"Eyes speak no more, heart feel no fear for she can see all."
Would you like to ‘rant’ at Madame Webb? Contact me at: madame.webb@rogers.com
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The V.E.N. Vampire Ball
Saturday April 3, 2004
Vatikan Nightclub in Toronto.
Review written by: The Madame Webb
Toronto’s long awaited event was finally here! The Vatikan played host to the Vampire Entertainment and Networking Vampire Ball on Saturday April 3rd. V.E.N. is a newly formed web project created by Christina Spooner to promote vampyric artists, models and events. Although V.E.N. is a worldwide organization, Christina decided to make their first event right here in her own hometown.
The V.E.N. Vampire Ball featured bands Psychopathos, Femme Generation, Perdition and PsiVamp. A pantomime performance by the Angels of Poverty. Guest DJs Vortex and Th’Elf. Minx Clothing was vending her fabulous wears and Kate Mior’s watercolours and oil paintings were spread around the club. There were even prize giveaways donated by Vampire Wear and Minx Clothing. Despite a few line up changes, Sapphic Ode and DJ Kreepy Krawly, the night was a still a huge success! And if the crowd didn’t come out for this amazing line up, it was because the event was in support of the humanitarian charity Amnesty International.
Leslie from Psychopathos writes, “Vampire and Goth culture have often been associated with, although not exclusive to, fetish and BDSM communities. In the midst of a night of dark fun and various forms of entertainment, The Vampire Ball will draw attention to the fact that Bondage and Slavery, played out in a consenting way between adults, is diametrically opposed to the type of rampant slavery, persecution and bondage that is passionately opposed to by groups like Amnesty International and compassionate individuals alike.”
The night was off to an early start with Psychopathos. This all female punk band just RAWKED! They were funny and knew how to work the crowd. Psychopathos is no stranger to the Toronto music scene and everyone who has seen them has commented on their great shows.
Femme Generation had a hard act to follow but came through. Their eardrum blasting pop-punk sound filled the club and brought people on the dance floor and the rest of us stomping our feet. This cute boy group seemed a little out of place in their blue jeans next to bustle skirts and PVC but they were a real crowd pleaser.
After a short break the stage was lit with eerie red lighting, a tall stranger walked out with an announcement board and opened it. ‘The 7Deadly Sins’. Smoke filled the stage and the music began. Two black-cloaked creatures writhed and twirled on the stage, setting a trap for their victim. The innocent girl falls prey to them and becomes entranced with their beauty and possessions. The performance took a dark turn when the victim becomes envious of her captors. The fight scene was very active, animated and passionate, leading up to the inevitable death. Her own weapon fatally wounds the innocent victim. The two creatures wept for their loss but quickly realized that she was now ripe for the eating. It was a wonderful dark, vampire performance that was truly appreciated at an event like this.
The dark and brooding Toronto band, Perdition, fittingly followed the Angels of Poverty’s melodramatic performance. Perdition’s mood lighting and percussion-less sound made their performance feel intimate, like they were reaching into the dark recesses of one’s soul. Their extra long set included a cover of a Cure song and Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘No more tears’. I don’t think I’ll be able to listen to that song in the same way ever again. The singer’s voices complimented one another. It is no wonder why Perdition is a Toronto favourite.
Next up was the Georgian solo dark wave musician PsiVamp. V.E.N. was honoured to host PsiVamp’s first Canadian performance. For those of you out there who think that all solo electronic artists performances are the same – think again. PsiVamp’s stage set up was creatively put together situating him behind his equipment and banners hiding him from view, which made it very easy for the crowd to focus purely on the music. PsiVamp does not play the typical techno music - it is so much more than that. The compositions are intelligent and elegantly written. The music is soulful, dark, and moving drawing out emotions and invoking the primal nature in us all. The dance floor was filled with people who wanted to lose themselves in his music. His seven song set featured music from his latest album ‘Doppleganger’ and a few new pieces which are sure to be hits. Like every good artist PsiVamp interacted with the crowd giving away t-shirts and glow sticks to help illuminate their ‘PsiVamp trip’. Through the music he introduced PsiVamp to the crowd and brought them into his world, took them up on a high and then slowly brought them down connecting their heartbeat to the bass beat. PsiVamp has truly left his mark on the Toronto scene and has won over many fans North of the border.
The V.E.N. Vampire Ball broke down the barriers between the dark and esoteric communities joining Gothic, Vamp, Fetish and Pagan people under the same roof. V.E.N. created an amazing line up of bands and performers catering to everyone, and every style. Through their talent and hard work V.E.N. accomplished what they set out to do, support a worthy charity and provide an event to an underground community.
V.E.N. is sure to bring us many more fantastic events around the world so get your passports ready!
