The Ink People Center For The Arts is a Eureka-based non-profit that encourages artistic expression in all forms, from music and dance to storytelling and mask-making to the more traditional graphic arts. Each year they hold a fundraiser for their fine organization; a Black-&-White Masquerade Ball, to bring together all members of the Arts Community here on the Lost Coast . All are invited; the only requirement is that your outfit must be a concoction of black and white. Since I am a long supporter of the Ink People (in their endeavors with the North Coast Storytellers and the Storytelling By The Sea Festival), and as I am primarily a black and white spectre, the event seemed a natural for me to attend. Other years I've had scheduling conflicts, but this year I joined in the celebration, marveling at the masked monochrome partiers around me, listening to some fine jazz, blues (not so fine, sadly) and ska (very good). I had many fans who recognized me from other appearances, and enjoyed the acrobatics of my friend Shea Freelove (of the famous Freelove Circus) and two belly dancers who performed for the crowd. My lovely companions Marlena and Grace made the event complete, and a grand time was had by all!

I'd previously performed for the Science Fiction Club of Humboldt at their Edgar Allen Poe reading a few years ago, celebrating the master's 200th birthday with a reading of "The Masque Of The Red Death” and "The Raven" . Apparently they appreciated my company, for I was invited back at October to Old Town Coffee & Chocolates for an Evening of Ray Bradbury, one of my very favorite authors. (My fellow Patient Creatures and I are quite indebted to his wonderful work, particularly his tales of "The Family".) Among the classic tales read were "The Pedestrian" and "The Veldt" . I contributed two favorites; one of The Family stories, "Uncle Einar" , a selection from the book "The Halloween Tree" , Mr. Bradbury's exploration of that delightfully dark celebration. The audience was quite receptive, and it was a grand preview for my own Halloween show the following night, also at Old Town Coffee. Once again Paul Woodland, Seabury Gould and I entertained our friends with spooky stories and songs. There was quite a large crowd, and all laughed, shivered and gasped at the macabre tales spun by all. I concluded the night with "The Tale Of Jack O' Lantern" especially for some very sleepy youngsters who insisted on staying until the end of the night!
Both nights were a very good time, and a welcome way to enjoy the October Season!

Halloween itself was a quite affair this year; I had no trick-or-treaters stop by my crypt, and had to devour most of the candy by myself. (Which isn't close to as much fun as it sounds!) I had a visit from my vampire companion The Lady Raven, and decided to show her our finest graveyard, the Ferndale Cemetery , a literal acreage of tombstones, mausoleums, crosses and crypts, creeping up the mountainside in the Victorian Village of Ferndale. (Which many years ago hosted the Hollywood film company directed by Tobe Hooper as the location for the miniseries ' SALEM 'S LOT !) After spending some of the afternoon there, we wandered the short distance down to Fortuna for a very special show entitled "Grave Matters & Untimely Departures" The show was a historical research of stories of many of the residents of the Fortuna Cemetery, brought to life in monologues by a very talents company of actors from local high schools, drama companies, and other volunteers. The stories were heartbreaking, amusing, and wondrous, and the actors did an excellent job of breathing life into their ghostly characters. We were treated at the end by a musical selection from the Humboldt Harmonaires, extolling the virtues of the graveyard, where "a plot waits for YOU!" Additional incidental music was provided by Whispering Winds, whose eerie orchestral selections lent an air of mystery to the proceedings. This was the first year a venture of this type was presented, and I considered it a rousing success.
I look forward to seeing what stories they come up with this year!

As my companion and I were leaving Fortuna, we came upon a house that was gloriously decorated from stem to stern with cobwebs, skeletons, witch's cauldrons, skeletons, giant spiders, skeletons, tombstones, skeletons...did I mention there were a lot of skeletons? I felt right at home! The lady of the house, dressed fashionably as a witch and greeting the young trick-or-treaters, was a very gracious hostess, and allowed us to explore the grounds in all their wonder. Her enthusiasm for the holiday did my spirits well, and proved a fitting closure to the Season.