Last updated on October 21st, 2014
LAST NIGHT, I donned wig, jabot, waistcoat, breeches, knee-high stockings and buckled shoes. The occasion? Our annual Halloween Masquerade Party, co-hosted with friends Ed and Jim. Here, in a photo gallery, are a few scenes from this monster-mash:
Me, in the parlor, before guests arrived, and before I put on my wig. I love this colonial costume so much that I’d like to keep it. Alas, it was rented from a theatrical company in Yonkers, NY.
My handsome partner also dressed in colonial garb. Dig the coat!
Our friend Kate, as Maid Marion. I asked Kate if we could trade costumes, but she refused.
Anne Schomaker as a gothic dairy cow (her front reads “Goth Milk?”), and Tina Lang as a sultry geisha.
Tina’s husband, the actor Steven Lang, and Kate.
Ed Parran (who arrived, with his husband, as Dos Amigos), speaking with a tattooed, pierced, and mo-hawked Jack Millard.
Dan Bauman, dressed as a grubby (but still-hot) auto-mechanic.
Sue Chiafullo stole the show with her drop-dead-gorgeous witch costume. Sue loves bling, and I love Sue. Who can resist those eyelashes?
From left: My partner Will, Ed, me, and an unidentified Blues Brother. I say “unidentified,” because he marched into the house with 5 of his friends — all of them decked out as John Belushi. Or Dan Akroyd.
If you are a gardener, you’ll appreciate this picture. It’s James Occhino, dressed in black, and holding a scythe that’s topped with a tree-saw. His costume? “The Limb Reaper.”
Ah, some of the appetizers. I made a crudite platter for the event, and placed the dip in a hollowed-out head of Savoy cabbage.
I also made Paula Wolfert’s amazing hummus.
And please note the Paillettes standing tall in black mugs and silver containers. I made and froze these puff-pastry cheese straws (180 of them!) earlier in the week, and then baked them off the day of the party.
A caterer provided Salmon Soldiers. To make these, you take strips of Lox, roll them into a cylinder, and then fill them with cream cheese, capers, and fresh dill. Delicious!
The same caterer made gluten-free Maryland Crab Cakes, Wild Mushroom Purses, and Bacon Grissini “Swizzle Stix.” This last item, pictured above, disappeared even faster than my Paillettes. And no wonder — the sticks were dipped in an amazing caramel glaze. Uber yummy.
For entertainment, I hired pianist Michael Schiffer to play standards from “The Great American Songbook.” Vicki Smith as Liza Minella (she’s wearing an orange scarf), sang several solos, including “Summertime” from Porgy & Bess. Rex Smith as Elvis (white, glittered shirt) led the crowd in “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady. And then all of us joined in for “Life is a Cabaret.” Helping with set-up, serving as bartenders, and — mercifully — cleaning everything up afterward, were Lisa (on left) and Michelle. I often hire Michelle for large events here. She makes it possible for me to spend time with guests.
I should probably mention that midway through the party, I stepped outside and looked up. There, in the sky, were two brightly-lit “Moon Rainbows.” I dragged some of our guests outside to see this strange phenomenon. Talk about eerie! If you know anything about Moon Rainbows, please explain them to me.
Anyway, Happy Halloween, everyone!
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badger gardener says
I was hoping you would share some pics of your masquerade party. Looks like an awesome time. Thanks for sharing. Moon rainbows? I’ve never even seen those. Has to be a good omen I would think.
We had snow flurries to start our trick or treat day. Hoping the sun peaks out because there is no way I am going to get coats on my little Transformers (Optimus Prime and Bumblebe).
Good luck w/ the East Coast Frankenstorm everybody. Sending you all good thoughts. Happy Halloween!!!!!
Lana says
Looks like a great party – loved your costume – you look like you would fit right in a BBC series! Here on Long Island we are prepping for the big storm – hope all goes well with you also. Happy Halloween!
Kate says
So why wasn’t I invited?!? I even have my pregnant nun costume (a bad habit) that would have easily gone with the White Cardinal… The characters look bewitching and the dishes look delicious! Looks like a great time was had by all.
The best H’ween party I’ve ever been to was one hosted by a psychiatric resident when I worked with the Dept of Psychiatry at the Medical University of SC. Those psychs have great fantasies! The best of the best was a resident who walked in with a black leotard, black fishnet stockings, a black cape lined in red satin. She had a (fake) knife held by a black garter on one thigh, a thick chain around her waist, a whip in one hand and a Dr.’s medicine bag in the other. Her theme was “Trick or Treatment”. Whooop! Whoop!
Thanks for sharing all your friends’ fantasies (and puns)!
Norma says
Kevin it looks like such a fun party. The food – nummy! Moon rainbows – could it have been the aurora borealis? Something from the impending Frnkenstorm?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
badger gardener -Those moon rainbows (or whatever the heck they’re called) were awesome. I’d never seen them before. Have fun trick-or-treating with your Bumblebee and Optimus Prime!
Lana – I hope the storm is not as bad as some are predicting…stay safe.
Kate – Your comment made me spit coffee through my nose! The pregnant nun, the trick-or-treatment girl — right on!
Linda Totten says
Great party.. and that food looks awesome.
Joy says
Find everything you’ve ever wondered about ‘moonbows’ and probably some things you’ve never considered;
My guess is that what you saw was the halo around the full moon, caused by moisture ib the atmosphere. I remember my father saying in winter, that was a sign of snow in the near future. Your party looks tres elegant! I Iove ‘fancy dress.
Cheers!
Valerie C. says
Wow! Amazing party! The food looks so good too 🙂
valerie says
Looks like a grand time was had by all. Thanks for sharing. Food looks amazing!!
Shelli DuBoff says
I was at a Halloween party last night in Vermont. Some one told us to go outside and look at the moon rings.I’ve never seen anything like it. There were actually three intersecting rings. We thought it might have something to do with the upcoming weather. According to Google it is formed by ice crystals. I agree, it was very eerie and a nice addition to our Halloween bash
Kelly says
Any video of Liza singing? Looks like a wonderful time! I am going to use your Savoy cabbage idea for our kid’s party Wednesday.
Anna Lapping says
Great Party! Great Costumes! We did Trunk or Treat at our Karate school, and had a free haunted house for the community on Friday night. Lots of fun. We love Hallowe’en and always dress in costume. It’s so much fun.
Rosemeri says
It looks like a really great party. Great costumes, great food….speaking of which, any chance of getting the recipe for the Bacon Grissini Swizzle Stix? They’re making me drool.
Pam says
Thank you for sharing your party. The food looked yummy.
I only wish you had pictures of the Double Moon Rainbows. I’ve never seen that before.
Best Wishes to you and your’s.
Oriane says
Bonjour Kevin,
So glad you shared your soirée with us. Oh what fun this must have been!!!. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
I take it you did not humiliate Lily by dressing her up (those humans, you never know what they are capable of) or did you? : )
We’ve been following Sandy the storm from Arizona and wish you all well. Be safe.
Marjean Cline says
Love the photos! The food looks delicious and your fellow costumed characters must have had a ton of fun.
About that moon halo. They’re pretty common around the time of the full moon and are the result of ice crystals high in the atmosphere. The reflected moonlight shining through high clouds makes a perfect circle rainbow. They are considered harbingers of unsettled weather and your particular moon rainbow(s) was the result of the high clouds ahead of the cold front that’s going to turn Sandy from a humongous tropical storm into a monster affecting some 50 million people. Here’s a short article about them from the Farmers’ Almanac:
http://www.farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/2009/08/17/ring-around-the-moon/
I hope your area is not affected too badly during this storm. Stay safe!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Marjean – thanks for the link. Heading over now to read up on the ring around the moon!
Marilyn says
Kevin,
I just love that you shared your wonderful party with us. The costumes were so beautiful and professional and I was happy to finally “meet” Will. You are indeed blessed and worthy of all the accolades you receive.
Michele says
What am Awesome party Kevin! It looked like so much fun.. Everyone looked great and the food looked wonderful also. You live a charmed life indeed Kevin. Thanks for sharing with all of us! Michele
trilium says
Thanks so much for sharing pictures of this incredible event! I appreciate the glimpse into your private world, and realize anew how blessed you are with family, friends, creativity, and a unique and special way of communicating to others! Thanks so much Kevin.
Dennis R says
I’m looking at You & Will and thinking “Count de Mo’ ney & Bearnaisse” from Mel Brooks History of the World. so, the grissinis…just twist a bacon strip around a skewer & deep fry or bake? & wild mushroom purses? recipe,pls (inquiring minds want to know).
Bernie says
Kevin,
You certainly out did yourself on this party! Looks like everyone enjoyed themselves. Thank you soo much for sharing those photos. So lucky to find a blogger who is down to earth and real.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Dennis R – Grissini is actually a very thin breadstick. Recipe soon, I promise.
Louise Brouillette says
Kevin, great party! Was Steven Lang in Terra Nova? He looks familar!
Mrs. Rogers says
I’d so like to be your neighbor!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Louise – Yes. Steven is in the series Terra Nova.
Vicki says
Kevin, great pictures! Everyone, the party was absolutely fantastic and the food was to-die-for delicious. That is, when I stopped singing long enough to eat! (I was Liza!) Please, please, please get the recipe for those Bacon Grissini Swizle Stix! We all had a great time eating, drinking, and singing. Kevin and Will are the best hosts ever! But I was in seventh heaven having a chance to play Liza…. Will told me the biggest problem with my costume was it looked too realistic…. Glad everyone is enjoying the pictures of the food and the costumes. I can assure you that those of us who live near Kevin and attended the party had a blast! It is the highpoint of our Halloween season! Kevin, every bit of the food was delicious! Long may you and Will reign as monarchs of the Halloween season! (And many others…)
jina k says
Kevin What a fun time !! l Almost fell off my chair when I saw Steven and TIna at your party. I have shared many fun times with them out at Montauk when our kids were young.
Nice folks -small world……..
love your blog. Thanks for sharing. Happy Halloween ! Jina
Gloria Duy says
Looks like a fun time was had by all. Loved the costumes and pics of the food. I will totally steal the cabbage bowl idea for my next party I have used a red pepper and a little pumpkin before as I am GF and hate that everyone always puts the dip in bread! I am usually cursing under my breath….thanks guys..the only thing I can eat on this buffet is the veggies and you just put the $%#@* dip in bread. Love it Kevin.
Devon D. says
What a wonderful spread and costumes! Looks like everyone had a great time.
It’s just so much fun to peek inside someone else’s life a bit without commercial breaks.
Arlene says
What fun you all had. Wish you were my neighbor. Thanks for sharing, some of those recipes look delicious!!!! Arlene
Beverly, zone 6 eastern PA says
I was so busy looking at your wig and then your ruffles in the first photo, I completely missed the skull in your hands until my third time looking!
Apparently, “Excellent Party Host” can be added to your list of admirable traits, right after “Amazing Chef” and “Enviable Gardener”. Pretty cool!
I too wish you were my neighbor!!
We’ve battened down the hatches for Hurricane Sandy. I hope at least a few bits of the garden are left standing when she’s done blowing through.
Good luck everybody, stay safe!
Wilma Tyler Dibelka says
That party looks like great fun. Wow …
Am curious if you have decided whether you saw a moonbow or moon rings? I saw a moonbow once. It was an experience never to be forgotten. And growing up on a farm I learned to judge the closeness of precipitation by the number of and diameter of rings. Maybe you saw rings forewarning of Sandy.
I’m sure you have food for the emergency. Hope all other contingencies are taken care of. Will be awaiting your report.
despina says
Dear Kevin,
I am sorry I missed the festivities. It looks like once again you outdid yourself. I do not know how you have the time to run your household, do the website and put his together.
stay warm and safe today.
d
Janice in Black Creek, BC says
The best part of a party is the comradeship of good and trusted friends. Looks like you have some. Add the good food to that and the costumes and laughter, and the evening cannot fail.
Janet G. Metzger says
Marvelous!
(My celebration will be modest on Wed. The kids did trick or treat Friday night, but I was in the office writing reports, so I missed even that part. I hope the front edge of Sandy did not trick you,nor treat you to much damage)
janet
Anne says
Holy Cow!!!!! I had an udderly fantastic time at this Halloween party!!!! I’m so fortunate to be a part of this community with Kevin and Will as friends. When there is such turmoil in the world it is a relief to spend an evening in costume (I loved being the cow!!!!) just having fun with friends. This year the costumes were over the top, so creative and joyous. The house decor, fabulous food and drink, and lively piano music brought out the best in this group. Thank you, thank you Kevin, Will, Ed, and Jim. Hugs, Anne the Gothic cow!
em says
Wow!We’re from Canada we are envious.!!! Everything looks so good. The people, the food, the house, just everything. Thank you for sharing and we love your newsletter and have used the garden tips and recipes. Thanks again, so much