Janelle Monáe embraces HalloQueen role, creating an empire where art and freedom collide in October

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Janelle Monáe has transformed Halloween into a creative empire with her HalloQueen events. The artist blends play, performance and purpose in a monthlong celebration. This week, the festivities include Vampire Beach at the Santa Monica Pier and the annual Wondaween party. Monáe's love for Halloween began with dressing up and has grown into a movement of self-expression. The events, like the DJ set at Cinespia, capture the essence of Monáe’s artistic universe. Monáe hopes to expand HalloQueen to other cities, keeping the spirit alive year-round. Monáe’s creative foundation began with the Wondaland collective, co-founded with Nate “Rocket” Wonder and Chuck Lightning in Atlanta. That community of musicians, writers and filmmakers evolved into a multidisciplinary hub for world-building.

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