The History of Phantasm:
A Karnival of Mischief
A True Story
The site of the SF Armory was once taken up by Wayward Gardens, a combination amusement park, museum, art gallery, zoo, and aquarium operating from 1866 to 1891. In 1878 a visiting side show called the Karnival of Mischief visited the Gardens. Wayward, had 5 children, who would frequent the attractions there. On a foggy night of Octo
ber 31st, 1878, Ophelia - one of his daughter's, went missing while attending the Karnival of Mischief. A community wide search came up with nothing. A number of 'karni's' as they were called, were questioned, some roughly. Though foul play was suspected, no one ever knew what happened to her. She was last seen carrying a bouquet of balloons, but never seen again. Heart broken and dealing with his wife mad from grief and calling the site cursed, the family eventually moved to Napa with their remaining 4 children, the gardens were eventually closed in 1890 when the new owners let it fall into disrepair as more and more staff didn't want to work there for the strange happenings that would occur there. After it's closing, the Armory was built over the same site in 1914. The Army corps of engineers who over saw it's building and maintenance reported strange voices and sightings on especially foggy nights, and the grounds were considered haunted by the more suspicious and believing men who spent the most time there. Was it an apparitional experience, hallucination, a ghost? It became known in the parlance of those who'd seen her as a phantasm. Re-opened in 2006 by Kink.com after being empty for 30 years, contractors, film production staff and late night security all have stories to tell of hearing the faint disembodied cries of Ophelia in the dark hallways of the Armory, going so far as naming one of the upstairs rooms in her honor. Many have had their hearts stopped briefly by turning a dark corner of the Armory at night, to see the phantasm there of the girl with the balloons. It's a common refrain, spoken with mirth and dread - have you seen Ophelia? What will happen they wonder, when the Karnival of Mischief returns to the Armory on Halloween? We dare you to find out.
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Saturday, October 31st : Halloween Night at the San Francisco Armory
From the darkest corners of the depths of the Armory, to the heights of long abandoned cobweb filled turrets, there is an awakening of anticipation for a new venture on All Hallow's Eve. From the production minds behind Opel and Vau de Vire Society, fun creators that have also brought you such stellar and forward thinking fun offering such as New Bohemia NYE, Opulent Temple, Edwardian Ball, Masquerotica, Hell in the Armory, Night of the Living Bass, the Soiled Dove so much more - comes a new offering on San Francisco's favorite holiday in the perfect venue for it...
Opel & Vau de Vire
present
PHANTASM: A Karnival of Mischief
Step into a midway of careening colors and karni oddiities, surrounded by big beats and dangerous performers where you're not quite sure where the audience ends and the show begins. The haunted halls of the Armory will come alive on Halloween as we co-write the next chapter in epic spooky avant garde gatherings.
** Full line up coming soon from special guests and all your favorite crews represented. You and all your friends will help stir the spirits in 2 large stages in the Drill Court and a higher level of debaucherous options on the Upper Floor, for those wanting the VIP level of kink laced Halloween faire.
** Big art, immersive twisted and mischievious environments to be explored and discovered. Plenty of bars, private seating options, new bathrooms and coat check area. The Armory
Corner of Mission st and 14th in the heart of SF
Enter on 14th st side for General, Mission St side for VIP
9:00pm-4:00am
21+ only - must have ID
contact us with questions or to volunteer: [email protected]
Website: www.phantasmsf.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/phantasmhalloween
Much, much more info coming soon!
