Originally from San Francisco and named after American writer and illustrator Edward Gorey, the Edwardian Ball has been attracting the intersecting subcultures of Goth, steampunk, Burning Man hippie dippies and general lovers of all things dark in L.A. since 2009. It's the perfect gathering whether you're inspired by Gorey, Bram Stoker or H.G. Wells, or just love to slap on some stark makeup, put on a top hat or squeeze your bosoms into a tight corset. Once again, the annual event is highlighted by co-founders and co-hosts Rosin Coven and Vau de Vire Society, who'll this year re-enact Gorey's 1957 The Doubtful Guest, a tale about a creature that takes up residence with an English family and never leaves. The rest of the evening includes more art, music and theater performances, from cabaret chanteuse Jill Tracy to trapeze-hanging singer Marisa Lenhardt to the jazz- and ragtime-playing John Brothers Piano Company, along with tarot card readers and vendors. And if you're looking for just the right kind of bosom-y outfit, there's also a live corset show by Dark Garden Corsetry. The Fonda Theater, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Sat., Feb. 23, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; $40. (323) 464-6269, edwardianball.com.

Sat., Feb. 23, 8 p.m., 2013

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