“It's astounding;
Time is fleeting;
Madness takes its toll.
But listen closely...”
How can I celebrate Halloween without an homage to The Rocky Horror Picture Show?! I was first introduced to it at a small local theatre where a friend and I braved a snowstorm to see the stage production. I loved it. And weddings would never be the same without the show’s timeless hit “Time Warp”.
“Not for very much longer.
I've got to keep control.”
Rocky Horror first debuted as a stage show in London, in 1973. The film that we all know and love came out in 1975. Strange customs of throwing toast and calling out colourful adjectives became de rigur for viewers, who became participants in both film and stage productions across North America. It is undeniably a cult classic to live on forever. Love it or hate it, this show has left an indelible mark in our psyches. Every Halloween night, I like to carry on a tradition of watching it from my VHS tape while giving out candy to the neighbourhood kids. Passersby would find it curious to see us through the window, jumping up and down.
Halloween can be so much fun for adults. And “Rocky Horror” is a really fun and slightly sinful way to express yourself and get a little crazy. While the children dress up in Disney costumes, we adults could become Magenta or Riff Raff for a night. Alter egos could safely come out at night and play.
"Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again."
Not only is the show a classic film and musical, we’ve also adapted dance steps that we have somehow
learned even as children. I don’t actually remember learning it. It seems like I’ve just always known it.
"It's just a jump to the left.
And then a step to the right."
I think that we love the inevitable transformations of the chaste Brad and Janet. Dr. Frank N. Furter was right in believing that there is a bit of naughty in all of us just bursting to get out.
"Put your hands on your hips.
You bring your knees in tight."
I love the way the story of “Rocky Horror” deals with same-sex encounters and other risqué themes. There was a lot of free love in the 1970’s but transsexuals and gays were still in the background of society.
"But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane."
Halloween will always be a favourite time for me. We don’t have any pressure of buying gifts for people, no guilt-filled family traditions to abide by on October 31st. It’s just about me and you and participating in an ancient Celtic tradition that has evolved into what it is today.
"Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again."
What do you think about these collector's items?
Some say that the assassination of John F. Kennedy marked the end of modern day Camelot. Those innocent days and months before this tragic event was the time in history set for "Dirty Dancing". This famous 1980's film was based on a family spending their summer at a Catskills resort, very similar to Grandview. Aside from all the great music and dancing, this movie made very specific references to the hard division of classes and the importace of family values in 1960's America. But the two main characters broke through their social and economic barriers and fell in love. We saw the gritty side of the impoverished staff and the seemingly perfect lives of the wealthy guests. But the thin veil of denial became torn when it was apparent that Camelot was an illusion after all.
77TRuEGBMfsylJLuQ~~_12.JPG)
