Addams Family Coming to Broadway!

There are some very smart producers on Broadway who have realized Goth+Musical=Theater Gold. Just take a look at the success of Phantom of the Opera and Jekyll and Hyde. Coming next spring, Charles Addam's kooky family will make its debut on stage. The cast will feature theater greats Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia and Nathan Lane as Gomez. Their website is already up.
The site hints that the show's macabre story will involve an 18-year old Wednesday finding first love and the tension, jealousy and dark humor it causes the rest of the family... Phrases such as "Like yesterday's road kill" are part of the show description. Sounds morbid and hilarious!
A powerhouse combination of producers, directors, designers and cast are collaborating on this one and I can't wait!
If you are as impatient as I am, check out the classic television show, the great movies or even the M&M commercial...

Gothic Decor For Dummies

Anyone can dress up in dark romantic finery for special occasions. While there is nothing wrong with the weekend warriors, how many of you have the passion to make your home a Gothic haven as well?

Unfortunately, Gothic interior design often runs the gamut from cheap, tacky vampire clichés to very expensive custom creations that are out of reach of most people. How does a lady or gentleman of taste manage to bring such seductive style to their home in a practical and accessible way?

Not everyone can afford the gorgeous purple velvet coffin couch from indie designer Erickson at $3500. However, most of you can swing the Billy Blue 22 hand-cast metal bird skull door and drawer knobs at $16. While black lace and roses may not work for the more husky princes out there, these birds are sexy AND masculine.

Looking for Gothic home decor from mainstream sources? Anyone can turn a plain, generic room into a lusty den with a well chosen shade of red paint for the walls. For the bedroom, choose your favorite bedding in black satin or Egyptian cotton and add a Black Chandelier Wall Decal for an inexpensive, modern twist on a traditional vampire castle staple.

Lastly, don't forget CANDLES. Candlelight makes any environment more romantic and mysterious. You don't need elaborate candelabras for that. Inexpensive votive holders can be dressed up (colored paper will do!) in any hue to accentuate any theme. Buy them in bulk, find them at a discount store, or swipe a few at the next wedding you attend...

Need some more background on the different styles of Gothic design genres? Check out Marie's Manor Decorating blog

Gothic Weddings Around the World

There are many couples who do not relate to the white and pastels of traditional wedding themes (contrary to what the magazines tell you). With a desire to go against the grain, or inject a more cynical, or humorous touch their nuptials, there are many duos who have opted for the Gothic wedding. This may come in the form of darker colors in the attire, to motifs in the food. Some are surely executed in better taste and style than others. Hilarious wedding site tackyweddings.com profiled to good, the bad and the ugly in this genre. The Courtesan's own suitor once presented her with a "Corpse Bride" cake one lovely night, similar to the one at the website, with the two leads set against a backdrop of silver leafed white chocolate moon.

Carnivale of Ascension: Death, Decadence and Dinner Party!

If you are in NYC next week, RSVP quickly to this dark and debauched dinner banquet... Artists, chefs and performers are coming together to produce the delightful Carnivale of Ascension event in the East Village. The invitation asks guests to come masked to dine in a "Grandiose setting on the bridge between life and death".
Specially created cocktails will be served with "whole roasted animals and vegetarian delights." Prepare for a sexy dessert "Devoured from a human serving tray".
When you are good and intoxicated by the musings and rituals of the 'dead' you will be entertained by the "lurid" antics of musicians and burlesque performances to enhance your evening. Contact rsvp@designsbyadamaleksander.com to confirm your attendance.

8/16/09: If you have have read the comments there was one guest who did not enjoy the event, and many who did. One guest was generous enough to share his beautiful slide show of the soiree... You can judge for yourself:

Underground Goth Fashion on Berlin 5 Subway

Last Thursday, the most fashionable venue in Germany was the Berlin 5 subway line. The underground fashion show displayed the creations of punk, Goth and fetish designers like X-Tra-X, Alex in Wunderland, Savage Wear, Pinup Couture and Models As Rockstars. The mobile catwalk was a showcase for the designers who came from Europe and North America and lasted through the 45 minute metro ride.

Photos from Reuters/AP

Absynthe Giveaway! Lacroix Darling…

"Absinthe is the aphrodisiac of the self." -Bram Stoker, Dracula

A.K.A. the Green Fairy, La Fee Verte, is an exotic libation famed for inspiring Bohemian artists, seducing gents to madness, and irking politicians in modern times. For a substance that doesn’t have nearly the potency of many other drugs, this liquor has quite a history and mystique. Classically known to contain wormwood, it is also famed to have hallucinogenic properties. Goth Icon Marilyn Manson was even moved to create his own brand of the stuff, called Mansinthe. If you are unfamiliar with this verdant treat, everything you need to know about Absinthe (including how to make it!) can be found here.

While I would love to invite all of you to share a bottle with me in my parlour, your mistress here cannot legally offer you all a drink myself, I can offer one of my lucky followers the elegant fragrance inspired by it. Christian Lacroix, the darling genius of couture, has created a lovely perfume with Absinthe as its muse. The bottle is a lovely shade resembling the legendary potable. The scent? Absinthe extract, golden freesia, green anise, orchid, saffron, narcissus, wood, ebony musk, myrrh and amber can be found in the bottle.

To win this gift, sign up here or here before July 31st, 2009. If you are already following this blog, you have already been entered. The winner will be announced August 1st, 2009.