SHADOWLAND is Lancaster’s monthly dark alternative dance ritual where DJs STYGIAN and DAVE GHOUL dare you to shake off that boring human suit and unleash your inner monster. Genres include darkwave, electro, EBM, goth, industrial, dark/alt pop, post punk, synthwave, and more.

Last year, we celebrated Halloween with our first annual BLACK MASS: a devilish theme to remind folks that what are demons to some are, in fact, angels to others. And vice versa. What we knew was a bit of a risk turned out to be a Hell of a hit and we are, as always, happy to simply improve the wheel rather than needlessly re-invent it. Welcome to your second annual Black Mass.

This year, Dave Ghoul and Stygian trade sets every hour on the hour supported by FOUR of the area’s favorite dance-cubi: LEGS AKIMBO, NEBULA NOVA, returning guest GWENDOLL, and Q? making their Shadowland Lancaster debut!

This year, we also want to take a moment to thank the folks who make this theme the hit it is by selecting a best-dressed attendee to reward with a little somethin-somethin’ (not pig blood) when we say “thank you” at 11. More info on that below!

Whatever you do, remember your tipping bills for our dancers and bartenders!

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE THEME
Depending on your sources, Black Masses are a lot of things or they might not happen at all. They’ve been described as debauched parties among French aristocrats, “Satanic” inversions of the Catholic Mass, and rites of maximalist esoteric psychodrama. They’ve also been described as magical workings reflecting healthy skepticism of the status quo to sincere acts of rebellion or self-empowerment through transgression.
Nothing alleged seems universal. Instead, we have a Hell of a buffet of options.
How does Shadowland do Black Mass? We chuck the buffet in a food processor and get cheeky for fun and catharsis. Mostly, this is an excuse to dress a bit differently than your usual Halloween night out and turn the “pit of hedonic excess” vibe up to 11.

CAN WE GET SOME SUGGESTIONS?
•SATANIC EXCELLENCE: demons, angels, the Icon of Sin from DOOM, Papa Emeritus, a cute God/Heather Silent Hill 3 couple’s costume.
•NATURE IS SATAN’S CHURCH: nature spirits, death, the impending heat death of the universe, a cute Antichrist couple’s costume.
•HELL IS THE ELITE: Marie Antoinette, Jeff Bezos, the tepid corpse of Mitch McConnell, The Righteous Gemstones, a cute Nathan Fielder/Elizabeth Holmes couple’s costume.

CAN WE SET SOME EXPECTATIONS?
•No ICE uniforms. No police, military, or militia uniforms unless it’s blaringly parodic or slutty.
•No appropriation of living cultures/religions, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, or body shaming.
•No real weapons. No prop firearms without orange toy muzzles.
•Costumes should consider others’ need to navigate our venue and dancefloor. If your costume creates an accessibility issue or takes up more space than is reasonable, we reserve the right to ask you to remove whatever part is doing so.
•Non-medically necessary masks must be removable so staff can verify ID at the door.
•Genitals and nipples (if you have ‘em) must remain covered.
•If you want to wear a standard Halloween costume, dope cosplay, your normal Shadowland fare, or your pajamas, go for it. However you show up, we’ll be excited to see you.

WHAT’S THIS ABOUT A COSTUME CONTEST?
At 11, our panel of 3 mysterious judges will select a best-dressed winner to receive 1 calendar year of free Shadowland attendance, a Zoetropolis gift card, and a Bandcamp digital gift certificate! While we would prefer to choose among folks who lean into the theme, an exceptional non-themed costume won’t be ruled out if it knocks our festive pumpkin-print socks off. All you need to do is show up. We’ll do the rest!