Village Halloween Costume Ball

More a full-fledged festival than a mere ball, this spirited event has been a tradition at Theater for the New City since 1976. Costumes are highly encouraged, and live performances and music contribute to this monster bash. The outdoor events, from 3:15pm to 8pm, include Yip Harburg Rainbow Troupe, Matt Angel and Rob Varcony, Elizabeth Ruf, Whimsical Hips Belly Dance, fire juggler John Grimaldi, stilt walkers from Bond Street Theatre, a "Monsters and Miracles Costume Parade" with a costume competition, and The Red and Black Masque, a short Medieval ritual show performed by torchlight. The action moves indoors from 8pm through midnight with a succession of free 10-minute performances by artists including stage icon Austin Pendleton, downtown fixtures Phoebe Legere and Penny Arcade, composer Peter Dizzoza, flamenco singer-dancer Inma Heredia, belly dancer Carol Tandava and the all-female Japanese drum-and-dance troupe Cobu.