“We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones,” writes Stephen King. Maybe that explains the profusion of Halloween events this weekend, though the holiday has yet to arrive.
Consider the haunted market and spooky rave at Ottobar, the “Night to Dismember” at the zoo, the massive Halloween party at the Maryland Science Center and the Harbor voyage on a Titanic-themed boat. (On the less macabre side, there’s an adult costume party with arcade games and laser tag and a Shrek-themed rave.)
Check out this nicely organized Halloween round-up courtesy of Visit Baltimore for more. And read on for even more events, including at least a few that have nothing to do with hobgoblins and hellhounds.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Horror film screenings
On Thursday at 6 p.m., watch the original 1954 “Godzilla,” followed by a discussion about the film’s legacy ($10; Evergreen Museum & Library, 4545 N. Charles St., Baltimore).
Or at 7 p.m., take in a free screening of the ’80s slasher “Maniac Cop,” about a murderous police officer back from the dead, as well as readings by a local horror author and a roundtable discussion (Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th St., Baltimore).
The free Bmore Horror Film Fest begins on Thursday with a meet-and-greet with the filmmakers at 6:30 p.m. at Old Major (900 S. Carey St., Baltimore), followed by a “screaming” of the winners on Friday at 7 p.m. at 2640 Space (2640 Saint Paul St., Baltimore) and a chance to see the honorable mentions on Saturday at the Black Cherry Puppet Theater (1115 Hollins St., Baltimore).
And on Friday at 8 p.m., a live band will improvise the score to “The Shining” as the subtitles roll ($10-$20; The Bogus Gallery, 1511 Guilford Ave., Baltimore).
Time: Various
Price: Various
Location: Various
Family friendly? No
Friday, Oct. 23
The Stoop Storytelling Series: Hellraisers
Come for the live tales told by rebels and rabble-rousers, including activists Erricka Bridgeford and Frida Berrigan. Bask in the unique glory of musical guest Glorian, a rebel if there ever was one. And while you’re there, take in the gorgeous interior of what is perhaps Mount Vernon’s most recognizable building, a 19th-century church that only recently reopened to the public.
Time: 7 p.m.
Price: $15
Location: Historic Mount Vernon Place Church (10 E. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore)
Family friendly? Recommended for 16 and older.
‘The M.A.K.A.D.O: Make America Kingly Again! An Operatico-Politico-Buffo-Satirico’
Gilbert and Sullivan’s 19th-century comic opera “The Mikado” has been widely criticized in modern times for the way it depicts the Japanese, but the opera was originally written as a satire of Victorian Britain. This entirely rewritten production reimagines the story in a certain gilded Oval Office, with a cast of characters that may be familiar. The Capitol Steps’ Bari Biern provides new rhymes to suit.
Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Price: $35
Location: Theatre Project (45 W. Preston St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Nope
Law & Order SIU: Special Improv Unit
Mid-Atlantic Improv takes on the country’s longest-running TV procedural, resulting in a comedic murder investigation, entirely off the cuff. The group will perform a fully improvised episode of the show, complete with commercials hawking imaginary products. The audience will steer the plot as well as decide the final verdict.
Time: 7:30-8:45 p.m.
Price: $20
Location: Manor Mill (2029 Monkton Road, Monkton)
Family friendly? Probably not.
Galas galore
If you’ve got some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, consider partying for a cause this weekend. Irvine Nature Center holds its “un-gala” Pumpkins on the Green Friday at 7 p.m. (11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills); The Walters Art Museum holds its gala party, 9 p.m.-midnight Saturday (600 N. Charles St., Baltimore); the Howard County Art Council’s annual Celebration of the Arts is 6-10 p.m. on Saturday (Capitoline Center, 8360 Court Ave., Ellicott City); and The Black Widow Ball, the Peale Museum’s fundraiser and costume party, runs 5-9 p.m. Saturday (225 Holliday St., Baltimore).
Time: Various
Price: Various
Location: Various
Family friendly? No
Saturday, Oct. 24
Doors Open Baltimore
On Saturday, 52 buildings across the city — some of which are typically not accessible — open their doors to the public for sanctioned snooping. The buildings range from Baltimore stalwarts like the Basilica and the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower to little-known gems like the Amaranthine Museum and The Mulberry.
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Various
Family friendly? Yes. Many sites have kid-friendly activities and there is a passport children can have stamped at each site.
BARCStoberfest
For the 22nd year in a row, animal lovers will unite to raise money for the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), which serves 12,000 animals a year. Events include the “Ready, Set, SNIFF!” 5K Run and a half-mile pet parade, a pet costume contest, a beer garden, vendors and kids’ activities.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Price: Free; $50 fundraising minimum to participate in the run or walk
Location: Patterson Park Pagoda (200 South Patterson Park Ave., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes
Maryland Million Day
Maryland Million Day is meant to be a celebration of horse racing heritage. That heritage involves a whole lot of moolah. The “million” refers to the total combined winnings that will be disbursed after Saturday’s 12 races, and the audience will collectively wager a good deal more than that. While you’re gambling away your paycheck, the kids can have their faces painted and pet the ponies.
Time: Gates open at 10 a.m.
Price: Free
Location: Laurel Park (198 Laurel Race Track Road, Laurel)
Family friendly? Yes.
Freakness
And now for something completely different. The 2nd annual Freakness features a jockey and a “creature,” aka a human dressed as something bizarre. During the footrace, the creature must somehow transport the jockey across the finish line. The creature will be led by their jockey during the dressage event, to the tune of their chosen song. And there will be a contest for best costume. Donations this year benefit Empact Art. Catch a glimpse of last year’s event here.
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Wyman Park Dell (2929 N. Charles St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes.
‘Gallimaufry: OMFUG’
“Part recital, part cabaret, part musical laboratory,” according to its website, this event brings together seven musicians with classical music backgrounds and invites them to let down their hair. The word “gallimaufry” means a jumble, a mishmash. “OMFUG” is an acronym for “Other Music for Uplifting Gourmandizers,” a phrase associated with New York’s CBGB in its punk heyday. It is in that experimental spirit that these musicians will approach pieces like the one meant to evoke Billie Holliday’s voice.
Time: 2 p.m.
Price: $10-$20
Location: An die Musik LIVE (409 N. Charles St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Kids aren’t strictly prohibited but …
Porchfest Annapolis
Annapolis gets downhome on Saturday as 11 neighbors offer up their porches, stoops and driveways for musical performances. More than 30 musical acts, ranging from local acoustic and roots ensemble The Befuddlers to members of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, will perform in a few-block radius of the Murray Hill neighborhood. Stroll from one improvised stage to the next and meet your generous hosts.
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Various locations
Family friendly? Yes.
The FrightReads Book Festival
Meet dozens of horror authors, shop for creepy books and arts and crafts, take in a mini horror film festival, participate in a costume contest, attend author and horror actor panels and hobnob with other disciples of depravity. The numerous special guests include best-selling author Heather Graham, the Charm City Ghostbusters and Cindy Manion of the 1984 superhero cult classic film “The Toxic Avenger.”
Time: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Price: $42 for the weekend; $26 for Saturday, $21 for Sunday; kids 12 and under are free
Location: Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship)
Family friendly? Yes. Kids can hang in the creepy craft corner and meet characters like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Wanderland
Maryland’s craft beverage festival brings together local purveyors of beer, wine, spirits, cider and mead and those who love them. Wander from sample to sample and then wander some more as live brass, bluegrass and pop performers provide the soundtrack. Stilt walkers, jugglers, bubble artists, face painters and hula hoop performers will entertain the littles while you guzzle, and 15 food trucks will sell grub.
Time: Noon-5 p.m.
Price: $55; kids 12 and under are free; non-drinkers are $20
Location: Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods (10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia)
Family friendly? Yes
The Great Baltimore Lantern Parade
The lantern parade is a must-see if you’ve never been. You’ll witness phosphorescent squid and incandescent anglerfish, light-up dragons and bats and squid. Glowing stilt walkers, illuminated bicycles and 15-foot-tall puppets requiring many people to operate them will float past. It’s awe-inspiring, homemade and reliably weird.
Time: Festival at 4 p.m.; parade at 7 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Patterson Park, begins near the Pulaski Monument (2806 Eastern Ave., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Super-extra family friendly.
Sunday, Oct. 25
Baltimore Art Haul
Here’s a low-key way to see some art and maybe even purchase a piece or two. A cluster of U-Haul box trucks will transform into temporary art galleries, each one featuring one to three artists. Should you desire a more formal experience, the Goya Contemporary gallery and the C. Grimaldis Gallery in the neighboring Mill Centre will also be open during the event.
Time: Noon-6 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Mill Centre Parking Lot (3000 Chestnut Ave., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes.
The big names
Here are a few of the national acts in local venues this week:
Get the Led Out at the Lyric on Friday; Journey at CFG Bank Arena on Saturday; Singalong Broadway at M&T Bank Exchange starting Saturday; and “Six” the musical at The Hippodrome starting Sunday.
Andrea Appleton is a Baltimore-based writer and journalist.
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