Deadmonton once again a terrifying two-parter
During the already terrifying pandemic, we happily chose to be scared at Deadmonton Haunted House — which not even COVID could stop from twitching and screaming in late 2020 and 2021.
Amid all the necessary social distancing arose DHH'S outdoor component, back this year for the third time with a new, outdoor graveyard — so it's still a two-part experience. And, really, what good horror scenario doesn't have at least something cleft in two?
Icons of Darkness is the main, inside component this year.
“This year we've changed the haunt to bring all your favourite horror movie characters to life,” DHH'S general manager Katherine Petch explains. “I actually just did my first walk-through and it's amazing. I'm such a chicken, but I love getting scared.
“We've been training since the end of August and the actors are doing a phenomenal job.”
This area takes about 20-25 minutes to cower through at the mercy of DHH'S creative and costumed scare-brained professionals.
Return of the Living Dead is the outdoor experience.
“We've changed the pathway and you'll see some iconic horror characters that belong outside, and then the usual zombies and whatnot,” says Petch.
This latter feature opens at dusk as, according to the website, it's no fun going through a cemetery in the daylight. Plan about 10 minutes here, and note that you can go through these two slaygrounds in any order.
Tickets for this year's two-section, one-ticket update of the classic CHED Haunted House are on sale now at deadmontonhouse. com. Gates open 7 p.m. Friday, running at you with a chainsaw through Nov. 5.
In general, Deadmonton Haunted House is open 7-10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. — midnight Fridays and Saturday. Creeping up to Halloween, it's also happening Tuesday Oct. 25 and Wednesday Oct. 26 — all recommended for ages 12 and up. No cellphones, lights, photography or video are allowed inside, though outside and at Camp Deadmonton in between the “houses,” selfie away!
Petch also notes this — the immersive exhibition's 10th year — is its last in this location.
Not including service charges and taxes, it's $36.99 to enjoy both zones. Pre-purchase allows you to skip the ticket-booth lineup, though you still have to wait in line — unless you buy a speed pass for $52.99.
As well, late in the game, there are “lights out” events where the organizers supply you with a lighting device — don't bring your own — adding an extra bit of spice to the jump scares. These happen Nov. 3-5. Same pricing as the regular, “lights on” experience.
Get all these at deadmontonhouse.com, which happens at 7301 Gateway Blvd. Just park on the west side, across the street.
ART
9/22-10/8: Catherine Burgess: CORPUS (Peter Robertson)
9/24 — 12/3: miyo pimâtisiwin (Ociciwan)
Thru 9/24: Chelsey Campbell: all of us, also (FAB)
Thru 9/24: Keith Turnbull; Poster Art from Poland (Harcourt)
Thru 9/27: Johnny Taylor: Kinetic
Zen (Miller Art Gallery)
Thru 9/30: Linda Craddock: The Venetian Series (Bugera Matheson)
Thru 9/30: Jimmy Golden
(Collins Gallery)
Thru 9/30: Jordan Rule: Never Before Seen and Here Before Your Eyes (Metro)
Thru 10/1: Kirsty Templeton Davidge: Woman's Work (Peter Robertson)
Thru 10/2: Comic Sans; Alana Bartol and Bryce Krynski (AGA)
Thru 10/2: Madison Dewar: Subterrania (Lowlands)
Thru 10/6: Tim Rechner: Secret Formula (Aviary)
Thru 10/22: Matthew O'reilly: Procession of the Self (Alberta Craft Council)
Thru 10/29: Albirda: Put a Bird on it (Alberta Craft Council)
Thru 10/30: Esther Suzanne Scott: HAVE A LOVELY DAY (dhartworld)
Thru 11/3: Group 9; Yvonne Dubourdieu (Harcourt)
Thru 11/13: Tiffany Shaw: Edmonton River Valley (AGA)
Thru 11/13: Shuffle: Artwork from the Nina Collective (AGA)
Thru 11/20: The Healing Language of Alex Janvier (Gallery 501)
Thru 12/31: Animal Architects; Scents of Movement, Scents of Place (AGA)
Thru 23/2/26: Conjured Images: Spirit Photography; BEHOLD|EN (AGA)
Thru 24/12/31: Damian Moppett (AGA)
COMEDY
9/22-24: Hannibal Thompson (Comedy Factory)
9/22-25: Drew Dunn (Comic Strip)
9/23-24: Ryan Short (Yuk Yuk's)
9/26: Dmitry Romanov (Arden)
9/28: Diyat & the Love Soldiers (Maclab Leduc)
EXHIBITIONS
9/23-11/5: Deadmonton Haunted House (7031 Gateway Blvd.)
Thru 9/25: Apollo: When We Went to the Moon (Telus World of Science)
FESTIVALS
9/22-25: Play the Fool Festival (Backstage Theatre)
9/22-10/1: Edmonton International Film Festival (Landmark City Centre)
MUSIC
9/22: Chad Vangaalen, The Bleach Wipes (Starlite)
9/22: Hawksley Workman
(Festival Place)
9/23: Kamakazee (Union Hall)
9/23: Kelmer & the Beating Hearts (Station)
9/23: Misery Mountain Boys
(Blue Chair)
9/23: Om, Zombi (Starlite)
9/24: Brigadiers (Black Dog)
9/24: Joe Findlay; John Hewitt Band (Blue Chair)
9/24: Tiff Hall (Aviary)
9/24: K4TGR4M, Josh Sahunta (John Walter Museum Parkette)
9/24: Omah Lay (Union Hall)
9/24: Lil Pump (Midway)
9/24: Star Collector, Wilde Oscar (Station)
9/24: Zeal & Ador (Starlite)
9/25: Gareth Gilliland (Blue Chair)
9/25: Tanya Prochazka Memorial Concert (Muttart Hall)
9/25: Monowhales (Starlite)
9/25: Daniel O'donnell (River Cree)
9/25: Procoro Canada, Matthias Maute: The Nightingale (Polish Hall)
9/26: Ken Mode, Vile Creature (Starlite)
9/26: Tech N9ne, King Iso
(Union Hall)
9/28: Jesse Cook (Jubilee)
9/28: Opera Pub (Blue Chair)
9/28: Skerryvore (Arden)
THEATRE
9/23-24: Play the Fool Triple Bill #1 (Backstage)
9/23, 25: Something in the Water (Backstage)
9/23-11/5: Deadmonton Haunted House (7031 Gateway Blvd.)
9/24: Festival Spectacular Cabaret (Backstage)
9/24-25: Menopause: The Musical (Festival Place)
9/24-25: Play the Fool Triple Bill #2 (Backstage)
Thru 9/25: Barvinok (Westbury)
9/27: Forward Thinking Speaker Series: Monica Lewinsky (Jubilee)
9/28-30: Potted Potter (Festival Place)
Thru 10/9: Network (Citadel)
If you have events you'd like amplified, or have any corrections or updates, please email jfeniak@postmedia.com.