From fabulous to frightening, here’s our list of the best events in town
By Laura Latzko - Oct. 23, 2014
Halloween brings out the best the Gayborhood has to offer, from girls and ghouls to guys and glam. Depending on what you’d like your fright night to look like, there are countless ways to celebrate the sexiest, spookiest night of the year (not to mention the days surrounding Freaky Friday 2014), so here are a few idea to get you started:
Through Nov. 1: The Crypt and Asylum Haunted Attractions, Mesa
For those who dare enter, The Crypt and Asylum Haunted Attractions offers a tour through a 1870s inspired mental institution and a graveyard for the undead. Characters of nightmares, including movie villains and chainsaw-wielding psychos, will chase you down through the maze.
Through Nov. 2: Night of the Living Dead at Theater Works, Peoria
Experience a gripping, terror-filled monochromatic play that brings all the fright of the cult classic to life in Night of the Living Dead, presented by Theater Works. In this story, of an apocalyptic world where zombies roam the Earth, seven characters encounter the blood-thirsty zombies while trapped inside a farmhouse together. This blend of thrilling horror laced with touches of black humor unfolds into a shocking theatrical ending.
Oct. 24-31: My Favorite Monster October Film Series at FilmBar, Phoenix
As part of its My Favorite Monster October Film Series, FilmBar will feature movie villains such Louis and Lestat from Anne Rice’s vampire novels, the Gremlins and Michael Myers from the Halloween series. The movie theater will show the original 1978 version of Halloween Oct. 28-31, see website for other titles and show times.
Back by popular demand, Arizona Pro Arte presents an immersive movie-going experience by combining classical music and a live orchestra with the cult silent film Nosferatu. The orchestra will play music from Antonin Dvorak, Johannes Brahms and Richard Wagner during the single-night performance.
Oct. 25: Re-Awakening at BS West, Scottsdale
Join WILLAM, American actor, drag performer and recording artist, known for
Oct. 31: Sleuths and Spies Dance Party, Scottsdale
As part of its Covert Operations: Investigating the Known Unknown exhibit, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art hosts the Sleuths and Spies Dance Party. Attendees are invited to show off their best moves and their favorite spy costumes in the dance and costume contests. Dressed as Gus Fring from Breaking Bad, East Valley DJ Mr. P-Body plans to get the party started with Halloween hits.
Oct. 31: Gotham City Halloween Party, Scottsdale
Enter a world of intrigue, complete with tall skylines, simmering potholes and a staircase tunnel adorned with bats, during the Gotham City Halloween Party at the W Scottsdale Hotel. The party will include themed characters costumed, including Bruce Wayne and his butler; live jazz music from Serop Live with Dayweather; a Joker-themed DJ booth with music from DJ Knick Knack; and a Batman spotlight to make the Gotham City come alive.
Oct. 31: Witches Ball: A Nightmare in Candyland at The Rock, Phoenix
The Grand Canyon Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present the seventh annual “Witches Ball: A Nightmare in Candyland,” a charity event for Logan’s Playground. Lady Christian, Empress VI of the Imperial Court of Arizona, hosts the event, which will also feature performances from sisters and local drag queens, including Olivia Gardens, Pepper Mill, Sister Bearie de Lishus and Sophia Sinclair, as well as a costume contest.
Oct. 31: Monsters Ball at the Alwun House, Phoenix
A month of Halloween events at the Alwun House finishes with he annual Monsters Ball, a costume ball with music from the rockabilly zombies surf bands The Sinisters and The Mod Zombies. During charity event, guests can peruse Monsters Menagerie, an exhibit filled with macabre pieces from local artists.
Oct. 31: Ghouls Night Out at the Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale
International female DJ duo Whiplash brings high-energy sounds and a performance for Ghouls Night Out at the Hotel Valley Ho. DJ Mad Hatter will kick the night off and guests dressed in sexy or scary attire are invited enter to win $1,000 for best costume prize and two-night hotel stay and spa service prizes for individual costume categories.
Oct. 31: The Fourth Annual Halloween Ball at the Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix
On Halloween night, Sean Watson hosts his fourth annual Halloween Ball at the Crescent Ballroom. The event will feature music from Watson, electronic dance music artist Body Tricks and DJ My Funeral. As part of the dance and costume party, guests can enter to win gift and ticket prizes.
Oct. 25-31: Weird Science Halloween 2014 at the Arizona Science Center, Phoenix
Throughout the month of October, the Arizona Science Center will host a variety of Halloween-inspired events as part of Weird Science Halloween 2014, including a zombie walk (Oct. 25); a fake wounds workshop (Oct. 26); and a session on the center’s creeping and crawling animals (Oct. 31). The planetarium’s daily Nightwalk features dark caves, graveyards and haunted attractions with spiders, bats and otherworldly creatures.
Nov. 1 Day of the Dead Dance Party at Tongue Tied, Phoenix
Tongue Tied! presents a Day of the Dead-inspired dance party with live artist Dumperfoo, sugar skull face painting, Day of the Dead merchandise, a trivia contest with prizes from FilmBar, party favors from Zia Records, a photo booth from Refined Media, the Dave Driscoll Dance Machine and costume contest. DJs Funkfinger an Roya will spin their favorite ’80s, ’90s, indie, funk, soul and Motown music on two dance floors while and Tricky T, from Motown On Mondays Phoenix, takes over the patio at Apollo's lounge (click here for more information).
Nov. 1-2: FEARCON at Fear Farm, Phoenix
Arizona’s largest independent horror film event will include screenings of Berkshire County, Blood Runs Black, Circus of the Dead, Dorchester’s Revenge: The Return of Crinoline Head, The House of Forbidden Secrets and Mar Negro, as well as aerial and burlesque performances, panel discussions, various presentations, a costume contest and more.
Making plans to attend an even not listed here? Let us, and our readers, know by adding it in the comments below.