By Joey Phoenix
The Vampires North of Boston are waking up from their coffins and readying themselves for the arrival of the Endless Night Vampire Salon, presented by Endless Night Impresario Father Sebastiaan and Salem-based Vampfangs, this Saturday Night at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. This Salon Noir will be the first of its kind in the area, creating a space for all 21+ individuals who wish to come for an evening of discussion, entertainment, and excellent attire.
Benjamin Addam and Alexis Pharae
A Vampire Salon differs from the more well-known Vampire Balls and dark galas held in New Orleans and around the globe in that it is a much smaller, more intimate affair. Yet, smaller doesn’t mean more casual. In fact, the guests will be dressed to kill in their most formal black on black – look here, and here for examples.
Contrary to what Bram Stoker and Anne Rice might suggest, Vampire culture is far more elaborate and involved than just brooding looks and sunlight avoidance. Vampires are considered to be modern time travelers from many eras with multiple interests. They’ve appreciated and been involved arts through the ages, and Endless Night endeavors to create activities that will draw their attention.
“A salon is an expression of [Vampire] culture,” described Endless Night Impresario Father Sebastiaan, “and the salons themselves are inspired by a mix of Andy Warhol’s Factory and a Salon Noir from La Belle Epoch in Paris.”
Bringing Endless Night to Salem
Endless Night began producing masquerade ball soirees and interactive theatre events in 1996 in New York City and New Orleans before expanding to venues around the world. They are very selective about who they choose to work with and where they decide to produce these events. Father Sebastiaan ultimately chose Salem as an ideal location for a Vampire salon because of the work that Vampfangs owners Benjamin Addam and Alexis “Lex” Pharae have done not just for the Vampire community, but for the North Shore community as a whole.
“Endless Night is an entertainment company, and we do a lot of charity work,” Father Sebastiaan said. “Ben and Lex were chosen because of their charity work and their professionalism.”
What Father Sebastiaan and Endless Night are trying to do with these events is set a standard of professionalism and business-mindedness in the vampire community, and to do so, it’s important to partner with like-minded people who are willing to keep this in mind. When Pharae and Addam bought Vampfangs, a 26-year-old company, in July of 2017, their work in the community caught Father Sebastiaan’s attention.
“The community here is still relatively young,” said Vampfangs co-owner Addam “There was some vampire activity in this area here in the past, but it really went dormant for a long time. Since we’ve started doing regular community stuff, local charity work, and philanthropy, we’re finding that people are really waking up to it.”
“They’re coming out of their coffins,” Pharae added with a laugh.
“For a long time, the vampire community was underground,” Father Sebastiaan explained. “We’re trying to provide a place where you can get your fangs and go to a really nice event and then share that experience with your friends.”
The Endless Night Vampire Salon and the Witch City Halo
For this particular event, there are two types of tickets available (Click here for tickets). The first is general admission and the second is VIV – for “Very Important Vampire.” The VIV ticket includes an open bar during the early cocktail hour, passed hors-d’oeuvres, and a special belly dance performance.
During the general admission part of the evening, there will be a performance by local Salem burlesque troupe the Slaughterhouse Society, as well as music from New York-based DJ Aengel, among other delightful offerings. The evening will also coincide with the consecration of the Witch City Halo.
“A Halo is the energy signature or the personality around a city. The Halos manifest when a vampire culture is activated,” said Father Sebastian. “When you go to New Orleans you can feel the Crescent City Halo. When you go to New York you feel Gotham. The cities have their own personalities.”
Though, regardless of whether or not you want to be a part of the Vampire community, everyone is welcome at the Salons, as long as you follow the dress code.
“With these events, not necessarily everyone who attends is in the vampire culture,” Pharae explained. “Some people really want to just dress up, feel sexy, and have a great time. They want to put on a mask and participate.
“This is an all-are-welcome event that will be beautiful and fun.”
The Endless Night Vampire Salon will be at the Hawthorne Hotel this Saturday, May 4th at 7:00 pm for VIV’s and 8:00 pm for general admission.
Joey Phoenix is a performance artist and the Managing Editor of Creative North Shore. Follow them on Twitter @jphoenixmedia. If you have an idea for a story, feature, or pictures of adorable llamas, feel free to send them a message at joeyphoenix@creativecollectivema.com
