Important announcement regarding COVID-19/Coronavirus. Please scroll down below the event description for detailed information.

Hosted by Lady Raven Productions, Portland’s Vampire’s Masquerade Ball (VMB) is a black-tie formal event of Gothic elegance and decadence highly anticipated each year in the city of roses since 2002. The 18th VMB will be held on Saturday, May 23rd, 2020. Hosted in the Portland Art Museum’s historic ballrooms spanning two floors – it’s an evening where 850+ guests from around the nation and the world gather to socialize and dance the night away in their darkest formal attire while enjoying the best in aerial and stage performances, 20+ vendors, catering, fully stocked cash bars, and live DJ’s playing Gothic/Synthpop/EBM dance music. Catering will be from Vibrant Table Catering & Events, Portland’s elite catering company. Seating in the grand ballroom is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Pictures from 2019 will be made available soon!

To stay up-to-date on announcements please follow the Facebook Event Invite and our new Instagram account. For any questions related to the event, please email Lady Raven. Scroll down to view all event information!

Re: COVID-19. The 18th Annual Vampire’s Masquerade Ball​ is still on schedule for May 23rd. Please read further for the contingency plan.

As many of you are aware, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued a 30-day ban (Mar-11 thru Apr-11) on all events over 250 people in a attempt to slow the spread of the virus. If the ban is lifted between now and the VMB, the event will continue as planned. I will continue to monitor this situation very closely. My primary concern is and will always be the safety of my guests. That said, the following measures will be taken the night of the Ball:

– hand sanitizer at all bar stations for both staff and guests, seated tables, bathrooms and front entry registration tables. I purchased over 150 mini bottles a few weeks back when they were still available for this very reason.

– re: front doors. The security staff will open/close the main doors as guests enter/exit to ensure that guests do not have to touch the door handles.

– re: catering. I’ve been in meetings with the catering company throughout the week and we have decided that to minimize cross-contamination the buffet tables will be changed to server-style. As in, catering staff will plate the food items you have selected for you.

– printed reminders placed through the venue asking guests to be mindful NOT shake hands.

– all table linens have been thoroughly sanitized and cleaned. They are owned by myself personally and have been safely stored at my home since VMB 2019.

Per an email from the VMB caterers, Vibrant Table, this is their following statement: As a leading food service provider, we already have stringent sanitation procedures and policies. Our last health inspection on January 24th we received a 100% (these are surprise visits). We also have a “Servsafe” certified team (nationally accredited food safety program).

What if the events ban is extended through May? I foresaw this as a possibility before the announcement and have already taken steps to secure a contingency plan to move the date to Saturday, June 27th, at the same venue, Portland Art Museum. This will not be the first time the event has had to be pushed out to June for unforeseen circumstances. The last time such a decision was made the same number of guests attended and had a wonderful time – despite 103 degree weather. If we are pushed out to June, I have confirmed with the Art Museum that their A/C system in both ballrooms is more than adequate and will maintain the room temperature at a very comfortable level – I’m confident enough that I personally still plan on wearing heavy velvet.

Keep in mind, this is a masquerade ball! This opens up a creative opportunity for guests to make elaborate facial masks that cover the nose and mouth.

Additional Resources:

• Oregon Health Authority
• CDC Website on the COVID-19 Virus
• Basic Protective Measures Against the New Coronavirus
• How to Make Hand Sanitizer at Home

For any additional questions, please send me a email to vampireball@gmail.com

Kindest Regards,
Lady Raven

The VMB is a formal event and is not to be confused with ‘costume party’. Appropriate attire includes tuxedos/suits, ball gowns, corsets, period-wear (Victorian, Edwardian, Renaissance, etc.), neo-Victorian, and formal evening gothic attire. Cocktail dresses are also appropriate. Are masks required? No, but they are encouraged. Guests wearing masks have always been around 60/40. For shopping recommendations please follow the Facebook Event Invite as we will frequently be making posts with helpful links on where to find appropriate attire.

NO STREET CLOTHES ALLOWED (blue jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, etc.). Also, while some risqué outfits are gorgeous and can be appropriate given the theme, we ask that anything ultra-revealing/exotic remain at home as this is a formal event. If you have any questions regarding the dress code, please send us an email.