[ad_1]
It’s officially the climax of Spooky Season. Halloween will be here in just a few days. The neighborhoods are full of 10-feet-tall skeletons and doorstops are festooned with jack-o-lanterns providing yummy treats for our rodent friends. The nights are getting longer, a chill is in the air, pumpkin spice is the flavor du jour, and everything feels just a tad darker, creepier, more menacing, but also so much more fun for that thrill of danger. Let’s embrace that darkness together.
In 2007’s cult classic film Trick r’ Treat (playing at Alamo Drafthouse on Oct. 30), the cutely costumed demon Sam torments those who break the sacred rules of Halloween, such as denying candy to trick-or-treaters or those who blow out their jack-o-lanterns before midnight. If we could add one more cardinal Halloween sin, it would be staying in when there are so many wonderfully wicked ways to celebrate All Hallows Eve throughout the DMV this weekend. We have rounded up a few of our favorite tricks and treats below.
Night of the Living Dead at Rorschach Theatre
Zombies have taken over a former retail space near Farragut North. In this site-specific reimagining of George Romero’s classic 1968 film, Night of the Living Dead, adapted by Christopher Bond, Dale Boyer, and Trevor Martin, and directed by Lilli Hokama, Rorschach Theatre presents a biting horror comedy tribute to die for. Following the basic plot of the original—a group of strangers enter an old building and try to ward off the undead—the play transforms a postmodern drama that offers a context for the film’s making and looks at how Night of the Living Dead forever changed horror films. “But it is also very funny,” assures Jenny McConnell Frederick, Rorschach’s artistic director. The storefront-turned-theater space will also feature an exhibit dedicated to the history of Night of the Living Dead, and another exploring the monsters who have graced Rorschach’s stages over the past quarter-century. “People are welcome to come in costume. It isn’t required, but we are always supportive of that,” shares McConnell Frederick about the special Halloween night performance and Halloween weekend’s pay-what-you-can previews. “It should just be a really fun night, both for people who really love the movie, but also for people who are just kind of discovering it. And it’s not immersive theater, so audiences should not be afraid of being eaten.” Night of the Living Dead runs through Nov. 19, with pay-what-you-can previews at 8 p.m. on Oct. 27 through 29 and a special Halloween performance at 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at 1020 Connecticut Ave. NW. rorschachtheatre.com. $10–$50.
Haunted Soiree: A Macabre Cocktail Party
This immersive theatrical production and cocktail party offers an elevated take on the typical haunted house. Held at the Whittemore House, a grand historic mansion in Dupont Circle, this year’s Halloween production, The Vega Haunting, is loosely based on Spanish folklore and painter Francisco Goya’s tortured final Black Paintings. Guests—who are encouraged to don cocktail attire or costumes (or cocktail-inspired costumes!)—will have a spirited evening, sipping on specialty cocktails (included in the package), conversing with ghosts, exploring the haunted abode, and partaking in macabre rituals. Haunted Soiree: A Macabre Cocktail Party takes place Oct. 26, 27, 28, 29, and 31 at the Whittemore House, 1526 New Hampshire Ave NW. hauntedsoiree.com. $69–$100.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 48th Anniversary Spectacular Tour
I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey … In 1975, the campiest, horniest Halloween musical of all time introduced us to the mad, bad, and dangerous scientist Dr. Frank–N–Furter (Tim Curry). Forty-eight years later, the cult classic continues to enchant midnight audience members and encourage us to embrace our darkest, kinkiest, and most glam rock fantasies. The Lincoln Theatre is hosting a celebratory screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with special guest hosts from the original film, Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta), as well as D.C.’s long-running shadowcast the Sonic Transducers, and audience participation on Halloween night. There will be a costume contest and memorabilia on display. Are you shivering with antici … pation yet? The Rocky Horror Picture Show 48th Anniversary Spectacular starts at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. thelincolndc.com. $55–$75; VIP packages start at $200.
Let’s do the Time Warp again! (And again!) For all the Transylvanians and rock ’n’ roll groupies who need a science fiction double feature, there are several other events devoted to The Rocky Horror Picture Show this weekend. Metrobar (640 Rhode Island Ave. NE) screens the film outdoors at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 for free; a dance party follows. Landmark E Street Cinema (555 11th St. NW) will also screen the movie, with the Sonic Transducers performing at 11:55 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 28 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 for $13. Alamo Drafthouse (630 Rhode Island Ave. NE) also hosts a Rocky Horror movie party at 10 p.m. on Oct. 27 for $18.
Nightmare in Navy Yard
In this fourth installment of the Nightmare in Navy Yard franchise, D.C. biggest Halloween dance party returns for more mischief and mayhem with two dance floors, a five-hour open bar, food trucks, and more special effects than your average Marvel film, including animatronics, lasers, fog, and more. One of D.C.’s most celebrated DJs, Farrah Flosscett, will be spinning at this event. Nightmare in Navy Yard begins at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Capital Turnaround, 770 M St. SE. nightmareinnavyyard.com. $54.99–$89.99.
Monster Mash About Town
Smoke and mirrors and Navy Yard not your style? There are still ample places to do the Monster Mash. Grab your boos for the seventh annual Hip Hop Halloween Bar Crawl. There will be nine bars, nine DJs, eight hours of festivities, and more spooky fun for this Nightmare on U Street, which starts at 2 p.m. on Oct. 28. regmopromo.com. $10–$30.
Or smear that eyeliner, rip those tights, and get ready to dance like Wednesday Addams at SPELLBOUND: A New Wave Halloween Party with headliners Ari Voxx and the Sad Lads playing songs by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Spellbound starts at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 at DC9, dc9.club. $15–$17.
Grief and Ghost Tours
Learn more about Victorian funerary and mourning customs at the Lee-Fendall House in Old Town Alexandria. In the western world, the Victorian era basically taught us everything we know about extreme mourning culture—from weaving locks of a deceased loved one’s hair into jewelry, to draping mirrors and opening windows after a death, to adopting all black attire and attempting to contact the dead through seances. The tour will include stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at this historic home, which was built in 1785. Grief and Ghost Tours will be offered every half an hour between 7 and 9 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 28 at Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria. leefendallhouse.org. $15.
Recommended Stories
[ad_2]
Source link
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings