3 THINGS TO DO THIS HALLOWEEN WEEKEND IN LONDON
(1) FIND A SPOOKY LONDON ATTRACTION – THE TOWER OF LONDON
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England.
Ghosts of the Tower of London
The ghost of Anne Boleyn, beheaded in 1536 for treason against Henry VIII, allegedly haunts the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, where she is buried, and has been said to be walking around the White Tower carrying her head under her arm. Other ghosts include Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Pole, and the Princes in the Tower . In January 1816, a sentry on guard outside the Jewel House claimed to have witnessed an apparition of a bear advancing towards him, and reportedly died of fright a few days later. In October 1817, a tubular, glowing apparition was claimed to have been seen in the Jewel House by the Keeper of the Crown Jewels, Edmund Lenthal Swifte. He said that the apparition hovered over the shoulder of his wife, leading her to exclaim: "Oh, Christ! It has seized me!" Other nameless and formless terrors have been reported, more recently, by night staff at the Tower
Menagerie
The Royal Menagerie is first referenced during the reign of Henry III. In 1251, the sheriffs were ordered to pay fourpence a day towards the upkeep for the King's polar bear; the bear attracted a great deal of attention from Londoners when it went fishing in the Thames. In 1254, the sheriffs were ordered to subsidise the construction of an elephant house at the Tower. The exact location of the medieval menagerie is unknown, although the lions were kept in the barbican known as Lion Tower. The royal collection was swelled by diplomatic gifts including three leopards from the Holy Roman Emperor. By the 18th century, the menagerie was open to the public; admission cost three half-pence or the supply of a cat or dog to be fed to the lions. The last of the animals left in 1835, relocated to Regents Park, after one of the lions was accused of biting a soldier. The Keeper of the Royal Menagerie was entitled to use the Lion Tower as a house for life. Consequentially, even though the animals had long since left the building, the Lion Tower was not demolished until the last keeper's death in 1853.
During 2011 an exhibition was hosted at the Tower with fine wire sculptures by Kendra Haste.
The ghost of Anne Boleyn, beheaded in 1536 for treason against Henry VIII, allegedly haunts the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, where she is buried, and has been said to be walking around the White Tower carrying her head under her arm. Other ghosts include Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Pole, and the Princes in the Tower . In January 1816, a sentry on guard outside the Jewel House claimed to have witnessed an apparition of a bear advancing towards him, and reportedly died of fright a few days later. In October 1817, a tubular, glowing apparition was claimed to have been seen in the Jewel House by the Keeper of the Crown Jewels, Edmund Lenthal Swifte. He said that the apparition hovered over the shoulder of his wife, leading her to exclaim: "Oh, Christ! It has seized me!" Other nameless and formless terrors have been reported, more recently, by night staff at the Tower
Menagerie
The Royal Menagerie is first referenced during the reign of Henry III. In 1251, the sheriffs were ordered to pay fourpence a day towards the upkeep for the King's polar bear; the bear attracted a great deal of attention from Londoners when it went fishing in the Thames. In 1254, the sheriffs were ordered to subsidise the construction of an elephant house at the Tower. The exact location of the medieval menagerie is unknown, although the lions were kept in the barbican known as Lion Tower. The royal collection was swelled by diplomatic gifts including three leopards from the Holy Roman Emperor. By the 18th century, the menagerie was open to the public; admission cost three half-pence or the supply of a cat or dog to be fed to the lions. The last of the animals left in 1835, relocated to Regents Park, after one of the lions was accused of biting a soldier. The Keeper of the Royal Menagerie was entitled to use the Lion Tower as a house for life. Consequentially, even though the animals had long since left the building, the Lion Tower was not demolished until the last keeper's death in 1853.
During 2011 an exhibition was hosted at the Tower with fine wire sculptures by Kendra Haste.
Crown Jewels
The tradition of housing the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London probably dates from the reign of Henry III. The Jewel House was built specifically to house the royal regalia, including jewels, plate, and symbols of royalty such as the crown, sceptre, and sword. When money needed to be raised, the treasure could be pawned by the monarch. The treasure allowed the monarch independence from the aristocracy, and consequently was closely guarded. When the monarchy was restored in 1660, the only surviving items of the coronation regalia were a 12th-century spoon and three ceremonial swords. The rest of the Crown Jewels had to be recreated. In 1669, the Jewel House was demolished and the Crown Jewels moved into Martin Tower where they could be viewed by the paying public. This was exploited two years later when Colonel Thomas Blood attempted to steal them. Blood and his accomplices bound and gagged the Jewel House keeper. Although they laid their hands on the Imperial State Crown, Sceptre and Orb, they were foiled when the keeper's son turned up unexpectedly and raised the alarm. The Crown Jewels are currently stored in the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower. The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times and controlling it has been important to controlling the country. In the late 15th century the castle was the prison of the Princes in the Tower. The peak period of the castle's use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries, when many figures had fallen into disgrace, such as Elizabeth I before she became queen, were held within its walls. This use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower". Executions were more commonly held on the notorious Tower Hill to the north of the castle, with 112 occurring there over a 400-year period. Today the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. It is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site.
(2) HEAD OVER TO A HIGH OCTANE ROCK CONCERT IN LONDON - ALICE COOPERS HALLOWEEN NIGHT OF FEAR AT ALEXANDRA PALACE
Saturday 29th October 2011 – Alice Coopers Halloween Night of Fear + New York Dolls *( 27-31 OCT ONLY)
Alice Cooper once again takes control of Halloween this year, bringing all the thrills, blood spills, guts and gore we can take as Alice Cooper’s Halloween Night Of Fear hits the UK.Following last year’s outstanding Halloween gigs at London’s Roundhouse, which left fans gasping for more, Alice takes to the road in the UK, extending his reign of terror to Sheffield, Bristol, Birmingham, London’s Alexandra Palace, Manchester and Glasgow.
But the insatiable Alice wants more. In London, he is calling together the spectacular ghouls, depraved weirdos and the hottest fire starters. Last year, Alice took on the role of a sadistic Simon Cowell by judging the auditions for freaks who shocked and grossed out the fans in equal measure. This year, he is hunting down spectacular fire acts and VERY bizarre performance artists to bring that hellishly warm glow to the night.
“It takes a lot to shock me,” says Alice, “But last year even my stomach was churning, Britain really has got freaks. That’s what’s Halloween is all about. It’s my favourite time of the year, bring on the gore!”
Londoners got a chance to be a part of this spooky show by auditioning in June 27th in London’s Hyde park. Just like last year, fans sent in video auditions by 22nd June to get the chance to audition at Hyde Park. Audition show producers Wake Up Productions chose the line up and 3 acts have been picked by Alice and a panel of judges on the night to perform on stage October 29th at Alexandra Palace. There, the audience will decide the winner.
The night will be London’s largest costume party with cash prizes. Last year at the Roundhouse, hundreds of people showed up in costume, this year thousands.
The legendary New York Dolls join as support and Alice’s band has been described as the best he has ever worked with. Lou Reed and original Alice sideman Steve Hunter has joined to present an unprecedented 3 guitar attack, pushing the group to new heights.
New album Welcome 2 My Nightmare, the sequel to 1975’s classic Welcome To My Nightmare will be released prior to the gigs in September. Once again produced with Bob Ezrin, it will feature in the new shows. The original spawned a worldwide, full theatrical tour so expect Alice’s comic book cruelty to be taken up a notch.
Tickets went on sale 9am on Friday 17th June 2011 priced at £34.50 in London and £33.50 regionally (subject to booking fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk
(All copyright http://www.alicecooper.com/ )
(3) PARTY IN STYLE IN AN OUTLANDISH COSTUME AT EUROPES BIGGEST HALLOWEEN BALL – THE LEGENDARY LONDON BLOODLUST BALL
If you are one of the lucky ones who managed to bag a coveted ticket to Europe’s biggest Halloween party, the Bloodlust Ball, you will be heading for a costumed treat at 1 Mayfair Church in an affluent area of London. This is one of the highlights of the social calendar attended by royals, high society and celebrities. Celebrities rumoured to be attending this year are Matt Le Blanc (Joey from friends), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones) and Amir Khan. The founder of the Bloodlust Ball is Kaja Wunder, a former model and Director of the exclusive and elite event hosting company, the Button Club. http://www.thebuttonclub.com/
The legend of the Bloodlust Ball goes…
As the Full Moon leaves us and with a week to go until the New Moon, when darkness covers London and spirits arise for the Bloodlust Ball – a very special occasion for the wicked.... The Bloodlust Ball VI takes place this year in a magnificent gothic church, built in 1825, One Mayfair. The church is just south from Oxford Street, in the heart of London. There are many alcoves and secret places for vampires to hide as well as a beautiful courtyard. The evening is full of horror, entertainment, exclusive moments and beautiful food to feast on.
As the Darkness Falls on the Castle of Dracula, Beware of the Horrors Awaiting You...
Prince Vlad III Dracula the Impaler, Countess Carmilla Karnstein, Count Orlok Nosferatu and Countess Elizabeth Báthory cordially invite you to the 6th Annual BLOODLUST BALL On Friday 28th of October 2011 at One Mayfair Church in London.
Taking place on a Doom Friday at the Church where Count Dracula's earthly remains lay buried under the floorboards and where the ghost of Dracula rises at the stroke of Midnight to haunt, excite and stir the blood of his followers, BloodLust Ball VI takes place on the Friday of Halloween.
Join us at the scariest and most glamorous ball in Europe in aid of Cancer Research UK.
DRESS CODE: Transylvanian Horror, Victorian Doom, Werewolves, Ghosts, Zombies, Monsters, Witches, Warlocks and Victims
WEBSITE: http://www.bloodlustball.com/VIDEOS:
To see the videos of previous balls, please go to The Button Club channel on Youtube,
As the Darkness Falls on the Castle of Dracula, Beware of the Horrors Awaiting You...
Prince Vlad III Dracula the Impaler, Countess Carmilla Karnstein, Count Orlok Nosferatu and Countess Elizabeth Báthory cordially invite you to the 6th Annual BLOODLUST BALL On Friday 28th of October 2011 at One Mayfair Church in London.
Taking place on a Doom Friday at the Church where Count Dracula's earthly remains lay buried under the floorboards and where the ghost of Dracula rises at the stroke of Midnight to haunt, excite and stir the blood of his followers, BloodLust Ball VI takes place on the Friday of Halloween.
Join us at the scariest and most glamorous ball in Europe in aid of Cancer Research UK.
DRESS CODE: Transylvanian Horror, Victorian Doom, Werewolves, Ghosts, Zombies, Monsters, Witches, Warlocks and Victims
WEBSITE: http://www.bloodlustball.com/VIDEOS:
To see the videos of previous balls, please go to The Button Club channel on Youtube,
Programme:
7PM-8PM Complimentary Cocktail Reception accompanied by classical performance by Carmilla
7.45 Operatic Dracula - Grant Doyle
8PM Photobooth Out of Order, www.outoforder.co8.15PM Eloise Prouse - Carmilla on Electric Violin
8.30PM – 11PM Dinner. Canapés, Bowl Food and Finger Food
8.45PM - Yusura - Japanese performance artist
9PM Star performance – Tina Barrett (S Club 7) – with an exclusive premier for the Bloodlust Ball of her new single produced by William Orbit
9.30PM A Satanist Rock Band – Bloomfield Avenue
11PM Chima - Nosferatu HipHop
11.15PM DJ Devil StaRRocker
12AM Count Dracula Rises
2AM Carriages
2AM-6AM Secret After Party just around the corner...All ball guests are welcome!
More special performances to be announced......
7PM-8PM Complimentary Cocktail Reception accompanied by classical performance by Carmilla
7.45 Operatic Dracula - Grant Doyle
8PM Photobooth Out of Order, www.outoforder.co8.15PM Eloise Prouse - Carmilla on Electric Violin
8.30PM – 11PM Dinner. Canapés, Bowl Food and Finger Food
8.45PM - Yusura - Japanese performance artist
9PM Star performance – Tina Barrett (S Club 7) – with an exclusive premier for the Bloodlust Ball of her new single produced by William Orbit
9.30PM A Satanist Rock Band – Bloomfield Avenue
11PM Chima - Nosferatu HipHop
11.15PM DJ Devil StaRRocker
12AM Count Dracula Rises
2AM Carriages
2AM-6AM Secret After Party just around the corner...All ball guests are welcome!
More special performances to be announced......
Princess Beatrice and Mr Dave Clark at BloodLust Ball 2008 (photo courtesy of dailymail online)
Julian Bennet, TV Presenter and Lifestyle Guru (copyright www.contactmusic.com )
Katie Price, Glamour Model, reality star, author (photo courtesy of zimbio)
Vanessa Feltz, TV Presenter and Radio host (copyright www.contactmusic.com )
Bloodlust Ball all copyright Button Club
