SO YOU WANT TO BE A PARTY MONSTER?: A WINNER’S GUIDE TO BLOODFEAST 2012

Since 2004, the annual Bloodfeast Halloween bash has been providing locals with a quadruple-dose of festive devilry and philanthropy. We’re talking proceeds going toward the New England chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists scholarship fund, a costume contest, promotional material for Red Cross blood drives, a costume contest, local DJs like Nemesis and Die Young, and a costume contest. Specifically: one with $1,000 for first place.

DigBoston sat down with journalist, New England SPJ chapter president, and Bloodfeast founder Emily Sweeney for some tips to help attendees with their charitable partying (read: “sartorial ownage”).

#1 | The theme is “whatevs”

“There’s definitely no unifying theme whatsoever. We’ve had two girls dress up in Barbie boxes, we’ve had gigantic monsters, we’ve had characters from TV shows.”

#2 | Respect Ma Sweeney

“So my mom is one of the judges, because we figured she’d be totally impartial, you know? And then we have some other folks. A range in age, too, for the judges. This year Gene Dante is going to be one of our judges.”

#3 | You go big or you go big

“Machine is pretty big. We haven’t had any issues with anybody hitting the disco ball or the lighting.”

#4 | But no, really

“As the emcee on stage, one of the most memorable ones was, there were these gigantic skeleton guys that had to be over 7 feet tall. I remember I was like, ‘Holy shit.’”

#5 | DIY or undead

“Some of the rental costumes are great, but anything that’s homemade, that people do themselves, that in the past I’ve found has scored brownie points with our judges.”

#6 | Get the scoop

“We haven’t seen many journalism costumes. We haven’t seen any newsboys [or] newsgirls running around … that would score some brownie points with our judges as well.”

#7 | Don’t be too literal

“You can’t have people giving blood and then going up to the bar.”

#8 | Do as Em says, not as Em do

“I’m the exact opposite of all our contestants. The easiest thing possible. In the past I’ve been a referee. Striped shirt, whistle—boom, I’m done.”

#9 | Certitude is key

“No matter what, everyone will have a great time at the party. Usually a blast. Always a blast, I should say.”

#10 | No nudists. Just … no

“Please wear clothes … I guess. Don’t come naked.”

BLOODFEAST 2012

SATURDAY 10.27.12
MACHINE
1254 BOYLSTON ST.
BOSTON
10PM/21+/$15
@EMILYSWEENEY
MACHINEBOSTON.COM