Don’t hate Mondays: Halloween isn’t a one-day wonder in 2016
Halloween Events| by Gregory Beatty
Halloween is on a Monday this year. Okay. There’s a couple ways to look at this.
THE DOWNSIDE: Monday Halloween sucks. The best party of the year and you have to get up for work or school the next day? If you do the night up proper, with midnight (and later) shenanigans, you’ll show up for Tuesday adulting looking like death. And not the fun, spooky death. Hungover, surly, look-at-me-and-you-die death. Boo.
THE UPSIDE: Instead of whining, let’s look at the big picture. What we lose in one-day party power we gain in multi-day revelry. Put another way: if we treat Halloween 2016 as a multi-day fear funstival, well, we’ll be just finnne. So grab a costume, prime your liver and prepare for the best time you’ll find on the 2016 calendar.
It’s all in your attitude. The Great Pumpkin awaits! Don’t disappoint it.
Thursday 27
EVENTS
THE MOON AT MIDNIGHT I’m not promising major thrills/chills with this New Dance Horizons’ production, but in addition to exploring issues related to the body, aging and injury, cheesy Godzilla movies were a source of inspiration for choreographer Amber Borotsik. CanSask Soundstage, 8 p.m., Oct. 28 at 1:30 and 8 p.m. See newdancehorizons.ca.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Remount of the classic horror/camp musical presented by Sterling Productions. Conexus Convention Hall, 8 p.m. See conexusartscentre.ca.
DEAD ZONE: A HAUNTED MAZE If you haven’t seen this “Carnevil” of horrors yet, or perhaps want to revisit its nightmares, you’ve still got a few days. 560 Dewdney Ave. E., Oct. 27-31. See deadzoneregina.weebly.com.
AL BENESOCKY’S “SHOCK HOUSE” This is billed as Saskatchewan’s longest running haunted attraction, and organizers promise plenty of thrills and scares. 221 Winnipeg St. N. Oct. 27-31. See theshockhouse.com.
Friday 28
EVENTS
7 SNAKES, 7 SINS Costumes aren’t mandatory for this science-themed party, but they’re welcome. And there’s no need to supply your own snake either, as the Royal Saskatchewan Museum has that covered courtesy its exhibit Snakes of Saskatchewan. (Seriously Whitworth, don’t bring your snakes) Start time: 7:30 p.m. See royalsaskmuseum.ca.
SINISTER SWING DANCE PARTY Probably the most famous Halloween dance is Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash”. Here, west coast swing is the dance style of choice. Victoria Club (1300 Victoria Ave.), 8:30 p.m. See operationswing.ca.
MUSIC
HALLOWEEN TRIBUTE This promises to be a fun night as local musicians “band” together to perform songs by punk/hardcore legends The Misfits, Descendents, Dangers and Ceremony. O’Hanlon’s Pub.
HALLOW’S EVE BOOGIE Featured are local bands Fancy Diamonds, Lunar Lander Dance Commander and Brodie Moniker. German Club.
HALLOWEEN APOCALYPSE Four bands on the bill: League of One, Gods Fear, The 86s and Grim. And a costume contest too. Cloud 9, doors at 8 p.m.
OWL-O-WEEN Halloween party with drink specials at the newly renovated campus bar. Costumes encouraged. The Owl. See theowl.ursu.ca.
Saturday 29
EVENTS
FRANKENSTEIN This National Theatre adaptation of Mary Shelley’s story is directed by Danny Boyle and stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller as Dr. Frankenstein and the monster. Cineplex Cinemas, 12:30 p.m. See cineplex.com.
MONSTERS, MASKS & MOUNTIES This family-friendly event features a hall of horrors, gruesome games, creepy crafts and a costume exchange. RCMP Heritage Centre, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See rcmphc.com.
A NIGHT OF HALLOWEEN & HORROR Promoters Practical Pioneer Films promise an evening of horror, suspense, comedy and candy. Attendees are invited to dress as their favourite Hollywood character. Artesian, doors at 7 p.m. See artesianon13th.ca.
HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY Family-friendly party with games, face-painting, treats and a haunted house. Albert Scott Community Centre, 6-11 p.m. Proceeds to Buffalo People Arts Institute and New Dance Horizons programs. 306-536-3397.
FILM
FEAST OF FILM & FEAR Features two classic horror comedies: Lost Boys (7 p.m.) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (8:45 p.m.). Saskatchewan Science Centre. See sasksciencentre.com.
MUSIC
HALLOWEEN HOWL Presented by 104.9 the Wolf with AC/DC and Aerosmith tribute acts and local rockers Sonic Orchid. Turvey Centre. See thewolfrocks.com.
A CELTIC HALLOWEEN The Tilted Kilts supply the music, while Bushwakker supplies the Great Pumpkin Spiced Brown Ale and prizes for a costume contest. See bushwakker.com.
HALLOWEEN PARTY Tunes for this shindig are by the tribute act The Glass Onions. Should be a fab night. Lancaster Taphouse.
HALLOWEEN BASH Entertainment by a band of pirates called Big Bad Storm. Broadway’s Lounge.
HALLOWEEN CABARET Call Me Mildy is the musical guest. St. Anne’s Hall.
HALLOWEEN SALSA PARTY Features prizes and drink specials and lots of hot dancing. Regina Salseros (1501 11th Ave.), 8:30 p.m. $5.
MONSTER MASH FOR MS This fundraiser features a dance party, karaoke and a costume contest. German Club, 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 door.
THE FREAKERS BALL Bands are Big Muddy and 306. Austrian Club.
Sunday 30
EVENTS
ALL HALLOW’S EVE EXPRESSIONIST EXTRA VAGANZA! Features a cabaret of visual art, music, photography and live performance inspired by madness, betrayal, fantasy and horror. People should dress in c. 1920s attire, and gather at 1945 Scarth at 7:45 p.m. to be led to the Underworld. See caligari.ca.
WASCANA SPOOKTACULAR Features a haunted house like other Halloween events, but also has a nature program suitable for all ages, along with prizes for best costumes. Free. Wascana Place (2900 Wascana Dr.), noon-3 p.m. See wascana.ca.
BUMP IN THE NIGHT Family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring Victorian-era games, crafts and a magic show. Government House, 6-7:30 p.m.
FILM
HALLOWEEN MOVIE PARTY Hosted by Casey Foundation for Autism Support, includes a costume contest and screening of the child-friendly short, Scared Shrekless, at 6 p.m. and a screening of the not-so-child-friendly The Conjuring 2 (14A) at 7 p.m. Saskatchewan Science Centre. See thecaseyfoundation.org.
Monday 31
EVENTS
FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY Hosted by Cathedral Neighbourhood Association, with games, crafts and refreshments. Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, 5:30-7:30 p.m. See cathedralvillage.org.
MUSIC
HALLOWEEN PARTY O’Hanlon’s has a Halloween blowout on Friday. But for purists out there who insist on celebrating on Oct. 31, Winnipeg power- rockers Moon Tan will do the honours. O’Hanlon’s Pub.
Tuesday 2
EVENT
PUMPKIN PARADE Take your jack-o-lantern to Maple Leaf Park for one final Halloween hurrah. Hosted by Heritage Community Association. Pumpkin drop-off at 5 p.m.
Friday 4
FILM
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE This 1974 Brian De Palma musical horror-comedy-thriller was a flop everywhere, except … Winnipeg, where it played for four months straight. Now it’s considered a classic. What did those weirdos see that no one else did? Studio 7 at the Rainbow, 9:30, $10, no passes.
Saturday 5
EVENT
PRAIRIE NIGHT LANTERN PROCESSION This event recalls the German tradition of St. Martin’s Procession which brings light into the world during a season of darkness. New Dance Horizons, Prairie Puppet Underground, Das Schulhaus and Saskatchewan Science Centre are the participating partners. There’s a free lantern-making workshop from 1-5 p.m., and the procession begins at 5 p.m. See caligari.ca.
