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The Vampire’s Ball brings dark art and music together in April Fool’s event

By Selena Fragassi
March 27, 2023

The event producers who debuted multiday gothic music festival Sanctum in Chicago last November are now attempting to make April Fool’s Night a thing with the 2023 Vampire Ball. The ball, which features a curated lineup of dark art and music, takes place at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, the near-west-side cultural center built inside the shell of the historic, stunning Church of the Epiphany—making the night feel all the more sanctified. The musical acts include a variety of goth, industrial, and experimental noise artists who will stage their performances on what the promoters are touting as “two floors of horror” within the church. The headliners alone are worth staying up late for: occult-leaning Los Angeles postpunk act Sextile and French Canadian synth-pop whiz Automelodi (aka Xavier Paradis, who you might remember as part of Echo Kitty). Also on the bill are 80s-inspired electronic duo Xibling, industrial dance producer Kris Baha, and otherworldly sound provocateurs Conjunto Primitivo—an alluring Chicago duo who might be the biggest draw of the night. A number of DJs will spin throughout the event, including ambient techno producer Club Drippy, aka Jonathon Freund of electronic trio Pixel Grip; industrial EBM master Flores Negras, founder of inclusive event company Mictlan Productions; Veri Peri, who’ll bring a mixed bag of Italo disco, acid house, and darkwave; and Beau Wanzer, who’s just as inspired by 70s and 80s minimal synth as he is by horror films. Also making some noise will be event coproducer Nocturna—allegedly going live from the “catacombs.” Dress for the occasion, as there will be a costume contest and photo-booth opportunities. The night also offers art vendors and visuals by Videowaste, and those who arrive early will be able to visit the Epiphany galleries free of charge before the ball kicks off.

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About Epiphany Center for the Arts

Conceived with the vision to return Epiphany to a place for people to congregate, the shuttered, historic Church of the Epiphany has been preserved and adapted into the Epiphany Center for the Arts, an iconic cultural hub “For the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events.” Thoughtfully designed, the exemplary 42,000-square-foot campus located on the artsy edge of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood boasts three distinct venues (Epiphany Hall, The Sanctuary and The Chase House) and a stunning array of amenities. The campus also features eight galleries that serve as a platform for a diverse selection of artists from Chicago and beyond. Epiphany’s exhibitions showcase the work of women, the LGBTQIA community, artists of color, and the disability culture. Epiphany’s top priority is to curate programming that is inclusive, while providing a place established artists can collaborate with emerging ones. Epiphany’s programming serves to unite community and artists alike while “Bringing Chicago Together.” Visit www.epiphanychi.com to learn more.