BY KATHERINE CHUNGWe love to praise the performing arts for building a community and safe space to share our work but we rarely ever talk about the independent local artists who are reminding us that it's important to support intimate venues and local art. Hidden in the middle of The Wharf, Washington D.C’s historic waterfront lies Pearl St. Warehouse. A classic and intimate live music space for up and coming artists like Fetch Tiger and Thomas Day.
A few days ahead of Halloween, music blogger Caroline Harlin hosted an event called, Caroween. Her version of Halloween with a music lover twist while supporting a local business. The event consisted of a full line up with Caroline’s favorite local artists, a costume contest, food and drinks, the iconic Pearl Street photobooth, and merch tables. Beyond offering a Halloween celebration with live music for DMV locals, the event was in partnership with Girls Rock DC—an organization dedicated to supporting youth, trans, queer, and Black youth in the arts.
What made Caroween so special was the diverse lineup that included LGBTQ+, DMV local, and AAPI artists. Opening the show in a striking bloody bride costume, Vietnamese-American songwriter Nina1am captivated the audience despite facing an unexpected loss of voice. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, the rising artist powered through her set with remarkable resilience and theatrical flair. Her performance turned a difficult vocal moment into a raw, unforgettable showcase of stage presence and artistic beauty instead of gore.
Nina’s opening performance was only the beginning of the White Moon cycle—or shall we say, concert. Her gravity-defying set paved the way for Bluebelt band, an alternative indie rock band launched out of Washington, D.C.. While Earthlings call their music tunes, this band calls their music, "Neptunes,". The atmosphere shifted entirely on Planet Bluebelt as the band performed their stellar new EP, You’ll Get Going Too.
Nina and the Bluebelt band brought "gore and galaxy" to Pearl Street Warehouse. Baltimore-based singer Enslow followed by bringing the thrills to Caroween. Shining like a pop star, she sang her heart out to Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller." It was unforgettable. Her performance gave Caroween an epic dance floor scene while setting the perfect stage for a costume contest that let everyone show off their outfits in the spotlight.
To cap off the night, queer-indie pop band Historically Close Friends stormed the stage in full Bikini Bottom Super Band costumes. Their set began with a Bikini Bottom classic, “F is for F-U-N.” A seamless pivot into Olivia Rodrigo’s Unraveled Tour-era cut "Maggots for Brains" set the stage—before the band’s song,"Man of Their Dreams" peaked the night and packed the floor to the brim.
COURTESY of @camb3lll