Dancing, celebration, fun, can have consequences. Here are some things to remember for this Hallow's Eve celebration.

When it is that time of the year, we as dancers, professionals in the workplace, and entertainers want to dress up as someone that we adore, or scares others. It is all fun (it should be), but as I learned this past weekend, others may have bad intentions.

We dress up. That is part of Halloween, or Samhain, a more sacred event celebrated around the same time. Is it for fun? Is it for ritual? That my dear depends on you. As dancers, professionals and entertainers, we want to separate ourselves from the daily routines. Dancers usually have many costumes at hand, entertainers know how to put a Halloween costume together, and professionals in the workplace, will seek out that special costume.

Never, never, did I say never? Never let your guard down. I was at the Texas Ren. Fest two weekends ago. I had a great time, I dressed up in my Gypsy belly dance outfit, talked with great friends, and then later, I learned my sisters were attacked by a man dressed up in the Keith Ledger/Joker costume. One dancer told me, "this was a lesson, we should never let our guard down".

Now mind you, I don't want to ruin anyone's fun, but as women, as dancers in costume, we need to take special care. When attending a party, make sure you are in a group. Let someone know that you will be drinking, having fun, and that you will not be able to drive. Let someone know that you know only the people who invited you. If someone else walks out with you, who you don't know, as observed by others, there is an alert.

We take things for granted. I learned this well. That night that the incident happened, I walked to my car, by myself. I had my belly dance outfit on. At Texas Ren Fest, there are nothing but trees, no light, and well, not that much security in the "parking area (the forest)". It was only later that I received a notice about the "Keith Ledger Joker" incident. It could have been me. It could have been anyone.

Halloween is about fun, celebration, but do not, I repeat, do not let your guard down.