A Halloween block party lit up Ellis Street on Saturday night outside of Le Chat Noir, a small performing arts theatre doubling as a cocktail lounge situated in downtown Augusta’s creative hub, just around the corner from the Jessye Norman School of the Arts.
Le Chat’s 17th annual tradition, the Black Cat Carnival, unfolded with an abundance of strange carnival attractions including a sarcastic fortune teller, several adults-only and boundary-pushing skill games and even a traveling flea circus – all while holiday-themed imbibements were served.
Guest Stephanie Kenley was there with a group celebrating a birthday, and had purchased V.I.C tickets, giving her “Very Important Clown” access to the event. According to event previews, this included entry to several sideshow acts, a private bar and a candy bar.
“It looks really cool,” said Kenley about the carnival. “A lot of games and vendors.”
Inside the carnival
In a dark corner of the event, an immersive live painting exhibit called “Art Asylum” featured a group of artists who, acting theatrically unhinged, painted terrifying scenes while a live model wearing spooky special effects makeup posed for them.
This exhibit was a collaboration by Le Chat, Artzilla Augusta and Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School.
Guests and Le Chat staff went all out in seasonal attire; attendees were able to catch a glimpse of a stilt-walker, the moth man and a multitude of familiar and obscure horror movie characters.
Vendors sold on-theme handmade goods, crochet items and jewelry on the grounds.
Oz Millz, owner of Diabolical by Design, stood out at a booth backdropped with creepy masks, all made by himself.
Millz has been in the business of costumes, props and special effects makeup for the last two decades, one of his most notable accomplishments being that he created a mask worn in Dark Circles, an upcoming independent horror film directed by Hannah Fiermen.
“Le Chat Noir has always been really good to me…I feel like it’s important to be involved with the community as much as possible,” said Millz.
Le Chat Noir upcoming events
Le Chat’s improv comedy group, Schrodinger’s Cat, is hosting shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Nov. 1. This is a recurring event taking place every first Friday of the month. Tickets are required for entry.
The theatre will be putting on a performance of “Jesus took the A Train,” a play by Stephen Adly Guirgis, on Nov. 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are required for this event.
