Last call for a hideous Halloween
REANIMATED BY SCOTT STIFFLER
GHOST STORIES LIVE!
Some who haunt the Lower East Side’s troubled arts and entertainment scene say, in hushed and cautious tones, that the producer of “Ghost Stories Live!” (SidMarty Lovecraft) bears a disturbing resemblance to mystery writer Russell Atwood (whose 2009 novel “Losers Live Longer” saw East Village detective Payton Sherwood knee deep in corpses, corruption and double crosses). At least Atwood and Lovecraft are both alive and kicking — unlike your host for the evening: Pugsley the Fiendly Ghost. All three (two?) will be on hand when “Ghost Stories Live!” makes its debut as a new series at Bar 82. This time up at bat: Horror writer Amy Grech (“The Blanket of White”) will read her new ghost story, “Rampart.” This publication’s own Downtown theater columnist Trav S. D. will perform a dramatization of H. R. Wakefield’s classic story, “Ghost Hunt.” Award-winning mystery writer S. J. Rozan (“Ghost Hero”) discusses the tradition of the Chinese Ghost Story; Blake Thompson will spin true tales based on his experiences growing up in a house haunted by the ghost of its former landlord; and artist/performer Anastacia Goodin will read from “Phantasmagoria,” by Lewis Carroll (“Canto II: Hys Fyve Rules”). There will also be ghostly art and a photo exhibit, special effects, book signings and a “Riddle of the 13 Ghosts” contest. Try to stay alive until December — when the series returns with a performance inspired by Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and a reading of an H.P. Lovecraft horror classic.
At 8pm and 10:30pm, on Sun., Oct. 30 — in the backroom performance space of Bar 82 (136 Second Ave., near Saint Marks Place). For tickets ($5 for the early show, $10 for the late show), purchase at the door.
HALLOWEEN AT HOUSING WORKS BOOKSTORE CAFE “The Housing Works Horror: A Literary Halloween Party with Granta Magazine” encourages you to don a literary-themed costume, and then be thoroughly traumatized by tales of horrors real and imagined (including a reading of a new, never-before-published Stephen King story).
Mon., Oct. 31 at 7pm, at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe (126 Crosby St., btw. Houston and Prince). For info, 212-966-0466, housingworksbookstore.org or facebook.com/housingworksbookstore.
AT 92YTRIBECA “Challaween with Brian Solomon” serves a Friday night dinner whose menu includes horror-themed food and cocktails — with a chaser of lively discussion. Blogger Brian Solomon (The Vault of Horror) hosts, with Rabbi Dan Ain opining on religion in vampire culture and the significance of blood in Jewish tradition. Fri., Oct. 28, 7pm, $30 in advance, $35 at the door.
Also on Fri., Oct. 28, at 10:15pm: “Labyrinth Sing-Along” is a bargain, at $13 — which includes the movie ticket and one beer. You’ll want a few more than that, though, to fully appreciate the sight of David Bowie as a spandex-wearing, crystal ball-juggling villain who gives Ziggy Stardust a run for his money in the crazy clothes and eccentric hair department. Plus, there are Muppets and a trippy staircase. It could only be Jim Henson’s flawed but underappreciated 1986 film “Labyrinth.” Chris Kelly hosts this sing-along screening and costume competition.
“Labyrinth” Synergy Alert! Known for their discordant guitar tones, elastic vocals and fractured rhythms, Dragons of Zynch (performing in costume) has a fan in former costumed freakazoid David Bowie. The Dragons are: twin brothers Aku (vocals, keyboards) and Akwetey (vocals, guitar) as well as J. Bizza (drums) and FonLin (bass). This gig at 92YTribeca’s mainstage venue will feature new songs from their forthcoming sophomore album. Doors open at 8pm on Sat., Oct. 29 for the 9pm show. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of.
All events are at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson St.). For info, visit 92YTribeca.org or call 212-601-1000.
GHOSTLIGHT: THE HAUNTED EAST VILLAGE HOWL! Arts Project 2011 wraps up its sprawling month-long LES run, as Halloween elite team The Jackie Factory (Jackie 60, Night of 1000 Stevies, Low Life @ Howl) reunite with Editrix Abby (Click + Drag, Burning Man) for “Ghostlight: The Haunted East Village.” Theatre 80 is transformed into a ghostly music hall for the night — with three sets at 10pm, 11pm and the witching hour. The top-notch talent booked at press time included: The Pixie Harlots, Flloyd, Amber Ray, Rachel Klein Theatre (in “The Tragedy of Maria Macabre”), Heather Litteer (aka Jessica Rabbit Domination), Princess Xtravaganza,Vangeline Theater, aerialist Rachel Salzman and The Dueling
Bankheads.
“Ghostlight” runs as part of HOWL! ARTS PROJECT: Mon., Oct. 31 at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place). Doors open at 9pm. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door (cash only). For advance purchase, visit brownpapertickets.com. Proceeds benefit The Actors Fund’s
HOWL! H.E.L.P. (Howl! Emergency Life Project). For more info on HOWL!, visit howlfestival.com. For all things “Ghostlight,” mothernyc.com/ghostlight.
DARK LIGHT Jagged Night Theatre’s horror play comes with an upfront warning that will either scare you away or draw you in: “Please note that this show contains explicit language, stage blood, staged violence and gruesome or scary images. Not recommended for children or people with heart conditions.” Still reading? Then you probably have the intestinal fortitude to witness the storage tale of Emily and her little brother Tim — whose trip to the circus is cut short by a costumed psychopath. When Emily wakes up to find herself imprisoned in an abandoned facility, she discovers a group of strangers who are being used as test subjects in a twisted experiment. To escape, and find her missing brother, Emily must navigate the underground prison while confronting a shocking revelation about her dark past.
Thurs., Oct. 27 at 7:30pm; Fri., Oct. 28 and Sat., Oct. 29 at 7:30pm and 10pm; Mon. Oct. 31 at 7:30pm. At The Zoo Theater at Triskelion Arts (118 North 11th St., 3rd Floor, Brooklyn; btw. Berry St. and Wythe Ave.). For tickets ($20; $15 for students), visit jaggednighttheatre.com.
