Masquerade and Dance
The Masquerade is a traditional Gathering of the Gargoyles event in which participants can display their costuming masterpieces and skit performances.
The Masquerade will begin when our participants take turn on the catwalk before our panel of judges, followed by entertaining short Cosplay skits.
Our judges like to have fun too! After handing out prizes for the traditional categories, they'll have a few more awards that they've made up on the spot.
Finally, We'll conclude the evening with a dance party and even kareoke!
So, start planning your performances, making your costumes, and be sure to join us for this unforgettable evening of fun and surprises!
Masquerade Rules
- Costumes do not have to be of characters from the show or original gargoyle characters, though it is encouraged.
- Costumes must be in good physical taste. Genitalia and breasts must be covered, though we're not going to harass you for showing a little cleavage. Please use your best judgment and common sense. The convention staff reserves the right to ask you to cover up a bit more if they deem it necessary.
- If your costume depicts another person's original character, please make sure it's ok with them first. We aren't going to require you to provide proof of prior approval, but understand that costumes designed expressly to denigrate someone else's character will not be acceptable.
- If you're just entering the Masquerade and not the Cosplay, please limit your on-stage time to no more than one minute. That should be ample time for you to walk on, show off the features of your costume, and let people get pictures.
- Only one costume per person will be judged.
- Masquerade signup starts as soon as the registration desk opens on Friday. It will continue until 2 hours before the Masquerade, and no late Masquerade entries will be accepted. If you need to withdraw for any reason, you can do so until up to 15 minutes before the Masquerade, and we will take you off the schedule.
Cosplay Rules
Cosplay is short for "costumed play". Cosplay participants will put together solo or group skits featuring the characters they're dressed up as, and the Cosplay awards will recognize the most entertaining skits. If you are entering the Cosplay, all the rules from the above section apply, as do the following.
- Skits may last a maximum of four minutes. You will be introduced, and then your countdown will start. If you take more than four minutes, you will be ushered off of the stage.
- You may only participate in one skit. If you participate in a skit, you may not enter separately in the Masquerade due to time constraints.
- If you have music for your Cosplay skit, you will need to provide a tape or CD when you sign up for the contest.
- Tapes and CDs must be clearly marked with your group's name. Tapes must be cued up to the beginning of the music you want; we will not fast forward for you. CDs must be labled with the track number you want played. If you want to start a CD track somewhere other than its beginning, you'd be better off dubbing the song to tape and giving that to us instead.
- Weapons are permitted, but if you plan to unsheath them during your skit, they may not have sharp edges or points. Real firearms are not permitted under any circumstances, and replica firearms must be clearly identifiable as such. Failure to observe these rules will result in immediate ejection from the Cosplay and possibly also the Convention.
- By entering the Cosplay you accept full responsibility for any injuries sustained as a result of anything you do with a weapon; if you whack someone's hand with a wooden sword and break their finger, you will not hold the Convention or its staff responsible.
- Do not jump, backflip, handspring or otherwise hurl yourself bodily during your skit. Do not hurl anyone else bodily during your skit. You accept full responsibility for any injuries sustained as a result of breaking this rule, and even if no one is hurt, violation of this rule will result in ejection from the Cosplay and possibly also the Convention.
- If your skit involves throwing something, it must be something that you can pick back up and take offstage without having to stop the Cosplay for someone to get a broom. Pitching a tennis ball at someone is okay, if you take the tennis ball with you; throwing confetti, whether onstage or at the audience, is not. Failure to observe this rule will result in ejection from the Cosplay.
Awards
Our judges will give out awards for various categories in the Masquerade and Cosplay. All winners will receive a ribbon, and some winners will also receive prizes. Categories will include:
- Best Skit (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Best Costume (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Best Canon Character
- Best Original Character
- Best in Show