Dare to venture into the shadows of Richmond’s annual Dark Valentine's FANTASY BALL: A Morbid Masquerade (21+) on Feb. 15th, 2025! This unconventional affair beckons the daring and the adventurous to embrace a darker, more mysterious side of Valentine's weekend, be you single or taken. Stepping away from the conventional, our event promises an unforgettable night filled with enchanting mystique with a heavy touch of the macabre. Doors at 8:00pm, hosted at the historic Hofheimer Building.

Last year's Fantasy Ball SOLD OUT in advance and we expect the 2025 event do to the same!

NOTE: This event is 21+ and requires a valid photo I.D. for entry.
 

➡️  Special Performances (by Dollz Entertainment)

➡️ Dark Music (Goth / Industrial / EBM / 80s / Electro / House)

➡️ Masked COSTUME CONTEST

➡️  Face Paint Masks (by DC Creators Body Art Collective)

➡️ Morbid Vendors (online & in-person)

➡️ Featured and Roaming Photographers

➡️ Special Dark Valentine's themed cocktails

➡️ Charity Canned Food Drive & Prize Raffle: (benefitting FEED MORE of Richmond, VA)

At the (dark) heart of the Richmond FANTASY BALL lies our captivating masked costume/cosplay showcase, where attendees are encouraged to unleash their creativity with all styles of masks— not just traditional masquerade masks. Whether it’s a gothic masterpiece, a whimsical creation, or a full-face mask reminiscent of Halloween’s chilling delights, your imagination is the only limit. Unleash your inner fantasy and immerse yourself in a world where mystery and allure converge. NOTE: Masks are not required but they are HIGHLY encouraged. If attendees plan to enjoy dark adult libations the historic Hofheimer bar staff will offer up, they should consider a mask that doesn’t cover one’s mouth.

Not sure what MASK to wear ? Let DC Creators paint one on you! This amazingly creative team is offering FREE Face Painted Masks from 7:00-8:00pm (during our "Gloomy Hour") in the Hofheimer Building's 2nd Floor Library / Lounge and then continuing in the Loft when doors open at 8:00 (until 9:00pm)

Elevate your outfit/costume/cosplay to new heights by incorporating your mask and plan to join our “Masked COSTUME CONTEST”. Whether you’ve meticulously matched your mask to your attire or ingeniously integrated it into a larger concept, we’d love to see you on stage! Let your mask be an extension of your dark fantasy persona and join the competition – may the most mesmerizing ensemble prevail! NOTE: More info. on how to join the contest will be provided at Registration night-of event - limited spots available!

Have a heart and embrace the spirit of giving by participating in our CHARITY CANNED FOOD DRIVE, directly benefiting Richmond's own FeedMore.org For every two cans donated, attendees will receive one raffle ticket, making them eligible for a chance to win fantastic prizes (more cans donated equals more raffle tickets!). Let your goodwill shine as we come together to make a positive impact on our community.

Prepare your taste buds for a journey into the extraordinary while at the Dark Valentine's FANTASY BALL. The Hofheimer's masterful mixologists will be conjuring up an array of bloody awesome themed cocktails, each sip a revelation of dark elegance and tantalizing flavor. Their fully stocked bars will also cater to every palate with a selection of standard libations, alongside a generous offering of beer, wine, soda, and water. 

Join us for a special GLOOMY HOUR from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in the 2nd Floor LIBRARY/LOUNGE on Feb. 15 before main doors at 8:00pm. Beat the line and get your Dark Valentine's started early. NOTE: Requires a ticket to the Fantasy Ball.

This bewitching evening, offering a unique alternative to traditional, less creative Valentine’s themed events, the FANTASY BALL: A Morbid Masquerade will unfold within the walls of the historic Hofheimer Building in Richmond—a venue steeped in history and grandeur. Built in 1928, this architectural gem located at the edge of Scott’s Addition provides the perfect backdrop for our morbid masquerade, adding an extra layer of allure to an already enchanting affair. 

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ATHANOR DANCE COLLECTIVE — Athanor Dance Collective is a formation of artists collaborating and creating works of transformation. Currently hosted at Root Force Personal Training, Athanor D.C. features skills ranging from bellydance to aerial silks to flow arts. All which are shared and infused into their performances.

POPPY LA FAE — Poppy la Fae sprouted forth from seeds planted by past lives on stage and informed by an education in queer theory. Whether campy or classic, they’re out to prove femme doesn’t mean frail. This neurodivergent, nonbinary, bipolar bisexual has been leaving audiences breathless and begging for more since 2017. A Richmond native, Poppy draws inspiration from the rich art community in the city. Poppy is one half of Pink Faerie Productions, spreading joy through queer-centered, accessible burlesque shows. Poppy also serves on the ARAO committee with Burlycon as well as the community board for Gallery5. This faerie wants to steal your heart.

ROSALIE ASH — Rosalie Ash is a multi-disciplinary flow arts performer who has mystified audiences for over a decade. Whether she is wowing audiences with her mind-bending levi-wand or stunning with spectacular fire performances, Rosalie blends elegance with dark enchantment, weaving magic through movement.

Dark Valentine's FANTASY BALL: A Morbid Masquerade is proud to be co-produced by the visionary collaboration of Markster Con and DC Creators – with entertainment by Dollz Entertainment. With their combined expertise of over 20 years in curating unique events, this alternative-themed masquerade promises to be a night unlike any other.

Get Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 on your dark calendars & invite your dark hearted friends. Don't delay in securing an Adv. Ticket as we can't guarantee any will be left night of the event.

Founded in 2012, Markster Con Productions produces a wide variety of adult-aged (18+, 21+) alternative themed events around the Southeast. Outside of Richmond, Markster Con has produced events in Atlanta, Athens, Savannah & Columbus, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Miami & Daytona Beach, Florida; Birmingham, Alabama; Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia; & Denver, Colorado. In addition to the recent sold out Richmond's VAMPIRE BALL in Nov. of 2023, Markster Con also produces the infamous VAMPIRE BALL in Savannah annually. In 2019 and again in 2020 Markster Con was voted as having the "BEST PUB CRAWL IN SAVANNAH" by readers of Connect Savannah newspaper.
FB: Facebook.com/MarksterCon
INSTA: Instagram.com/MarksterCon
WEB: MarksterCon.com

DC Creators supports all artists that take the initiative to thrive. Together they offer unique pARTies that are one of a kind, with visually captivating atmospheres, face & body painting offerings, painted models, mood lighting, dance music, and more. DC Creators Body Art Collective produces "Live Body Art Shows," where the patrons watch or become part of the creative process. DC Creators brings quite a unique experience to transform any event into a memorable one.
FB: Facebook.com/DCcreators.Network
INSTA: Instagram.com/dc_creators
WEB: DCCreators.com
 

Dollz Entertainment LLC is a unique performance troupe based in Richmond, VA and founded in 2013. Their goal as a company is to provide top-notch, professional, creative entertainment by employing a diverse, talented group of performing artists for your event. Dollz Entertainment LLC was created with the vision of empowering performers to follow their dreams & discover new opportunities. Dollz Entertainment use unique costuming, qualified professional performers & a fearlessly fun attitude to breathe life into the events they are hired to perform at, while still acting as reliable & dependable workers.
FB: Facebook.com/DDRVA
INSTA: Instagram.com/dollzentertainment
WEB: DollzEntertainment.com

DISCLAIMER: This event is rain or shine. All sales are final (but transferrable)

FUTURE EVENTS:
AfterDarkRVA.com

TICKETING / GENERAL QUESTIONS:
[email protected]