Event Review
By Ashley Parrish
Photos by Bre Sheridan

A magical glow lit up downtown Denver this past weekend, making it easy to spot our destination. Under a streetlamp, a cluster of fairy wings and pointy ears gathered, setting the tone for a night of celebration. Inside the Mercury Café, we stepped into a shimmering fantasy world. A canopy of string lights blanketed the ceiling and filled the room with a soft twinkling glow, while the city lights reflecting through the windows added to the atmosphere.

I’ve attended some of Julian Black’s events in the past, like the Arcane Vampire Ball, and have always found them wonderfully creative and inclusive. Tonight’s Fae Masquerade was no different. Masks were everywhere, from delicate lace to glitter and gold, to what appeared to be bone. Some covered only the eyes, while others concealed entire faces. And elf ears—there were elf ears everywhere. By 8 PM, the crowd was thick, and the cast of fantastical characters was impressive.

Elves, faeries, devils, cryptids, druids, wizards, woodland creatures, and everything in between filled the room. It may be a Fae Masquerade, but anything went. It was an opportunity to express yourself authentically and creatively, and the freedom of that radiated through the room. Antlers, floral headdresses, and wings of every shape and size moved across the dance floor. Plague masks mingled with belly dancers, whose bells jingled as aggressive beats played in the background. The crowd was diverse and joyful, filled with inclusive energy. As Julian, the event organizer, put it, “This is a happy night.”

Happy night, it was. There was nothing but smiles and dancing. Bre, my photographer for the evening and birthday girl, embraced her inner evil faerie, while I wore some random cross between an elf, fairy, and schoolgirl. Navigating the room with wings turned out to be trickier than expected. After repeatedly smacking Bre and poking a few cryptids in the eye, I quickly learned to stick to the sides of the stage to observe. Eventually, I ditched the wings and handed them off to Bre, who, fully caught up in the moment, danced and snapped photos with zero concern for any wing-to-eye collisions—she was having too much fun to care.

By 9 PM, the night hit full stride. A line formed for professional photos as excitement buzzed through the crowd, and Orpheo Fenn kicked off the first round of performances. His deep, sultry vocals captivated the audience as the stage glowed in green light. Dressed in a black sequined robe with feathers on his shoulders, Orpheo effortlessly commanded the stage, setting a high bar for the night. The crowd sang along, fully immersed in the storytelling woven through his songs, drawing everyone deeper into the experience.

Next came Lucy LeFae, and her performance was pure magic. With her powerful, sweet voice and theatrical presence, she felt like a fairy tale princess come to life. Dressed in a flowing pink gown and a long white wig, I half expected a few songbirds to fly out and start braiding her hair. Her radiant smile lit up the room as she sang. The stage lights shifted, and the wisteria vines hanging from the front of the stage seemed to change color, adding to the enchanted atmosphere. Lucy's captivating performance left the crowd completely entranced.

We stepped outside for a breather after the first round of performances. The Denver skyline towered above as we chatted with others and snapped a few photos in the perfect lighting. The October weather couldn’t have been better—cool, but not cold enough for jackets that would hide the night’s elaborate costumes. After a few minutes, the sound of cheering drifted up from the venue, pulling us back inside to see what the excitement was about.

A circle had already formed around the dance floor, buzzing with whoops and cheers by the time we made our way back inside. The focus had shifted from costumes to pure dance moves, with a few individuals showing off their skills. Winged faeries and gothic creatures swayed along the edges. The crowd roared with each daring move, and the excitement filled the room, making the atmosphere electric.

Before the final round of performances, the costume contest took center stage. Julian was on the mic, introducing the ten contestants, each costume more elaborate than the last. There were glowing gowns, an assortment of wings, and stunning fantasy characters. Among the contestants were a Teacup Fae, Fox the Dragonboy, Scotty Unicorn, and the Raven Queen. One by one, they struck poses as the crowd cheered, competing for the loudest applause.

The finalists came down to three: Raven Queen, Lemondrop the Fairy, and Flora the Fairy. In the end, it was Flora, with her flowing green gown and enormous iridescent wings, who took the top prize. Her wings spanned at least four feet—an impressive sight on a packed dance floor. She walked away with tickets to next Saturday's Sisters of Mercy show at the Mission Ballroom, earning enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

As the night went on, we were treated to more performances. Ava Chaotica kicked things off with a dark, gothic belly dance set to the haunting sounds of Twin Tribes’ “The River.” Her fluid, eerie movements captivated the crowd, pulling everyone into the mood of the performance.
Next up was Aurora Mandragora, whose sensual, theatrical routine had the audience completely engaged. She danced to Switchblade Symphony’s “Rain,” gracefully removing layers of her costume as the performance built in intensity, eventually crowning herself with a delicate headpiece. Her performance was incredibly engaging, as she masterfully told a story through her movements and expressions.

Closing out the night, Nymphette brought a burst of energy with her playful dance to Omido’s cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” Her bright red wig and swirling scarves kept the audience engaged until the very end, a lively finish to the evening's performances.
Overall, the night was a glowing celebration of fantasy, creativity, and community. From the elaborate costumes to the captivating performances, every moment felt like stepping into another world. Whether you’re drawn to the magical or simply looking for an inclusive, unforgettable night, Julian Black’s events are not to be missed. They bring people together in a space where imagination thrives, and everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

For more photos click HERE.