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Blog
The Alpha Workshops + Halloween = Masquerade Ball
October 30, 2009

The Alpha Workshops hosted their 4th annual Masquerade Ball last night at the New York Design Center, and once again the combination of Kenneth Wampler of Alpha and Jim Druckman of the Design Center staged a winning celebration. The theme this year was “C’mon Get Happy” and amidst the loud music, dirty martinis, and miniature burgers and chicken pot pies, much of the crowd seemed to get in the spirit of things, if dancing, drinking, eating, and reveling qualifies.

The Masquerade Ball offers the New York design community a chance to kick up their heels and cut loose, and to benefit a worthy foundation in the process. With all the creative talent and big personalities on hand, there was bound to be a few Kodak moments. Where else can you see Salvador Dali (Dal’ee, I was told) photographing and chatting with the Mona Lisa? Or Oscar the Grouch, can and all, dancing with a bouquet of flowers? Or, for that matter, Amy Lau of Amy Lau Design, dressed as a cheerleader, doing a split and getting back up?

As to favorite costumes, in addition to the Marx Brothers, who accompanied me to the party, there was a terrific zombie Carmen Miranda, an enthusiastic Lady Ga-Ga, and a cute Minnie Mouse I never managed to photograph. And there was a young woman dressed as a chicken, feathers included. She was a good sport, flapping her arms for pictures. I didn’t ask her what she thought of the chicken pot pies.

Photos by Larry Weinberg.
Posted by Larry Weinberg on October 30, 2009 | Comments (5)
Reader Comments
at 11/2/2009 7:51:44 PM, atwater commented:
where is the slideshow when we need it??? pleaese sir, can I see some more costumes sir??
at 11/3/2009 11:04:34 AM, in the know commented:
the nydc alpha workshop's ball has become "the" event of the year. I wish you had included more fabulous costumes, but, they can be seen on patrick mcmullen's site.
salvador dali is kathy levin, wish I knew the identity of mona lisa, the the day of the dead skeleton and the blue aztec. the beautiful flappers are leah blank, alix lerman & alana moskowitz of nydc. the marx brothers are designer's jayne michaels, kate korten & joan michaels. the brain is bob bosch and I believe the fat cat is none other than mr. alpha workshop's himself ken wampler!!
at 11/3/2009 6:31:16 PM, lillie@aol.com commented:
I love the turquoise mask and costume. Can anyone tell me who that is?
at 11/4/2009 11:23:22 PM, kathryn@aol.com commented:
memory is pretty good too!
at 11/6/2009 12:20:36 PM, Paulette P. commented:
With Halloween '09 falling on a Saturday, being able to be out and about, there was so much creativity to see in the young children costumes, and I believe this process of choosing the ensemble of expression could be the beginning of a young designers decision making. Of course, seeing the adults in their light hearted, dynamic, and fun expressions as seen at The NYDC Alpha Workshop's Ball is a great moment.



















