On Saturday, Oct. 27, Squamish's former cinema will be transformed into the region's hottest Halloween haunt.
Bass Coast, which melds arts and music into innovative festivals, is hosting a ghost and goblin event at the former Garibaldi 5 Cinema. The group is renowned for the its annual four-day summer music festival in Squamish Valley, and the theatre offers a stark contrast to previous bashes, Bass Coast co-founder Liz Thomson said.
"It's perfect for a Halloween party," she said.
Three theatres will serve as dance halls for the various DJs, another will hold photo booths for party-goers and the final will remain a cinema in which B-grade horror flicks will be screened throughout the night.
"We want it to feel like you are walking into another world," Thomson said, adding a crew of artists are unleashing their creativity on the soon-to-be ghoulish sets. "We are really inspired by art installations."
The evening affair includes a zombie lingerie fashion show. Three up-and-coming fashion designers will send their best undie creations down the runway in a cutthroat competition.
"The entries are amazing," Thomson noted.
Tickets went on sale in Whistler, Squamish and Vancouver last week. Eric Armour was greeted by a lineup of 30 people outside his store, Trinity Romance Shop, all eager to get passes for the festival.
"It's been a few years since I've seen a lineup [for tickets]," Armour said, noting the last time was for one of Squamish's initial February James Bondage parties.
By the end of the first day of sales, all three locations sold out.
Bass Coast is not just a party, Thomson said. It's been created as an avenue to promote eccentric art. Months are spent preparing the exhibits, she said, adding people also go all-out on their individual costumes.
"Halloween is fun because things are allowed to get a little bit twisted," Thomson said.
Bass Coast organizers are encouraging people to leave their cars at home and walk to the event. There will be no tolerance for overnight camping in the parking lot.
"There is no way you're going to get in without a ticket," Thomson warned.
For more information about Bass Coast visit www.basscoast.ca.
