was visible throughout the entire play.)  

Generally "Much Ado About Nothing" was performed excellently.  The modern clothing was quite cool!  The cast was indeed multi-ethnic and positively fantastic.  I especially enjoyed Rachel Leslie who portrayed Lady Beatrice, as well as Howard W. Overshown who played Sir Benedict, and Alex Perez who portrayed Dogberry.  Additionally, Roxi Victorian who portrayed"Lady Hero" was quite good.  In fact, the entire cast was incredible!

In closing , I must commend the Director Timothy Douglas and his brilliant team for doing a magnificent job, the idea of modernizing "Much Ado About Nothing" and setting it around DC Caribbean Carnival is awesome, despite the soca music and steel pan music being absent (except for the last song played entitled "Congo Man" - The version sang by Popular Soca Artist Machal Montano & Famous Calypsonian The Might Sparrow).   In fact, overall the producers and director did a great honor to DC Caribbean Carnival and the Caribbean Community for setting the play around Carnival.  I am delighted they did, because the recognition of this historic and festive event is extremely precious.

I certainly agree wholeheartedly with our friend Sister Dera Tompkins who stated while conversing with me via e-mail: "I think that the best thing about the play is that it is a great vehicle to get young (and old) black people to see and relate to a Shakespeare play.  Shakespeare was a great writer and his work is constantly referenced in writing and all media.  It is important to be aware and familiar with his work.  He was an amazing writer whose work has transcended the centuries. To put Shakespeare's work in a black, contemporary context got me interested in seeing and experiencing Shakespeare which is something I have not done since high school.  ...I hope that a lot of students and teachers will go to see Shakespeare "in color" in the here and now.  I enjoyed the experience and also going to the Folger Theatre for the first time".  

Definitely, you must see "Much Ado About Nothing", it will be playing at the Folger Theatre until November 29, 2009.  Check their site below for the times and cost!  If you get a chance to check out this play, share with me your thoughts. susan@ariousentertainment.us.   

To learn more about this interesting play click the flyer to the right for the larger copy and check out the Folger Theatre's Website at

A Special Thanks To Sister Dera for the invite!  We appreciate you including us in the special showing of "Much Ado About Nothing"!

AN EVENT NOT TO MISS THIS WEEKEND!

This Sunday, November 1st the Caribbean Student Scholarship Fund, Inc (CSSF) presents "The Great Escape: Destination 2010" - A fashion show featuring Designer "Robert Young, The Cloth.  This exciting show will take place at the Sheraton Washington North located at 4095 Powder Mill Road, in Beltsville Maryland.  Proceeds of this event benefits the CSSF Inc. 2010 Scholarship Recipients.

Famed Designer Robert Young is perhaps best described as conscientious yet daring.  He is as well albeit subversively, nationalistic while influenced by the wider region which prove the perfect backdrop for his  practical, colorful and playful designs.  He at one point wanted to join the priesthood: to be a  man of the cloth, hence the labels name.  His dedication to  his craft can therefore only be described as religious.   Each collection seems to represent a variation on a similar theme yet always aware of the global trends without losing sight of the context of his environment.  Robert’s work has gone beyond the clothing rack.  His  designs have been part of presentations of the Emmy Award winning Guyanese cum Trinbagonian mas designer Peter Minshall.  Robert’s work can be seen in Jerusalem for Minshall's Donkey Darby (1993), The Twelve Ships in the  Odyssey (1994) and The Image and Likeness" in Tapestry (1995).  He has also designed for such legendary Caribbean icons of music as David Rudder and the late Andre Tanker, as well as the profound Rapso artiste Ataklan.  He has also done the costuming and set design for several steel orchestras'  panorama final and other presentations.  TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ROBERT CLICK HERE!  

The Cloth started as a collaborative some 22 years ago.  For the last (15) years Robert Young has single handedly maintained the label which has come to represent a unique,  dynamic and always original Caribbean aesthetic.  To Learn More about The Cloth  CLICK HERE!  

CLICK ON THE FLYER on the right directly above to launch a larger copy, so that you can see all the details about this event including the cost!  You can also scroll down to the "Featured Events" Section, or log on to our "Events" Page for the details.

Hope to see you there this Sunday - November 1, 2009, for an evening of Fashion and Fun!!

Feel free to always comment regarding any of my past E-Newsletter commentaries, and I thank you for all the intriguing and thought provoking comments you send me on a regular basis.  As usual, I am eager to hear your thoughts on all I wrote above, so I look forward to having you share them with me: susan@ariousentertainment.us. 

As I close, I ask that you please check out our "Featured Events" below! Additionally log on to our  "Events" page to see all the events we are informed of.  Additionally, if you would like to share your thoughts on any of the issues above,  feel  free to send it directly to me at:  susan@ariousentertainment.us.

Have a great Halloween weekend and PLEASE BE SAFE

FEATURED EVENTS To Enter The "Events" Page Check out our "Featured Events" listed below.   Also, there are several events taking place, so to view all the Events please log on to our "Events" Page above! Starting October 21-Nov. 29 - Washington DC   November 6, 2009 - Miami Florida November 14, 2009 - Washington DC November 14, 2009 - Washington DC Featured Caribbean Social Network - LOG ON...JOIN...MAKE IT YOURS!