If you’ve spent any time in NYC’s underground art scene, you’ve probably bumped into Kostume Kult — the wildly creative, costume-obsessed arts collective that’s manifesting glowing, technicolor playgrounds in Manhattan and Brooklyn since the early 2000s. At the heart of it all is **Costume Jim**, founder and creative ringleader, whose annual **Black & Light Ball** has become a cornerstone of NYC’s Burning Man community and one of the most beloved participatory art parties in the city. Born back in 2007 as a psychedelic riff on Truman Capote’s iconic Black & White Ball, BLB has evolved into a UV-soaked, costume-fueled, multi-floor fever dream that draws creatives, ravers, burners, and curious newcomers from every corner of the five boroughs. This year’s edition — **Kosmic Kantina** — lands in Bushwick on **Saturday, May 30, 2026**, and we caught up with Jim to get the inside scoop on the theme, the vibe, the music, and why this might just be one of the best parties you go to this year.
GET TICKETS TO BLACK AND LIGHT BALL 2026 HERE
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Interviewer : Aeryk NYCRavers
Interviewee : Costume Jim
Paint us a UV Reactive picture — someone’s never been to the Black & Light Ball before. What do you even SAY to them? How do you explain this thing without making their brain explode?
Kostume Kult’s Black & Light Ball is an eye popping psychedelic experience with very nice, super fun people. Kostume Kult’s events always have some kind of creative theme where, for BLB, people can go big, and really get into the theme, or go small- wearing neon clothes, white or black tshirts and getting help from the body painters who will be on staff. And it’s not just a Black light party, Its about any type of glowing or blinking light art or props you might bring. This year we recommend light sabers!
So this whole glowing, UV-soaked fever dream started back in 2007 as a psychedelic send-up of Truman Capote’s stuffy Black & White Ball — which is honestly *iconic* energy. Nearly 20 years later, what’s the secret sauce that keeps people coming back year after year?
Kostume Kult is an open arts collective where new people always feel welcome, where Costumes and other interactive art forms help people meet and bond. Many who find us for the first time wonder “where have you guys been”, I’ve been looking for you! but I didn’t know it”. Truly, “Costume Partying is the highest form of partying” because it’s not just about the party, it’s prepping, making art, attending crafting days, etc. And then, afterwards there are many pix to see and share, where u can be reminded, and connect with, the wonderful people you have met.
THIS YEAR’S THEME IS KOSMIC KANTINA and we are absolutely loving it. Rebel adventurers, sci-fantasy creatures, a Bushwick venue — what was the moment you knew this was the vibe for 2026?
Like any movie franchise BLB has an annual sub-theme or annual episode title and with the new Star Wars movie “The Mandalorian & Grogu” coming out the weekend before, and now light sabers are so cheap, quick and easy to get, it seemed obvious to go sci-fi this year. Kostume Kult uses “K’s” alot (Kult with a K rather than spelled with a C implies farce (we ain’t a real cult, lol) and edgy culture – thus we thought about the famous star wars Cantina theme and invited all Sci fi characters of any genre to come out and dance with us !
What kind of music can one expect at the Black and Light Ball 2026?
Kostume Kult parties range from tech – house, afro house, break beats and fun shades of techno and even edm styled disco. We like music that keeps you dancing, makes you smile and helps people connect.
For the NYC Burning Man crew who can’t wait until August — real talk, how does the Black & Light Ball scratch that playa itch? Is this basically Burning Man in Brooklyn?
Burning Man is about participation and interacting with kind, fun and often mischievous people . And our parties have all that. At the end people are left standing around wishing the party could keep going. And we try to bring that burnery vibe back at least once a month at these parties or via group participation at public events, parades+
The BLB is also a fundraiser for Kostume Kult’s Burning Man projects, which means your ticket is literally fueling art on the playa. Can you break that down — where does the money go, and why should that matter to someone buying a ticket?
We are a year around arts collective where our fundraisers support our burning man camp art and giant costume gifting operation but also nyc activities such as our floats in the NY halloween parade and Coney Island mermaid parade. We have a storage unit/ work space at industry city where we host crafting events and costume gifting activities and fundraiser $ goes to support all these things, not just burning man.
Every year the theme taps straight into whatever’s buzzing in the cultural universe — AI, aliens, cyberpunk, you name it. What made the *Kosmic Kantina* feel like THE moment for 2026 specifically?
The Mandalorian and Grogu movie hitting the theaters. Star wars Fandom has always been of the most enthusiastic of Costume Culture participants. And this film takes the episodic Mandalorian/Baby Yoda TV show and brings it from the little screens to big screens and we pay homage to this amazing franchise at a time when the world needs more joy.
Let’s talk COSTUMES. What are some ideas off the top of your head for costumes people can wear/make this year?
- Anything sci-fi or fantasy
- Any black light reactive neon or pure white outfits
- Things that glow or blink – costumes or props
- Rebels… We are up against dark forces and our rebel legion will save the day.
- Anything weird. Sometimes the most out of place things are the funniest.
You went from one person obsessed with Halloween and a solo Burning Man trip in 2001 to producing one of NYC’s most legendary underground art parties. Does it still feel surreal?
Yes, every time I walk though one of these events my mind is blown with the creativity and density of the participants. And just how nice and fun people are. I have so much gratitude for everyone who makes an effort and especially those who help new people who show up not knowing exactly how to fit in. We have helped liberate so many people Finding their scene/people/vibe and I tear up whenever people tell me their liberation story.
Final question — someone’s on the fence, scrolling the ticket page, finger hovering over the buy button. What do you say to PUSH THEM OVER THE EDGE and get them to the Black & Light Ball 2026?
This is not just a party. This is an art event with multiple ways to have fun and meet people… Come as u are the first time— like any good “cult” we want u to drink the kool-aid… I promise you it’s very tasty 🙂
So there you have it — **Black & Light Ball 2026: Kosmic Kantina** is shaping up to be exactly the kind of joy-injection NYC needs right now. Whether you’re a seasoned Burner counting down the days to August, a Space Wars fanatic ready to wield a lightsaber on the dance floor, or someone who’s just been quietly searching for “your people” — the Kostume Kult crew have built a space where everyone gets to play. From the body painters on standby to the multi-genre dance floors, the participatory art, and the fact that your ticket directly fuels the collective’s year-round creative output (Burning Man camps, Halloween Parade floats, Mermaid Parade chaos, and beyond) — means you need to embrace your inner rebel, and join the Kult on May 30th at 9 Bob Note in Bushwick May the rave be with you.
