Killjoy’s Kastle, Gravediggers’ Ball, witchy festivals, and more for a spooky weekend

October continues to shine in the spirit of Halloween. Killjoy’s Kastle is not your everyday haunted house. The Gravediggers’ Ball helps preserve a historic site. A witches market and a witches festival arrive on the scene. There’s lots to do in the spirit of Halloween.

Outside of the whimsical and the strange, Kùlú Mèlé is hosting a book launch, AAMP is opening a brand new exhibit, PhillyCAM celebrates 10 years, and Philly Art Collective is all about hip-hop this weekend.

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

Killjoy’s Kastle: A Lesbian Feminist Haunted House

Deirdre Logue, Allyson Mitchell, and a coven of performers from Philly all the way across the US and Canada are reclaiming the hell house with a sex-positive, trans-affirming, queer-lesbian-feminist celebration. Killjoy’s Kastle is an inclusive haunted house with characters like polyamorous vampiric grannies, paranormal consciousness raisers, and demented gender and women’s studies professors. The immersive visual art experience is free and open to the public, and runs tonight through October 27 at 1400 North American Street, Philadelphia. Find out more about special events, accessibility, and more online. EIC Alaina Johns and I will be there!

Gravediggers’ Ball

On Friday, October 18, the Friends of Laurel Hill & West Laurel Hill Cemeteries will host their 15th annual fundraising gala, the Gravediggers’ Ball. From 7pm to midnight at the Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, attendants can help with the preservation, maintenance, accessibility, and educational interpretation of Laurel Hill Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark. The ball comes with raffles, silent auction, live music, dancing, and a chance to explore the Mütter Museum’s collections. Black-tie, masquerade, or costumes are encouraged, with prizes awarded for best costumes. Tickets are available online.

Kùlú Mèlé book launch

Philadelphia’s African Dance & Drum Ensemble is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with the release of its new commemorative book, Kùlú Mèlé’s Ogun & the People: Celebrating 50 Years (1969-2019). The book launch kicks off with a reception on Friday, October 18 at 6pm at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street. The book presents the history of Kùlú Mèlé and its role in Philly’s Black Arts movement, its visit to Santiago, Cuba to study dance, and exploring Yoruba spiritual traditions.

Witches and Wizards festival

The Witches & Wizards Festival returns Saturday, October 19 with whimsical and family-friendly entertainment. Yes, this includes the 10th Annual Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament and the Woodmere Art Museum Straw Maze. There’s also a new event coming: the Wizard Run. Check it out in Chestnut Hill, starting at 8514 Germantown Avenue, on Saturday from 12-5pm.

Posing Beauty in African American Culture

The Delaware Art Museum is hosting the opening to its newest exhibit, Posing Beauty in African American Culture. Beginning on October 19 through January 26, the exhibit examines the ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through a diverse range of media—from film to fashion to advertising, and more. The exhibit features more than 100 works of art, ranging from the 1890s to the present.

Legends of Hip-Hop
The Philly Art Collective is celebrating hip-hop this weekend with its Legends of Hip-Hop exhibit. The gallery includes portraits of hip-hop pioneers and artists, and all works will be for sale. Additionally, a line-up of DJs, live painting, giveaways, and dance performances will round out the day. Discover legends on Saturday, October 19 from 2pm-9pm at the Philly Art Collective Gallery, 253 North 3rd Street. The first 1000 tickets are free, and are donation-based afterward.

Witch Market

If one autumn afternoon of magic wasn’t enough for you, there’s another happening in Manayunk! A Black Cat Clothiers and Witch’s Way Craft bring you the Witch Market, an intimate gathering of strange shopping vendors, tarot and poetry readings, and sweet treats to Pretzel Park, 4300 Silverwood Street. With a curated selection of fifteen magical vendors featuring their locally-crafted and bewitching wares, the Witch Market is an enchanting destination for the witches, wanderers and strange souls. The event is free to attend with pay-as-you-go food and drink. Check it out on Sunday, October 20 from 12pm-6pm.

Cammy Awards

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, PhillyCAM is having a red carpet awards show to honor its producers. The Cammy Awards take place on Sunday, October 20 at the Lightbox Film Center, 3701 Chestnut Street, at 4pm. The event is open to the public, and tickets are available online.