Last week we interviewed HighBall host Nina West on various Halloween “things”

What was your favorite part of HighBall last year?

Nina West: The people and the amount of people was my favorite part. The energy last year was amazing and unexpected how crazy the crowd got, crazy in a good way! But the people are amazing and it’s really a huge melting pot of different types of people at HighBall, which makes this event so unique.

What do you think the judges are looking for in a winner for the Costume Couture Fashion Show?

N.W: After last year, I think the judges are looking for decadency & creativity.  Last year the judges looked for the most creative costume.  A costume that is jaw dropping and stand outs out should win the attention from the judges.   Halloween has always been a place where you can go the extra mile

What are you planning on asking Althea Harper?

N.W: I would ask her if she ever thought she would make it that far on Project Runway? Since she has never done a reality show, which is something very stressful, and thinking should would go so far?

What are you doing to prepare for HighBall this year?

N.W: I am trying to keep an even head while keeping in mind the size and scope of the event, as well as the large crowd.  This is the largest event I have ever hosted, which I am very excited about!   I want to make sure I do the community proud, I love this area. I have lived in Short North for almost 10 years and I am really excited to be a part of HighBall Halloween.

What are you planning on wearing?

N.W: It is a surprise of course!

What was Nina’s favorite outfit that she wore last year?

N.W: The Short North arches, people loved it.  Everyone wanted pictures with me! I loved it because we were in Short North under the arches, it was very fun.

What performances do we have to look forward to from Nina West?

N.W: This is Thriller! Thriller night…

What was your favorite performance you did last year?

N.W: My favorite thing, other than the crowd, is the community of the neighborhood, the business owners helping out and volunteers.  I didn’t have one favorite performance, I just wanted to make sure everyone was entertained.  But I love the whole atmosphere and of course the overwhelming sense of community is always so fun.

Does Nina have any tips for the Kings and Queens Costume Contestants?

N.W: GO BIG!! If your going to go in drag, which is common, you have to GO big, big hair, crazy makeup, outlandish drag costume. Don’t buy something at forever 21 and call it a day.  What is lost about drag is that it is an art form in itself. Going big is the theme of the event, being noticed! Don’t hesitate to do what you want to do, because the theme is masquerade!

Are you used to performing in front of predominantly gay audiences?

N.W: I usually perform large scale rehearsed productions that are very theatrical. But what makes Short North very special is that drag has become more mainstream..the transition in the last four years has really taken over.

How does this audience differ from other venues?

N.W: I have to take into consideration who is in the crowd and maintain a strong filter. This is not a small crowd! This event brings in a diverse group of people and…I am character, I am a man in a dress and there are people who have not always been around a drag queen, so I cannot be a threatening character.  But I have always been about entertaining people and I know how to do that.  I want to make everyone feel comfortable and engaged into the show.

What would you say the biggest difference is between HighBall Halloween and a typical Halloween Party?

N.W: This is an event that is open to anybody yet geared towards a specific clientele. This is a night you can be whoever you want to be! HBH is for everyone and what they feel Halloween means to them.

Are the costumes different at HighBall Halloween?

N.W: The costumes are mixed… some are very scary. What makes HBH so awesome are the costumes… they are decadent, gorgeous, grotesque, yet all somehow beautiful, but it is expected, it’s Halloween!

Is the event amplifed by being in the Short North District?

N.W: This event is embraced in a neighborhood marked by difference.  This is the gay center of the city & the arts center of the city.  Short North & HighBall give people a creative license to try something new.  People come in from the suburbs might go all out, in the spirit of the season.  The Short North District is truly an amazing cross section.

How did people react to you off stage?

N.W: Last year I walked around a lot and talked with people. Their comfort level could really adjust when I got into the mix. People were taking pictures then adding me on Facebook, it was just really fun.  Everyone was so cool.

Anything else?

N.W: I am really excited for this weekend! I cannot wait to see what everyone comes up with.

So HighBall is launched and now we set about making the vision reality. As a longtime event producer, I firmly believe every event should have key features that make it truly experiential. These features combine to become the signature, and differentiate it from all other events. They keep people buzzing for weeks or months after the event fades. For HighBall, there are many features, but the overarching (Short North pun intended) signature has to be its artistic creativity. HighBall will be an immersion in absolute fabulousness. It will be a celebration of Columbus’ creative class. It’s not the stereotypical witches, goblins and ghouls. It’s wow-factor, alter-egos, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and trick-or-treat “eye candy.” It’s simply fabulous.

Sometimes fabulousness isn’t easy. In fact, it can be downright arduous. But I so admire the people who decide to invest the effort because they live for the fabulous moments. They invest their art and soul into a project because they want to create an experience for themselves and for all those around them. That artistic drive is at the heart of HighBall. And it is what will make HighBall different than anything out there.

Today, here’s the story behind the couture costume fashion showdown… this is a competition for professional fashion designers and design students. Each contestant will present 3-4 items from his/her collection and add a HighBall couture costume to the set. Then they will hit a 40 foot runway staged in the middle of High Street. Thumping music, struttin’ models, a wild audience, and 4 decision-making judges. The incomparable Nina West, drag queen extraordinaire and 2008 National Entertainer of the Year, will be our celebrity emcee for this fierce fashion showdown. Someone will be crowned HighBall couture costume designer of the year and receive a $1,000 prize package… and, of course, ultimate bragging rights. More so, perhaps, all the designers will have an awesome platform to share their creativity, both in their signature collections and in their couture costumes, with an audience of influential and inspired fashion fanatics… Columbus’ creative class.

Our first two enthusiastic partners are Kelli Martin (a recent participant on Project Runway and founder of AntiLabel), and Esther Chung. Both have design businesses in Columbus, and both have a passion for the expressiveness of Halloween. If you are interested in being a spotlighted designer in the heart of the couture costume fashion showdown, drop me an email at johnangelo@shortnorth.org or give me a call at 614.299.8050 x13… and help spread the word.

Next time, details on the costume contest (for the general public) and on the dogtober halloween procession.

Ciao for now.

Now that Art al Fresco has made a successful debut, the Short North is turning its focus to the next big thing… HighBall Halloween: A Masquerade Party on High Street. On Wednesday, Sept. 10 we’ll unveil the full details during the event launch at Skully’s Music Diner, but right now the development committee is debating some of the key aspects. Charly Bauer (Jeni’s Ice Creams) wants to see “fabulous” costumes at every turn and an outrageous diva-emcee like Nina West. Dawn Friedman agrees that the “wow factor” should be off the chart if it’s going to be worthy of Short North status, but thinks there has to be a twist to the event. Ryan Morgan thinks inviting Columbus’ couture fashion designers to create original costumes for a Project Runway-style fashion showdown would get juices flowing. Walker Evans wants to see high-profile prizes for the best, most creative, and most outrageous costumes. The next meeting, tomorrow afternoon, will iron out the details.

There are also many logistics questions to answer by Wednesday. What part of High Street will we close for the masquerade? Should we have bands or DJs? Dancing or parades? Beer or wine!? Who gets to be the Joker!?

More to come…