“Did you ever experience an event in a book that was described so beautifully that you wanted to actually live it even just once? That’s exactly what happened to me when I read about the Longest Night masque in Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey. As I continued reading the series and more masques were presented, it impressed upon me even further that I wanted to be part of a masque. I didn’t want to attend a modern-day masquerade ball, which should really be called a gala or formal. I wanted the period costumes, the attendees portraying characters and wearing masks.
“So, for a few years I watched social media and Jacqueline Carey’s website in hopes that I would learn of a masque that I could attend to make my fantasy a reality. I saw other people searching for the same thing but it didn’t seem to exist outside of our beloved books. Eventually, I realized that if I really wanted to attend a Longest Night masque, I had to make it happen myself. I posted online to see if the Kushiel community had any interest in attending a real-life masque. So many people responded positively, and my post was even shared by Jacqueline Carey herself, that I was feeling like this would be a success. I contacted Jacqueline Carey to ask if she would be willing and able to be part of the event. With her blessing, I decided to go for it.
“I am fortunate enough to be the Fundraising Chairperson for Petapalooza PA. Bitsy McCann, the Executive Director, was very supportive when I pitched my off-the-wall idea as a fundraising event. This allowed me to combine two things I was passionate about and even have my fantasy event benefit the many animals in need throughout Central Pennsylvania. It was a win-win in my brain.
“And so it began, I was planning a major event with my favorite author as the guest of honor and our Queen! I’ve 
planned weddings as well as created small dances and other fundraising events but I had no idea how to plan something this big. But I’m a deep end of the pool kind of girl and I learned as I went along. I selected the venue and met with their event planners. They could give me tips on general event planning but couldn’t truly understand what I was talking about without having read the book. I had a vision to recreate the Longest Night masque to the best of my abilities so that attendees would feel like they were living what they had only read and dreamed about before. I wound up with a checklist of 83 tasks to complete within 6 months! Once the website went live and tickets were being purchased, I was excited every day to see that people were going to come! I ran up to my husband and put my phone in his face the day that two tickets were purchased by people in the UK, screaming in my excitement that this is an international event now!!!!!! I was a lunatic but we all have our own special brand of crazy, right?
“I am very blessed to have talented friends who helped bring my vision to life. They were willing to volunteer their time and expertise in areas that I didn’t have any knowledge of and certainly didn’t have time to learn. Kim Hill created and maintained the amazing website that allowed me to start selling tickets for the event. Emily from EG Photography offered to set up a photo booth and take “prom pictures” of anyone who wanted gorgeous photos of their costumes and friends. Emily also introduced me to Brett Zwerdling from Maharal who was willing to perform live music during the night. He even let us borrow his sound system which was awesome. Bitsy Plus Design created the beautiful flyer and social media graphics. Ruth Koup guided me as my mentor when I was unsure which direction to go in next. She gave support and helpful tips when I felt stuck and generously offered to host a private brunch in her
home with Jacqueline Carey and a few special guests the morning of the event. And last but certainly not least, my husband and friends helped me whenever I needed it. I could not have pulled off the masque without all of their efforts.
“I’ve got to say that the masque was the best outside the box idea I’ve had so far in life. I got to spend time with and have personal conversations with my favorite author. Jacqueline did ask me what possessed me to undertake such an endeavor. My answer my simple, I wanted to experience this and creating it myself was the only option I could see. I now have friends all over the country, Canada and the UK. Because of the friendships that were created that special night, I created private Facebook group for our family so we could keep in touch with each other and I look forward to partying with everyone in January!
“Now, we just need enough money to buy our own small country to create Nouveau Terre d’Ange where we can all live in a community that is 100% made up of misfit toys and that’s perfect for us!”
~Kalisa Shahrizai, coordinator of the First and Second Longest Night Midwinter Masque