Valentine’s Day is going Gothic with a vampire-themed ball in Kittanning on Feb. 15.
Hosted by Radioactive Events Center, the family-friendly, all-ages ball aims to be an alternative to the traditional chocolates/flowers/dinner Valentine’s trappings.
Event creator and Radioactive President Mark Gibson, a North Vandergrift native with a musical background, says he was inspired while watching the popular Tom Cruise film “Interview with the Vampire.”
“I thought to myself, ‘These are some of the best dressed vampires I’ve ever seen,’ ” Gibson says.
Gibson opened Radioactive, a nonprofit events center with a mission of providing a platform for artists, musicians and entertainers, in 2011 and gained nonprofit status in 2015.
“Guests are to dress up like a vampire,” Gibson says. “Give that old prom dress some life again, raid your closet, thrift store or attic. Be bold, creative, daring and beautiful.”
Prizes will be given to the best-dressed vampires.
Admission is a $10 donation at the door. Pizza and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
All proceeds go towards Radioactive operations costs.
Scheduled acts include performances by Ellie Lee Oldfield, Madeline Struhar, Lilith LaVey and Boe Johns.
LaVey, 19, an Indiana Township resident and Gothic artist and model, grew up in Europe and says she’s planning a unique German-inspired song set.
“The audience can expect diabolical energy from me and I will be performing songs heavily influenced by the European Gothic scene, specifically with English and German roots,” LaVey says.
LaVey, a Fox Chapel Area High School graduate, says she dresses in Gothic attire “24/7” and has more than 37,000 followers on her Instagram account.
“I hope to introduce the audience to a new type of music and stage presence that will keep them hooked,” LaVey says.
A multilevel-event venue, Radioactive’s main room is dubbed “The Pit” and accommodates about 500 people, offering professional sound and lighting with stage risers.
“Having Radioactive open now is more significant than ever,” Gibson says. “With many schools dropping their music programs, many do not have the opportunity to develop their artistic opportunities.”
Radioactive offers job shadowing and volunteering opportunities to students enrolled in Lenape Technical School in Manor Township.
“One former student volunteer at Radioactive overcame a tough childhood and graduated as valedictorian from Lenape and received a scholarship to Carlow College,” Gibson says.
Radioactive is open to anyone interested in songwriting, song composition, live performance and music production.
“Working behind the scenes and learning production can be a real challenge for a young person,” Gibson says. “We have opportunities for those who are not interested in being in the limelight.”
Gibson’s dad, Alfred Gibson, performed with 1950s doo-wop band The Softwinds and sang in various church choirs in the Alle-Kiski Valley region.
“There was always music in our house,” says Gibson, recalling his childhood with musical pursuits.
“I would set up a sound system and sing to an imaginary audience and perform little shows with my brother in our basement and charge the neighborhood kids 10 cents admission,” Gibson says.
Open for scheduled events only, Gibson says event bookings run the gamut from music concerts to private fundraisers, birthday parties — and foam parties.
The latter is most popular option at Radioactive — with glowing black lights, music and guests frolicking in mountains of hypoallergenic and biodegradable foam. The Valentine’s party, however, will be foam-free.
“Kids get to be kids and adults get to be kids again,” Gibson says.
A three-hour private foam party package runs $600 and includes a DJ, lights, sound, fountain drinks and bottled water — and the foam.
