New York’s Hallowed Halloween Rumpus Returns: Ghouls and Gourds

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2010 | Noon–6 p.m.

Release Date: September 20, 2010

Brooklyn, NY—On Sunday, October 24, costume-clad families from across the tri-state area will descend on Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) for Ghouls and Gourds: New York’s wackiest Halloween celebration! Against the backdrop of the Garden’s gorgeous fall flora, visitors of all ages will enjoy boisterous music, grand hands-on workshops, larger-than-life puppets, and a batty book barn.

This year the Garden will be transformed into a farm-themed wonderland, featuring helpful scarecrows, a barn dance to the tunes of Grand Picnic, and a pretend petting zoo. Visitors will enjoy musical performances by family-friendly artists Slavic Soul Party, Suzi Shelton, Moona Luna, and more. Families can get their hands dirty by pitching in on large-scale collaborative arts and crafts projects like a giant spider web of ribbons, yarns, and other textiles, a one-of-a-kind mandala made from a hodgepodge of recycled materials, and the Pumpkin Patchwork Project, a giant sculpture created from gourds and pumpkin parts.

The Children’s Book Barn will feature renowned authors and illustrators—many based in Brooklyn—who will charm families with readings and book signings. Plus, visitors can watch a flea circus and enjoy the theatrics of the Festival of the Vegetables.

The day will go out with a bang as Brazilian percussion group Maracatu NY and giant stilt dancers lead our celebrated costume parade and drum circle. Visiting ghouls and goblins of all ages can join in the fun and carouse with life-size puppets, carry colorful banners, make raucous music, or just show off their costumes for all to see!

Ghouls and Gourds events and activities will take place rain or shine on Cherry Esplanade (all events are sheltered in case of rain). The day’s schedule includes the following:

MUSICAL MAYHEM

• SLAVIC SOUL PARTY: Balkan beats and brash brass
• SUZI SHELTON: Sippy cup rock
• MOONA LUNA: Mexican folk-rock for los niños
• XYLOPHOLKS: Brooklyn's own furry ragtime band
• AFRICARIB: Breezy steel pan jams

WEIRD WORKSHOPS

• MONSTER ON A LEASH: Make your own monster sidekick (or nemesis-if you dare). With Curious Jane Camps
• THE EGG SHAKER SHACK: Make your own maraca to play in the parade.
• PRETEND PETTING ZOO: Come meet our imaginary menagerie.
• THE PUMPKIN PATCHWORK PROJECT: Grab a gourd and help build our giant pumpkin sculpture. With Urban River Arts
• FIELD MOUSE MASKS: Construct a mask and transform into a mouse. Easy cheesy. With Puppetry Arts Theatre
• THE WOOLY WORKSHOP: Spinning, weaving, and natural dying. Baaa! With Textile Arts Center
• CREATE A GIANT WEB: Weave a part of the Garden’s wacky web using recycled fabrics. With Materials for the Arts: NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

OTHER ODDITIES

• CAROUSE WITH A PACK OF GIANT PUPPETS: Strut your stuff with our giant puppet posse.
• PHYDEAUX’S FLYING FLEA CIRCUS OF FATE: Tiny acrobats hit the big top.
• THE FESTIVAL OF THE VEGETABLES: The whimsical secret life of veggies.
• LARGER-THAN-LIFE STILT DANCERS and MAGICAL CREATURES: Enjoy Mortal Beasts & Deities stilt-dancers as they prance around Cherry Esplanade.

CHILDREN’S BOOK BARN Bigger than ever! Meet today’s most exciting children’s book authors and illustrators as they share their work with fans! The lineup features new additions and returning favorites:

• Johan Olander – Author and illustrator of A Field Guide to Monsters: Googly-Eyed Wart Flopper, Shadow Casters, Toe Eaters, and Other Creatures
• Diane Muldrow – Author of We Planted a Tree • How Do Lions Say I Love You? • Somewhere So Sleepy
• Selina Alko – Illustrator of I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother • Greetings from the 50 States • My Taxi Ride
• Misako Rocks! – Author and illustrator of Biker Girl • Rock and Roll Love • Detective Jermain Vol. 1
• Shana Corey – Author of Mermaid Queen • You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer • Monster Parade
• David Gavril – Author of Chicken Soup • Penelope Nuthatch • Hector and the Noisy Neighbor

For more information, visit http://bbg.org/ghouls.

Major sponsorship for Ghouls and Gourds 2010 is provided by Con Edison.

Founded in 1910, Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) is an independent nonprofit institution committed to education, research, and the display of horticulture. Situated on 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn, the Garden is home to over 12,000 kinds of plants and hosts more than 725,000 visitors annually.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Garden is closed on Mondays. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for senior citizens (65 and older) and students with ID. Children under 12, all school groups, and Garden members are admitted free at all times. Seniors are admitted free all day Friday, and the Garden is free to the public all day on Tuesdays and until noon on Saturdays (except Saturdays of major public programs). For directions, please visit bbg.org/visit/directions.