Celebrate ‘The Death of 2019’ with sexy Noir Nights masquerade party at Stage West in Scranton on Dec. 31
Not everyone wants to celebrate the holidays with the same old traditions, so for those looking to kick off 2020 in an unconventional way, Noir Nights is set to return to Stage West in Scranton on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Created by The Strange and Unusual owner and former Motionless In White member Josh Balz, this kinky and mysterious pop-up bar series held a sold-out masquerade party on New Year’s Eve last year, so that masquerade theme will continue this year with “The Death of 2019” New Year’s Eve celebration.
“The dark and sinful corners of the human psyche will be on full display as Noir Nights transforms the venue into a den of artistic hedonism. Attendees will be treated to an evening of heightened senses that will feature themed drink specials, music, and a ritualistic gathering of provocative subculture. Organizers invite attendees to dive into the world of the occult and enjoy an evening of sensory overload,” the description reads.
Everyone is required to wear masks and dress in black, and no outside photography is permitted at this exclusive 21+ event. Other details are slim so far, but past events have featured DJ sets by Balz, Joe Letz of industrial band Combichrist, and TJ Bell of Escape the Fate.
Doors at Stage West (301 N. Main Ave., Scranton) open at 9 p.m. Tickets, which are $20, are on sale now via Prekindle and include a midnight champagne toast.
After spending years collecting weird and creepy things as he toured the world as the keyboardist of Scranton metal band Motionless In White, Josh Balz founded The Strange and Unusual Oddities Parlor in Kingston in 2013 using pieces from his own collection before expanding into a bigger building and opening a second location in Philadelphia in 2015.
Balz played on the band’s first three albums on Fearless Records and their 2017 Roadrunner Records debut, “Graveyard Shift,” before leaving the group in early 2017. His continues to create music with his solo project, Strange Kids while organizing unique events like Noir Nights at Stage West.
From masquerade parties to a dark circus, these exclusive gatherings require attendees to dress all in black and leave their cameras and inhibitions at the door. The first was held on Halloween in 2018, and the 30-year-old entrepreneur continued to sell out each event on Black Friday, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and, most recently, Devil’s Night.
See NEPA Scene’s photos of Balz performing with MIW at the 2016 Vans Warped Tour in Scranton here. Listen to him talk about The Strange and Unusual, Noir Nights, 10 years of playing all over the world with MIW, his private oddities collection, Strange Kids, and more in Episode 81 of the NEPA Scene Podcast:
Photo by Tom Bonomo/Eyedesignstudios Photography
