Creativity and Camaraderie found through Costuming for a Cause
To celebrate 10 years of Costuming and Cackling, several Black Hats Society members answered questions about their experiences in the group. In this post, get to know Dawn Dawson, Christy Crabtree, and Alison Weissenberger.
Dawn, Christy, and Alison joined for different reasons after seeing the original Flash Mob post in our local neighborhood group. Dawn said, “I volunteered immediately! I get to play dress up and dance. While also making new friends.” Her love for dancing and the group led her to run for our Council, where she served for four years as the Performance Coordinator. Christy, on the other hand, was immediately intrigued because of her love of costuming, but not excited about the dancing. She answered, “Then I heard “dancing” and considered evaporating into mist, but a very persuasive member lured me out of my comfort zone.” The flash mob timing was perfect for Alison. She said, “The Black Hats formed at a time when I had just moved to Irvington.” Her answer to why she joined, “What is there NOT to like about being in a witchy flash mob?!” Alison has volunteered in several ways since, including stepping into a council role when needed.
For many members, camaraderie is an important aspect and a meaningful part of our group. With several social clubs, including Stitchin' Witches, Book Club, Game Nights, Broom & Brews, and Witch Wednesday, our members have many opportunities for connection. While the group has given Dawn adventure and a creative outlet, it means more to her than that: “I have gained a great gaggle of women. I have a support system that past me could only dream of. These people have helped me gain and improve many skills. They bring me such joy.” Christy, an introvert, said, “The group gave me a way to be social without feeling like I had to suddenly become a full‑time extrovert. The charity work was great, the people were fun, and it pulled me out of my bubble at a time when I really needed that.” The group helped her build confidence and connections she wouldn’t have had otherwise. For Alison, the group was a social lifeline and a connection to her new community. “When we started doing volunteer work, I knew I'd be around forever. It's like a potion for the heart and soul!”
Making memories together has created a truly magical bond between the Irvington Witches. One of Dawn's favorite memories was an appearance on the news in 2021. She remembers, “Being live on TV to show our 1920s dance was a thrilling and proud moment.” Christy was involved in the first Black Hats Society calendar, and creating it is her favorite memory. She said, “It was this perfect mix of chaos, creativity, and I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. So many costumes, so many ideas flying around, and everyone bringing their own weird, wonderful energy to it. It was one of those projects where you could actually feel the creativity bouncing off people. Watching it all come together was exciting.” Alison led on the second calendar and also included it as a favorite memory, “I really enjoyed creating BroomHilda and taking her on tour the summer of 2022 while trying to pre-sell and promote the 2023 calendar I produced. The project was really stressful, but I have a lot of great memories, too.”
One thing many of our members have in common is a love of stories, especially when they involve witches and magic. Most of our members have a favorite witch who inspired them or their costumes. Dawn named several, from Hermione Granger to Maleficent and, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch, that was nice to see magic from someone who was not old and green. The Halliwell Sisters from Charmed brought a new style. Also, the fabulous Sanderson Sisters! We all know they are awesome.” Alison also named Sabrina Spellman, “I used to watch that show every day after school. I love the idea of magic in the modern world as opposed to a long time ago in a land far, far away". Christy said, “Meg Mucklebones from the movie Legend. She inspired my swamp‑witch costume, and those practical effects still look better than the CGI we get today. She’s slimy, dramatic, lives in a bog, and snacks on unwary children. Truly an aspirational figure.”
The last question our members answered was: If you could have a magical power, what would it be, and how would you use it? Dawn answered, “I wish I could be clairvoyant. I would spare people heartaches.” Alison and Christy would both choose teleportation. Alison said she would like “the ability to open portals to other places so I can travel.” Christy loves seeing new places, but not the process of getting there. She said, “Teleportation would let me explore the world without airports, crowds, motion sickness, traffic, or the obligatory awkward goodbyes. Just instant arrival, feeling well‑rested and unbothered. Yes, please.”
As we continue this series, one of the many magical things about this group of misfits that stands out is that we have found through our activities that we can create and have camaraderie with people from many backgrounds and beliefs. We get to know one another, and see that we have more in common than not as we attend witch practices and fundraise throughout each year. While we are Costumed for a Cause, we also find friendships and lasting connections. And there is truly something magical about that.
Comments