Was this The Corinthian or was it a stage set in Hollywood? Hundreds upon hundreds of wildly-costumed characters and convincing impersonators poured in Saturday night for Easter Seals Greater Houston's annual Halloween extravaganza - The Bash. Before it was over, reality was suspended and this rockin' crowd could've been partying anywhere in the solar system.
There were enough Princess Leias, Star Wars stormtroopers and Chewbaccas, not to mention the batallion of Pharoahs and Cleopatras to fill the proverbial cast of thousands.
"It's the best Halloween party in town and it's for a good cause," observed Sarah Taylor (Princess Leia), who with husband Chris (a striking Star Wars stormtrooper) were attending their fourth annual Bash.
"You feel like you're right out of a movie . . . It's amazing. It's fantastic."
That had to be good news for chairs Newie and Dr. Mark Brinker, who oversaw the cast of walking dead, pirates, vampires, naughty showgirls, werewolves and witches.
In a brief costume contest in which audience applause decided the winner, Jennifer Barcelo and Tim Achor took top honors as Prince William and Princess Kate striding through the ballroom on stilts, wearing wedding attire and riding atop fanciful long-necked fowl. "It's our favorite party of the year," said Barcelo, a third-time Bash participant.
"You fee like you're right out of a movie," said Tony Stewart. "It's amazing. It's fantastic," enthused a member of the walking dead, Dr. Kyle Woerner.
Beyond the richest people-watching, this party offered a cornucopia of food stations and passed hors d'oeuvres, everything from Jackson and Co.'s famed empanadas to pulled pork sliders to street tacos and Halloween cupcakes. Adult libations flowed. The food, drink and people-watching making this one of the most rewarding benefits on the fall calendar.
It was a powerful battle of the bands as The Smithereens of New Jersey and Skyrocket kept the dance floor rocking from the start of the evening.
The ever-gyrating crowd included emcees Channel 11 news anchor Len Cannon and CultureMap editor at large moi, plus Soraya Garza and J.P. Tuason, Vivian Wise, Ellen Krantz, Paula Parker, Misty and Dr. Jay Bennett, Danielle Bennett, Marion and Kyle Woerner, Lisa and Evan Meeks and Tony Stewart.
