Brisbane has a diverse, often quirky, and steadily growing community of subcultures.
The older members of our alternate communities can tell some damn scary stories about life in the early days of their scenes: issues with police, harassment, violence and mistreatment are all parts of the far-too-recent past for many communities here.
Thankfully, the alt scene survived and we’re a more inclusive town than we used to be. It means that Brisbane is lucky enough to have a range of brilliant, creative sorts carving their niches into the wider community. Still, a lot of those old, out-dated ideas continue, especially around the idea of what these groups bring to the world beyond unique clothing or music choices.
The Carpathian Magistratus Vampyre Society aren’t well known in the mainstream community, of course. But when it comes to raising money for often neglected causes, they’re one of Brisbane’s heaviest hitters. Each year, the CMVS hold the Bloodlust Ball: a night of fun, mayhem and amazing costumes (27 August), whose profits go to support the Red Cross’ blood research. Blood is rather vital to the vampyre mythos, so who better to champion the cause?
This year’s theme was honouring Eastern ancestors, and the guests made magic with their costumes. With The Tivoli’s moody façade, and the bass rumbling through bodies, it’s easy to feel like you’re stepping into a meeting of vampires. There are a lot of balls out there with a theme that ends with a costume, but CMVS makes sure that every element of their event creates the magic of a vampyre gala.
Fortune tellers and mystics offered glimpses into the future for those willing to take the chance. But for those unwilling to see their fates, the dancefloor was the place to be. DJs Jurassic Jeff and Sara Nephthys kept the crowds moving with an eclectic mix of music, with some surprise additions to keep the crowd guessing.
Nature Trails rocked the stage with a fantastic, moody set, and Tycho Brahe thrilled the crowds with a heady, rocking setlist that kept the dancefloor filled. But it was the dancers, Dark Nile, who stole the show, with an evocative, mesmerising display of physical prowess based upon the myths of the Egyptian goddesses: Sekhmet and Hathor. With music you could feel shaking your very soul, the dancers wove a story of the battle between love and chaos, with the disciples of Hathor struggling to banish Sekhmet from the woman she had possessed.
Later on in the evening, the dancers returned, luring the unwary onto the stage for a dancing competition to win the safety of Hathor’s protection or the soul-destroying oblivion of Sekhmet.
The Bloodlust Ball is a charity gala, and a hell of a wonderful chance to dress up and step into another world. But it’s also designed to showcase and support local businesses and creatives. The yearly art competition, voted on by guests at the Ball, allows emerging creatives a chance to have their art seen and appreciated by a wider audience. And by focusing on sponsorship from smaller, local businesses, it gives those new to the scene a chance to find some new places to find a piece of costuming or home décor that supports their local community.
Supporting others is a major theme for the night, and the Society in general. That’s the true magic of The Bloodlust Ball. It’s not just about donning your fangs and heading out for a party, even though that’s clearly a large part of the appeal. And it’s not just about raising much needed funds for an incredibly worthy cause. It’s a safe space for people to come together and make new friends and collaborations. Really, who could ask for more?
There will be another Bloodlust Ball next year, giving us all a year to start planning our costumes.
★★★★☆
