Marshall Allman (Tommy Mickens) and Tara Buck (Ginger) on the red carpet outside Club Fangtasia
So another Halloween has passed and yet another outstanding True Blood Halloween party has been held at Melbourne’s Seamus O’Toole’s who transformed into the decadent Club Fangtasia for one night only.
This year, I veered away from my usual Sookie (Anna Paquin) theme and decided to dress up as Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll). My husband decided on copying that famous (and blood thirsty) scene from episode 4 of Season 5 of HBO’s True Blood and got all blood spattered as Roman (Chris Meloni).
There was the hotly anticipated arrival of the True Blood cast members, who arrived via limousine and were ushered down the red carpet after attending the First Contact Conventions Full Blood convention. Fans lined the walkway and there was plenty of blood-curdling screaming going on when Ginger passed by.
Getting photo bombed by Marshall Allman (who played Tommy Mickens in HBO’s True Blood). With Lenore Mills, Rachel Tsoumbakos and Tara Buck (Ginger)
For holders of the extra special VIP tickets, not only did you get to party until the wee hours, drink Tru Blood fangtails, go into the draw for some awesome prizes and participate in charity auctions, you got to hang out with Marshall and Tara in the VIP room upstairs! Both cast members were happy to chat to fans all night long and there were many great True Blood stories told by both of the stars (neither of whom could believe my transformation from Merlotte’s Jessica Hamby for the exclusive TrueBloodNet.com interview the previous day into Red Riding Hood Jessica Hamby for the Halloween event!)
Due to the adherence to HBO guidelines, there was no photography in the venue on the night, but that didn’t hinder anyone’s enjoyment as authorized photographers were on hand to take photos of the party goers. So for those of you who attended (or wished you had), make sure you head on over to Club Fangtasia’s Facebook page and check out all the great pics of the night!
Matt Le Guier, Kim Grimshaw, Paul Tsoumbakos, Rachel Tsoumbakos and Sherryn Pickering all bloodied up for Club Fangtasia’s True Blood event
If you weren’t lucky enough to score a VIP ticket, there were still opportunities to see the stars in action when they made a few guest appearances downstairs. They chatted to the audience, helped out with the auctions and announced prize winners.
Speaking of prize winners, Kim and Matt (in the picture to your left, won a True Blood poster signed by several member of the True Blood cast, just by buying a ticket and turning up – and this was only second prize! The first prize was a signed True Blood picture as well as a brand new iPad. As for the coveted best dressed award? Well, this prize went to a couple who were outstanding in their costume design as well as maintaining their persona for most of the night. The prize (of $200) went to Sharon Taylor Alford and Paul Tabone for their original outfits. You can view the winning costume here.
Band Red Rockit rocked it up at Seamus O’Toole’s Club Fangtasia
Marshall Allman and Tara Buck left late in the evening, but that didn’t stop the party. There was still plenty to do! Not only was there the awesome Aza MC, pole dancers and a rocking band Red Rockit, but DJ Courtney arrived straight off the plane and helped out also. There was a great chill out area outside the venue for when it got too hot inside. Many people mingled here and it was just as much fun outside as what it was inside. At the very back of Seamus O’Toole’s there is a large section of booths – a great place to put your feet up after dancing the night away!
Every year I go to this event, I am amazed at the dedication and sheer amount of hard work that goes into setting up this event. Garth O’Hehir, Jason Rigopoulos and Paul Allen orchestrate the event and this year they excelled themselves. Also, their staff and the various helpers that all band together to make this event work so well on the night are a credit to the team.
It truly was (yet again) an awesome night!
Oh, and if you wanted a drink in the VIP section, this is the guy that served you:
Bar staff at True Blood’s Club Fangtasia
(Photo Credits: Club Fangtasia.com.au)
Also, a special thanks goes out to Lenore Mills, Matt Le Guier, Kim Grimshaw, Paul Tsoumbakos, Sherryn Pickering, Red Rockit and the bar staff for allowing me to use their images for this article.