Witches Ball (& I) make the News!

[Mrs.White103107]

Double, double fun and bubbles

By Rich Freedman

Nobody's getting burned at the stake. No one's flying around the Benicia Clocktower on a broom. And there won't likely be a curse cast on anyone questioning the admission charge.

Dispelling myths is one purpose of Saturday's 2nd Annual Witches' Ball sponsored by The Pagan Alliance.

"It would be easier to put on Pagan events in Berkeley or San Francisco where there's a lot of drive toward diversity and tolerance," said JoHanna White, an event organizer. "But Solano County is traditionally more conservative and I think it's important for us to be out there."

The Pagan Alliance's mission, according to its Web site, "is to educate our communities and the general public, to promote acceptance of our faiths and traditions, to work for justice, to connect our communities, celebrate our spiritual diversity."

Last year's "Witches' Ball" unveiling attracted about 125 people with Saturday's goal set at 200, White said.

"Last year was a wonderful, fun and festive event," she said. "Everyone who came had a wonderful time. We hope as the years go by, the event gains momentum."

The activities run 2 p.m. to midnight, with 2 to 6 p.m. for all ages. Children's activities include an egg hunt, face painting magician, trolls, music, and druid storytelling.

The "adult" time runs 8 to midnight for ages 21 and older with a live band, "Land of the Blind," DJ DK, and Sires In Sanity belly dancing. Tarot reading, crafts, and photography by Avalon Arts of Benicia is

also available.

Again, said White, it's about assuring the public the Pagan Alliance is about diversity, not condemning any religion.

"The pagan's major problem is public relations," White said. "There was an article last year that said incorrectly that this is a 'recruitment for pagan children event.' We had some Christian parents last year who said it was the best children's event they ever attended.' This gives others an excellent opportunity to come and have a good time, pagans and non-pagans."

If you go

What: 2nd annual Witches' Ball

Where: Benicia Clocktower, 1189 Washington St.

When: Saturday, 2 p.m. to midnight; Children's activities 2 to 6 p.m.

Tickets: Red Raven, 1505 Louisiana St., Vallejo, $13 adult admission available for $10 before

3 p.m. today. Adult tickets are $13 before 8 p.m. Saturday at the door or $15 after 8 p.m. Children are $5 with kids 3 and under admitted free.

Info: thepaganalliance.org, [phone]

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Witches brew up a ball at Benicia Clocktower

By Lanz Christian Bañes

Posted: 03/07/2010 12:01:22 AM PST

   

   

 BENICIA -- For Gared Nickas, good fortune is in the cards -- literally.

"She told me this one can fill up," said the 7 year old from Sonoma as he pointed to a mini Tarot card with a single large cup.

The good tidings were hard earned, as Gared was one of a dozen or so children scrambling to find them hidden in plastic eggs Saturday at the second annual Witches' Ball.

"The Witches' Ball is basically a celebration. They're traditionally held around Halloween, but we decided it'd be much more fun to have a springtime Witches' Ball," said JoHanna White, president of sponsoring organization the Pagan Alliance.

The event was held again in the historic Benicia Clocktower.

White took a break from running the ball to read Gared's card after he found it in the egg hunt. The egg hunt has its roots in Paganism, White added.

The daylong festival featured kid-friendly events such as crafts and magic shows early in the day and more adult-themed fare at night, including belly dancers and a light show.

"It's our first time here. ... We didn't make it out last year," said Aimee Anderson of American Canyon as her 2-year-old daughter Rohanna-Sirene watched her mother get her face painted to look like a cat.

Rohanna-Sirene spent much of the day running around the Clocktower with other kids, Anderson said.

Several vendors were also at the Witches' Ball, selling everything from crystals to T-shirts. Many Alliance members donated homemade food to sell, White said.

"My favorite part is working the bar because I get to serve the mead," said Arielle McKee, self-styled environmental goddess of the festival. Mead is an ancient alcoholic honey-based drink.

The Pagan Alliance also organizes Berkeley's annual Pagan festival and parade, now in its ninth year this May. The Alliance not only promotes spiritual diversity and acceptance, but also does outreach work, White said.

For additional information, visit www.thepaganalliance.org.

Contact staff writer Lanz Christian Bañes at [phone] or [e-mail].

 

[Lb128f]

Mar. 10, 2010 at 8:19 AM

Cool!