Halloween things that’ll shock & awe
COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER
THRILLER DANCE CLASS
Find out what it takes to dance with the funk of forty thousand years. How? By getting your ghoulish groove on — as you attend this free class led by teachers from the new donation-based dance organization Liberated Movement. Instructors will break down Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” choreography until it’s so simple even zombies with no brains (except the ones they’re eating) will be able to learn! When you’re done, ease on down (or up) the road to the Village Halloween Parade and show off your moves. Free (donations accepted). Oct. 31, 6-7:30 p.m. at Battery Dance Studios (380 Broadway, 5th floor). For more info, visit www.liberatedmovement.com. Open dance classes are held every Tues., Thurs. and Sun. night.
GAY ZOMBIE: A GLAM ROCK MUSICAL
Ace of Clubs Theater and Matthew Fletcher are the twisted brainchildren behind this one-night-only high concept production that finally supplies downtown audiences with a show combining the how-he-got-this-way tale of homo zombie Tom with a love story, bloody stage effects and covers of music from dark side bands like AC/DC and Nine Inch Nails (performed by an all-zombie band). Wed., Oct. 27, 7 p.m., at Ace of Clubs Theater (9 Great Jones St. btw. Broadway & Lafayette). 21+ to attend. Your lucky ticket price of $13.13 includes one free cocktail. For reservations or info, 212-352-3101 or www.aceofclubsny.com.
THE STEAM POWERED HOUR HALLOWEEN SHOW
Hardcore Manhattanites who’ve warmed up to the reliably entertaining Steam Powered Hour should make the great leap over the bridge and through the looking glass for this seasonal show. Brooklyn’s Jalopy Theater and Theater of Music (aka The Jalopy) is the scene of their Halloween-themed offering. Award-winning horror writer Jack Ketchum — called “the scariest man in America” by Stephen King — reads two short stories accompanied by live illustrations by Matthew Diffee and Natalie Ascencios and music by Kris Gruen, Jacob Tilove, Rick Snell, Bridget Kearney and The Bowmans. Sun., Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at The Jalopy Theater (315 Columbia St. btw. Hamilton & Woodhull, in Brooklyn). For directions: www.jalopy.biz. For reservations, call 718-395-3214. For Steam Powered info, visit www.steampoweredhour.com.
HAUNTED HOUSES
NYC HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE
The scary freaks from Vortex Theater think they have a surefire way of scaring you — by making you walk, ALONE, through their haunted house (while you’re grabbed and groped by various monsters and psychos). There’s a “safe word” which, when uttered, will result in you being escorted outside — but who wants to live with that mark of shame? Those under 18 will not be admitted, and ALL patrons are required to
read the rules and sign the waiver before entering. Sounds pretty ominous, huh? (115 W. 27th St.) Tues. through Sun. For times, prices and more info, visit www.nychalloweenhauntedhouse.com.
BLOOD MANOR
What does it take to earn the self-proclaimed title of “New York’s Premiere Haunted Attraction?” They start with gallons and gallons (not just buckets) of blood, then add to the mix theme rooms where you encounter vampires, zombies and other seasonal icons who do a whole lot more than just jump out unexpectedly and yell “Boo.” Legend has it that only the very, very brave exit the house and live to tell without crying, vomiting or wetting themselves. Think you have the goods to emerge mentally unscathed? Think again! At 542 W. 27th St. Thurs. through Sun. For times, prices and more info, visit www.bloodmanor.com.
STEAMPUNK HAUNTED HOUSE: BEAUTIFUL DREAMER
Immerse yourself in a neo-Victorian experience that’s more about terrifying dreamscapes and elegant horrors than temp workers dressed like blood-soaked zombies. This edition of the Steampunk haunted house has the theme “Beautiful Dreamer.” Audiences will wander the premises until one by one, they find themselves alone. From that point on, you’re on your own. Will you be able to figure out how to navigate the twisting hallways, looming balconies and labyrinthine cellars? We hope so, because every manner of mechanical apparitions, wraithlike sleepwalkers and powered beasts will be trying to prevent your escape. Children under 8 won’t be admitted. It would probably damage them for life. Oct. 23, 29 & 30, 8-11:30 p.m. and Oct. 24, 27, 28 & 31, 6-9:30 p.m. at Abrons Arts Center of Henry Street Settlement (466 Grand St. at Pitt St.). Prices vary according to date (and student status). For info and to purchase tickets, visit www.steampunkhauntedhouse.com.
MERCHANT’S HOUSE MUSEUM
Why go to a “haunted house” full of corporeal folks running around in rubber masks? The Merchant’s House Museum, home to decades of genuine paranormal events, offers a scholarly yet stimulating history lesson concerning the building’s previous life as the residence of a prosperous merchant-class family (1835-1865). But come Oct., they host a few events that play up their well-earned reputation as “Manhattan’s most haunted house.” On Oct. 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30, the “Candlelight Ghost Tour” dishes on what paranormal investigations have uncovered. On Oct. 24 at 3 p.m., “From Parlor to Grave: 1865 Funeral Reenactment” recreates the 1865 funeral of Seabury Tredwell. On Oct. 31 at 7 & 9 p.m., “Spine Tingling & True: Ghost Stories of the Merchant’s House Museum” has resident ghost-storyteller Anthony Bellov reading selections from 19th century horror classics — and recounting highlights from his ongoing research into supernatural occurrences at MHM. Finally, through Nov. 29, “Memento Mori: The Birth & Resurrection of Postmortem Photography” traces its evolution in America. At 29 E. 4th St. btw. Lafayette & Bowery. For dates, times and reservations, Call 212-777-1089 or visit www.merchantshouse.org. Get your tickets NOW — these events always sell out fast.
KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS
FEAR: R.L. STINE & FRIENDS
Before there was J.K. Rowling, there was R.L. Stine — whose “Goosebumps” series of books have inspired a generation’s worth of sleepless nights. Meet the author (along with fellow creepy lit authors Jennifer Allison and Ryan Brown) when they appear (out of thin air) to promote the release of “Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror.” Stine edited the anthology, and all three authors contributed a story. Each of them will read their contribution, and all will be available to take questions from the audience and sign copies of their books. This event is appropriately frightening — and appropriate for ages 12 and up. This free event takes place Thurs., Oct. 28, 5-7 p.m. at Books of Wonder (18 W. 18th St.) For more info, call 212-989-3270 or visit www.booksofwonder.com.
FREE CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN COSTUME WORKSHOP
The name of the event says it all. Sat., Oct. 23, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Tompkins Square Library, third-floor Art Room (331 E. 10th St.).
HALLOWEEN HI-JINKS ON THE HIGH LINE
This Halloween celebration for families comes with a warning: Watch out for the giant spider that’s taken over the High Line! Even as you read these words, a group of mad scientists and schoolchildren from P.S. 3, P.S. 11, and P.S. 33 are working to create a 12-foot long spider puppet made of recycled materials. That gruesome creature will be installed in the rafters of the Chelsea Market Passage just in time for the Friends of the High Line Halloween event (a free party at which families can decorate spooky animal masks and dance to bluegrass music by the Cleek Schrey and the High Line Dance Band). Coming in costume is encouraged! Sun., Oct. 31, 1-4 p.m. at the Chelsea Market Passage (on the High Line, at W. 16th St.).
HalloWHOA!
Manhattan Youth and the Story Pirates present this silly and scary interactive haunted house. The 30-minute show (with special performances for both adults and kids under 5) will frighten and amuse, as you explore a world of secret passages and mind-bending puzzles. The audience will determine such plot points as whether the Wolfman howls at the moon or pours everyone tea and tells a story! Oct. 15 through Oct. 31, at the Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center (120 Warren St.). General admission is $40, with special packages available at $60 & $100. For tickets, visit www.hallowhoa.com or call 347-8-STORY-8.
SCREAMIN’ GREEN HALLOWEEN
The 30-foot high scarecrow, witch and skeleton are your first terrorizing trilogy of clues that the Winter Garden of Oct. 30 is more concerned with frightening icons of autumn than the benign snowflake-type imagery conjured up by its name. It’s still a family-friendly place to be, though, thanks to this eco-centric take on Halloween. Kids will make masks out of funky recycled and repurposed materials, providing them with a valuable lesson in creative reuse — while the costume swap lets you exchange last year’s costume for a gently-used and ready-to-wear one. Winners of games like “Bowling for Ghosts” and “Toss a Spider in the Brew” will get fair trade and organic treats and pumpkins and ghost temporary tattoos (printed on recycled paper!). The busy day will conclude with a Ghosts and Goblins Parade to Poets House — where spines will tingle during a reading of spooky poems (seasonal snacks will take the edge off). The World Financial Center Shops & Restaurants will offer Screamin’ Green Halloween specials and sales throughout the afternoon. Sat., Oct. 30, 12 – 4 p.m. at the World Financial Center Winter Garden (220 Vesey St.). FREE. For info, call 212-945-0505 or visit www.artsworldfinancialcenter.com.
