According to the official website, May 22 of each year has been designated World Goth Day. I first became aware of the event from this poster that I found online celebrating the event on Saturday, May 25. (That makes sense; the weekend allows for much more revelry than a Wednesday. That was why I chose Friday April 26 for my Walpurgisnacht Event.)
As you can see by the poster below, there is a huge party planned in Cape Town; sadly, I'll be unable to attend, but I'm sure a grand time will be had by all! (If you should attend, please tell me about it!) I wasn't certain if this is an actual worldwide event or simply a local phenomenon, but a little investigation shed light on the subject.
From the information on the site (which can be accessed HERE) the day began as a local celebration in the United Kingdom in 2009. It appears as though the day is organized much like the storytelling event Tellabration; the website acts as a focal point for individuals to plan their own local events and network accordingly. I think that's a marvelous idea; certain much better than a huge, bloated corporately-organized Hallmark-approved holiday. Each event held is limited only by the imaginations of their organizers, and are true labors of dedication and love. (The website seems to emphasize that point as well.)
Making my haunt here on the Lost Coast, I'm pleased to say that the Goth culture is alive and well; one only needs to sit awhile during our monthly street faire Arts Alive! and note the various young (and not-so-young) legions of dark-clad, metal bejeweled and tattoo-festooned individuals passing by. Perhaps that's why I feel so at home here even outside of the traditional October and Christmas holidays.
In any event, I consider it my small pleasure in passing along the information to all who would like to have their version of their celebration; if planned accordingly it can probably be stretched into a three-day event with the Memorial Day weekend so close! Enjoy it with my blessings, and if I'm not there in person, rest assured I'll be present in spirit!
Some sharp-eyed regular visitors to my online crypt have probably noticed that my THOUGHTS & REVERIES Archives Page has been split into two sections. It was taking quite a long time to download, so I divided it up to make it easier. Those who know me well understand I talk a great deal, so it wouldn't surprise me if in the future I had to divide it up further. Nevertheless, both pages are interconnected to the main site, so I hope anyone new to my ramblings will take the time to peruse past essays.
I also want to point out, as I do every so often, that although the crypt is updated each month with new information and entertainment, my CALENDAR Page is updated much more often, whenever I receive confirmation of a new appearance. Those wanting to keep an accurate track of my current wanderings are advised to check back several times during the month for the latest additions.
I'm looking into a way to let my human companions know when there is a new listing; once I've explored this further, I will post the information here, and you'll all be the first to know! (I am a Luddite spectre after all, and much of this new technology baffles me. Still I have an excellent webmaster and several knowledgeable humans to help me, so I do fairly well all things considered. I thank them all profusely.)
I'm also putting together my schedule for the summer months and the October Season. I'll be returning to the campfires of Patrick's Point Park (one of my favorite places) as well as making some other excursions outside of my usual haunts. I look forward to communing with all my friends and fans of all ages, and sharing some new tales of spectral spookery.
And if you are interested in having me appear at your event, or if you'd like to suggest a venue to me, please don't hesitate to drop me a line at carpathian@patientcreatures.com; I'm always looking for more places to explore and new people to meet. Let me know where you would like to see me, and I will do my best to be there!
I hope everyone has a wonderfully scary summer; Halloween is only six months away!
