Like so many of Halifax's beloved traditions, CKDU's Witches' Ball started out as a house party, a place for folks to dress up, dance and have a good time. Though not originally associated with the radio station at all, the Halloween party has been a CKDU fundraiser since 1997, and has grown leaps and bounds in that time. This year's incarnation, Saturday at the Royal Artillery Park, promises to keep building on that momentum, offering DJs, live music and so much more.
As CKDU prepares to launch its annual funding drive, Witches' Ball organizer MJ Patterson is excited to see it kick off with an event that, more than just a fun night to play dress up and get down, illustrates the deep community connections between the Dalhousie station and the rest of Halifax. "CKDU is Halifax's community radio. It supports local business and local communities, especially those communities who have little or no voice," says Patterson. "We have shows in lots of different languages and from a myriad of different viewpoints. It really is the last bastion of broadcasting freedom in metro---so what's not to support?"
Businesses and community members, including Little Mysteries and Jean's Chinese Restaurant, certainly seem to agree, donating prizes for costumes, spot dances and door prizes and assisting the event planners with decorating, advertising, postering and sourcing live acts. Patterson is grateful for the relationship CKDU has with the wider community, insisting that, "there is no way this event could take place without all this support. We really are lucky to have such a great local community".
The Royal Artillery Park's multi-level facility will host the masquerade ball, housing DJ Zhukow upstairs while Music Nova Scotia nominee David Bradshaw wows the crowd downstairs. With two dance floors, tarot readings and prizes galore, it's never been so fun and so easy to support community radio.
The Witches’ Ball
Saturday, November 2 at 7pm
Royal Artillery Park, Sackville and Queen
zontahalifax.org
