Halloween is just a week away, which means this is the last weekend to really get into the Halloween spirit. From Halloween cocktails at Liquid Lounge tonight to numerous ghost tours at Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain House, and more, there’s plenty to do to get your spooky fix. And if you’re looking to start partying the night before Halloween, be sure to RSVP to ARTini, the Arts Council’s annual fundraising party for our United Arts Campaign, which helps supports the arts and cultural organizations you know and love in Greater Hartford. For the first time ever we’re featuring a curated art show with works from local artists that pay homage to the Art Deco period, as well as a special fashion presentation by Trashion Fashion. Did I mention there are also cocktails? There will be lots of cocktails. Tickets are $40 and $45 at the door. For now, here’s a list of super-cool events to check out this weekend including numerous ghost tours and performances from Hartford Stage, Bushnell, and Theaterworks.
When you see [UA] in the heading, it means the organization is supported by the contributions made to the Arts Council’s Annual United Arts Campaign.
FRIDAY
Greater Hartford Children’s Latino Film Festival 2014
When: Friday, October 24, 10AM-12PM
Where: Hartford Public Library
Explore Latino cinema and performances with your little one at this 2-day Children’s Film Festival. Best for ages 3-7.
Admission: Free. www.ghclff.com
Little Shop of Horrors
When: Friday, October 24, 7PM
Where: NCTC Performing Arts Theatre
Follow the misadventures of Seymour, who longs to get the girl of his dreams and escape life on skid row, in this delightfully demented musical comedy by college and high school actors.
Admission; $12-$17. 860-666-6282. www.nctcarts.org
Haunted History Lantern Tour
When: Friday, October 24, 6PM-9:30PM
Where: Cedar Hill Cemetery
Get spooked on this lantern tour of Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visit the final resting places of some of Cedar Hill’s notable resident and learn the goose bump-inducing dark tales of their lives.
Admission: $15. 860-956-3311. www.cedarhillfoundation.org
Spirits at Stowe: An Otherworldly Tour [UA]
When: Friday, October 24, 6:30PM, 7:30PM, 8:30PM
Where: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
Visit the Stowe House in the dark! Harriet Beecher Stowe, like many 19th-century Americans, attended séances and visited mediums to communicate with departed family members. Explore Stowe’s involvement with the paranormal and learn about investigations by the SyFy Channel’s Ghost Hunters at Spirits at Stowe: An Otherworldly Tour.
Admission: $10-$15. 860-522-9258 ext. 317. www.HarrietBeecherStowe.org
West Hartford Hauntings
Where: Friday, October 24, 6:00-8:45PM (through October 25).
Where: North Cemetery, 80 North Main St. West Hartford
Take a tour through the rows of gravestones at the North Cemetery and hear the creepy tales of several past residents of West Hartford.
Admission: $9-$13. 860-521-5362 ext. 21. www.noahwebsterhouse.org
SATURDAY
Evil Dead the Musical [UA]
When: Saturday, October 25, 7PM-10PM (through October 26)
Where: The Bushnell
Dubbed “the next Rocky Horror Show” by the New York Times, this record-breaking musical comedy sensation takes all the elements of Sam Raimi’s cult classic films – Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness – and combines them to make one of the craziest theatrical experiences of all time.
Admission: $35-$79.50. 860-987-5900. www.bushnell.org
Graveyard Shift Ghost Tour of the Mark Twain House [UA]
When: Saturday, October 25, 6PM. 7PM, 8PM, 9PM (through October 30)
Where: Mark Twain House & Museum
Get into the Halloween spirit with MTH’s ever-popular Ghost Tour! Take a nocturnal journey into this national historic landmark, hear tales of family tragedies, and learn about reported encounters with the paranormal.
Admission: $22. 860-280-3130. www.marktwainhouse.org
Hartford Symphony Orchestra: Brubeck Brothers Quartet [UA]
When: Saturday, October 25, 7:30PM
Where: The Bushnell
Experience the legacy of jazz giant Dave Brubeck and his sons – Dan on drums and Chris on bass and trombone – for a dynamic performance of melody, rhythm, culture, and the spontaneous spirit of jazz.
Admission: $10-$68. 860-244-2999. www.hartfordsymphony.org
Let’s GO Arts! Member Discount: 2-for-1 tickets.
Annapurna [UA]
When: Saturday, October 25, 8PM (through November 9)
Where: TheaterWorks
After 20 years apart, Emma tracks down her ex-husband to a trailer park in the wilds of Colorado. Their reunion, charged by pain and compassion is both healing and humorous.
Admission: $50. 860-527-7838. www.theaterworkshartford.org
Hamlet [UA]
When: Saturday, October 25, 2PM; 8PM (through November 16)
Where: Hartford Stage
Enjoy a performance of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Hamlet, directed by Tony Award winner, Darko Tresnjak.
Admission: $25-$95. www.hartfordstage.org
SUNDAY
Halloween Dance Party (Age 4+)
When: Sunday, October 26, 2PM-3:15PM
Where: Vernon Community Arts Center
Put on your dancing shoes and Halloween costume for this spooky party full of arts, crafts, cookies and cider. Suitable for ages 4 and up.
Admission: $5. 860-871-8222. www.vernonarts.org
Sea Tea Improv FREE Monthly Show at City Steam
When: Sunday, October 26, 7PM
Where: City Steam Brewery, Hartford
End the weekend on a high note with Sea Tea Improv’s free improvised comedy show at City Steam Brewery.
Admission: Free. 860-525-1600. 21+.
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