Fashionably Undead Monsters Ball 2023 @ MoPOP

📅 Friday, October 27th
⏰ 8 pm – 12 am
📍 MoPOP: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle
🎟 $23 – $25

The Museum of Pop Culture’s (MoPOP) annual Fashionably Undead Monsters Ball is a local Halloween dance party that’s become legendary. It’s a monster mash where the fashionably undead (AKA you) can frolic the night away. Held since 2001, way back in MoPOP’s EMP (Experience Music Project) days, when the costume contest winner got a trip to the Billboard Music Awards. Inflation being what it is, this year’s winner gets $500.

This ghostly gala is great for groups. Not only is there a discount if you come with your squad (5-9 attendees = 15% off, 10+ = 30% off), the gig is also rife with photo opps. Plus, there’s a Best Group/Duo costume category. Remember to put fashion first, whether you get dolled up and match as M3GAN or reuse those Barbie fits, or go as the undead. 

Seattle drag king Jack King Goff will emcee the night’s mayhem with DJ Theres More mixing music for creatures of all kinds. Hourglass Escapes will hold a museum-wide scavenger hunt, and a community art activity will incorporate creepiness. 

This event is 21+, and museum members get a slight ticket discount. Check out MoPOP’s costume contest policy, partially copied below, to ensure you comply. Nothing is more horrifying than being barred from the ball for indecent exposure.  

HOW TO ENTER: All eligible persons attending Fashionably Undead Bash: Monsters’ Ball on Friday, October 27th, at the Museum of Pop Culture (325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109), and who are wearing costumes that meet the costume requirements will be automatically entered into the Contest upon admission. 

COSTUME REQUIREMENTS: All costumes must adhere to MoPOP’s policy for costumes and costume weapons, available here. There are four (4) costume categories that will be judged in the Contest (each, a “Costume Category”):

• Best overall
• Most on theme (Monsters’ Ball)
• Scariest
• Best group/duo

SELECTION PROCESS: During the Contest Period, Contest Staff will select semi-finalists for each Costume Category to participate in the judge presentation round of the Contest (“Final Round”). Semi-finalists will receive a wristband and a ticket that states: “Congratulations! You’ve been selected as a semifinalist in the Fashionably Undead Costume Contest. Meet a MoPOP staff representative with the COSTUME CONTEST SEMIFINALISTS sign at the Sky Church stage at 10:50 pm PST in preparation for the final on-stage judgement and a chance to win $500!” Participation is not mandatory, and anyone may decline or opt-out of participating at any time. Contest Staff will have the sole discretion to make any selections or decisions on the semi-finalists, including the number of semi-finalists and the applicable Costume Category for each semi-finalist.

FINAL ROUND: All semi-finalists will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability/Photo Release Form prior to participating in the Final Round. All semi-finalists must be present on the side stage next to the Sky Church Stage or an area designated by Costume Staff by 11:00 pm PST or the cut-off time announced by Contest Staff. Semi-finalists who are not present for the stage line-up may be disqualified for the Final Round at the sole discretion of Contest Staff. 

JUDGING CRITERIA: All semi-finalists will be presented by an emcee on stage to display their costumes to the audience and a panel of three judges. The judges will use a rubric to judge each semi-finalist on craftsmanship, originality/accuracy and presentation based on the applicable Costume Category. Each semi-finalist will be given a score on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent. Scores will be tallied by Contest Staff and one (1) finalist will be selected for each Costume Category (each, a “Finalist”). The Finalists will be called to the stage one last time to present themselves to the judges and the audience. The judges will evaluate the Finalists and add points for overall excellence, which will be added to each Finalist’s original score. Contest Staff will tally overall scores and the winners will be confirmed by the judges. Contest Staff will have the sole discretion to determine any criteria in the event of any disputes or tie scores. All decisions by Contest Staff are final and binding.

PRIZES: The Finalists will be ranked and one (1) winner will be selected for each prize level below based on the final scores. The prizes for each prize level are set forth below. The prizes are provided by notated prize sponsor.

Grand Prize: One (1) cash prize of $500
1st Place Runner-up: TBD
2nd Place Runner-up: TBD
3rd Place Runner-up: TBD