GOTHIC HALLOWEEN AT THE V&A

Be a little horror.magic, fancy dress and a Victorian hearse on Halloween
October 31, 6.30 -10.00

A special Friday Late for the stunning 'Gothic' exhibition Lock the door, close the curtains, light the candles..the V&A presents a Halloween evening of ghoulish pleasure that will include a Victorian hearse awaiting visitors at the Museum entrance, magicians, tarot card readings and a prize for the best Gothic Halloween outfit.

As night descends and the safety of daylight is no more, the V&A's free Halloween events will veil the museum in darkness.
Night of Record invites all Goths to take part in this special photographic event which is a part of the innovative Day of Record series that documents the arts of personal decoration in relation to the body, creating an archive of today's social history for tomorrow. All photographs taken will be kept as a virtual archive and can be seen on the V&A website. Everyone photographed for the 'Night of Record' will be entered into a prize draw to win an evening out at a top restaurant.

The exhibition Gothic: Art for England 1400 -1547 will be OPEN ALL EVENING -see the magnificent objects that have inspired Gothic style through the ages including cadaver tomb effigies. A Victorian Funeral Carriage and horses will greet visitors at the steps of the V&A, transforming Cromwell Road into the eeriest of entrances. The Halloween Society, in association with the ICA, presents Gothic Shorts, a selection of dark and macabre short films from new directors - including a short vampire movie and two chapters adapted from the cult 18th century novel by Comte de Lautrement, Maldoror. Plus, live on stage, Liverpool darkwave metallers Unsanctum will create a new musical soundtrack to the classic silent film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari.

DJ Steve Weeks will be spinning the best tunes from across the Goth scene. Steve is a celebrated DJ from the Slimelight, one of the most famous scene clubs in the world. Gothic magician Dr John will perform unconventional tricks that confound and provoke, his style coming straight from the archives of Victorian melodrama. Guided tours around the V&A led by a selection of museum curators, looking at the V&A's most macabre and chilling objects.

Tarot card readers will roam the museum, providing late night readings for Friday late-goers. Halloween make-overs by MAC will bring out the black lip-lined Goth in you. NOTES TO EDITORS : Numbers for some events will be limited so please arrive early to pick up the free tickets.

Tickets for GOTHIC are as follows: £8 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and full-time students. Free for under 18s, disabled people and carers, ES40 holders, V&A Friends and Patrons, NACF/ICOM/Museums Association cardholders.

Friday Late is held every last Friday in the month. Each event explores a contemporary idea, ranging across fashion, design, music, art and performance. For Friday Late, the V&A is open from 6.30pm -10.00pm.Entrance to the Friday Late is FREE.

General enquiries telephone 020 7942 2000; Museum web site: www.vam.ac.uk
For further information and images, please contact Gareth Harris in the V&A Press Office -020 7942 2501 g.harris@vam.ac.uk