Family fun or fright-worthy, GT has got your Halloween covered
Halloween is a night that allows us all to live as someone else entirely, and it’s the one time a year you’re officially allowed to eat as much candy as humanly possible. The trick (or treat) is to straddle the fine line between fright and fun, which is not always easy for the cautious parent, nor the easily spooked adult (no shame, it’s a scary time). Whatever the hallowed day means to you—remembering the dead or scaring the daylights out of your siblings—Santa Cruz offers a variety of events for all ages and all levels of scare sensitivity. That’s why we at GT have rehashed our years of spine-chilling, petrifying, often harrowing experiences to bring you a list of festivities coming up this weekend that has something for everyone.
National Theatre Live: Frankenstein
Experience the classic Frankenstein from the best seats in the house as part of the 2014 National Theatre Live encore event at the Del Mar Theater. You’ll be a virtual member of the London audience for this screening of Mary Shelley’s gothic tale directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle—and featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. Sounds like a good alternative to hiding in your living room with the curtains drawn and lights out, avoiding the wrath of angered trick-or-treaters. (They always know when you’re home! Always!) Join half a million people in theaters around the world, who are probably evading the very same thing.
Info: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. 469-3224. $10.50.
Marine Masquerade Seymour Center
Whether it’s the talking faux-blood-encrusted doll that shrieks out at the grocery store or seeing a fake ax coming out of someone’s head, Halloween can be straight-up terrifying to the young mind. To keep the festivities nightmare-free and completely PG, the Seymour Center invites families to their annual Marine Masquerade. As director Julie Barrett Heffington explains, life is scary enough without all the ghouls and ghosts; this is an opportunity to witness the magic of marine life under the cover of night— with just the right touch of spooky spirit. Kidlets will get the opportunity to feel the slimy, scaly creatures in the touch tables, as well as take part in scavenger hunts, face painting, Halloween crafts, the costume parade, and see the 78-foot whale skeleton aglow at night.
Info: 6 – 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz. 459-3800. $6-$8.
Halloween Cover Show
It’s become somewhat of a tradition at the Crepe Place for bands to dress up as other bands for All Hallow’s Eve and then play an all-cover set. This year, the show is the day after Halloween, but it’ll be no less insane. Bear Lincoln headlines the show as Michael Jackson, and they’ll perform Thriller. Moon Cadillac is a little more vague and performing as a ’70s disco group, playing a ton of superfly disco tunes. Babewatch says they are “performing a Halloween zombie surf set.” We don’t know what that means, but it sounds amazing.
Info: 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. 429-6994. $8.
Day of the Dead Concert
“Monster Mash” and “Thriller” might be quintessential Halloween tunes, but for those who’d rather take their festivities in a different direction, the New Music Works Ensemble and the Cabrillo Latin Music Ensemble team up for a music celebration in memory of the dead. In addition to music by composers Gabriella Ortiz, Peter Garland, Peter Sculthorpe, Henry Cowell, Philip Collins, and others, the evening will be interwoven with traditional songs, dances and rituals from Mexico and Colombia. With a mix of clarinet, trumpet, violin, trombone and other instruments, this night offers an alternative to the debauchery of Pacific Avenue while the kids get their cavity groove on.
Info: 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. 334-2121. $10-$23.
Mi Casa es Tu Casa 2014: ‘Visitations’
For some people, Halloween means taking a day to celebrate those who have passed way. Dia de los Muertos is, after all, the Day of the Dead and in its honor, the Pajaro Valley Arts Council is inviting locals to visit ofrendas made by twenty groups and seven individual artists. With this year’s theme of “Visitations,” these artistic altars channel the Mazahua belief that monarch butterflies return every October as the souls of the departed, serving as a message between the living and the dead. The altar exhibit’s opening day will include special performances by William Faulker, Folklorico dancers from UCSC, and the White Hawk Aztec Dancers.
Info: 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. Exhibit runs Oct. 29 – Dec.14, Pajaro Valley Arts Council, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. 588-3741. Free.
