Nocturnum

by Nichole Weaver

As members of the LGBTQIA community, we often discover that safe and friendly places to hang out are not easy to find. Though many people are accepting of our differences, places where we can gather and feel free from negative attention are not as common as we would wish them to be. This goes double for the LGBTQIA nightlife, where friendly faces and our personal safety are much more important to us than they are during the day.

However, these groups do exist. One of them is Wicked Wonderland Productions, a company that puts on weekly gatherings called Nocturnum. Wicked Wonderland uses an interesting business model, hosting events at various clubs for weekly, monthly and yearly events which all use the Wicked Wonderland name. It is an ingenious idea that allows a great deal of locational variety while still ensuring the events are well organized and exciting. Nocturnum is always in the same location and at the same time, while the other events vary in location and exact date.

The weekly Nocturnum is a tastefully unique Goth Industrial event. Attendees are encouraged to try new styles, or very old ones, and enjoy letting their inner selves run free. Costumes are completely acceptable and the special events sometimes look more like a second Halloween than a regular party. Welcoming to people from all walks of life, Wicked Wonderland is specifically supportive of members of the LGBTQIA community, as well people from other marginalized backgrounds.

Recently I spoke with three influential individuals who keep the weekly Nocturnum event running and regularly contribute to the monthly events. Ginger is the owner and operator of Wicked Wonderland. The second person I spoke to was the main DJ of the various events who goes by the moniker DJ Bones. Last was a fire performer, model and dancer, who prefers to be known as The Dannimal and is the poster girl for many of the big events.

I asked Ginger how long Wicked Wonderland has been around and exactly what its mission statement is. She explained it all started about 14 years ago here in Boise Idaho as her birthday party. Eventually her events merged with the previously existing Goth Industrial night. Since then Wicked Wonderland has grown into a company and is capable of hosting multiple large events. At this time, the company hosts events in multiple cities, states and two countries.

Currently Wicked Wonderland has regular events in Albuquerque New Mexico, Boise Idaho, New Orleans Louisiana, Seattle Washington, and Winnipeg Manitoba(Canada). The company is dedicated to creating safe places in each location for people to let loose and be themselves without fear of discrimination, or as Ginger likes to say “to safely be freaky among friends”.

Ginger was very open about what brings her to run event after event for a city with the size and temperament of Boise Idaho. She says it comes from loving the place where it all started and a deep enjoyment of watching unique people of different backgrounds realize they are accepted.

When asked what her biggest event is, she says it is the Exotica Fetish Ball, which is her original big birthday bash. The party is the catalyst that ignited her drive to spread good cheer and great times to as many people as possible. The Exotica Fetish Ball is consistently the largest event of the year, and the most well known. Normally in June, it is an event well worth attending with a variety of special acts, crafts, vendors and excellent music.

Addressing the LGBTQIA community directly, Ginger wants it known her company is all inclusive and welcoming to people of different backgrounds and sexual orientations. She asks you all to “Come down and be spooky and fun with us!”.

Happily I was able to catch DJ Bones the same night just before the evening started. He joined Wicked Wonderland officially about 2 years ago, though he has been part of the crowd since 2003 and has worked closely with Ginger and her company throughout that time. DJ Bones considers Nocturnum to be an inclusive outlet where as long as everyone is friendly with each other, they are welcome to enjoy the fun.

DJ Bones also takes part in the security side of Wicked Wonderland, supporting a network among the group that makes sure the club bouncer is appraised of any potential rough spot in the club. This hands off, but supportive attitude means Wicked Wonderland events are remarkably problem free, and the rare few times the bouncer is needed, he is always in the right place at the right time. A bouncer who knows he has the support of an entire club is a happy bouncer.

DJ Bones believes rather strongly that discrimination and marginalizing behavior is unacceptable. Everyone should feel free to have fun in their own way, as long as it is not hurting anyone else.

When asked to characterize his music choices, DJ Bones mentioned Goth Industrial, Centpop, EBM and Noise. He says he prefers music from the underground that has a message. DJ Bones enjoys mixing things up and has regular guest DJ’s, so there is a wide variety of music every week.

The Dannimal seemed to be having a great night. She says she joined Wicked Wonderland in 2010 when she discovered the Goth community in Idaho. She had been stationed here since 2004 and thought she was the only person in the state with a similar state of mind. Happily she was wrong.

She has quite the list of interests, from fire performances, to go-go dancing, modeling and was even a radio advertiser for Club Sin in 2011. The Dannimal’s fire performances are legendary and she can be seen on most Wicked Wonderland promotional flyers. She says she has more surprises in store for the near future.

The Dannimal actively works to encourage diversity in the community. People from all walks of life are welcome, with members of the LGBTQIA community, Burlesque performers, the BDSM community and even members of the Furry community. The point is that anyone who is friendly and out to have fun is someone she hopes will come to visit. Everyone from those who consider themselves completely normal, to those who consider themselves outside of society are welcome.

Her favorite event is The Exotica Fetish Ball. She loves to see the creativity people put into their freak side, even if only for a night. There are guest events, bands, displays of exotic dancing and a sensual side to the attendees you will rarely find elsewhere.

Wicked Wonderland extends an invite to anyone who is looking for a fabulous night out. Amazing new friends await you 10:00pm Sunday nights at Liquid Lounge, the weekly home of Nocturnum.

For more information, contact: Wicked Wonderland Facebook Page