Center For Puppetry Arts To Host The Dark Crystal Ball

The Center for Puppetry Arts is celebrating the opening of a brand-new special exhibition about Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal with the highly anticipated The Dark Crystal Ball on Thursday, August 30.

Due to the popularity of the past Labyrinth Masquerade Balls, the Center is bringing a new spin to the fan-favorite event with themes from The Dark Crystal film. In the spirit of the movie, the evening will kick off with the healing of the Crystal to initiate the party. The elaborate event will feature special guests from The Jim Henson Company, a costume contest and a New Year's Eve-style countdown to the Great Conjunction.

"With the overwhelming response we received at the recent Labyrinth Masquerade Balls, it only made sense to re-create a similar experience for the launch of our much-awaited Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic exhibit," said Jill Nash Malool, director of museum and exhibits. "The evening will be filled with special guests from The Jim Henson Company, a countdown to the Great Conjunction, costume contest and more - there's no better way to kick off DragonCon and Labor Day weekend!"

To create a fully immersive experience, the Center will be transformed into the fantasy world of the film. As guests walk up the entrance ramp and into the building, they will find themselves transported into The Dark Crystal's mythical world of Thra. Ethereal music will welcome guests, and once the Crystal is healed, music will kick off the rest of the evening's festivities.

This star-studded event's special guests include Brian Henson, chairman of The Jim Henson Company and Jim's son, Halle Stanford, president of television for The Jim Henson Company and executive producer of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and Kirk Thatcher, judge of Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge and Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and director of Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight and more.

Guests are encouraged to wear Dark Crystal-inspired costumes or fantasy masquerade attire and masks. Mystic, Skeksis and Gelfling costumes are just the beginning of inspiration for the incredible regalia that will be showcased. Brian Henson will judge the costume contest, and three winners will take home an assortment of exclusive prizes.

This event is for ages 18 and up and will take place at the Center for Puppetry Arts from 7-11 p.m. Beer and wine will be for sale, and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served. All guests will receive a custom-made souvenir crystal shard.

The special exhibit Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic will open to the public on August 31 in the Center's Dean DuBose Smith Special Exhibits Gallery, with Member preview days Aug. 25-30. More than 50 items will be on display, including iconic puppet characters, props, costumes, puppet prototypes, Brian Froud's original concept art, behind-the-scenes photos and more.

General admission tickets are $175 and include access to The Dark Crystal Ball, heavy hor d'oeuvres, and admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum and the Dark Crystal special exhibit. Tickets can be purchased online at puppet.org or by calling the ticket office at 404.873.3391.