Private eyes, corrupt policemen and femme fatales will surely be roaming the streets of WeHo on Halloween.
This year, the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval, promoted as the “World’s Largest Halloween Street Festival” with an estimated 500,000 participants, will take on a film noir theme as the city holds its annual event along Santa Monica Boulevard from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard.
Promoting the carnaval as “Noir Night,” the city says it will “resurrect this famous era with a lot of tongue-in-cheek, humorous throwback to the great noir films of the time. An environment that is slightly dangerous, slightly improper, with capers played out on dark corners, yet undeniably glamorous, stylish and sassy.”
The free event, running from 6 to 11 p.m., will include three large stages featuring various themes and entertainments.
“1950’s Noir underscored a classic era for West Hollywood lifestyle and culture – a place where Humphrey Bogart and Lana Turner became entangled, and where Keystone Cops and the first paparazzi graphic photographers staked their claim,” the city said in a statement.
In all, over 50 artists will perform on six stages along Santa Monica Boulevard. The night will include the crowning of an honorary “Queen of the Carnaval” and a showcase of the most creative and outrageous costumes.
The Noir City stage on Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard will be emceed by Jeffrey Damnit and include performances by the house band Vaud and The Villains, a staged performance from new LGBT musical Behind Closed Doors and a variety of cabaret and choreography from Halloween Hullabaloo. A performance highlight will include operatic arias from 21-year-old Jonathan Allen of “America’s Got Talent.”
The Speakeasy stage located at Santa Monica Boulevard and Almont Drive will feature 1950’s crooner Lynda Kay, the comedy singer and songwriter duo Better Off Blonde and the noir jazz stylings of The Toledo Show. Momma will return to emcee the stage.
At the “Pulp Friction” stage located at Santa Monica Boulevard and West Knoll Drive, Coco Peru will perform in drag at the Coco Club. This stage will include performances by the electric Gavin Turek and an electronic dance set from international DJ Zen Freeman. Zen’s set will feature special vignette performances by contemporary burlesque dance troupe Velvet Martini and other DJs.
Three additional stages will include: DJ Moses Truzman and emcee Peter Giovine at The Caper Club stage, located at Westbourne Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard; DJ Max Von Ville and emcee Ant at the Ant’s Asylum stage, located at North Palm Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard; and DJ Aaron Colbert at the Hooligans Hall stage located at North La Peer Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard.
The carnaval, first held in 1987, has become Los Angeles’ second largest annual event, second only to the Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day Parade.
Ummm, who are these performers? What happened to real talent? Why can’t West Hollywood book at least one recognizable performer for this event? I have to Google all of these just to see who they are.