Celebrate a Green Halloween in NYC

Happy Halloween! If you're in the New York City area on Oct. 31 and are looking for some spooky good fun, check out the Green Halloween festivities featuring street parties, DJs, creative artists, a parade and floats, costume gala, and more.

Green Halloween is a group that's trying to get us to think about our favorite Fall holiday in a healthier, greener way. Like, do we really need all the sugary snacks in our ever-expanding bellies, and a bunch of cheap throwaway plastic tombstones on our lawns? If Green Halloween had its way, the holiday would be more about community and creativity. What's not to like about that? And this Saturday, the group is putting its money where it's mouth is.

Look, we didn't say you couldn't have any treats or have any fun. Au contraire, it's all about fun and Green Halloween has plenty going on to keep you busy this weekend. These events are Tonic-sponsored, so you know they're all good. Dig it:

On Sat., Oct. 31, multiple artists and groups are coming together to make a major statement with a uniquely creative and fun Halloween celebration. This 18+ hour marathon will include:

• Noon-5pm: The Green Halloween Community Festival.  A free event in Nolita, NYC - walking distance to the NYC Halloween Parade
• 6pm-10pm: The Green Halloween Parade Float
• 10pm- Late: The Green Halloween : Nature's Revenge gala hosted by Kostume Kult. Downtown NYC

More information, volunteer opportunities and all the details below.

The Background

The rebirth of Action Arts League's Tompkins Scare Park and Healthy Halloween programs, Green Halloween NYC teaches "creativity over candy" in a fight against epidemic child obesity and diabetes while demonstrating ways to make all holidays more sustainable.

Part of a growing movement, the Healthy Halloween program has merged with the national Green Halloween project and together they are demonstrating how Halloween can be more about community participation and artistic expression than about consumerism, consumption and teaching children that large doses of high fructose corn syrup is a "reward" to be prized.

The events consist of three parts including:

1. A free community festival hosted by non-profits Action Arts League and Dr. Mehmet Oz's Healthcorps
2. A Green Halloween float hosted by Kostume Kult (its 10th annual float!)
3. Upscale Green Halloween: Nature's Revenge gala and parade after-party at the White Box Art Space on Broome Street near the Bowery

Specific Event Details:

Green Halloween Community Festival

When: Sat., Oct. 31, Noon-5pm
Where: DeSalvio Park - Spring and Mulberry Streets, Downtown NYC in Nolita. Walking distance to the staging area of the Halloween Parade.
How to get there: 6 train to Prince, R/W to Spring or B/D to Grand Streets

For kids of all ages, featuring interactive art and performances, a spooky skulpture garden made from recycled materials and healthy treat giveaways by Lararbar, Cascadian Farms, Pirate's Booty and Wonderful Pistachios. Also featuring a large and growing Green Clown posse, a Michael Jackson Thriller-off (4pm), drink and food specials at nearby establishments (Halloween parade pre-party!) and an inspired selection of creativity and absurdity.

Hosted by non-for-profit associations Action Arts League with Dr. Mehmet Oz's HealthCorps and many other groups contributing.

Get Involved

Event volunteers are needed, as are unplugged performers, clowns and other circus actors and Halloween or environmentally-themed sculptures. More info and a sign-up form at: http://www.greenhalloweennyc

Green Halloween Float in the NYC Village Halloween Parade

It has been a wild decade for Kostume Kult in the Halloween Parade and, this year, the first time that Halloween has been on a Saturday since 1998, so it is a big year to make an important statement. Partnering with the Pink Pussy Cats, this year's float (the group's 10th annual float!) is themed "Nature's Revenge" in support of the after-party and the idea that nature is angry and out for vengeance.

The float will bristle with wildly costumed characters, MC Christopher and one of the best DJ lineups that we have ever had including Isaiah Martin in from San Francisco, Orazio Rispo and Nicolas Matar from Cielo.

Join the rolling party, on and around the float -- float #3 in the parade. Organizers recommend getting to the staging area (6th Avenue and Broome Street) before 6:30 if you want to have any chance of pushing through the crowd. If it is a nice night, it could be the largest Halloween Parade in history.

Parade website: www.halloween-nyc.com

Green Halloween : Nature's Revenge

Hosted by the Kostume Kult arts collective -- an all-night gala fundraiser for the daytime festival. More info and tickets at: www.GreenHalloweenNYC.org/

Kostume Kult has never hosted a Halloween party, as this has always been a night to go to other people's events. This year, the cause is important and the Kult has a great venue in Manhattan, on the Lower East Side with the wonderful people at the White Box Art Space.

Knowing that people will be party-hopping, Nature's Revenge is designed as an upscale, artistic experience and best first stop after the parade with open bar until 2am and late night dancing. With the earlier portion (10pm-2am) expected to sell out, buying presale tickets is recommended.

Themed “Nature’s Revenge” guests are warned to be human (un-costumed) at your own risk. Come as an angry animal, bizarre weather, natural phenomenon or anything otherworldly as nature is pissed off and set to reap its revenge this Halloween. With themed, immersive video on two floors, nature-creepy decor and the edgy creativity of this infamous costume arts group, this is a true gem on a special night.

When: Oct. 31, 10pm til dawn
Where: White Box Art Space, 329 Broome Street near Bowery, NYC (B/D to Grand Street. J/M to Bowery and near to Canal and many other subways)
Details: $40 10pm-2am ($1 drinks); $20 afterward; Age 21+. Costumes or freaky fashions required. Early portion may sell out/ presale recommended
Entertainment: DJ's spinning haunted house, spooky breaks and eerie electro including Nigel Richards, LB3, John O'Connor with more tba soon. Immersive video by Glass Bead Collective

Note: The end of Daylight Savings Time gives everyone an extra magical witching hour from 2am-2am (the first time ever for Halloween!). Entry price drops to $20 after the FIRST 2am.

Get Involved

Do you want to help with the gala or do you need a cheaper, scholarship level ticket? Do you have Halloween or environmentally themed art that's not so good for the daytime fest but better for an art gallery environment? In particular, organizers are looking for people who are not going to the parade. Yes the parade is awesome but this could also be one of the most crowded events ever and for any of you who want to help, it's needed during the daytime and evening on Saturday or Sunday morning. Volunteers are needed for decor, setup, breakdown and coat check people (paid position!). Also, if you are helping with other aspects of Green Halloween and hope for a cheaper ticket due to a financial need, contact us via: http://www.greenhalloweennyc.org/gala_involved.htm

Help Promote!

Please forward this story far and wide. If you want to help distribute flyers, there are stacks of them at White Box Gallery, located at 329 Broome Street just around the corner from Bowery (ask for Juan or Susie), and at Gallery 151 (350 Bowery at 4th Street) where they are hosting a Costume Bazaar to benefit Green Halloween (flyers under the table at the Kostume Kult booth).

Full details and tickets at: GreenHalloweenNYC.org/gala