A Taxidermy Competition Takes the Stage for One Night
A one-night taxidermy contest at The Bell House, with a No Ring Circus sideshow, drag, and a taxidermy auction on the bill.
🦌 The Main Event
🔬 What Gets Judged
Wunderkammer is a taxidermy showcase staged as a competition. It is open to everyone from anywhere, regardless of experience, and selected taxidermists bring their most inventive mounts to the Bell House, where a judging panel that includes Kate Clark and George Dante names a Best in Show plus first and second runner-up. Entries fall into named categories, among them Unnatural History for mythical beasts and hybrids, Anthropomorphic Animals, and Bone Zone for skeletal and bone art, alongside Wearable Wunderkammer and Wild Card. Pieces are judged on artistic execution and creative vision, and every category is eligible for Best in Show.
🎪 Between the Entries
Hosts Justin Fornal and Divya Anantharaman carry the night between entries. The No Ring Circus performs a ritual sideshow, a drag set takes the same stage, and the program lists a special appearance by Taxidermy Auction. Curious cocktails run through the night, and every ticketed guest gets a gift at the door from Bazaar Baltimore. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, though identity-concealing face paint or masks, weapons and weapon replicas, sharp jewelry, and clothing or toys that could cause harm are not allowed. Only early bird buyers are entered in the raffle for taxidermy and prizes from Morbid Anatomy, Gotham Taxidermy and Bazaar Baltimore.
🎟️ Getting In
Doors open at 7 PM for an 8 PM start, and the night runs until about 11 PM. The show is 21 and over, and staff check a valid government-issued photo ID at the door. Early bird tickets are $30 and general admission is $37; both are base prices, Ticketmaster adds service fees, and the final amount is set at checkout. Early bird tickets are limited and can sell out well before show night. Seating is mixed with standing, first come, first served, with no seat guaranteed, so early arrival gives the best pick. F, G and R trains stop at 4 Av–9 St, a short walk from 149 7th St. The Bell House is wheelchair accessible, and accessibility or reserved-seating requests go to nyc.wunderkammer@gmail.com before the show.
