Halloween parties for grown ups can be so tricky (ha).
Mostly it’s the costume. Costuming is always high pressure, should you go for sexy scary or regular ugly scary? Just a mask with a cute party outfit, or go for the wig to toe costume that you will start shedding by 10 pm? Spend the $$ on a fab Morris Costumes rental or hit the kids costume sale aisle at Target? (there’s always XL left.) Traditional Ghoul or Pop Culture Ironic Goblin? Was I the only one traumatized ’cause my mom insisted I wear legit scary when all the cool girls wore Disney princess?
The annual fundraising party at The Duke Mansion solves at least some of the quandry by giving you a party theme each year to costume around. You still have to decide Legit Scary vs Pop Culture Icon or no costume at all, but you will have plenty of company with whatever you decide.
Hosted every year as a fundraiser by The Duke Mansion Preservation Society, this is always one of the best parties of the season much less for Halloween. There are no children, the food is fabulous, the costuming ranges from cocktail-style-no-costume to full-on fabulous, there’s music & dancing and mixing & mingling in one of Charlotte’s most beautiful properties. This party is worth every penny of the ticket price IMO, even if you weren’t helping fund the preservation of one of our favorite local landmarks.
This year, it’s going to be fun, music-themed evening of partying with music by Hey DJ!, a “Rat Pack Lounge”, Oversized Outdoor Games, and a Silent Auction with tons of great buys that you can start bidding for online.
Even the menu is all music-themed foods such as:
- Raspberry “Ber-ie” phyllo triangles
- Cheeseburger in Paradise Sliders with white cheddar, chipotle mayo
- Funky Chicken Pot Pies
- Hokey “Poke” Shooters with avocado, green onion, nori, soy
- Take a “Bao” Bar with Shredded Pork, Shredded Chicken, Shredded Veggies, Sriracha, Soy Sauce, Chili Oil
- Yellow Submarine Station (Turkey / Italian / Veggie)
- We Got the “Beet” Salad
- Elvis’ Peanut Butter Banana Cake
- Vinyl Record Cookies
- Microphone Cake Pops
- Music Note Cookies
Most fundraising galas are expensive and even a bit stuffy, but this one is neither. Tickets are $75 per person with $25 deductible, and the crowd is a lot of fun.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting Eventbrite HERE or by calling 704-714-4453.
Editor’s Note: Membership in The Duke Mansion Preservation Society gains you free entrance to this and several other Mansion events and parties throughout the year. Annual membership fees start at $550. This is a great way to meet people and support a lovely, historical CLT institution plus get in free to some awesome parties.
