On Friday, Oct. 3, J.J. Brown Productions is bringing its legendary Vampyre’s Ball back to town—and this time, the darkness descends inside a twisted traveling circus. Hosted at North South Brewing Company, The Vampyre’s Ball: Circo della Notta promises an evening of murder, mayhem, and immersive theater unlike anything Fayetteville has ever experienced.
This is not just a show. It’s a world you’ll step into—where covens of vampyres lurk behind painted smiles, clowns hide daggers in their laughter, and every guest is a potential player in the mystery. The stakes are high, the characters are dangerous, and the only question is: will you survive the night, or become part of the story?
For Jennifer Johnson-Brown, owner of J.J. Brown Productions, the circus theme was a natural evolution for this year’s ball.
“I’ve always loved the circus—equal parts magic and menace,” she explains. “This year I wanted to lean into that duality, but twist it with vampyric flair. The idea of an Afro-Italian traveling circus allowed me to mix cultures, legends, and aesthetics into something that feels both otherworldly and dangerous, with a sense of glamour that hides the shadows underneath.”
Jennifer pulled inspiration from commedia dell’arte clown traditions, Somali fire rituals, and Slavic rusalka myths, layering folklore into her vampyric world. Each coven carries its own cultural echoes, giving the Ball a richness that feels both ancient and strangely possible—like these immortal beings could be walking among us, cloaked in human history.
The Vampyre’s Ball is being held at North South Brewing Company this year. The choice of venue is no accident. Jennifer has already collaborated with James and Alicia Orlando of North South Brewing Company earlier this year, and the partnership has grown into something extraordinary.
“Fayetteville deserves immersive theater that feels alive and immediate,” Jennifer says. “North South Brewing is intimate but electric—it can shift from warm and inviting to eerie and theatrical once the lights dim. Plus, their craft beer culture pairs perfectly with a night of mystery. You can sip something bold while unraveling the secrets of the covens.”
Every year, J.J. Brown Productions raises the stakes, and Circo della Notta is no exception. This year, the story centers on Ezra, the new President-Elect of the Vampyre Realm. But his leadership is fragile, and every coven under the Big Top has a motive to see him fall. Betrayal, vengeance, and ambition pulse through the circus, and it’s up to the guests to untangle the truth. Characters are more interconnected than ever. From Velislava, a vampyric rusalka whose mythic presence chills the blood, to Amberline, the sad clown with a broken heart and hidden blade, each suspect is layered with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
So how do guests go from spectators to participants? Jennifer’s answer is simple: the show is built around them.
“We build the show around them. Guests interrogate the suspects twice, which means their questions actively shape the story's unfolding narrative. Choosing a coven and Vampyre name gives them identity, purpose, and loyalty in the story, and dressing as a Vampyre themselves takes it to the next level—it makes the circus feel alive, filled with immortals from every corner of the realm.”
By the end of the show, participants don't just feel like they've attended a show; they feel like they've lived inside a mystery. This approach means no two nights are ever the same. The scripted framework—murder, suspects, and motives—anchors the story, but the improvisation between actors and guests ensures every performance takes on a unique life of its own.
Of course, no Vampyre’s Ball is complete without indulgence. North South Brewing will craft a specialty drink designed to feel like it was poured straight from a coven’s chalice. Guests will also receive a Vampyre Portrait, captured in dramatic style to immortalize their chosen identity.
“We’re even working on coven-themed keepsakes,” Jennifer says, “so people can carry their Vampyre name home with them. It turns the night from an event into a memory.”
Tickets are $35 for singles and $55 for duos. For those who want more, the Celebration Ticket upgrade promises extra gifts, drinks, and personalized touches. Pair it all with an exclusive menu from Bella Nonna, the on-site food truck, and you’ve got a feast fit for vampyres and mortals alike.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/bddhxzv6.
Beyond thrills and theatrics, Jennifer sees The Vampyre’s Ball as an important contribution to Fayetteville’s growing arts and entertainment landscape.
“Fayetteville is alive with creativity, but The Vampyre’s Ball offers something rare: fully immersive, interactive theater. This isn’t a show where you sit back and watch—it’s one you step into with both feet,” says Jennifer.
“It adds a new dimension to the arts scene here. We’re blending live theater, improv, folklore, and community engagement into one electrifying experience that feels equal parts performance, game, and ritual.”
The Vampyre’s Ball: Circo della Notta is more than a performance—it’s an invitation to step into a living story where horror meets humor, secrets meet spectacle, and you become part of the mystery itself. From the clink of your chalice to the whispers of your coven, every detail pulls you deeper into a world where nothing is as it seems.
Will you uncover the truth? Or will you become just another secret under the circus tent? Gather your coven, sharpen your instincts, and prepare for a night that will haunt your memory long after the lights dim. The big top awaits.