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Upcoming Costume Events in Los Angeles

da Cat presents a mix of web doings and interesting activities centered, but not exclusively, in Southern California.)  Basically it's an eclectic list of costume events in Los Angeles and beyond as well as extra events that will interest costumers.  Some you might not find elsewhere considered costume events, but they're here for their educational and/or fun value.  At the bottom,  I've included a number of "master link" sites and calendars so you can quickly get to the folks that maintain the large event lists.

Upcoming Costume Events

September Costume Events

bulletQueen Mary Art Deco Festival
bulletGold Coast Pirate Festival
bulletBuy a sewing machine at the LA County Fair

October Costume Events

bulletI never pick any favs in October, too many.  I do have the main costume ones listed here, but to see how crazy LA goes for Halloween, please jump on over to my Halloween Events in Los Angeles site for all the costumed fun.

Archived Info

Quick Index - LA Events

bulletMuseums & Exhibits
bulletShopping
bulletCostume Conferences and Conventions
bulletMore Classes
bulletHistorical Reenactment (fairs to dances)
bulletScience Fiction/Fantasy Events
bulletEvent Calendar Web Pages - Master Links

Featured Events - eclectic as always

Convention, Exhibit & Lecture

FIDM - 3rd Annual Art of Outstanding Television Costume Design Exhibition

bulletThe Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the FIDM Museum & Galleries jointly present the exhibition, showcasing a retrospective of television's most memorable costume designs from the past and present.  Featured will be work from this year's Emmy nominations.
bulletInfo:  http://www.fidm.edu/resources/museum+galleries   for their website and past exhibits.
bulletJuly 29 through September 27, 2008, 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. Tuesday thru Sunday. Closed Labor Day Weekend.
bulletFree to all

 

bullet<More> Exhibits

Shopping Special

International Gems, Beads and Jewelry Show 

bulletMost costumes are not complete without a bit of glitz. 
bulletI'm only listing Los Angles area events here... but this show travels all over the US.
bulletCheck your local newspaper for coupons for free gifts or $1 off admission.
bulletSanta Monica Civic Auditorium - the bigger show
bulletSeptember 19-21, 2008

Vintage Fashion Show Expo

bulletAll kinds of great vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories.
bulletLos Angeles (Santa Monica Civic Auditorium)
bulletFebruary 2-3, 2008
bulletMay 10-11, 2008
bulletOctober 18-19, 2008 <-- just in time for Halloween

 

Lots <More> Shopping Events this month!

Dance & Fairs, Historic & More

Just a special pick.   Please see the main listing to plan your weekends.

 

<More> (many more) Dance and Fairs including calendars

[Top]

Museums & Special Exhibits/Tours/Workshops:

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor

Bowers Museum presents the largest exhibit of Emperor Qin's Terra Cotta Army ever seen outside of China.  The 100 objects include 14  of the life-size terra cotta figures from 2000 years ago.  Detailed on some are so complete that even the rivets on the armor are visible. (Now that's detail!)  Represented are generals, warriors, court officials and  acrobats. 

bulletInfo:  http://www.bowers.org  or  714-567-3600
bulletMay 18  - October 12, 2008,  Tuesday-Sunday
bulletAll tickets timed.  Ticket prices variable, see web
bullet Special lectures
bulletBowers Museum of Cultural Art
bullet2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana

FIDM - 3rd Annual Art of Outstanding Television Costume Design Exhibition

bulletThe Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the FIDM Museum & Galleries jointly present the exhibition, showcasing a retrospective of television's most memorable costume designs from the past and present.  Featured will be work from this year's Emmy nominations.
bulletInfo:  http://www.fidm.edu/resources/museum+galleries   for their website and past exhibits.
bulletJuly 29 through September 27, 2008, 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. Tuesday thru Sunday. Closed Labor Day Weekend.
bulletFree to all


[Top]

Shopping Events:

You've all heard the old adage, the one who dies with the most fabric, wins!!!!.  Well, hear are some events that will feed the magpie in you.

Shopping Specials

    (let us know if you have any events that would interest costumers)

Annual Shows

bulletVintage Fashion Show Expo
bulletAll kinds of great vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories.
bulletLos Angeles (Santa Monica Civic Auditorium)
bulletFebruary 2-3, 2008
bulletMay 10-11, 2008
bulletOctober 18-19, 2008 <-- just in time for Halloween
bulletSan Francisco 
bulletMarch 15-16, 2008
bulletSeptember 20-21, 2008
bulletInternational Gems, Beads and Jewelry Show 
bulletMost costumes are not complete without a bit of glitz. 
bulletI'm only listing Los Angles area events here... but this show travels all over the US.
bulletCheck your local newspaper for coupons for free gifts or $1 off admission.
bulletSanta Monica Civic Auditorium - the bigger show
bulletMarch 28-30, 2008
bulletMay 16-18, 2008 (The bead show)
bulletJune 13-15, 2008
bulletSeptember 19-21, 2008
bullet(more dates coming later)
bulletAnaheim Convention Center
bulletFebruary 22-24, 2008
bulletPasadena Civic Auditorium
bulletJuly 4-6, 2008
bullet Textile, Costume & Clothing Show
bulletVintage textiles, vintage clothing, costumes, patterns, shoes, accessories, Victorian laces, trims and more
bulletInfo: http://www.caskeylees.com/shows/15/vintage/LATextile/
bulletPickwick Gardens, 1001 Riverside Dr., Burbank
bullet$5, early admission $15
bulletDates: - Sunday
bulletDecember 30th, 2007
bulletMarch 30, 2008
bulletJune 29, 2008
bulletAugust 31, 2008
bulletNovember 30, 2008
bulletQuilt, Craft & Sewing Festival
bulletYou can't costume well without good tools. Try out sewing machines, find the latest tools, workshops on techniques.
bulletInfo: http://www.rustybarn.com/
bulletMarch 6-8, 2008, 10-5
bulletOct. 9-11, 2008
bulletPomona Fairplex, LA County fairgrounds,  Pomona
bulletMay 8-10, 2008
bulletDel Mar Fairgrounds
bulletSee website for admission coupons.

[Top]

Costume Conferences, Special Classes and Conventions

These are  mix of classes and shopping and run a weekend.  Both science fiction and historic are represented.

bulletNext Couple of Costume Cons:
bulletCostume Con 27 (Baltimore, MD - May, 2009)
bullet Costume Con 28 (Milwaukee, WI - 2010)
bulletCostume Con 29 ( New Jersey/New York Costumers' Guild - 2011)
bulletFor a full list of Costume-Cons, current, old and bidding... check out Costume-Connections at http://www.costume-con.com/ and head to their timeline.

 

bulletCostume Society of America - National Symposium  
bulletCostume Crossing Borders: A Cultural Journey
bulletMay 27-30, 2009
bulletTempe and Phoenix  AZ
bulletSociety for Creative Anachronism - Collegium
bulletMedieval arts and sciences, includes costume classes run twice a year.  (Note website sometimes runs behind on updating.  However, you can contact them for the most recent information.)
bulletSeptember 20-21, 2008 , Collegium
bulletlocation - Torrance

Some upcoming Classes not affiliate with a group:

bulletDye Workshops from Griffin Dyeworks & Fiber Arts
bulletwill do traveling exhibits or workshops
bulletDye & Fiber Retreat: June 13-15,  2008
bullet 
bulletTruly Victorian Sewing Workshops
bulletClasses include corset construction, making Victorian bodices, underpinning, skirt draping and more.  See website for dates, most 2nd Sundays.
bulletNew discussion board link
bulletReVamp
bulletVintage Immersion Classes
bullet Vintage Hair and Makeup Classes, 30's-50's

[Top]

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Just a few master links sites for events.... Go explore!  More in Otherworlds!

bulletClick to check out -- California Science Fiction Conventions

 

LosCon  - by LASFS

bulletInfo: http://www.loscon.org/
bulletLAX Marriott Hotel
bulletNovember 28-30, 2008 - Thanksgiving weekend, Annual
bulletMain SF local masquerade for Los Angeles.
bulletSat, November 29, 2008 at 8:00
bulletHeld on the Saturday night of the convention.
bulletEnter or just volunteer to work it.

Aime Expo

Nation’s Largest Anime and Manga Convention.  Cosplay your heart out.  They have the main masquerade, a masquerade ball and other costume contests.  Please review their site for details and their rules.

bulletInfo: http://www.anime-expo.org/
bulletJuly 2-5, 2009, Annual
bulletLos Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles
bulletSee site for list of masquerades
bulletRegister on line, in advance

Comic-Con International 

"The country’s premier comics and popular arts convention."  Get info on the latest movies.  Multiple costume competitions plus the main masquerade.

bulletInfo: http://www.comic-con.org
bulletJuly 23-26, 2009, Annual
bulletSan Diego Convention Center, CA
bulletRegister early, they have been selling out.!
bulletSaturday's event is open to all costumes but comic and movie oriented items do better.
bulletNote: write for their rules, their structure and format is different than the 'ICG standard'.
bulletThere are a number of sponsored prizes most years.
bulletPre-register for the masquerade

Labyrinth of Jareth Fantasy Masquerade Ball

An elegant evening of costume and fantasy.  Join costumers and artists  from all over Los Angles for a magical night of dancing and music.  

bulletJuly 11 &12,  2008, Annual
bulletExpanded to two days now.
bulletHenry Fonda Music Box Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd.
bulletMasquerade dance
bulletCostume required or formal dress and mask
bulletInfo: http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com

 

bulletMore Science Fiction Masquerades
bulletCheck out the Alley Cat Scratch list.  Let me know if your even needs to be added.
bulletLos Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) convention events page.
bulletMain items listed will be LA area, but they've got a great collection of links to nationwide directories.

 

[Top]

Historical/Reenactment Group Calendars (including fairs and dances)

a few Event Calendars with more dance activities.

bulletLively Arts History Association Calendar
bulletHistoric Dance & Reenactment of every era.
bulletVery large calendar covering all of Southern California
bulletVictorian dance,  English Country dance, Art Deco, Ragtime & Swing
bulletArt Deco Society of Los Angles Calendar
bulletevents with a vintage flare
bulletFull list of Event Calendars

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Select list of Upcoming Fairs and Dances to plan for...

Monthly, or near monthly dances and dance practice. 

bulletEnglish Country Dance - Monrovia
bulletDances for 1650 to present day are taught.  Beginners welcome, no partner required.
bullet http://www.lahacal.org/weblog/ for dates
bulletSt Luke's Episcopal church, Monrovia
bulletTickets $5 -  7:30 - 10pm
bulletEnglish Country Dance - Riverside
bulletInfo: http://www.englishcountrydancing.org/
bullet2nd, 3rd, 4th Thursdays
bulletDickens to Deco Informal Dance Program - Studio City
bulletInformal place to learn and dance the dances of the Victorian, Ragtime, and Jazz eras. No costume required
bulletInfo: http://lahacal.org/d2d/index.html
bulletMiss Haseltine's Drum - West side of Los Angeles
bulletRegency dance
bullet http://regencyfriends.org/  for dates
bulletmost 1st Sundays
bulletTickets $5   -  7:30-11:00
bulletCostume of about the year 1800 is welcome, but not required.

Schedule Costume Balls and Dance events.  Note: most dances will have one or more dance practice sessions.

 

International Talk like a Pirate Day

September 19.  Check various group calendars for the extra planned silliness

Gold Coast Pirate Festival

Renaissance Fest with a Pirate Flare

bulletinfo: http://www.goldcoastfestivals.com/piratefaire/piratefestpg1.html
bullet At Lake Casitas in Ojai: 80 miles NW of Los Angeles, 30 miles SE of Santa Barbara and 10 miles inland from Ventura off Hwy 150 & Santa Anna Rd
bulletSeptember 20-21 & 27-28, 2008

Buccaneer Days

"For that little bit of Pirate in each of us, join the Buccaneers of "2007" for a great day of fun. Don your best pirate attire for the costume contest and compete in the Treasure Hunt for the Grand Prize. Enjoy great food and dance the night away!"

bulletAt Two Harbors, Catalina Island
bulletOctober 4, 2008
bulletwww.scico.com
bullet http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/Calendar.php

Great Western War - SCA

Go to war medieval style!  Also classes, performances,  lots of shopping, evening parties.  Enjoy yourself in a simpler time.

bulletInfo: http://www.caid-gww.org/
bulletOctober 8-13, 2008
bulletNew Location: Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area (near Bakersfield)

Drama After Dark: A Night of the Macabre with Poe and Gorey - The Huntington Library

Thrill to the tales of Edgar Allan Poe and Edward Gorey in an evening of chilling drama presented by the actors of the Guild of St. George. More than a dozen haunting works will be enacted throughout the moonlit grounds, including “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” “The Gashleycrumb Tinies,” and “The Evil Garden.” Goosebumps guaranteed!  With the Guild of St George

bulletInfo: http://www.huntington.org/Information/EventsCal.html or 626-405-2128
bulletSaturday, October 18, 2008 - 6:30-10 pm
bullet The Huntington Library
bullet1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
bulletMembers: $25. Non-Members: $30
bulletRSVP: 626-405-2128
bulletAges 10 to adult. May be too intense for younger children.

*** Halloween in Los Angeles ***

For almost everything that goes on in LA related to fun and costuming, check out Alley Cat Scratch's "Halloween in LA" for the full list - Historic to Goth, Mainstream to X-treem!

******************************

Southern California Autumn Ball - Friends of the English Regency

Roughing the year 1800, a recreation of the age of Jane Austen and Beau Brummell, when the cut of a man's coat was as important as his politics.  The Autumn Ball offers a day of dance classes and finishes with a high tea, period dance, and a late buffet supper.  Dancing will be until midnight.

bulletInfo: http://www.regencyfriends.org/  or 213-384-6622
bulletSaturday, December 13, 2008
bullet7-midnight - the Ball - see their schedule for tea time and dance classes earlier in the day
bullet$35 for tea and supper
bullet$20 for box lunches
bulletWoman's Club of South Pasadena
bulletPeriod costume of the early 1800's is suggested but not required

The Gasfitter's Ball

Be transported back in time to the 18th century for an evening of Victorian period dinner and dance in the time of Sherlock Holmes. 

bulletInfo: http://www.coliserv.net/ccobs/gasfitters.html
bulletSaturday, November 1, 2008
bulletTickets: start at $60 in advance, $70 at the door.
bulletWoman's Club of South Pasadena,
bullet1424 Fremont Ave, South Pasadena
bulletThis is a costume only event for adults.  Costumes of the era requested

English Country Dance - George and Martha Cotillion Harvest Ball

This is a catered holiday dinner followed by dancing akin to that in Jane Austen movies such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma." Waltzing will be between sets.

bulletInfo: http://www.englishcountrydancing.org
bulletSaturday , November 15, 2008.
bulletDinner starts at 6pm
bulletTickets $40, include dinner, Music by Fleur de Lis
bulletJanet Goeske Center, Riverside   <-- New location
bulletFormal attire required,   from 1700-1900 preferred but not required

The holiday season has so many events that we can't list them all on one page.  Check out all our dances and museum tours on our "Winter in LA" special page

Elizabethan Festival - The Huntington Library

Experience all the color and pageantry of the Elizabethan court as The Huntington travels back in time to recreate the annual Accession celebration of Queen Elizabeth I. Enjoy period music and dance; mingle with merchants, courtiers, and soldiers; talk to explorers about their voyages to the New World; and pay your respects to the queen herself.  With the Guild of St George

bulletInfo: http://www.huntington.org/Information/EventsCal.html
bulletSaturday, November 17, 2007 - 11am-4pm
bullet The Huntington Library
bullet1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
bulletFree with general admission

Social Daunce Irregulars Grand Ball

bulletInfo: http://victoriandance.org/ , tickets $25, may be purchased on line.  Note: they also hold dance classes in advance of all balls.
bulletUpcoming balls:
bulletWinter Ball, November 28, 2008
bulletPasadena Mason Hall
bulletSpring Ball, March 8, 2008
bulletPasadena Masonic Hall
bulletSummer Ball, June 14, 2008
bulletTBD
bulletTo add to the ambiance, we suggest, but do not insist that our patrons wear the formal attire or military uniforms (any nation) of the 19th Century
Check out a lot more Holiday flavored costume and historical events in our Winter Event's Special section!

Old Riverside Foundation Victorian 12th Night Celebration

Progressive Dinner in the Heritage Square Historic District, Riverside.  Horse drawn carriages take guests to 3 vintage homes decorated in holiday splendor. Delicious gourmet food, elegant but fun. Live music and carolers. Victorian dress encouraged. Fundraiser for Old Riverside Foundation historic preservation group.

bulletInfo: Old Riverside Foundation: http://www.oldriverside.org/ or   951-683-2725
bulletFriday & Saturday, January 4 & 5, 2008
bullet6:30 & 8:30 pm
bulletTickets $85
bulletRiverside Historic District, exact address w/ tickets

Jane Austin Evening

"A civilized afternoon and evening of tea, discussion, gaming, supper and dance in the spirit of the works of the estimable Miss Austen"   

bullet.Info: http://www.lahacal.org/austen/
bulletSat, January 19, 2008
bulletTickets for dance $25,
bulletCheck their website for full schedule
bulletClothing from the lifetime of Jane Austen (1774-1817) is encouraged, but not required  <tips here>

(and events to plan for next year.....)

Riverside Dickens Festival and London Market Place

A street fair at the downtown Riverside mall celebrating the time of Charles Dickens is being held February 3-4, 2007.  There will be living history presentations, vendors, food, much fun and many educational events.

bulletInfo: http://www.renaissanceinfo.com/dickens/  or http://www.dickensfest.com/    or 800-430-4140.
bulletFebruary 1-3, 2008
bulletMr Fezziwig's Ball: Saturday, February 3rd.
bulletCostume encourage, but not required. 
bulletVendors will be in costume
bulletAll kinds of events. There are numerous teas and even a dinner. Check their website for full schedule details.
bulletPlan in advance with rehearsal dances and rehearsal balls
bulletInfo: http://www.mysweetestangel.org/victorian/dance.htm
bulletStart in October.  Wednesday classes, almost every week in January

Valentine's Day/Washington's Birthright Ball

18th Century English Country Dance. Music by: Fleur de Lis.

bulletInfo: http://www.englishcountrydancing.org/
bulletAll Saints Episcopal Church Parish Hall, Riverside
bullet$35 includes dinner
bulletFebruary 17, 2007

Los Angeles Air Raid WWII Swing Dance

Swing dance commemorating "the great Los Angles Air Raid of 1942", the false report of the raid, anyway.  Master of Ceremonies: Maxwell DeMille and the Bobby Sox Brigade Dance Show

bulletInfo: http://maxwelldemille.com/air-raid.asp or 310-548-2631
bulletFeb 23, 2008, 6-10pm , $20