It's scream time, Houston, and whether you party funny or sexy, know that with a Friday-night Halloween, it's going to be huge. The clubs around town are getting together to give you something special to do, and plenty of beer to wash it down with. Trend watchers say many of you will even go political as Barack Obama look-alikes hit the streets in droves. And John McCain?...
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Haunted Houses
The Haunted Trails
11500 Antoine, 713-618-DEAD,
www.thehauntedtrails.com
An outdoor experience with a theme of terror! From 8-11:30 p.m. $13.
Nightmare on the Bayou
1515 Studemont, 713-868-3344 ext. 4, www.nightmareonthebayou.com
Nightmare on the Bayou, located next to Houston's oldest graveyard, claims to be Houston's only real haunted house.
Phobia
18777 Highway 290; second location, I-45 South at Mall of the Mainland, 713-526-DEAD, www.darke.com
Phobia's creepy attractions include The Dark Institute, Simon Fowler Woods, ClaustroPhobia and more.
ScreamWorld
2225 N. Sam Houston Pkwy., 713-914-1313, www.screamworld.com
This high-tech haunted house features movie-set quality scares.
The Alamo Drafthouse
531 South Mason Rd., 281-492-6900,
www.drafthouse.com
Mason Park
October 10-11
Take in a show at the Alamo Drafthouse on the weekend of October 10, and you'll get the treat of being scared out of your mind by the original 1979 Amityville Horror. This spooky treasure, in which a dream house turns into a spirit-possessed nightmare, will make it hard to sit still while you wait for your meal to come around. Ticket prices are $6.50, and the showings are at 10 p.m. both nights.
October 24-25
The Alamo Drafthouse will be warming up for All Hallows' Eve with a special showing of The Exorcist (1973) at 10 p.m. Based on William Peter Blatty's novel about the last known Catholic-sanctioned exorcism, this movie will thrill and chill in equal measure. The Drafthouse promises that split pea soup will not be on the menu. Tickets are $6.50.
October 25
Join the Drafthouse gang at midnight for a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with live shadow cast The Beautiful Creatures.
October 31
The Drafthouse is throwing a Halloween party in the Biergarten and inviting everyone to come, full costume, for a night of face-painting, psychic readings and mesmerizing magic tricks from 8 to 10 p.m. And, if you stick it out to the end, you can see the 1½ Mexicans' presentation of The Lost Boys at 10. The price for this commodity is the standard $6.50, and it's easily worth it to enjoy the comedic stylings of the group as they lambaste the vampire classic The Lost Boys for everyone's enjoyment. The best costumes will be rewarded with prizes and Alamo swag, along with the usual Alamo atmosphere.
Through October
Downtown Aquarium
410 Bagby, 713-223-FISH,
www.downtownaquarium.com
Join Sharkey and friends for the Downtown Aquarium Halloween Kids Fest, where kids can enjoy pumpkin painting, photo opportunities with animals, and the Octavius moonwalk. Also included are exhibit feedings and demonstrations, a chance to meet Shaggy and Scooby in the Mystery Machine, and the promise of hauntingly good entertainment.
The Health Museum
1515 Hermann Dr., 713-521-1515,
www.thehealthmuseum.org
The John P. McGovern Museum of Medical Science, a.k.a. the Health Museum, will feature Haunted House 4D, a cinematic version of the traditional haunted house. Complete with rain, thunderstorm effects and even thick, pearly fog, this daily dive into a world of terror will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention. Recommended for children ages seven and up. General admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children and senior citizens, but children two and under, as well as museum members, are admitted for free. Admittance to Haunted House 4D requires another $4 per person.
Wednesdays and
Saturdays,
October 15-29
La Carafe
813 Congress St., 713-229-9399,
www.houstonseance.com
Twice weekly, La Carafe will be having Meet and Greets at 8 and 10 p.m., followed by seances at 9 and 11 p.m. Join in for an unsettling look at the other side.
Saturday, October 18
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
4501 Woodway Dr., 713-681-8433
www.houstonarboretum.org
Have a green Halloween at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center's annual Ar BOOretum. Designed as a family adventure, you can learn about animal predators on the trick-or-treat nature trail, see live snakes and owls, enjoy pony rides, the petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, face-painting and a cake walk. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum. The program starts at noon and ends at 5 p.m. Cost is $15 per for ages three and up and includes all activities in the event. Join as an Arboretum member and get in free.
Saturday, October 25
The Charles Brown Music Festival
9th Avenue N., at Nessler Park, Texas City,
www.texas-city-tx.org
This concert, named for one of the most influential blues artists of the 20th century and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, features Sparky's Jazz Express, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Hamilton Loomis, and The Zydeco Dots, promising a night of exceptional blues, rock, Cajun and funk all rolled into one. Aside from the musical entertainment, there will be arts and crafts, concessions and a children's area. Free admission.
Ernie's On Banks
1010 Banks, 713-526-4566
Ernie's is going to have its traditional Halloween party, complete with $100 in cash prizes for best costumes and drink specials all around. They'll also open their new 2,100-plus-square-foot deck, featuring a built-in "bags" game.
