Halloween Is Beginning To Take Over

The Home Of Newtown United Co-Chair

Newtown United, Inc, which in the previous two years has hosted Artful Bra and Artful Bra & Boxer events as fundraisers for Ann’s Place/The Home of I Can, is planning its 2012 event: “Newtown United ArtFULL — All About Halloween: Newtown’s Best Halloween Bash.”

This year’s special event — which will also raise funds for local food pantries — will be Saturday, October 27, in The Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street. The event will run from 7 to 10 pm, and guests are being encouraged this year to dress in costume. To help those who may want to add a final touch to their ensemble, or perhaps make it easier for those who want to throw their outfit together onsite, masks and other costume items are being created by local artists including Ann Marie Sipherd, who delivered nearly three dozen paper cutouts to event co-chair Rosemary Rau this week.

The masks are male and female, ranging from clowns and witches to flappers, sailors, and even a hooded devil. Black pieces of ribbon tied around the back of a wearer’s head hold the masks in place, and quickly transform anyone’s appearance.

“I’ve been collecting masks like this for a number of years, and while I didn’t want to give up the originals, I decided to copy them,” Ms Sipherd said Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs Rau, whose house has been turned into a collecting point for the third year, was thrilled with the unexpected collection.

“Every year we get these surprise treasures,” she said. “This is just wonderful.”

Other masks, decorated with everything from paint and glitter to feathers and other elements, have also been arriving at the Rau home.

Three secret judges will be in the crowd on October 27, looking for Best Original Design, Most Frightening, and Most Fun costumes, with prizes to be awarded.

In addition to a mix of decorated bras, hats, and masks to be modeled, “Newtown’s Best Halloween Bash” will include artfully decorated chairs being auctioned.

The first, “Rose Compass — Blind Day,” by Marty LaMarche, arrived at Mrs Rau’s home last week. It is a parsons chair that has been painted with hues of blues and turquoise, with a fleur de lis on the back and a large yellow flower highlighting its seat.

Richard Coopersmith has agreed to return as this year’s auctioneer.

A Halloween Bazaar will offer decorations, novelties, costume gear, goodies, “and pumpkins of all manner and size,” said Mrs Rau, who has been working in recent weeks to create what she calls Boo Boxes. Decorated black cardboard boxes, Boo Boxes are filled “with homemade cookies and/or Halloween treats, depending on what we decide for each box,” said Mrs Rau. “No two are ever the same.”

The emphasis on this year’s event will be art, of all forms, said Mrs Rau.

“ArtFULL covers all the entries and items we will offer that evening,” she said.

Boo Boxes were started seven years ago, when Mrs Rau coordinated efforts to send the decorated boxes with treats to children affected by Hurricane Katrina.

“They continue to be a great vehicle for people who just need a lift,” she said.

Boplicity will return with live jazz.

Guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and drinks (hard and soft). Seating will be set up around the perimeter of the room instead of the table seating that filled most of the floor space last year.

Tickets are $25 per person, and can be ordered by calling Rosemary Rau (203-426-2226) or Marie Sturdevant (203-740-2733). Reservations are required; tickets will not be sold at the door. Mrs Sturdevant and Marianne Scanlon are also serving as event co-chairs.