Camden Market casts new spell FEATURE

Fans of 'Twilight' would-be fairy queens, Goths, punks and anybody looking for a very special costume should head to Camden Town Market in London. for a unique and somewhat overwhelming shopping experience in England's largest outdoor marketplace. We present a mini-tour of the marketplace and some nearby attractions.

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Goth, Vampire Chic call it what you will. If you're looking for a Halloween outfit that says, "Queen or Lord of the Damned," London's Camden Town Market is the place to be. Once a center for punk styles, Camden Town is sporting a new Goth meets Renfest look: leather, studs and spikes married to black lace, red ribbons and distressed gauze. It's the perfect place to buy a gift for a "Twilight" fan or to shop for the Bad Faeries' Ball.

The look originated at the Black Rose in the Stables Market and is epitomized at Camden Town stores such as Darkside, "The legendary gothic/cyber clothing store," at 245 Camden High Street, and Elizium, which has several locations in Camden Town. For Asian-influenced personas, Camden Town stalls offer a wealth of clothing and jewelry from India and China. Steam punk Faeries can perfect their looks at Cyberdog, plus there is a myriad of stalls selling pocket watches, vintage clothing and serious boots.

Camden Town Market is more than just an emporium for would-be Goths, "Twilight" fans and Bad Faeries. It combines several markets in one location. Each market is targeted to a different audience, but they all offer food, clothing and crafts.

The Stables Market is noted for Goth and "alternative" apparel. Camden Lock Market specializes in arts and crafts. The Inverness Street Market was a traditional fruit and vegetable market, but is now diversifying with tee shirts and craft items added to the mix. Camden Canal Market is a smaller market alongside the canal whose stalls offer t-shirts, clothing, street food from a wide variety of cuisines, and miscellaneous stuff. The seating area can't be beat; diners get to sit alongside the canal on recycled motorcycle seats. A huge international food market is held here on Sundays. Camden (Buck Street) is opposite the Inverness Street Market. This market primarily sells t-shirts, shoes, clothing and jewelry. There are also plenty of stalls and stores on Camden High Street.

In each of the markets, the stalls and stores feature outsize sculptures of everything from dragons to flying shoes. This, combined with huge weekend crowds sporting "alternative fashion" ensembles, creates an almost overwhelmingly surrealistic streetscape. Luckily, a canal runs through the heart of Camden Town. When the crowds and the shopping get too intense, you can escape within minutes to the scenic canal-side park, or enjoy canal cruises to the London Zoo and Little Venice.

Once you've pieced together your costume, consider enriching your knowledge of goblins, ghouls, fairies and folklore at Cecil Sharp House. This is the headquarters of the English Folksong and Dance Society (www.efdss.org/).

At Cecil Sharp House, you can learn about authentic folk traditions and the rituals, songs and dances that are associated with them. It's not all scholarship there, however. Cecil Sharp House hosts a Tuesday evening folk club, regular dances and concerts and also provides classes on a wide variety of traditional dances, musical instruments and singing styles. You can do folklore research in the extensive library, buy dvds, cds, books and magazines at the shop, and socialize at the "Nice Green Caf" bar and natural food restaurant. Once a year, the organization holds a special contest for Folk Idol. Contestants must wear false beards and sing a classic folk song. The winner receives the coveted Folk Idol Cup and the competition is featured on BBC Radio 4's "Today" Programme. Cecil Sharp House is located at 2 Regent's Park Road, Camden Town, at the intersection of Regents Park Road and Gloucester Road. It is about a ten-minute walk from the Camden Town Tube Station.

Camden Town Market is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are the peak days.

Tube: Camden Town and Chalk Farm (Northern Line)

There's also a nearby stop on the London overground (Camden Road Station).

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