From tame to terrifying, All Saints’ Eve events offer something for everyone.By Nancy Ford
Sure, ’tis the season for myriad haunted houses staffed by Gothy theater majors plastered with fake blood and latex appliances to provide predictable thrills and chills. But this year, seasonal Satan worshippers and blood drinkers also have a list of Halloween events to choose from that’s longer than your partially severed arm, each crafted to satisfy every demonic craving. (Cue blood-curdling scream.)
Gentlemen, Start Your High Heels. As if the annual Pacific Street Halloween Block Party weren’t raucous enough already, this year patrons of Charles Armstrong Investments’ bars can look forward to the 1st Annual 800 Pacific Street High Heel Drag Race. Modeled after the notorious Washington, DC, Drag Queen Street Race, this new Montrose version is hosted by Houston’s own Kofi and legendary performer and adult entertainment producer Chi Chi LaRue. Cash prizes and trophies go to first-, second-, and third-place winners. Oct. 31; registration, 9–9:45 p.m.; race, 10 p.m. 800 block of Pacific Street.
Island Ghosts. Explore Galveston’s haunted history with three intriguing tours. Ashton Villa, Galveston Harbor, and the Broadway Cemeteries are the paranormal playgrounds. Presented by Galveston Historical Foundation. Fridays in October. galvestonhistory.org • 409/765-7834.
Horrorpalooza. Charles Band, whose 300-plus films have established him as one of Hollywood’s most successful and prolific cult movie impresarios, brings the fourth incarnation of his Full Moon Horror Road Show to Houston. Highlights include special effects, killer creatures, rare footage, and surprise guests, and a chance to be “killed” by electrocution in a scene from Band’s upcoming production: GingerdeadMan 3: Saturday Night Cleaver. Oct. 8. Meridian Theatre, 1503 Chartres St. • fullmoondirect.com • 713/225-1717.
Project Runway, Montrose Style. Costume designer Fernando Zamudio uses found objects and old clothes to take you from off-the-rack bland to Halloween drag fabulousness. Presented by Unhinged Productions. Oct. 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Houston GLBT Community Center, 3400 Montrose Blvd. • houstonglbt
communitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
Dia de los Muertos. Lawndale Art Center continues its long-held Mexican tradition of celebrating Day of the Dead in a contemporary context with an open call, non-juried art exhibition, Oct. 19–Nov. 7. LAC’s Gala and Silent Auction is scheduled Oct. 23, 7–9 p.m. Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main St. • lawndaleartcenter.org • 713/528-5858.
Halloween Carnival. Children and adults alike enjoy Halloween festivities like pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, a costume parade, and a hayride. Oct. 24, 12–4 p.m. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive in Memorial Park • houstonarboretum.org • 713/681-8433.
Makeup 101. Makeup artist Brice Cochran and drag performer Marcia Mink share makeup tips to give your face a trick-or-treat look. Presented by Unhinged Productions. Oct. 26, 7–9 p.m. Houston GLBT Community Center, 3400 Montrose Blvd. • houstonglbt
communitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
Nightmare in Venice. Considered by some to be the Rolling Stones of early music, Piers Adams rocks the recorder with Red Priest, performing Vivaldi’s Nightmare Concerto,Tartini’s Devil’s Trill sonata, masque music by Robert Johnson, Gluck’s Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Leclair’s Demon Airs, and Red Priest’s own Fantasia on Corelli’s La Follia. Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., with a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1015 Holman St. • houstonearlymusic.org • 713-432-1744.
(Un)nature Hike. Halloween Wine & Cheese Night Hike includes readings from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Adults only. Oct. 30, 7–9 p.m. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive in Memorial Park • houstonarboretum.org • 713/681-8433.
Green Scream. Costumed guests compete in adult, children, and even dog contests while enjoying Halloween treats and scary music at Discovery Green’s 2nd annual Scream on the Green. Entertainment includes Puppet Pizazz, living statues, roller-skating car-hop girls, fortune tellers, and face painters. Oct. 31, 6–11 p.m. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. • discoverygreen
.com • 713/400-7336
Black and White and Boo All Over. Celebrate Halloween with a double
feature of classic horror flicks, the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff and Colin Clive. Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. Miller Outdoor Theatre, 100 Concert Dr. in Hermann Park • milleroutdoortheatre.com •
281/373-3386.
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