Visitors enjoy monstrously mysterious music, weird workshops, and other eerie oddities. And for the first time, Ghouls and Gourds presents a lively literary fair featuring more than ten top children's book authors and illustrators, who will enchant visitors with readings and signings!
The afternoon culminates in a Halloween costume parade in which visiting ghouls and goblins march to the beat of Brazilian percussion group Maracatu NY, carry an assortment of larger-than-life puppets, or just show off their own costumes for all to see! Ghouls and Gourds event activities are free with Garden admission and take place rain or shine under a giant tent on the Cherry Esplanade.
Highlights include:
Mysterious Music
* Audra Rox—"I Hope My Mama Says Yes" and other award-winning tunes that make kids shout, shimmy, and rock out
* Slavic Soul Party—A funky romp of brash brass, Balkan beats, and gypsy grooves
* Mariachi Academy of New York—Toe-tapping traditional Mexican rhythms performed by kids ages 7–17
* Constant Wonder & the Wonder Band—A virtual nature-walk of original songs about the earth, earwigs, and more
* Bill Carney's Jug Addicts—A raucous ruckus of ragtime, early blues, and Tin Pan Alley tunes
* Lady Corvid and her Flock of Crows—Broken black umbrellas take flight... caw, caw.
* Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang—All the way from L.A., a band to rock everyone's socks off
Weird Workshops
* Recycled Junk Instruments—Young visitors can create an instrument to take home.
* "Bug out!" Mask Making—Transform into a dragonfly, spider, ladybug, or the insect of your dreams. Presented by the Puppetry Arts Theater
* Creepy Crawly Compost Critters—Worm power forever! Meet some wiggly worms and discover the Brooklyn Compost Project.
* Great Singing Gourds From Around the World—Join international folk singer Daria as she presents gourd instruments from Africa, Latin America, and beyond.
* Sassafras Leaf Ghost Portraits—Make a ghostly plant picture to take home.
* Shake, Rattle, and Roll with Gourd Shakers—Get all shook up and create a gorgeous gourd instrument to keep.
* Kooky Corn Grinding—Put in a little elbow grease and try this traditional harvesting activity.
* Northeastern Brazilian Drum and Dance—Shimmy, shake, and wiggle with Brazilian dance master Cacau Arcoverde and drummers from Maracatu NY.
Other Oddities
* Carouse with a Pack of Giant Puppets—Transform yourself and strut your stuff in our puppet menagerie. NOTE: Puppets can be signed out for the costume parade with an adult's driver's license or other valid ID.
* Botanical Beads: Plants as Jewelry—Squash seeds and dried flowers are strung into wearable gems by jeweler Margarita Poulson.
* Ghouls and Gourds Tattoo Parlor—Get inked with devilishly delightful designs.
* Phydeaux's Flying Flea Circus of Fate—Marvel as these tiny acrobats hit the big top.
* Carnivorous Plant Feedings—Watch as Morticia Addams (aka BBG gardener Jennifer Williams) feeds her hungry house plants.
Batty Book Fair
Meet some of the metro area's most exciting children's book authors and illustrators in person!
* Paul Jacobs and Jennifer Swender—My Subway Ride, Abiyoyo Returns, Deaf Musicians (with Greg Christie)
* Lauren Thompson—The Apple Pie that Papa Baked, Mouse's First Halloween, Mouse's First Fall
* R. Gregory Christie—Deaf Musicians (with Paul Jacobs); Keep Climbing, Girls; Yesterday I Had the Blues
* Huy Voun Lee—In the Leaves, In the Park
* Richard Michelson— Oh, No, Not Ghosts!, Across the Alley, Tuttle's Red Barn
* Deborah Gregory—The Cheetah Girls: Livin' Large, The Cheetah Girls 2: Cheetah-licious Poster Book, The Cheetah Girls: Off the Hook!
* Shana Corey—You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer!, Milly and the Macy's Day Parade
* Kevin Lewis—The Runaway Pumpkin, Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo
* Sean Qualls—Dizzy
* Johan Olander—A Field Guide to Monsters: Googly-Eyed Wart Floppers, Shadow-Casters, Toe Eaters, and Other Creatures
* Keith DuQuette—Little Monkey Lost
Dramatic Drum Parade
To close a day of fun, Northern Brazilian drum corps Maracatu NY leads our celebrated costume parade and drum circle like nobody's business! Join in the fun and carry larger-than-life puppets and colorful banners, make raucous music, shake your bag o' bones, or just show off your costume for all to see! -- www.bbg.org
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