Beijing Boyce

No monkey business this year.

Halloween party fanatic Zimbu the Monkey says its time to get into the swing of things with some event listings. First, the bad news: Just like last year, there will be no bash by the gang at The Beijinger, formerly the gang at that’s Beijing, which is a drag because I always liked their parties. Anyway, this is what popped into my email box:

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The Fuwa Chainsaw Massacre

Bar Boo hosts this Olympic-themed Halloween party based on the recent Youtube movie of the same name. In it, the Fuwa, suffering post-Olympic joblessness, lamenting a lack of attention, and possessed by the evil spirit of my extremely loud and uncompromising neighbor, wreak havoc on Beijing. Each mascot utilizes its unique power (and, of course, a chainsaw) to force the city, on the eve of Halloween, to the brink of collapse:

• Beibei, the fish, forces unwilling residents to drink tap water
• Huanhuan, the flame, burns every yangrou chuar to a crisp and thus stokes riots among drunk late-night bar-goers
• Jingjing, the panda, commandeers a taxi, follows the road rules, and causes complete gridlock for 30 miles in every direction
• Yingying, the antelope, barrels out of elevators before people can rush in and turns the social order on its head
• And Nini, the “golden-winged swallow” flies around and craps on everyone.

The horror.

OK, I obviously made this up – none of the Fuwa could even lift a chainsaw. Anyway, here are some real parties slated for October 31 (it is always good to call and double-check details)…

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Spooked, Ku 18, 9 PM, RMB70 advance, RMB100 at door

Acupuncture Records returns to last year’s Halloween venue for a party with techno DJs “pumping your ears with their funky bleeps, addictive loops and dark beats.” Said venue is described as a place “where all the supernatural beings in town can freak, slash and grind to an audio/visual bloodbath until dawn.” (Contact: miao8610@gmail.com)

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The Cellar of the Devil, I-Ultra Lounge (Block8), 9 PM-5 AM, RMB50

Sponsored by Casillero Del Diablo (distributed by Summergate), patrons can sample wines and, states the invite, “watch in awe at the menacing delightful devils dance troop as they perform to some of this years greatest music.” Check the Facebook page for details, because I refuse to quote any sentences that end with more than five exclamation marks. (Contact: 6508-8585 / info@block8.cn)

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Death Prom, 9 PM-5 AM, I-Space (Block8), RMB50

Based on a story about a high school where six students were murdered by a serial killer in 1958, this party requires more than a bit of audience interaction. Let’s go to the invite for this one…

The audience step into the space and are taken back in time to a 1950s high school prom, populated by jocks, geeks, burnouts, cheerleader princesses, and other students of Glendale High’s graduating class of ’58. As a promgoer, the spectators are enlisted into a social clique, and will be expected to do the “right thing” by his/her clique, like picking on the geeks, promoting the prom queen, or spiking the punch.

All seems to be pretty typical high school fare, except these kids are all dead, ghastly pale and pretty clearly (except to them) corpses. The prom continues, with announcements, voting of the Prom Queen, live performances, slow dances, games like the Hokey Pokey, as well as flesh-eating zombies [Are there any other kind? - Ed.] trying to get in and eat all the prom-goers….

Sweet Buddha, we are expected to think on Halloween? More details here. (Contact: 6508-8585 / info@block8.cn)

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A few more parties…

Yen Fetish, this year at Star Live, is usually a massive bash (RMB80 in advance, RMB150 at door).

“Myth of eight immortals crossing the sea” costume contest by China Doll in 3.3, for those with a Ph.D in Chinese studies (RMB100RMB).

Glow in the Dark party, in Club China Doll in Tongli, for DJ Craze and a slew of glow sticks (RMB100 advance, RMB200 at door).

Anti-Halloween Party by La Baie des Anges, for those who hate wearing costumes (do berets count?).

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See also:
Zimbu goes Zim-boo! Halloween 2007 at The Rickshaw, Mingle, Alfa
Tales of the plush monkey: Halloween 2006 at Rui Fu, Browns, Icehouse, and Champagne