Enter through the Gates of Hell before being immersed in a heavenly paradise. There will be plenty of horrific sights and sounds, as well as angelic playfulness at the 2016 "The Witches Ball" at Statler City on Friday, October 28.

This year the ball is dedicated to dancing. The Golden Ballroom (Studio 716) will feature headliner John Ceglia, who was a guest DJ from the original Studio 54 in NYC, and a resident DJ at The Limelight. John recently moved back to Buffalo and will be playing a two-hour set of disco for fans looking to dance, dance, dance. Dave Schulz and CO Jones (from Hollywood) will bring on the funk in the same room, and Sunglasses Mike will bring on the heat early on.

Statler City's Terrace Room will be a Voodoo Lounge, featuring a night filled with the sounds of Preach Freedom (Rusted Root) and his band Connect, as well as Ultraviolet (a No Doubt cover band), and the ever popular DJ Milk (for more dancing). Look for the Voodoo Queen to make appearances throughout the night, as well as contortionists earlier in the evening.

Adding to the excitement, the original Rendezvous Room (The Boiler Room) will be filled with DJs, the occasional drag queen and stupendous magician at the side bar. If you've ever been to a show in this room, then you know that it's going to be sensational for getting down on the dance floor.

This year's special guest is VJ Keith Harrington, who will be creating video effects throughout Statler City. Per usual, Mark Madden and his crew from MaddTiki will be delivering an array of crazy visuals, alongside the ever-creepy antics of Terror Technologies. 

The event will feature over 25 different acts, artists, and DJs, including: Fleuron Rouge, Arlowe Price, Miss Kitty, Foxy Diamondz, Random Ninjaz, The Hunks, balloon sculptures by Joe Mock, Femme Noire (burlesque), Nickel City Novelties, Buffalo Aerial Dance, Lazy Ass Destroyer, Magician Joe Maxwell, Father Doomsday played by actor Bill Kennedy, Voodoo Queen, Primrose Path, Slyboots (parade), DJ Milk, BDA Dancers, Mason Winfield (hosting tarot/palm readings), “Dragged Out” with Jamie Coxx & Friends, music from "The Phantom of the Opera" by Zach Carr and Cortney Chyme, a macabre art gallery, Interactive Chamber of Horrors, DJ Allday Jonlay, Potent J, Rusty Beretta, and intergalactic superstar DJ Slobbanozzle, Rufus Gibson, Bflo Lydia, Chuck Abbott, Travis Poling, Dusty Bits (Brother Bear B2B Notixx), Disco Brisket (Human Zoo aka Gene Linet B@B Diskomaster) and more to be announced.

The Witches Ball Costume Contest, hosted by Adam Boyd & Playboy model, Ashley Noel, will give away over $2,000 in prizes for best costume and sexiest guy/girl.

The 2016 Witches Ball will be held on Friday, October 28, 2016 at Statler City, 107 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY from 7 pm to 1 am. Main entrance is back of the hotel, near the Convention Center. There will food trucks at the event.

Tickets are $40 per person. Space is limited to allow for a good time for all guests. This event is for ages 21 and up. This year there is a food drive to benefit The Food Bank of WNY, conducted by Terror Technologies - bring a can of food and get 'kissed' by a zombie. 

Judge not, lest ye be judged.