HIGH LINE HAUNTED HALLOWEEN | Ghosts of the past come to life for a fall afternoon of mild frights, sweet surprises, and haunted history lessons that harken back to when freight trains ran at street-level on 10th Ave. — causing so many collisions that the area became known as “Death Avenue.” To prevent pedestrians from becoming ghosts, “West Side Cowboys” used to ride their horses in front of trains, to warn of approaching traffic. Some of them will return on Oct. 24, along with other historical characters from the neighborhood’s industrial era (and instead of giving warnings, they’ll be handing out treats). So come in costume and get into the spirit, as you trick-or-treat and participate in frighteningly fun free activities that include face painting, a photo booth, a puppet show by Penny Jones & Co., horn-powered tunes from The Rad Trads, the spooky storytelling of April Armstrong, Caribbean-influenced brass hip-hop music by Bombrasstico, and sweet treats (Day of the Dead cookies! Hot chocolate! Pumpkin pie ice cream!) from fiendishly creative vendors La Newyorkina, Melt Bakery, and Terroir at the Porch.
Free. Open to all ages (costumes encouraged!). Sat., Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on the High Line (btw. W. 14th St. & W. 17th St. Enter via the stairs or elevators at W. 14th or W. 16th Sts.). For info, visit thehighline.org or call 212–206-9922.
WIN TICKETS TO “THE VELVETEEN RABBIT” | The Atlantic Theater Company begins its 2015/2016 “Atlantic for Kids” season with a world premiere musical adaptation of “The Velveteen Rabbit.” Long before the days of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the nursery toy characters of author Margery Williams Bianco helped children explore matters of longing, loss, wisdom, and friendship. A young cast brings life to the book’s beloved tug boat, wooden lion, porcelain doll and sawdust-stuffed rabbit, as they explore what it means to be real. A talkback session after each performance offers kids the chance to interact with cast members and discuss the themes of the play. For the chance to win four tickets to the Nov. 1 show, send an email to Scott@ChelseaNow.com. Include a daytime contact number. The winner will be notified on Oct. 26.
Best suited for ages 3 to 9. Sat. & Sun. at 10:30 a.m., through Nov. 1. At Atlantic Theater Company’s The Linda Gross Theater (336 W. 20th St. btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.). Not content to take your chances on our raffle? Call 866-811-4111 or visit atlantictheater.org to purchase tickets ($15 for ages 10 and under, $20 for adults, with group discounts available).
BLESSING OF ANIMALS AT CHELSEA COMMUNITY CHURCH | The nondenominational Chelsea Community Church (CCC) is really serious about that “all are welcome” policy — especially when it comes to their annual Blessing of Animals service, where the pews are full of paws (and feathers, and even scales).
The guest speaker is Eric Barsness, of Puppies Behind Bars — a program that trains prison inmates to raise service dogs. Tenor Otto Walberg, the service’s longtime lay leader, will perform a new song composed by singer-songwriter and guitarist Phil Marsh, who will accompany Walberg. On Nov. 1, the church celebrates its 40th year with a service that includes special music and an overview of CCC’s history.
The Blessing of Animals service takes place on Sun., Oct. 18 at 12 p.m. at St. Peter’s Chelsea (346 W. 20th St. btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.). Free (a collection will be taken). Visit chelseachurch.org and puppiesbehindbars.com.
HIGH LINE OPEN STUDIOS SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Finding out how the hamburger’s made will be as much fun as having it for lunch — when over 60 artists peel back the curtain to reveal their creative process, and allow you to walk away with a deal on stuff from their studio inventory. The High Line Open Studios event provides the chance to get a glimpse of artist workspaces, along the High Line between the Westbeth Artists building and the West Chelsea Arts building.
Sat. & Sun., Oct. 17–18, 12–6 p.m. The self-guided tour starts at the West Chelsea Arts building (508–526 W. 26th St. btw. 10th & 11th Aves.), where visitors can pickup tour maps and info on participating artists. Visit highlineopenstudios.org.
–BY SCOTT STIFFLER
