Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball

(Attended 08÷14÷15 F @ 8:00pm): An amazing display of acts, costumes, and fantasy all round-​up into a giant multicolored ball!
Thanks to a friend who was one of the faerie performers, I received a complimentary pass to the first of two nights to the 18^th annual Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball. This event — formerly held at the nearby Park Plaza — has been on my radar for years. But with a friend involved, a free ticket, and no scheduling conflicts I was game to fall down into this rabbit hole of fantasy, fun, mayhem and mystique. Was it worth the wait!?:
Background — It’s namesake
was an ode to the cult fantasy movie, «Labyrinth» which starred singer David Bowie (yeah, I’m a fan of the movie!). Based on Venetian tradition, the masquerade celebrated the desire to dress in imaginative costumes, forge new friendships, and revel in the artistic performances of dance, music and general showmanship. It was a chance to lose yourself and throw all cares aside for a magical evening where surreal fantasy and reality clashed harmonious. All performers played a role as they mingled amongst the crowd and placated to everyone’s playful side
. The event was truly a bombardment of the senses.
Tickets (Varied; $ 49.00 in this case) — Ticket prices ranged from $ 49.00-$ 111.00 (VIP tickets also available) with additional pre-​show and tea-​time offerings ($ 30.00-$ 35.00). Performances were varied each night, so the 2-​night pass would be a good option to experience everything.
Service — Event staff directed you to a line where you received your entrance and age verification wristbands for the evening. Once you had those two important accessories
, you were free to roam among the various performance halls as well as scope out the hotel if you wished. There were cash-​only bars outside each hall which appeared to move swiftly, but no food. Thankfully, they provided free water. I headed to the hotel’s Gallery Bar & Cognac Room for my one libation for $ 8.00
(they also served food) since they took credit cards. All was enchantingly good.
Parking (Varied; $ 7.00 in this case) — The hotel definitely had their own parking, but I imagined the rate to be astronomical. Luckily, there was underground parking directly across the street at the Pershing Square Garage. I believed it was a flat-​rate at this time of day since I parked for nearly seven hours. Otherwise, there were many lots in the surrounding area within walking distance (but not in 90 degree weather!) as well as metered street parking.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience — Held at the historic Millenium Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A. for the first time, this hotel showed-​off her old Hollywood decadence with early 1920’s interior architecture that all native Angelenos like myself should be proud of. Each of the four themed ballrooms/​stages were expansive and decorated accordingly: The Temple
, The Gold Cove
, The Goblin Cabaret
, Clockwork Ballroom
. A garden courtyard was available for fresh air and to smoke (like the irony!?). There was a hallway filled with merchants who sold their ware. Plenty of electric lighting everywhere with varying brightness. No TVs but plenty of music in each ballroom.
Attire — This was a costumed and highly-​formal affair, so I was in a decorative mask, a black tuxedo, and shiny dress shoes. Basically… James Bond with a mask!
Overall, this wouldn’t be my last experience at the Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball! The event ran smoothly, there was plenty of entertainment (costume-​watching was worth the price of the ticket alone!) for anyone’s liking, and the vibe was so chill and friendly it was easy to talk to complete strangers (the costumes and drinking helped with that, too!). I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (total bill was around $ 64.00 BEFORE any discounts and tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice… AMEX! 5.0 STARS

This is an amazing event! So many put so much into their costumes, it is spectacular.
The event had to move from the Park Plaza to the Biltmore this year, and while the Plaza has more of a Ball feel, the many rooms of the Biltmore gave it more of a Labyrinth feeling, and I loved that. There is so much to do and see and explore, you will never see it all… So amazing. Can’t wait for next year!

This is my third year in a row attending the masquerade ball Labyrinth of Jareth.
This is A HUGE event. This is definitely some fantasy realm type of event, the type were you can only imagine it in your wildest dreams. The team that puts this event together is really amazing.
From the sound stages, to the vendors, and even the décor is so illustrious. It’s just something that even dark beauty comes alive. From goblins and demons to the Royal court, there are performers everywhere. I find it perfect that the security is actually called THE KNIGHTS. It’s just the best. Every crew member has their role. It’s as if it’s just one giant play, and you get to take part of the show.
Guests are highly encouraged to come in costume. if not, thats cool, wear formal attire and a mask. All sorts of fantastic costumes are everywhere at this event. This is truly a «mystical masquerade ball».

Join the Victorian Tea and Dance Society for Historical dancing, waltzes, polkas and more to music befitting the theme… In the Clockwork Ballroom BOTH evenings!

It’s like entering into a magical realm. The costumes created/​worn by the attendees are just amazing, incredibly creative, and just beautiful. The performers interact with the attendees throughout the night. So much more fun, imo. The building itself is an architecture beauty and the sets that are created are simply gorgeous. The music, dance and various other performances are just lovely to behold. The people running LOJ are definitely on top of their game. I would recommend everyone to attend!

I had to go to this because I love the movie. The costumes, decorations, and shows are awesome. I wish the music played was more popular songs for dancing. I’m definitely glad I checked this out.

Just simply Amazing!!! Cant wait until 2015

Super fun place!
There are so many talented and wonderful people there. I was awestruck by some of the elaborate costumes. I’m pretty sure they took months to create such interesting and unique outfits. I unfortunately felt a little underdressed lol. Down side was when I attended on Sat, the AC was down so a lot of people congregated outside to escape the heat. The following day I heard was much better since they fixed the AC unit for the old building. The organizers did a great job creating this event and hiring all the entertainment. The venue itself was an architecture beauty and the actors and dancers were great! I had an awesome time.
I would definitely recommend everybody to attend!

WOW!!!
So much to see. It is a magical evening of what I can only describe as a Renaissance Fair meets a Weho Halloween. The amount of imagination that goes into the bulk of these costumes is nothing less than incredible! I can only begin to fathom the cost it takes to fabricate these elaborate breathtaking creations. The ticket price alone (about $ 60) is worth it just to see everyone. A costume/​formal evening wear is required for entry and trust me you don’t want to show up in any old thing. People spend moths on their costumes and it shows.
The ball is split up over numerous rooms and spaces. Some inside, some out. A major downside was how uncomfortably warm it was. People are in huge costumes, heavy make-​up and wigs and there was no AC. They do have bars serving alcohol set up with average prices for such an event. There were food trucks located outside as well. We saw a few different performances with singing and dancing. Be warned there is a lot of walking if you want to check everything out. There are chairs here and there to catch a quick rest though. I’d recommend you check this out if you’re into dressing up and the fantasy world.

I traveled all the way from Florida to see the Labyrinth ball. And barring some personal issues with the Airlines, I had a fabulous time.
My party and I chose tickets for the Pre-​show, for the Tea on Friday and the minted Coin, so that we’d have admission on both nights. We were not disappointed by what we saw.
The event is put on by a cast that does not pull punches. The earth, air, fire, water and air elementals put on some of the most fantastic dance elements of the night. The black/​white elves added the darkness that was much needed. Although when they glowered at you and you glowered back or did not shrink from them, but cooed over their leader’s leather costume, their reaction was rather priceless.
Stryder, the leader was an eginamatic presence, as was the rainbow haired beauty who lead the wizard’s choir. Over all, I was quite impressed! You could see the level of dedication that the group puts into their performances. That this is –not– a flash in the pan operation. That this is something this group of artists, actors and performers truly loves to do.
My favorites of the evenings would have been Sypher: the Bedouin belly dance trybe in white. Their dancers were all so incredibly talented. The air dancer, who did hoop work outside near the food trucks and the Goblins, who provided much necessary schtick. Their moments of laughter, their willingness to participate with the patrons, and their innate sense of timing just made the night go much better!
There were a few detractors from the night: The lovely location was not air conditioned, so in such a place, with so many folks it became quite… uncomfortable. Signage was hard to see, with it being small and well, in ill lit places. Sound, in the Temple. was difficult to hear. It was um. at times very muddy. Otherwise, I WISH our local artist group would pick this up and begin to expand on it. I
I will return again, I will begin to work on another extraordinary costume!

As is supported by the VAST number of 5 Star reviews, the Labyrinth Ball is incredible. I have to say that the only negative reviews I see are people who are just haters and have to find something to whine about. (i.e. not ever going again because you didn’t like ONE bartender???)
Incredible Event with wonderful, creative, fun people. If you enjoy getting dressed up, or just enjoy people watching… this is the place to be!!!

Had a lot of fun: gorgeous costumes, wonderful tea service, great vibe… Then, I got jacked by one of the bartenders toward the end of the night.
The open bar charged $ 9 per well drink, and a cup of water was free. Around 10 pm, I purchased two well drinks, and one beer ($ 6). My total: $ 24 (not including tip, which was $ 5 cash). Our bartender was really nice, friendly, and was speedy and professional.
At 11:30 pm. I went back to the same bar, got a different bartender, and ordered two well drinks, and a cup of water. I was charged $ 26! I paid, and then took my drink order (in cups half the size as the first). I watched the bartender ring up the order, make change, put it in her pocket, and go back to her station.
I went to the other end of the bar and flagged down the first bartender. He confirmed the well drinks were, indeed, still $ 9, and water was still free. I told him what happened, pointed out the other bartender. He suggested that she may have charged us more because she may have run out of the house brand, but I told him I saw her pocket the change. He didn’t look too happy, but he offered to comp me more drinks, but I said no thanks and walked away.
I won’t be going back, and I won’t be recommending anyone attend this event. They employ thieves. I’m not okay with that.

I can’t wait for the show this year! If you haven’t experienced the Labyrinth Masquerade you are missing out! I’m always blown away by the artistry and talent presented at the event. Labyrinth is truly spectacular, it’s a night you won’t forget!

I went last year and was inspired to join the cast this year around.
The people are wonderful. There is talent everywhere you look; Even the people who come to the party to just enjoy the night tend to be performers in their own right.
I love this event, I love being a part of it, and I recommend it to anyone else who wants to have a classy night in a fantastic, mythical world.

Ahh, the Labyrinth Masquerade, aka: The best two nights of the year. It is two nights of high-​fantasy costumes, storytelling, musical acts, hypnotizing dances, and so much more that I can’t even properly encapsulate. You can come as an elven princess, a mischievous pixie, a lecherous goblin, or whatever costume your heart desires. A lot of attendees spend months and months crafting fantastically elaborate costumes, and it definitely shows.
Wandering the event you can get lost just people watching. People come from all over the world to attend Labyrinth, and their passion and creativity shines through in everything, from their costumes to their characters. On that note, the performers and attendees alike are some of the nicest, and most creatively talented people you are ever likely to meet. Definitely bring a camera because there are so many amazing people, props, creatures and costumes that you’ll want to immortalize as much as you can.
This will be my fourth Labyrinth, and I have seen it get bigger every year, with more performers, more acts, more stages, more, more, more. The crowd is a mix of young and old, and everything in between. There really is something for everyone, and there is nothing like it.
Words really don’t do it justice, so do yourself a favor and experience it for yourself. Hopefully I’ll see you on the dance floor! :)

The very best Masquerade Ball in America. A one of a kind visual feast of the senses that must be experienced to believe. A truly unique and magical weekend that can not be overstated as to how great it is.
Simply put this event is one of a kind. The King of high end costumed events that has no equal.

The single most creative event in the United States.
If you think the everyday grind is all you can find, think again.
If you want to dare, and create your universe, this is true verse,
If you don’t know what to do, look around see what’s true,
and stand it on it’s head, come, be something new instead…
If you want a little bit more of Magic and Lore, here’s the score;
The single most intricate, exquisite, lovely and strange, wittingly created and skillfully acted in and upon and acted for; The simple reality is that only this venue and this event can do what this does and only the inquisitive mind, the mystical mind, only one as unique and rare as yours might just be could change this epic evening to make it better and it could, if you decide to make it so…
So put away your childish fears, don’t fret that if you miss this, your life will somehow miss the fanfare, the cheers of an audience enraptured by dreams and that this you just might miss, don’t worry that others might just see something you have always wanted to see, or felt something you might have always wanted to feel, or hear something that calls to you deep in the night, deep in the lonely days after, if you miss this, you might just find you’ve missed life…

The most fun event I’ve been to all year. I’ve been for five years and each year, there’s always something new to see! And the costumes! All the costumes!
If you go, you should definitely bring a camera and take lots of pictures. Also recommending going to the Front desk if you need information like schedules of acts on stage. But also, there’s stuff going on around the floor so you have to keep your eyes open.
Make sure you explore outside because there’s a whole area out there, including food. Drinks used to be expensive but they’re the same price as in a club.
If you have the chance, do the high tea!

Nothing like this event! Seriously if you have not been, you need to check this out. Every year it is different as new things get added and changed. The Park Plaza location is absolutely gorgeous and really helps immerse you into the experience, but it is the performers that really make it happen. Everyone has a story to share that is constantly evolving along with the event. Part of the fun is learning what is going on and discovering who is doing what!
Tickets are on sale now at
well worth it if you are looking for a completely different 4^th of July experience this year!

I can’t wait to go again next year!
Serious costumes, I luv!!! This was so much fun! Came here unsure of what to expect, but we all agreed that this is a must! Can’t wait to go back!
There are so many ball rooms, different activities, really cool vendors, and bars on every floor! They also had a live band, contortionist acts, and dj’s playing hip hop, dance music, 80’s and top 40’s in different areas. There was a taco truck with a very long line, maybe next year they can work on getting more food trucks there.
However, all in all it’s about the people that come here, everyone is ready to party! Everyone is ready to be seen, so many awesome costumes! Freaks galore, this is truly a fairy tale world. You can be or dress as anything your little heart desires. There is a lot of security everywhere so it seems safe also.
Next year we are rolling deep! Thanks for keeping this event going for so long!