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Looks like the dress code was up to its usual outrageously high standard!

Alan

Just in case you were unaware of the Goth phenomenon (and how big it is), here’s a great little video from The Culture Show exploring the finer aspects of Whitby’s Goth culture.

Find out what makes Goth’s come back to the town year after year after year…

From October 2006 Whitby Gothic Weekend

GOTHIC WEEKEND IN WHITBY

Tony and Rivkah’s stay at Bats and Broomsticks, a Gothic Victorian guesthouse in Whitby, Yorkshire, the town where Bram Stoker wrote Dracula. Film produced by www.yourphotomovies.co.uk.

FISH & CHIPS at Whitby Goth Weekend Festival 2008

Our original song/video about Whitby Goth Weekend / Festival.

Featuring beautiful goth girls in Whitby.

We used to be goths by the way, so don’t take offense if you are a goth. Meant to be a celebration of black stuff & all things gothy in a mick-taking sort of way…didn’t want to be too sycophantic.

Oh & just for the record, the section where Chris (the singer) says; “full of f**king clowns” was a reference to the town of Middlesbrough as we were discussing the location of Blaises nightclub as we ad libbed the song. It wasn’t a reference to Goths or the village of Whitby.

It’s unfortunate that I had to edit out the bit about Boro that followed (as the song was getting too long) & it sounds like he’s referring to Whitby as I edit back in.

The first video takes you through a tour of Bram Stoker’s Whitby and links the novel to places in the town.

The second video is an amusing look at the Whitby Goth Weekend (it really is quite insane!).

Two contrasting videos showing thet there really is something for everybody on the Yorkshire Coast!

Enjoy.

Dracula tour

whitby goths 666

As usual, I didn’t have a camera, but I know a man who did!

Click here to see some pictures of this great vehicle: Whitby Goth Weekend

The atmosphere, as usual, is great and it’s actually quite warm!

The usual Victoriana is out in splendour, as is Darth Vader, Frankenstein and Dracula. Even spotted a Goth ferret (with little bat wings attached to his back – sweet!).

The Pavilion has a particularly good range of stalls selling clothing, jewellery and all manner of goth apparel.

The band sound checks were in full swing ready for this evening (Clan of Xymox) and there’s a real buzz about the place.

The Bizarre Bazaar has been extended and the usual RNLI Dracula Drop looks as insanely dangerous as ever! The Victorian Spa Well in Broomfield Terrace is to be opened (a rare event) and there’s even a Horror Lab at The Resolution Hotel with a special FX demonstration.

However, this year’s event is rather special and a call for tolerance. On the West Cliff there is a memorial bench dedicated to Sophie Lancaster, the 20 year old who was kicked to death by thugs as she tried to help her boyfriend who was being attacked. They were picked on simply for being Goths. The sickening event has sent shock waves around the country and has sparked a huge debate about what we should be doing as a society about the gangs of youths who seem to literally be ‘getting away with murder’.

Despite some alarming-looking characters at the festival, it’s quite clear that the Goths are a peaceful, tolerant and fun-loving sub-culture in this country.

The Goths have paid for the memorial but there’s also a separate fund called SOPHIE (Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere) set up by Sophie’s friends and family.

A worthy cause if ever there was one… and a wake-up call to everybody who lives in the UK.

Looks like it could be another great event!

Head over to the official site for more details: Whitby Goth Weekend.

Sounds like quite a crowd!

Whitby Goth Weekend

Actually, the National Blood Service are considering sending a van to future events so that vampire fans can donate some blood for a good cause.

Read the full story over at the Whitby Gazette.