I went to a City of Darkened Angels party last Friday.  I saw it on newgothcity.com which is a great site.  I was reminded of just how diversified and entertaining the Goth Community really is.  I parked my car and began walking to the venue on West 14th St between 8th and 7th Ave painted up like this guy and enjoyed all the passer by stares of disbelief.

I got to the venue and right away stumbled into a conversation about Bruce Lee, Danny Inosanto's Jeet Kune Do Concepts, Ted Wong's Jeet Kunde Do style, and how long it's been taking to build the Bruce Lee Action Memorial Museum.

After two appleteenies and Temple of Love by Sisters of Mercy I realized something.  It's fun and ok to be different from the mainstream.  There I was in a room celebrating a movie from 1994 but it was so much more.  We weren't incessant mimes chasing the 90s. No.  We were living the legacy of The Crow.

The Crow is always an iconic source of inspiration to me on many levels.  Like most people I saw the movie first and then discovered the graphic novel.  The graphic novel being filled with Joy Division lyrics inspired me to do some required listening.  I'm also a huge a Joy Division fan as a result.  Joy Division led to The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode, Siouxie and The Banshees, and on and on.

The graphic novel and movie introduced me to Goth culture, independent comic art, and emotive expression.

I delved into a world where the good guys wear black, people aren't afraid to like horror/sci-fi movies, and individuality is never frowned upon .  I know these are a few key principles of the Goth community.  With these guide lines in place, there is also the truest sense of open-mindedness I've ever seen.  No one judges anyone else's "dance moves" or "style."  Frankly you could wear a clown outfit and fend just well for yourself at any event. 

That night I felt like I was at a Live Action Art Gallery.  The film was playing on white blanket facing a projector as everyone danced their boots off.  Bartenders and patrons alike were graced with a "shadow smile" on their faces while other were decked out in full Brandon Lee attire.  All in all good times were had and what is old isn't always new again; but nostalgia can be fun.