Court of Lazarus Gathering
At the Raven on Avenue A and East 12th Street, NYC.
Every third Sunday of the month, there is an exquisite social
gathering held in NYC by some of the city's finest members of the
vampire community. These folks come to take part in a ritual
gathering, dark performance space and gothic cocktail party all in
the same night. This event is normally held at the Slipper Room on
Orchard and Houston Streets, however due to some interesting
circumstances, it was moved over to the Raven on Avenue A and East
12th Street. Though this change in venue was last minute and the
coordinators of the gathering were a bit flustered, the turnout was
exceptional and a credit to the success and efficiency of this
congregation.
We admit it, we arrived a touch late. However, our hosts
could not have been more gracious of our tardiness, not only meeting
us at the front doors of the original venue, but escorting us to the
new location. Those among our welcoming committee included the
incomparable Marquessa Magdalena, Regent of the Court of Lazarus,
Namaah, Keeper of the Blood and Nefarious Wrath, Keeper of the
Scroll. The warmth (despite the first snowfall of the year) and
politesse of these fine individuals was matched only by the
enthusiasm of the other attendees and the eloquence of the guest
speaker.
The highlight of the evening consisted of a lecture by Joe
D'Angeli, Keeper of the Bats. The star of this particular homily was
Johnathon, the flying fox, as well as his lovely mate, Eve. We were
enchanted by these flying foxes and Joe demonstrated to the
spellbound crowd how a flying fox eats, by lapping up the nectar or
sucking the juice out of fruit and spitting out the pulp. Some lucky
members got a chance to feed Johnathon, who was happy to oblige. We
learned that fruit bats are the number one regenerators of
rainforests, due to pollination. Joe pointed out to us that bats are
illegal to own without a proper license. It is also illegal to
import bats. After a colorful synopsis of a bats sexual endeavors,
we learned that a female's gestation period is generally nine but to up to thirteen
months. A female bat has the ability to prolong a pregnancy or abort
it. They are truly the feminists of the animal kingdom. Bats do not
mate for life, having several partners within the lifespan and have
one pup a year. Joe pointed out that bats are one of the hardest
species to breed, however he has been successful in mating two of his
bats, Johnathon and Mina, named for the popular characters of Bram
Stoker. We also learned that bats are incredibly adaptive to their
surroundings. There is a particular group of bats that live off
the coast of New Zealand, where there are no predators. These bats,
consequently, have given up the ability to fly, preferring to hop
after their prey (mainly insects), like vampire bats. Johnathon
suffered himself to be pet by some of the group, but Joe cautioned
them to allow the bat to smell them first. We would also like to
dispel the myth that bats cannot see, they have incredibly acute
vision.
After the bat show was over, we got a unique chance to speak
with some prominent members of the New York vampire community. Sir
Victor Magnus was in attendance and we could not have found a more
pleasant and refined gentleman to pass the time with, save for
Nefarious Wrath, who was equally engaging and charming. Also spotted
at this superior covenant were Asif Murad, executive producer of the
Vampyre Lounge (New York's premiere television show supporting the
vampire community), and artist extraordinaire Voltaire, whose album
Then and Again came into stores earlier this October.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the elders,
citizens and guests of Lazarus who made two Long Island vamps feel
more than right at home. If what you desire in a social outing with
fellow vampires are hospitality, fellowship, entertainment and a
polished yet welcoming atmosphere, look no further than the Court of
Lazarus. Should you seek further information concerning the Court of
Lazarus, work your way over to
http://www.courtoflazarus.org
Laura Kabella
Chrystal Vitale
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