Itäó»s Halloweeeeeeeen! And while Fall may rarely show her true face down here in the tropics, itäó»s still a time for change, for exploration of the strange corners of the human experience äóñ and, of course, for giving yourself a good scare or two. Lucky for us, Pinellas has really come through this year, with a spectacular array of mind-bending forays and old-fashioned frights.
Boo!
Read No More Haunted House by Wordier Than Thou
Friday, Oct. 28, Multiple showings from 6 p.m.-9:25 p.m.
Maybe the most ambitious and unique local event in recent memory, this spooky evening will take visitors on a room-by-room tour of a Gothic mini-castle improbably secreted away in Gulfport. In each room, theyäó»ll be treated to a short play from local writers and actors.æTickets are $10 and can be purhased here.
The Wailing (2016), Eckerd College International Cinema Series
Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Korean cinema has experienced an amazing creative boom in the last decade äóñ with otherworldly violence, horror, and surrealism as a particular strong point. Hong-Jin Na is a relative latecomer to that wave, but his previous films have screened at Cannes while topping the South Korean Box Office. His new film promises a mix of visceral appeal and highbrow weirdness, as a rural Korean police officer investigates mysterious deaths that may be linked by a demonic force. Find more information about this free event here.
The Candy Factory Grand Opening
Saturday and Sunday Oct. 29 and 30, Evening, Bloom Art Center
On top of the scares, Halloween has become a favorite chance for adults to play dress-up. The massive team of sculptors and artists at Bloom Art Center are turning the huge studio space into a funhouse inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory äóñ dress up for the occasion, or just go bask in some off-the-wall creativity.æTickets are $7 and can be purchased here. Visit the Facebook event page for more info.
Dracula by Tampa Ballet Theatre
Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall
A ballet version of Dracula? Sure, why not äóñ in his original incarnation, the original bloodsucker was a creature of grace and seduction as much as horror. The creators of this version, which includes music from the same composer who scored the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola version, have committed to staying true to Stokeräó»s vision. Hopefully, that means a lot of beautiful, unnerving darkness. Tickets are $15-50 and can be purchased here.
Bonnie Raitt
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall
Once youäó»ve got all the spooks out of your system, why not fill that free space with some hot licks? Raitt is one of our finest blues singers and guitarists äóñ though amazingly, despite her down-home style, she was actually born in Burbank to Broadway star John Raitt, and raised a Quaker. Sheäó»s touring behind a new album Dig In Deep, and her last appearance here sold out, so act fast.æTickets are $65-165 and can be purchased here.
More Things Worth Doing:
Free Family Movie Night äóñ Hocus Pocus
Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
Natureäó»s Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland Street, Clearwater
Studio Shakespeare äóñ Titus Andronicus Reading
Saturday, Oct. 29, 7-9 p.m.
USF St. Petersburg Harbor Hall
National Novel Writing Month Write-In
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m.
Black Crow Coffee, 722 2nd St North, St. Petersburg
