He's 3m-tall and clad in black from horns to hooves. He accessorizes with chains and studs, carries a cat o' nine tails and swings a meter-long strap-on that shoots sparks. He's Gimp Boy the Nightclub Spanker, and he wins any costume contest hands-down.
He's also just one incarnation of James Orange, a 31-year-old New Zealand native who has lived in Bali, Indonesia for the better part of a decade. Among Orange's dozen alter egos are a giant mosquito, an alien monster, a devil and even a giant "hologram."
But partygoers in Taipei know him best as the dominator from another dimension that waded into the crowd during Kenting's spring weekend this year and again at Tiesto's set in April. He's also whipped partygoers into shape at Luxy on a couple of occasions and will return to Luxy for Halloween this Saturday to scare the bejesus out of us all.
"I've always been a performer," Orange said in a telephone interview from Bali, Indonesia. "Once it's in your heart, you can't do anything else."
A tailor by trade, Orange said that in the month after the nightclub bombing in Bali on Oct. 12, 2002, he began his life on stilts.
"I was looking around and everyone was depressed," he said of the time. "I had some friends who were stilt-walkers and I thought, `OK, I've got to do it!'"
In the tailor shop where he runs his business specializing in clothing and bags, Orange went to work stitching together his first silver-spangled alien monster outfit.
"I threw on the stilts and walked outside and there was an instant traffic jam," he said. "I saw everyone smiling, yelling, whooping, cheering and it totally changed the whole atmosphere. ... It was what we desperately needed around here. ... People need to smile."
It also makes Orange smile a lot, too.
"It gives me an opportunity to be absolutely insane! I'm a Gemini and basically have many alter egos. One in particular humps anything that moves."
He's not alone in the insanity. Orange works with a crew of some 20 people -- some of them tailors with his clothing business -- that design, craft, cut and stitch the costumes and even perform with him in shows that have traveled around Asia.
"We've got everything from sexy security girls, butterfly girls and army girls. But our main thing, our kicker, is our huge fire shows," Orange said. "We put on the most incredible fire shows you'll ever see."
They've taken their shows throughout Indonesia, to Malaysia's Formula One races, Singapore's annual Zouk Out festival, Japan, Australia, and, of course, Taiwan.
"The people in Taiwan are insane!" Orange said. " I've never had more fun than at Kenting this year -- good people. Gimp Boy was kept busy down there; they're well into spanking. He was impressed!"
Look for Orange at Luxy on Saturday. He'll be the tall, dark gentleman with a meter-long endowment. And don't think you'll be safe by staying home Saturday. "Gimp Boy the Nightclub Spanker is going to be sitting around in Taipei," Orange said. "So beware on the streets during the day!"
TRICKY TREATS
★ Luxy -- A hip-hop "spooktacular" in the Galleria with guest DJ Enferno. Dr Evil and Mini Me (read: Daryl & Reason) along with SL, Saucey and others in the Lotus Room. Very special appearance by Orange Boy (see main). Sip the mysterious "evil drink" that's been concocted for the night and try to win NT$12,000 costume prize. Runners-up can win phones, Gameboys, etc. "Everybody wins!"
5F, 201 Zhongxiao E Road, Sec 4, Taipei (台北市忠孝東路四段 201 號5F). (02) 2772 1000 or RSVP (0955) 904 600
★ Room 18 -- Wear a costume and get in free, sure, but that's just the beginning of Room 18's Wassup Halloween party. If your costume is judged one of the best, you' ll go home NT$30,000 wealthier, or toting a new Samsung phone, limited edition Camper or Y-3 product. Everyone who enters gets a fistful of "18 Dollars" to spend at the bar.
B1, 18 Songshou Rd, Taipei (台北市松壽路 18 號B1, Warner Village). (02) 2345 2778
★ Club 70s -- Masqueraders will dance to Analogue, E-Turn and Kill. NT$500 admission includes one drink. Door prize winners get a trip to Hong Kong for three days and two nights, including air fare and hotel, or a one-night romp at the local Wego.
12F, 138 Bade Rd, Sec 4, Taipei (台北市八德路四段138號12F). (02) 3762-1905
★ Brass Monkey -- The Monkey will get funky with a DJ paying tunes until late. No cover charge. NT$3,000 for the best costume and another NT$3,000 for the sexiest. Second and third place can each enjoy a case of Smirnoff Ice.
166, Fuxing N Rd, Taipei (台北市復興北路166號). (02) 2547 5050.
★ Carnegie's -- Dance on the bar for Carnegie's annual costume contest and you might win NT$10,000. No cover charge for the night and Smirnoff Black will cost NT$100 per bottle.
100, Anhe Rd, Sec 2, Taipei (台北市安和路二段 100號). (02) 2325 4433.
★ MOS -- Live dance act Infusion gets on stage from Down Under. The MOS mafioso have changed the dress code for the night. "Yes, you can wear a costume," their promo person said (and maybe get a "fine" gift) but you'll pay the usual NT$350.
310, Lequn 3rd Rd, Neihu, Taipei (台北市內湖區樂群三路310號). (02) 8502 1111.
★ Citizen Cain -- The good people at Citizen Cain will be even better with drink specials and a costume contest Saturday, but "the prizes are gonna be ... They're gonna be a surprise," management said.
67, Dongfeng St, Taipei (台北市東豐街 67 號). (02) 2708 4557.
★ Party Room -- No giveaways here but revelers can down tequila on the cheap, buy-one-get-one-free during the witching hour and again at the 2am hour. DJs Mikal, Noodle, Dino and Spikey spin all flavors of vinyl from pop to drum and bass. NT$500 entrance.
12F, 138 Bade Rd, Sec 4, Taipei (台北市八德路四段138號12F). (02) 3762 1289.
★ Dan Ryan's -- Your costume will earn you a free San Miguel. For those too shy to dress up, liquid courage comes cheap. Buy one San Miguel, get one free until doors close at 1:30am, then wear your tie on your head to the next party.
8 Dunhua N Rd, Taipei (台北市敦化北路 8號). (02) 2778-8800.
★ Chocolate and Love -- "Come as you are. We love you anyway," says the management, but with a costume you get a little more love. Free fruit punch on arrival. Devils get a free Lucifer, Satan's Gold or Duvel and those beers will be just NT$99 at midnight, as will all chocolate cocktails. Folks dressed in the same costume get two-for-one drinks all night. Stick around for the raffle later in the evening. No cover charge.
148, Xinyi Rd. Sec 4, Taipei (北市信義路四段148號). (02) 2705 9677.
★ Moon Island (Taichung) -- Chifunk will bring Witch's Brew to a boil with DJs Paul Energy from the UK, Rainbowarrior, Boyan from Budapest, the Nova Invaders and others. Heineken NT$100 and a special Halloween Long Island iced tea is NT$150. Free entrance to any lady dressed as a sexy witch and trick or treat prizes at the door. NT$300 entrance includes a free drink, but it's NT$200 if you're in costume.
181 Chaofu Rd, next to Tiger City in Taichung (台中市朝富路181號).
★ Nightmare: A Freakout (Taichung) -- On Saturday, MalFunktion's Freakout encompasses 200 free Bloody Marys at midnight and free candy all night long. Cheap drinks and freaky fresh funk from DJs Provisoir, Co-Star, Caddywampus and special guest Jane Doe.
The Londoner, 68 Gung Yi Rd, (near NOVA), Taichung.
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