Scary monsters, super creeps: Where to party for Halloween
You have your costume picked out. Now you’re wondering where to wear it. There are all kinds of Halloweenthemed parties and events this weekend, ranging from drive-in movies to gothic metal concerts to a “Rocky Horror” bash.
There’s even one for your pets. Here’s a look:
Carrie Carpool Cinema (Friday-Saturday)
This is not a screening of “Carrie.” Instead, it’s two nights of different classic horror at the site of the Carrie Blast Furnace in Swissvale. On Friday, it’s all the way back to 1935 with Boris Karloff in “Bride of Frankenstein.” On Saturday, it’s John Carpenter’s 1982 remake of “The Thing,” starring Kurt Russell as part of a team of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic extraterrestrial life form. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $9; $5 kids. You can add a pre-movie mini-tour of the site or a ghost tour after the film; riversofsteel.com.
Todd Robbins’ Haunted Deceptions (Saturday-Sunday)
Robbins, an actor-magician who has made a career out of such antics as swallowing swords, eating lightbulbs and lying on beds of nails, will hold court at Liberty Magic, Downtown, with this immersive seance experience in which he will reach out to the dead. The show description warns/ promises, “There is nothing passive about this experience. Everyone that attends will be involved in the creation of the spectral phenomenon that comes forth.” Times are 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $45; trustarts.org.
In This Moment/Black Veil Brides/DED (Sunday)
One of the more recent Halloween shows at Stage AE was the godfather of shock rock, Alice Cooper. This year, it trends younger and wilder with a double bill of metalcore bands, In This Moment and Black Veil Brides, on the In-Between Tour. Maria Brink leads LA’s In This Moment, a band known for its elaborate gothic spectacle, while Andy Biersack is the dynamic frontman for Black Veil Brides, a glam-metal band from Cincinnati inspired by the likes of Marilyn Manson, Kiss and Metallica. Arizona nu metal band DED opens. Doors at 5:15 p.m. $39.50-$75; axs.com.
Happy Troll-O-Ween (Through Sunday)
Last call to see a grumpy troll who throws pumpkins. This is final weekend for the Fall Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory in Oakland, where Fen, Ivy and their friends are joined by tens of thousands of chrysanthemums and other plants at the Victorian glasshouse in Oakland. Highlights include a 10-foot-tall gnarled tree heavy with cascade mums, an island-like water troll floating in a sea of mums and tricky trolls hiding in the Garden Railroad. Kids can come dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes. Info at phipps.conservatory.org.
Clipper cruises (Friday-Saturday)
Nothing like a spooky, nighttime party on the rivers. The Gateway Clipper sails Friday for the “Thriller” cruise with WAMO (107.3 FM) featuring on-air personalities and DJ Roc playing urban hits, hiphop, rap, R&B and old-school jams. There will be a costume contest and Tex Mex buffet. It boards at 10:30 p.m., sails 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $35 advance; $40 door; 21+. The Saturday voyage is the Boo N Brew Halloween Dance Cruise with Bob FM on-air personalities, hits by Random Play, a costume contest and specialty cocktails. It boards at 7 p.m. and sails 8-11 p.m. Join them on the dock starting at 6 p.m. for free psychic and tarot card readings, prizes and more. $30 advance; $35 door. gatewayclipper.com.
Halloween Rager & Costume Contest (Saturday)
The sixth annual event at Spirit, Lawrenceville, features interior artist James Eide, a musical variety show hosted by drag artists Pissy Mattress, Maxi Pad, and NYCbased Vidalia; musical performances by: Shilpa Ray, Good Sport, Manny Dibiachi, and the moon baby, featuring live support from synth wizard Troxum; heavy-duty house and techno in the Lodge by NYC’s Olive T and Pittsburgh’s Hot Mass and Honcho resident Clark Price; midnight costume contest; free pizza from 9 to 10 p.m. Event is 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $20 advance; $25 day of show. 21+; showclix.com.
Halloween Weekend at 5801
(Friday-Sunday)
The LGBTQ+ 5801 Video Lounge & Cafe in Shadyside begins the weekend with a Rocky Horror Happy Hour on Friday with food and drink specials from 5-7 p.m. and a sing-along screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 7 p.m. Saturday is the 5801 Phantoms of Hellsworth Halloween party with drag performances, costume contest hosted by Blade Matthews, and VJ Cortez. Sunday is the Halloween-themed drag brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 5801videolounge.com.
Spirits of Halloween at Dr. Tumblety’s & The Storyville Lounge
(Saturday)
The Allentown specialty shop — dealing in fragrances, hats, cosmetics, tonics and trinkets — promises an “eerie afternoon of masked mingling, monster movies, seasonal shopping and horror cocktails” from 2-8 p.m. facebook.com/drtumbletys.
Danse Macabre 6: Virtually Halloween (Saturday)
Pittsburgh’s DJ KellyA (of Moving Shadows) and DJ TFS (of the Twitch show Night Warp) host this virtual Halloween dance party on Zoom for dark music fans around the world. Guests can win prizes for best onscreen costumes and decorated dance rooms. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. facebook.com/deejaykellya.
AND MORE ... Thursday
Mellon Square, Downtown: Summer at the Square Halloween Block Party with live music, larger-than-life games, and food and drink specials provided by Talia. 5-8 p.m. pittsburghparks.org.
Friday
222 Ormsby, Allentown: Half Covered Halloween Part 6 with Johnny and the Razorblades as Project: 2001-A Musical Odyssey, The Richard Move as Poison, Soulios as Reel Big Fish, The Slobberknockers performing the music of Trey Parker, and Endless Mike and the Beagle Club (solo) performing as 90s Acoustic Jukebox. 6 p.m. facebook.com/222Ormsby.
Edgewood Winery and Event Center, Edgewood: Costume contest with Kiss tribute band Deuce. 7 p.m. $8. edgewoodwinery.com.
Antiques on Ohio River, Bellevue: The Record Extravaganza Halloween Edition will feature three floors of vendors with records and band T-shirts, plus live DJs playing Halloween music, free food and beer. 6-9:30 p.m. facebook.com/people/ Antiques-on-Ohio-River.
Voodoo Brewing Co., Indiana, Pa.: Halloween/Costume Party with live music from Post Traumatik. No cover. 7 p.m.
Sunday
Animal Friends, Ohio Township: Halloween Party for Pets features a trick-ortreat trail, canine games and activities in the Outreach Center. Costumes for pets optional; no humans in costume. Sessions at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. $20 per dog (humans free); thinkingoutsidethecage.org.