Dust City Opera brings 'Sadness, Madness, Mayhem' to Fusion

For the second year in a row, Dust City Opera will bring the “Sadness, Madness and Mayhem” haunted costume ball to New Mexico at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Fusion for a unique concert experience.

Sydney Counce, artist manager for Dust City Opera, described the costume ball as an eclectic show that has everything and anything an attendee could hope for.

“Attendees can expect a sort of multifaceted, experimental event,” Counce said. “There will be circus performers amongst the crowd and a large performance from Dust City Opera, and they will be joined by the Giovanni String Quartet for the grand finale.”

Dust City Opera, a band formed in Albuquerque, will headline the event. The band merges folk music with alternative rock sounds.

“Folks can expect lots of really unique folk instrumentation experienced in unexpected ways,” Counce said. “At their core, you have that rock instrumentation with electric guitar and bass and drums, but they also have accordion and trombone and bass clarinet and some synths.”

Dust City Opera brings 'Sadness, Madness, Mayhem' to Fusion

Dust City Opera’s sounds inspired the title “Sadness, Madness and Mayhem.” Common themes of songs performed are based on haunting and chaotic musical performances that create a grandiose feeling.

Guests are encouraged to dress up as though it is Halloween and unleash their inner mayhem for one night of fun. Last year, many guests came with elaborate masks and dance attire, but Counce encourages attendees to wear whatever makes them comfortable. The event will provide a small costume rack to let guests dress up and top off their costumes with small accessories.

Between musical performances, guests can expect to see Movement Caravan circus troupe’s theatrical feats like a large fire display during an intermission.

According to Counce, the circus performances blend well with Dust City Opera, who has a “circus-y, haunted vibe” in their discography that allows for a clever combination of unique entertainment. Bonnie Bigheart will be on site to do tarot readings for guests, another addition to the unique, haunted experience.

“Partnering with circus performers and having this grand costume ball was kind of the container for this wild idea,” Counce said. “People can come and grab food from a food truck and get a drink and get a mini tarot card reading and enjoy a string quartet in the lobby.”

Guests who want a more in-depth experience can purchase a VIP ticket, which gives access to the “Sadness, Madness and Mayhem” after-party. Tickets are limited.

“This is a chance to revel in this magical night and it was a really fun time last year, so we’re bringing it back bigger and better than before,” Counce said.

You can reach staff writer Nakayla McClelland via email at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com.