Honey Parker’s Vampire Happy Hour returns to 100 Men Hall for book launch

Honey Parker will mark the release of her new novel, V-Life: The Outing, with the third annual Vampire Happy Hour on Oct. 29 at historic 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The free public event mixes a costume party, book signing and fundraiser for a scholarship fund supporting local young women of color.

Why it matters: - The free event turns a book launch into a community fundraiser tied to a historic Black music venue. - Donations will benefit the 100 WOMEN DBA scholarship fund for local young women of color. - The gathering also highlights 100 Men Hall’s role as a cultural space for multiple communities.

What happened: - Honey Parker is hosting the third annual Vampire Happy Hour on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. at 100 Men Hall, 303 Union Street, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. - The event celebrates the release of Parker’s new novel, V-Life: The Outing. - Admission is free and open to the public. - Costumes are encouraged. - The event runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - The celebration includes a book signing, costume contest, signature cocktails and garlic-heavy “anti-vampire” pizza. - Books will be for sale. - A cash bar will be available.

The details: - The costume contest grand prize is a character role in Parker’s next book. - Parker said the prize has become a big draw for attendees. - V-Life: The Outing is the third book in Parker’s V-Life series. - The series follows Sugar Bernstein, a Jewish New York advertising creative director who becomes a vampire and travels in a van. - In the new book, Sugar is living in self-imposed exile on Spain’s Costa del Sol, singing in a bar and avoiding contact with friends and family. - The story includes blackmail, bar fights, jail time and a Passover with attack dogs before Sugar returns home. - The book centers on whether Sugar will come out to her family as undead. - 100 Men Hall is a Mississippi Blues Trail landmark built in 1922 by the One Hundred Members' Debating Benevolent Association. - The venue was a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit during the Jim Crow era. - Performers who appeared there include Ray Charles, James Brown, B.B. King and Etta James. - Parker said owner Rachel Dangermond welcomed the event. - Parker and Dangermond discussed the shared history of Black and Jewish communities in the South and Dangermond’s vision for the hall as a place to celebrate all cultures. - The hall is supported by 100 WOMEN DBA, donations, sponsorships and rentals. - Dangermond purchased the hall in 2018 and revived its original 1894 charter as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Between the lines: - The event blends entertainment, local history and philanthropy in a setting with deep cultural significance. - Parker’s vampire series leans into humor and audience participation, which helps turn the launch into an experience rather than a standard reading. - The venue choice reinforces 100 Men Hall’s effort to broaden its mission beyond its original focus while preserving its musical legacy.

What's next: - Attendees can show up in costume and participate in the contest, signing and festivities on Oct. 29. - Donations during the event will support the scholarship fund. - Parker’s next book may include the costume contest winner as a character.