A Cassiline Missive

From the desk of Manuel Cass’id, First Under-Prefect of the Cassiline Brotherhood:

The Cassiline Brotherhood is one of honor and respect. Hard work hardens our young men into weapons honed and sharpened into extensions of Cassiel’s dagger. All that we are is summed up in our words, I protect and serve.

For our Brotherhood, the Longest Night is spent in meditation and prayer as we observe Cassiel’s Vigil. Therefore the request of the Night Court is an unusual one. But with the renewed interest in the story of our great anathema, Joscelin Verreuil and his experience within the Brotherhood, we will relent. We will send two of our Cassiline Brothers to Mont Nuit to demonstrate for the Longest Night Masquerade at Cereus House the famous battle in La Serenissima between two former members of our Brotherhood.

Manuel Cass’id

~

Joining us at the Longest Night Midwinter Masque event this year will be two SAFD actor combatants from the DC area to perform a choreographed demonstration of the infamous duel between Joscelin Verreuil and David de Rocaille that took place in La Serenissima during the events of Kushiel’s Chosen.

Entertainment Director Az has been working with local SAFD actor combatant and fight choreographer Mallory Shear to bring the famous Cassiline duel to life. Take a look at the Cassiline Combatants who will be joining us this January!

Matthew Crawford – David de Rocaille

Headshot of Matthew Crawford holding sword

A Central New York native, Matthew Crawford has been an actor in the DMV since 2011. Some of his favorite roles include Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, Horatio in Hamlet, Thenardier in Les Miserables, James in James and the Giant Peach, and the Ernie Mac track in Puffs. He is a teaching artist for Signature Theatre, Imagination Stage, Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, and Adventure Theatre MTC (to name a few). He continues his own education as a certified Intermediate (soon to be Advanced) Actor Combatant via numerous stage combat classes and workshops. Much of his fighting has taken place at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in various shows and weapon demonstrations.

Jillian Riti – Joscelin Verreuil

headshot of Jillian Riti

Jillian Riti is an actor, fight director, and teaching artist based in DC and Chicago. She has performed and coordinated violence for dozens of plays and short films. Jillian began their stage combat training in Los Angeles in 2011 and never looked back.
Select credits: Finding Neil Patrick Harris (Nu Sass Productions); Henry IV Part 1 and Henry V (Brave Spirits Theatre); The Lady Demands Satisfaction and Long Joan Silver (LOFT Ensemble); and Bullshot Crummond, Twelfth Night, and Perfect Wedding (West Valley Playhouse).
Credentials: SAFD Advanced Actor Combatant. BFA: AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
Follow Jillian on X: @jilliannners

Mallory Shear – Fight Choreography

Headshot of Mallory Shear

Mallory Shear is a DC based Fight & Intimacy Choreographer, Performer, and Teaching Artist. Mallory is a Resident Teaching Artist with Signature Theatre. They have choreographed and taught at Arena Stage, Olney Theatre, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Keegan Theatre, St. Mary’s College, McDaniel College, Iron Crow Theatre, The Strand Theatre, Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, Holton Arms, The Landon School, and several Regional Stage Combat workshops, to name a few.
Select Performance Credits: Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Adventure Theatre, Live Action Theatre, Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, The Strand Theatre, Horwitz Performing Arts Center, Maryland Renaissance Festival, etc.
They are an Advanced Actor Combatant with the SAFD, an Intermediate Actor Combatant with FDC and did their stunt training in the UK and Ireland. Mallory is a proud associate member of SDC.

Book Your Private Photo Sessions + Contest!

Lords, Ladies, and Adepts!

It is with great pleasure that we announce that our Court Portraturist, Emily Golihew of EG Photography, will be returning once again to our celebration! This year she is expanding her photographic options, introducing the choice of boudoir or in-costume sessions in a private hotel room (room number TBD) prior to the event.  Sign up at: https://www.egphotostudio.com/booknow/longest-night-masque-boudoir-minis/ to reserve your spot.

In addition to this fun new option, Emily has graciously offered a contest drawing for anyone who purchases their Masque ticket by November 30th, 2022. Sessions will be limited, so those interested should still register. If the winning name drawn has already submitted a deposit, that deposit will be refunded. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in January!

Special Event Added!

As a special treat for our guests, you have the option of purchasing a Pre-Masque Hour with Jacqueline Carey. For $20, you can join a very limited number of other guests to chat with our author before the big event begins Saturday night. Ask for autographs, chat about writing, or simply enjoy an intimate gathering with our favorite lady. These special tickets are bound to sell out fast, so be sure to buy your Masque tickets today and include your Pre-Masque Hour with Jacqueline Carey add-on.

Buy tickets for The Longest Night Midwinter Masque

2023 tickets now on sale!

Tickets to the 2023 Masque are now on sale!

Our event will take place Saturday night, January 7, 2023 7:30pm-12:30am at the Crown Plaza Crystal City-Washington DC in Crystal City, VA.

Click here to buy your tickets.

Additional information about the event will be posted to our website as it becomes available.  Questions? Please contact the event organizers at info@thelongestnightmasque.com

COVID concerns

We have been made aware of concern over events being canceled due to the new omicron variant of COVID-19.  We want to assure you that we are still planning on having the event this weekend.  The hotel is still prepared to host the event and we are excited to see you all.  Our vaccine requirement for attendance is in place for the safety of all attendees.  As additional safety measures, we encourage all guests to wear a face mask in addition to your costume mask and practice social distancing during the Masque as much as is reasonable.  We will have surgical masks at the check-in table for anyone who needs one.  We strongly urge everyone to wear a face mask any time you are in public.

We understand that the situation remains uncertain and we will keep you updated on any emergency changes that may arise.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@thelongestnightmasque.com 

We look forward to seeing you in just a few days!

Masque Event Update!

We are pleased to announce that the upcoming Masque will be held on January 8, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Crystal City in Washington, DC.  Details about the event, room rates, and safety protocols will be forthcoming and ticket sales will open soon.  Please follow on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to subscribe to our blog to stay in the know!  We look forward to seeing you in January.

2021 Longest Night Midwinter Masque moving online

We care about the health and safety of our guests and community members.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, therefore, we will be moving the upcoming 2021 Longest Night Midwinter Masque weekend online with our own private Discord server for the January 8-10, 2021 event.  Tickets will be available on our website for $5.  Your ticket grants you access to all online parties, classes, and other events of the 2021 Masque weekend. 

Previously purchased 2021 tickets may be rolled over to 2022 Longest Night Midwinter Masque. Rolled over tickets grant access to the 2021 virtual Masque weekend.  Current ticketholders should contact info@thelongestnightmasque.com for more information.

Details about the 2021 Longest Night Midwinter Masque weekend will be coming soon, so make sure you’re following us on social media and subscribed to our blog so that you’re in the know.

Stay safe, D’Angelines and, as always, love as thou wilt.