Welcome to The Monster's Ball

October 4, 2025 | Ancram, NY

What is the Monster’s Ball you might ask?

This is no ordinary costume party.

The is an immersive gathering for those brave enough to dance with what haunts them-and celebrate what they find. It is part ritual, part revelry. A place for shedding shame and stepping into truth.

For laughing with our inner beasts, honoring our contradictions, and reclaiming the parts of ourselves we've kept in the shadows.

Your Itinerary

Your Presence is required to open and close this special container together.

SATURDAY

It is critical that all Monsters arrive between 12-1pm at 48 Wildflower Road in Ancram, NY.

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Noon-1:30 | A Monster’s Garden Lunch

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1:30-5p | Guided Inner Work with a Special Guest

Before we feast and dance, we descend inward.

You'll be led through a transformative experience - part ceremony, part creative play - designed to help you meet your inner monster. Not the one you fear, but the one you've hidden. The one that's been protecting your sacred rage, your unspeakable longings, your ancient knowing.

This is archetypal play. Deep work as art.

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5-8:30p | Return to accommodations & Transform into Monster Selves

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8-8:30p | Shuttles to the Ball at The Barn

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9p-10p | Family-style Meal and Opening Ritual at The Barn

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10p-Sunrise — Monster’s Ball at the Barn

When night falls, the monsters rise.

Come dressed in your most potent expression of the creature you've uncovered. We'll gather under the moonlight for an unholy communion of dance, music, food, fire, art, and unpredictable delights.

Expect ecstatic release, creative activations, and encounters that blur the line between spectacle and ceremony.

This is a night to become the thing you've feared, and find beauty in the becoming.

SUNDAY

Buses will safely transport home to their accommodations throughout the night every 60 - 90 minutes. We recommend getting some rest Sunday, exploring the area, and joining us for dinner back at the house.

6p | [Optional] Soft Landing Dinner at 129 Doodletown Road in Ancram, NY to close.

All the monstrous details...

HOUSING

Due to October being the high season of the changing leaves, many hotels and Airbnbs have a 2 night minimum. We recommend checking in on Saturday with check-out on Monday morning. Taking Sunday as a day of rest, local exploration, and joining us Sunday night for dinner.

Airbnbs — We have reserved several AirBnbs in and around Hudson, Copake, and Ancram for Saturday, October 4th to Monday, October 6th.

Reserve your spot by adding your name to the spreadsheet below (additional Airbnbs will be added based on demand). House captains will reach out to you and collect payment for each Airbnb.

If you’d like to book your own Airbnb, reach out to Leigh and she can share about the main areas to look geographically (Hudson, Taconic Shores, and Ancram).

Hotels — Hotels are limited due to October high season. We recommend hotels in Hudson, which is where the bulk of guests will stay in Airbnbs. The Inn at Pine Plains is also located nearby the event, with less of a town to explore, and allows a one night stay. Feel free to message Leigh, Court, or Irwin for support.

We do have slumber party style space for guests at Wildflower Hill for those who might otherwise be limited in joining this journey. Do not hesitate to reach out if you prefer this type of accommodation.

TRANSPORTATION

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMING + GOING

  • Please plan to arrive at Wildflower Hill in Ancram, NY between 12-1p on October 4th.

  • Amtrak Trains from NYC leave Penn Station at 10:20a and arrive in Hudson at 12:25p. There are earlier trains available as well. A taxi to Ancram can be coordinate with XXXXX and costs ~$50-$80.

  • The event is 25 minutes from Hudson Amtrak Station

  • We will also share a ride share list for those with cars as the event gets closer — rental cars will make transporatation far easier, and when booked in advance are reasonably priced.

  • Saturday evening transportation — We have hired a bus to take people back and forth from Hudson and other local accommodations to The Barn, as we don’t want anyone driving on Saturday night.

    • Depart from Hudson: 9:00pm

    • Trips back to Hudson: 1:30am, 3:00am, 4am, 6am, 7:30am

FOOD

  • We’ll have a garden lunch on Saturday at Wildflower Hill from 12-1pm

  • Saturday night dinner will be a casual BBQ-style offering

  • Expect light bites and delicious beverages throughout the party (10-8am)

  • Sunday dinner will be a cozy family-style feast

Dress For Your Monster

Please dress comfortably for the afternoon sessions. You’ll have time to go home and prepare your monstrous looks before the evening kicks off at 9:30pm.

The vibe — dress to embody your inner monster. Sexiness not required but always welcome.

It might feel edgy to take your monster in a direction a little too real, but we promise you’ll be in good company. Catch Leigh as a holier-than-thou feminist, Irwin as his cruelest inner critic, and Court as a narcissistic cult leader.

Suggested Contribution: $100 - $300

This is a Pay-What-You-Can offering, that is being made possible by your support and several anonymous donors.

View this as an experiential therapy session that includes the energy of a production team of 14, multiple meals, with music and art offerings from guests joining from across the globe.

Secure your spot asap — space is limited.

TO SECURE YOUR RSVP:

  1. Fill out this Typeform

  2. Venmo @LEIGHWARE your ticket price and comment “MONSTER”

For additional questions, feel free to text Leigh, Irwin or Court. We are at your disposal.