Check out our winners from last year here!

http://verynoice.com/2010/11/halloween-costume-contest-winners/

In first place (insert drumroll here)…

THE TRAFFIC CONES & traffic director!

Traffic stoppers...literally

Winners include: Lindsay Kowal, Becca Millock, Molly O’Donnell, Mel Baskind, Catherine Coppinger, Courtney Diekema, and AJ Millet! Great job guys, we have never seen this done before, and we know that it took a lot of time, energy, and resourcefulness :)

In second place…

Yeah. That's all we can say.

Lauren Medina. The transformation from Kardashian lookalike to Mario/Ludacris/Gangsterman is honestly mind-blowing.

Honarable mention to Suzi Lu and friend for their initiative to use one of our suggestions from last issue’s article, “Costumes to Die For”. Not only did they utilize our idea, but they did so in a way that was more than just dressing from one color head-to-toe as we saw of lot of Crayons doing this Halloween.

Bad-ass crayons!

Again we want to thank everyone for their submissions because we got a great laugh out of them.

But really, thank you – it is input from readers like you that make the Voice the mouthpiece for the student opinion at Harvard!

We’re serious. Last Saturday, residents of Pforzheimer House’s infamous party suite – the Belltower – discovered a chihuahua wrapped in someone’s coat in one of their bedrooms as they cleaned up the semi-demolished suite after a Halloween blowout, appropriately titled “Sin: A Night of Hell in the Pfoho Bell.”

We don’t know about you, but whoever left a live animal behind and then refused to take responsibility committed a sin, all right.

A series of messages sent out by “Bell Tower,” the unofficial Facebook account for the party suite, chronicles the unlikely event.

Bell Tower – November 1st at 12:14am

Sinners,
If you lost something / left it behind as an excuse to talk to one of the cute guys that live here. Send Bell Tower a message and we’ll tell you if we have it. We’ve already returned an iPhone and a Blackberry.
AND WHOEVER LEFT THEIR CHIHUAHUA BEHIND NEEDS TO PICK IT UP IMMEDIATELY!!! SERIOUSLY WE ARE TAKING IT TO THE POUND ON TUESDAY.

Bell Tower – November 3rd at 3:28am

Seriously, we are taking this dog to the pound tomorrow. We will give you $30 to adopt it or $10 if you put us in touch with the original owner. Please don’t make us do this.

-Bell Tower – November 5th at 2:44pm

We just wanted write everyone who was concerned a follow up about Bell Tower’s Chihuahua incident.
We actually put flyers up in the North Cambridge/ South Arlington Area. After 4 days, we spoke to three families and actually got to pick a good home for the chihuahua. He will be moving in with the Daly family in Arlington. They plan to name the dog Youk after some Red Sox player and will be giving him as a gift to their son Ryan. While this actually turned out to be a happy ending, the next person who brings a live animal to the belltower will be covered in vodka and lit on fire.

Together with the Belltower Boys, Noice breathes a sigh of relief for the chihuahua’s fate. “[F]ear not, friends, the chihuahua is safe,” reads the Facebook status of a Belltower resident yesterday.

“Just who the fuck does that?” commented another Belltower resident, upon being asked for a final comment.

But seriously. WTF?

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IMAGE MAY BE TOO FRIGHTENING FOR YOUNGER AUDIENCES.

Image courtesy of YouTube

A 300-pound, 7 foot tall man belting out Beyoncé? It’s either entertainment or fear-inciting, but we’re not quite sure yet.

Sadly, we could have seen an repeat performance of  the phenomenon now called Shaq-randomly-appearing-somewhere-and-announcing-it-on-Twitter but “somebody important” called to say that was a bad idea.

What a shame. Maybe this following video could have been done in our very own Harvard Square.

And don’t worry – he didn’t win our Halloween costume contest! One more day to submit to thehvoicemail@gmail.com!

“But, Officers, I was just trying to tell them not to touch the foot.  It is for their own good.”  Seriously, this first story is just three students trying to do the right thing.

10/21/09 2:45 PM – John Harvard Statue – Suspicious Activity

“Officer dispatched to a report of three individuals not allowing individuals to take pictures.  Officers report that the individuals were gone on arrival.”

“They’re kids playing guns in the street.  And one’s pointing his tree branch at me.  And so I put my hands up, I say enough is enough.  If you walk away, I’ll walk away.  He shot me dead.” – Bright Eyes

10/23/09 1:27 PM – 1 Western Ave, Allston, MA – Disturbance

“Officers dispatched to a report of individuals fighting and that one individual had a stick.  Officers report the individuals were waiting for a tow truck and were goofing around and all was in order.”

Dining Services?  HUDS?  I thought that was pesto tasted funny yesterday.

10/23/09 4:41 PM – Dining Services, 65 Winthrop St – Field Interview

“Officers observed four individuals engaging in a drug transaction.  Officers observed two individuals leave the area.  A field interview was conducted with the remaining two individuals who were found to be in possession of marijuana.  Each individual was run for wants/warrants with negative results and sent on their way.  Officers confiscated the marijuana.”

First Halloween prank: Successfully foiled by HUPD.

10/30/09 1:35 AM – Quincy House E – Suspicious Activity

“Officer dispatched to a report that an individual(s) used putty to keep another individual’s door propped open.  Officer spoke to the individuals involved who stated it was a prank and nothing was damaged or reported stolen.”

Okay, now this is scary.  150 feet?   That is a long way.  Noice hopes the injuries sustained were not serious.

10/31/09 2:45 AM – Mt Auburn St/University Rd – Assist Cambridge Police

“Officer dispatched to a report that an individual was struck by a motor vehicle.  Officer arrived and spoke to the individual who stated that they were struck by a motor vehicle and dragged approximately 150 feet.  The individual sustained a laceration to the back of their head, right hand and wrist.  Officers report CPD was notified of the incident and took over the scene when they arrived.”

What is the point of stealing candy from a vending machine on Halloween?  There is an easier way to steal candy called trick-or-treating.

10/31/09 9:00 PM-9:50 PM – Sever Hall – Theft Report (Open Case)

“Officer dispatched to a report of an open vending machine door.  Officer arrived and reports the lock to the vending machine was in the closed position and the door was open.  Officer reports various food items valued at $50.00 were missing from the machine.  Officer took custody of the remaining food items and cash that were left in the vending machine.  Officer reports management was notified of the incident.”

All of you that were waiting in line don’t need to read a police report to know what happened at Currier’s Heaven-and-Hell Saturday night.  Noice supposes it must have been a pretty rocking party if the entrance was completely shut down after only one hour.

10/31/09 11:00 PM – 11/1/09 2:00 AM – Currier House A – Loud Party

“While on detail an officer observed numerous individuals attempting to gain access to a party .  Officer was informed the party was at capacity and the individuals waiting outside would not be allowed access.  Officers arrived and informed the individuals waiting outside that they would not be able to access the party.  Transportation services were informed not to bring anymore individuals to the party and individuals waiting were to be transported from the area.”

Apparently, someone discharged a fire extinguisher at the unofficial Heaven-and-Hell in Adams A.

11/1/09 – 12:01 AM – Adams House A – Vandalism

“Officers dispatched to a report of a fire alarm.  Upon arrival officers were informed an individual(s) discharged a fire extinguisher.  FMO was notified to clean up the area.”

Who spent the day after Halloween trying to set up tents in the law school?

11/1/09 10:28 AM – Richards Hall – Suspicious Activity

“Officers dispatched to a report that individual(s) set up tent in the area.  Officers report the individual(s) was gone on arrival.”

11/1/09 6:27 PM – 23 Everett St – Suspicious Activty

“Officers dispatched to a report that individual(s) set up tent in the area. Officers report the individual(s) was gone on arrival.”

Enough already.  Halloween is finished.  Can you stop uttering chants and spells in the middle of the Quad?

11/2/09 12:18 AM – Radcliffe Quad – Noise Complaint

“Officer dispatched to a report of loud chanting.  Officer arrived and reports all is quiet and in order.”

11/2/09 12:48 AM – Radcliffe Quad – Noise Complaint

“Officer dispatched to a second report of loud chanting.  Officer located two individuals in the area who stated they were chanting.  Officers sent the individuals on their way.

Stephanie Choi ’13 and Pim Valantagul ’13 as Shrimp and Salmon Sushi

Congrats! We loved that they used homemade items (pillows, garbage bags) and created something very creative and cute! Also: chopsticks. Great job girls! Stephanie and Pim won a $50 certificate to b.good burgers.

Stay tuned for a Best of Costume Contest Submissions post, featuring some of the most hilarious, zany, and creative outfits we received.

Reminder to Us Culturally Insensitive College Kids

When for Halloween
You dress like Pocahontas
A kitten will die.

Heaven and Hell

Orgo midterm done,
Sudden freedom means parties:
Let’s go to the Quad.

The Morning After

Halloween’s over
Hangovers and walks of shame–
Hello, Sunday brunch.

Prize:
1st place -$50 to b.good burgers and international fame. Delicious!
2nd place – Not a winner
3rd place – Nobody remembers

Deadline:
November 1st, 7:00pm

Send submissions to thehvoicemail@gmail.com. The winners will be announced November 2nd.

The Grind Fests:

Sweet ‘N Nasty
Friday, October 30, 10pm-2am
Adams House Dining Hall
Tickets: $5 beforehand, $7 the night of the party, $4 for Adams Residents
“Free erotic goodie bags for the first 50 people on line for the dance.”

Heaven & Hell
Currier Tenman and Treehouse
Saturday, 10pm

Cultural Stuff:

Eternal Jamnation
by the Veritones and Opportunes
Sanders Theatre
Sunday, 7-9pm
Tickets: $7 w/ ID

PANDEMONIUM
by Harvard-Radcliffe Modern Dance Company
Adams Pool Theatre
Friday @ 7:30 pm, Saturday-Sunday @ 2:00 pm
Tickets: $5

Ivory Tower Premiere and Concert
Lowell JCR
Friday, 9:30-10pm

MARAT/SADE
Friday, 7:30pm
Saturday-Sunday, 2:00 pm
Loeb Experimental Theater, 64 Brattle Street
Tickets: FREE at marat.sade.tix@gmail.com

Dia de los Muertos
by RAZA
Leverett Dining Hall
Friday, 8:30pm-10:00pm

Lantern Making Workshop
by the Taiwanese Cultural Society
Leverett Old Library
Saturday, 3-5pm
FREE

Experiment
by Expressions Dance Company
Lowell Lecture Hall
Saturday, 3-9pm

For Laughs:

Ha!lloween
Adams K Space
Saturday, 8:30-9:30pm

The SPOOKY OTI Halloween Show
Improv comedy
Holden Chapel
Saturday, 7:30-8:15pm

UC on the Web Celebration (?)
Ticknor Lounge, Boylston Hall
Friday, 4-5:30pm

Even Fido can be racist this season!

Okay. So we all got this email:

Dear Harvard, As we approach the Halloween weekend, Native Americans at Harvard College (NAHC) would like to urge Harvard University students, staff and faculty to think critically about their costume choice. While some look forward to the annual Halloween festivities many people brace themselves for the recurring parade of Harvard students in culturally insensitive costumes whether it be the quintessential Pocahontas or Indian Squaw or the hypersexualized Geisha just to name a few.

And for those of you who didn’t have the patience to read the entire thing, we sympathize… kinda. Except we read it in its entirety out of sincere love for you and because they made us feel really, really guilty. Here is a paragraph-by-paragraph summary of its content:

• Wearing costumes that culturally appropriate is RACIST. It’s like wearing blackface, you ass. Also, your hipster Minnetonka Moccasins are tacky.
• Traditional dress ≠ costume. Traditional dress = an outfit.
• Think of the children….the Native American children.
• You can’t count your crummy costume as “honoring” Native Americans, but you can do your part on Sunday, the first day of Native American Heritage Month, by schoolin’ your racist ass.
• A paragraph on the interwoven histories of Native Americans and their contributions to the United States and Harvard University that we so love.
• “If people take the time to learn about other cultures and to get to know the Native American students at Harvard perhaps they would realize that we are not a costume. We are Harvard. And we have been since 1655.” (Sorry, that’s sort of hard to gist.)

Now, we understand the message but a picture is worth a thousand words isn’t it? Here are several long emails worth of pictures plus some controversy, after the jump!

Already there’s been some buzz on the House Open lists about this, we should point to the particularly snarky retort by one Pfoho-ite. And while we should try to be kumbaya about it all, we can see how an interweb hissy fit could devolve into the sort of diatribe we see in YouTube comments on Sarah Palin videos… or any video for that matter.

But it’s hard to say what can be done about that. We here at Noice wholeheartedly agree with the NAHC, but we should point out that Halloween costumes are almost always offensive. Whether its the impossibility of finding a women’s costume that isn’t of Tara Reid’s calibwhore, or a men’s costume that doesn’t offend or play into gender norms… what’s the conscientious Harvardian to do? Maybe just to take it all in stride as much as possible. Halloween is about fun and fantasy. If we get under each others skins or into each other’s skins for one night a year, maybe that will blow off the steam or the racial tension headaches that so overwhelm this crazy country. We need a chance to laugh and to go all out. But uh, still, just be careful if you’re picking any of these and recognize that you will get dirty looks or a swift punch in the nads if you don’t think twice:

Images courtesy Sociological Images and BuyCostumes.com