Our scariest picks for the season
This is your pun-free intro to our annual Halloween coverage. Really, pun-free copy is scary unto itself, don't you think? But anyway, find here our top picks for the Halloween season, followed by our reviews of the area's haunted houses. You want more to choose from? Go to Soundcheck page for our round-up of music-oriented events, including the Halloween eve party at Radio Radio and the Halloween night party at Earth House.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Central Library
To get you warmed up for the festivities of the week, is there anything more quintessentially Halloween than Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? If you say Dracula or Frankenstein, we understand, grasshopper, but you can not yet leave the compound. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is about the intrinsic duality — nay, dichotomy — we all experience; ya know, the yin-yang of the psyche and all. And as you are pondering your costume (still???), think about your Shadow, your Other, your Inner Republican (or Inner Democrat). The film will be presented at Downtown's Central Library, but the real treat is that its soundtrack will be performed live by Tonos Triad, Shiny Black Shirt and Mana2. Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. For more info, call the Library at 275-4100. Admission is free. The Central Library is located at 40 E. St. Clair St.
Historic Irvington's haunted fun
The 63rd Annual Irvington Halloween Festival and Pleasant Run Run has so many events scheduled over so many days, we'd have to publish a whole 'nother issue to include. Suffice to say Saturday is the big day, starting at 9 a.m. with the Pleasant Run Run (you must pre-register) and going throughout the day — until 5 p.m. — with live music, an INDIEana Handicraft Exchange and a parade. Go to www.irvingtonhalloween.org and be boggled! This free festival is located at 5700 E. Washington St.
Bash at Fort Harrison
If the haunted houses around town are too scary for your kids--and/or you, you can enjoy the family-friendly fun of Fort Harrison State Park’s Halloween Bash. The event takes place Halloween night from noon to 8 p.m. Activities include a scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting, hayrides, a costume contest for kids and dogs, and a bonfire/weenie roast. The first-come, first-served Soldier’s Haunt will conclude the evening. Seating may be limited as the event is open to the public and free of charge. For more info, call (317) 591-0122.
'True Blood' feeds great cause
Saturday, Halloween night, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., you’ll be able to actually live in the world of HBO’s True Blood. How? O’Reilly’s Irish Bar will turn into the show’s “Merlotte’s” club and feature a True Blood costume contest. The winner receives a $100 cash prize. Admission is free and a portion of the night's sales will be donated to Indianapolis area animal rescue groups ARPO and FIDO. For more information or to make a reservation (which is strongly encouraged), call O’Reilly’s 317.974.0674, or www.oreillysirishbar.com.
Local horror films at Earth House
Downtown's Earth House will host horror films made by Indiana filmmakers, including Indianapolis-based filmmaker Dan Hall's Central State: Asylum for the Insane. If you've never been to the grounds of the abandoned Central State Mental Institution, you are in for a treat. The movie includes an exclusive tour through the grounds and buildings with a team of paranormal experts. Other shorts include Curse of the Werewolf and Gravediggers, produced by local surrealist painter and filmmaker Al Eacker, and Hallow's Danse and The Gentleman Who Fell, made by Greenwood based Liberty or Death Productions. As always, dinner, coffee and espresso are available before, during, or after the movies. Earth House is located at 237 N. East St.; www.earthhousecollective.org; film starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 or best offer.
Rocky Horror in Fountain Square
The Fountain Square Merchants is showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show — the movie version of the play (see the Athenaeum's preview in this section) in order to celebrate Halloween, have a party — and raise funds to help with the restoration of the original Fountain from whence their Square derives its name. There will be two Halloween screenings of the film on Saturday night, Oct. 31 and a party at the Fountain Square Theatre at the intersection of Shelby and Prospect Sts. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and DJ Brian Jones starts spinning. All ages are welcome to the first movie screening at 8 p.m. That show ends at 9:45 p.m. Then the doors open again at 10:30. More spinning and a second show starts at — when else? —midnight. At 1:40 a.m., the show ends and the party starts. Tickets are $10 for the first show only; $15 for the second show and party; $20 for both shows and party. For more information go to www.DiscoverFountainSquare.com. Costumes encouraged!
Rocky Horror Live
It's easy to forget, but before it was a picture show, Rocky Horror was a hit on the underground stage in London. Back in the '70s, you couldn't take the Tube without seeing posters for this long-running sensation. The Artists' Studio, recently ensconced at the Athenaeum, will present The Rocky Horror Show, LIVE! at the Athenaeum Theatre (401 E. Michigan St.) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Shows on Thursday and Friday will be at 8 p.m. and, bowing to tradition, at midnight on Saturday. There will be a costume/dance party prior to the midnight show, starting at 9:30 p.m. This gives everyone the chance to speak and sing along with real, live actors! Tickets are $17-$25. Call 317-594-5070 to purchase. For more information, go to www.artists-studio.com.
IndyFringe Spooktacular
If there's such a thing as a "fringe" holiday, it's got to Halloween. At least that's the way IndyFringe sees it. The neverending energy source behind the city's annual fringe festival throws its 3rd annual Halloween Spooktacular costume party on Friday night, Oct. 30 from 7:30-11 p.m. This time, the party will be at IndyFringe's theatre building just off Massachusetts Ave. at 719 E. St. Clair. There will be plenty of live entertainment, with a staging of "Once More With Feeling" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and musical performances by Tonas Triad and Mumbai Taxi. Tickets are $10.
Rock and Roll Jodi and her Critters
For the adult members of your Halloween posse, we offer this suggestion. "Rock and Roll Jodi and her Critters" features Jodi in two 2 shows each night of Oct 30 and 31 (8 p.m. and midnight). Jodi, who's been doing this act for 27 years (24 of those years at Lenny's), is carried to the stage in a casket, where she then performs various dance routines that involve a snake, cat and a large rat. Each show lasts 45 minutes, and Lenny's owner assures us none her dance routines are done topless. We can't, however, vouch for the animals' costuming. Show cover is $5 (or $3 with a NUVO discount ad). Lenny's Gentleman Club is located at 255 W. Morris St.; 317-637-6252.
Vampire ballet from GHDT
Choreographer Gregory Hancock calls his latest production, The Casket Girls, "modern-gothic-alternative-vampire ballet" and suggests we think of it more like Moulin Rouge "with dancing vampires, nuns, romance, love, murder" with music that blends Mozart and Nine Inch Nails. Surely one of these descriptors hits your joy buzzer. Set to an original score by composer Cory Gabel, "The Casket Girls" is based on a New Orleans legend and will be presented with another New Orleans-inspired piece by Hancock, "Papa Legba," and Hancock's "The Visit." See Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre's The Casket Girls Thursday and Friday, Oct. 29 and 30 at Pike Performing Arts Center (6701 Zionsville Rd.). Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors. Call 317-216-5455 or go to www.pikepac.org to purchase. for more information go to www.gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
The return of Indiana Ballet's Phantom
The Indiana Ballet Company's dance version ofPhantom of the Opera has developed quite a following over the past three years. This Halloween, choreographer Alyona Yakovieva's dance drama is being brought to the stage once more — that's the treat. The trick is that, after Halloween weekend, the IBC plans on retiring Phantom from its repertoire in order to make way for new projects. The production takes place at the Madame Walker Theatre Center (617 Indiana Ave.) on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and then on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The IBC and Zing restaurant (located across from the Walker) have made special arrangements to sweeten the deal. You can get purchase a dinner-and-show package at Zing for $40. People attending Saturday night's performance can top off the evening with a costume party with the IBC company at Zing starting at 9 p.m. Regular ticket prices for all shows start at $15-$25 and can be purchased through ticketweb, by visiting IndianaBalletCompany.com or calling 866-468-3401.
IAC's Day of the Dead celebration
El Dia de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead — in Broad Ripple? The combination may seem a little counter-intuitive in terms of the city's overall geography, but the Indianapolis Art Center's annual celebration is the largest and richest event of its kind in Indianapolis, a long-established tradition that attracts about 3,000 people. On Sunday, Nov. 1 from noon until 5 p.m. you will find an exhibition of 21 life-size altars, 17 shrines built by artists and community members, a show by award-winning artist John Parra (who will also give a talk), performances by Ensemble Folkorico, Son de Madera, the University of Indianapolis Spanish Song Project, and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra with master storyteller Bob Sander. Adobo Grill will serve its distinctive traditional Mexican food. There will also be folk dance lessons and other interactive activities for the entire family. And admission is free. The IAC is located at 820 E. 67th St.
Haunted houses
Each year we send out our most brave correspondents to local haunted houses — some of whom, well... they never come back. Kidding! They DO come back with reviews in fact.
The Asylum House
8604 South Meridian St.
4 Stars
It is one of the scariest haunted houses in the city, a fact which is exacerbated because the staff is allowed to touch you (all in good fun, of course). The production value is excellent and the characters are a lot of fun, blocking the exits and giving each passer-by a lot of time and attention. The dedication of the staff to each patron’s experience, one room at a time, is what sets The Asylum House apart as one of the best. That generally adds to the terrifying fun, but on one occasion it was painfully uncomfortable; a large, intimidating character cornered my friend for an awkward amount of time. There is also a dominatrix room in which two lovely young women asked us if there was anything we wanted them to do to each other. That was perhaps the scariest moment of all the haunted houses in the city, for a nerdy twenty-something who doesn’t know how to talk to girls. Through Oct. 31, $19, www.theasylumhouse.com
--Andrew Roberts
Crypt of Shadows
Lafayette Square Mall
Five Stars
Crypt of Shadows, in Lafayette Square Mall, is relatively small in comparison with some of the epic sprawling undertakings out there, but it has a decidedly old-school feel to it – the sort of thing where a few creative minds cram as much industrial-strength mayhem as possible into a cramped space, with in-your-face acting and dark creepy corridors where just about anything can happen. The close quarters add a great deal to the intensity; all the noise, banging and screams in every room echo throughout the whole place and reach a certain sensory overload. You’ll probably make it through in 10 minutes – shorter if you’re running like hell for the exit – but it’s a worthwhile ride. $10, through Oct. 31. www.theasylumhouse.com/crypt.html
--Paul F.P. Pogue
Fright Manor
2909 S. Meridian St.
Four Stars
Almost 26 years in the making, Fright Manor's new location features three distinct entities merged into one long, dark maze of frightening experiences: South Side Sanitarium, an abandoned mental hospital closed since 1982; Fright Manor, a true house of horrors; and the Psychomanthium, where you'll find one living-dead nightmare after another, including some of the most notorious killers and demons in horror movie history. Its animatronics, actors and disorienting layout offer terrifying encounters around every corner. The owners of Fright Manor suggest that children under the age of 8 not attend this attraction, but sparing the kiddies under 10 might be a more appropriate recommendation. Fright Manor stands in homage to all things ghastly, ghostly and gruesome. Visit their website for dates and special events, including celebrity appearances. Through Oct. 31; $18; www.frightmanor.com
--Katie Kowalski
Gray’s Fright Night
10948 County Road W. 500 N., Kokomo
Four Stars
A community event that started as a Halloween party has now grown into a full-fledged haunted attraction. Born of Lisa Gray’s imagination and her husband’s handy-work, this indoor maze features an all-family cast, pitch-black corridor, creative sets and special effects. At half the size of most local haunted houses, Gray’s Fright Night follows the “less is more” rule, while packing just as many scare-tactics, including some originals. This haunt gives a portion of all its proceeds to benefit local volunteer firefighters. The travel distance all the way to Howard County—particularly the stretch through rows of cornfields—heightens the experience, but might not be forgiven if you carry overly high expectations. Most will find that it is worth the trip (at its very reasonable price), but it is unquestionably worthwhile if you’re in the vicinity. $8, through Oct. 31st; www.graysfrightnight.com
--Katie Kowalski
Hanna Haunted Mansion
3801 Madison Ave.
Four Stars
Hanna Haunted Mansion endeared itself to me because they successfully pull off a terrifying surprise gag in the first two minutes, which I always imagined would be a brilliant and horrific act of entertainment at a haunt, but have never seen before. It is a lower-budget haunting than many of its counterparts around the city, but it's also lower-priced, and has a distinct advantage; it has a “real” legend of haunting. They start with an ominous tour of the historic mansion itself, which is slightly kitschy, but amusing. Patrons are then led to the basement for the “commercial” portion of the event, which features masks, special effects and props. Some of the frights are mildly predictable to a haunted house veteran, but the mansion is great group fun for a wide span of ages, and it is a local historical event that is actually exciting, at a fair price -- $12. Through Oct. 31. www.thehannamansion.org
--Andrew Roberts
Hanna Haunted Acres
7323 E. Hanna Ave.
Five Stars
Hanna Haunted Acres isn’t as much a haunted house as it is an entire campus full of thrilling fun. There are six events — a haunted hayride, a corn maze, and four separately-themed haunted houses — each priced at $13. No event is worth the $13 on its own, so the $27 all-event pass is the way to go. I took my teenage brothers, my 21 year-old sister, and my girlfriend, and everyone had a great time. The staff is very friendly and we spent almost three hours there, including time in line. Two of the events, Blackout and Carnevil, were very short and somewhat lackluster, but the hayride and other houses compensate for their short-comings. It’s important to note that in this case, the five stars do not represent absolute perfection, but rather that Hanna Haunted Acres is the best haunted attraction I’ve ever been to. Through Nov. 1, $27 all-event ticket, www.hannahauntedacres.com
--Andrew Roberts
Haunted Hayride and Stables
8308 S. Rockport Rd., Bloomington
Four Stars
It was cheap, simplistic and everything that’s great about October in Indiana. The ambience of the drive there is a fun seasonal event in itself-- a dark, winding and wooded road 20 minutes southwest of downtown Bloomington, which leads to a quaint farm and a beautiful night sky, miles away from city lights. The haunted stable--shockingly--was one of the best of this year in terms of simple surprises, but was also very short. There were not any elaborate designs or costumes, just characters in ambiguous demon masks with great timing, hiding in perfect placement. The 15 minute hayride was equally simple in its schematics, and had the same great unpredictability and perfect nerve-wracking ambience. For this rural countryside, family-operated, frills-free sub-genre of haunts, it makes a perfect headliner for a weekend trip to Bloomington in the fall. $10 combo ticket, through Oct. 31; www.myhauntedhayride.com
--Andrew Roberts
Headless Horseman
Conner Prairie
13400 Allisonville Rd.
Four Stars
This family-oriented event is in a class of its own, with an entire village full of food, music and entertainment. The Headless Horseman hayride is an ideal haunted environment for children (or excitable adults), as it allows them to stay cuddled up close to a parent within the confines of the trailer, while still offering a few mildly spooky surprises. The wait for the hayride can be extensive, but passes are distributed at the main entrance with a designated ride time, so that you can go enjoy the festivities while “waiting” for your turn. There is an amusing puppet show, scary storytellers spinning yarns, live musicians, face painting and a cornucopia of other family attractions. Conner Prairie almost completely forsakes the 19th century theme for this event, unless my American History teacher left something out, and the pioneers had karaoke and accepted Visa. $13, through Oct. 30. www.connerprairie.org
--Andrew Roberts
Intense Madness
4401 E Washington
Three Stars
The old building housing this haunt has a creepy vibe all on its own. At the entrance, blinding strobes greet you in a heavy metal infused maze of darkness. The short walk through the house will plunge you into further darkness, as you walk face to face with costumed monsters, pneumatic hospital patients and the scary little clown, played by the owner’s 10-year-old daughter. For its small size, the house packs in a lot of screams. Owner Don Baker and his small crew assembled it in about 11 days, but he successfully preserved the building’s cryptic abandoned-factory creepiness. Though the $13 dollar admission may seem a bit steep for a small space, Intense Madness has a personal quality you will not find at larger hauntings. $13, through Oct. 31; www.myspace.com/intensemadness
--Yevgeny Baburin
Irvington Haunted Tour
Lazy Daze Coffee House
10 S. Johnson Ave
Three Stars
The history of haunted Irvington is presented by a team of paranormal investigators in two forums: a walking tour around the Irvington neighborhood, and a seated audience at the Masonic Lodge 666. I chose the walking tour. This is a popular attraction for the historic eastside neighborhood, as 50-75 people were escorted on Saturday’s walking tour by paranormal investigator Al Hunter. Mr. Hunter is a captivating storyteller, but those who weren’t in the front may have had a hard time hearing details about the stories and missed critical background information. Throughout the tour Al offered chilling accounts of the events that led to each legend of haunting, historical background info and what he’s uncovered talking to live witnesses. If you take the walking tour, I recommend a thermos of coffee, comfortable walking shoes (it’s a two-hour tour) and a flashlight; $15 (includes free copy of Irvington Haunts), Through Oct. 31; www.lazydazecoffeehouse.com.
--Teal Schlueter
Necropolis
2525 N. Shadeland
Five Stars
If you are brave enough to face the cold and wait in line, this is a haunted house you won’t want to miss this year. Necropolis has three attractions: Necropolis (the main event), Zombie Inn and Dark Terrors. Each section is filled with pneumatic monsters, ghoulish employees and unsettling walks through total darkness. The creepy sound effects heard from hidden speakers are mixed with the screams of terrified customers. Dark Terrors takes the cake as the most frightening of the three attractions at Necropolis; in this event, attendees are ushered into the abandoned factory in small groups and are issued one flashlight per group, and as they brave the twists and turns of this monster-infested maze, there is a terrifying surprise. $26 combo ticket, through Oct. 31; www.darkarmies.com.
--Yevgeny Baburin
Shocker Flats
5211 S. New Columbus Rd., Anderson
Five Stars
This is one haunt that doesn’t need to try too hard to be terrifying. It begins with a stroll through the winding, ghoul-infested corn maze – you’ll want to take it slow to keep your footing in anticipation of the masked offenders who jump out and follow you through the corn. The maze ends with a trip through the haunted house – a web of dark rooms, strategically placed actors and disorienting special effects. Shocker Flats relies on the location and simplicity of its set-up to scare the daylights out of you, and its methods are highly effective. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Boy Scouts of America Crew 208 and Saint John’s Mission Services Charity in Anderson. $10, through Oct. 31; www.shockerflats.com
--Katie Kowalski
Southside Massacre
5545 S. Meridian
Four Stars
In the event’s inaugural year, the producers of Southside Massacre (formerly Nightmare on Edgewood) are masters of makeshift entertainment; they are this year’s haunted house underdogs. From the street, the setup looks simple and seemingly haphazard; a muddle of trailers blocked off in a parking lot, right on the corner of Meridian and Epler. But do not be deceived by outward appearances. The interior set design is outstanding and the technology spares no expense; the first room is the most jarring experience I’ve ever had to begin a haunt. The performers are allowed to touch you and are amusingly persistent, which is the highlight of the haunt. However, in one isolated case, one of the masked performers was a tad too aggressive on my back, and yanked on the hood of my sweatshirt. This is probably not the norm, and should not be a deal-breaker, but it’s important to note that the possibility exists—there could be some gentle rough-housing. $15, through Oct. 31. www.southsidemassacre.com
--Andrew Roberts
Tomb of Doom
Children’s Museum
3000 N. Meridian St.
Four Stars
For its 46th annual haunting The Children’s Museum Guild has designed the Tomb of Doom, in conjunction with the museum’s Egypt-themed exhibits. The haunted house is the result of nearly 25,000 hours of work, making it the most detailed of all Halloween attractions in Indy. The Tomb of Doom has both “friendly” and “frightening” hours, with actors in full costume turning on the scare and turning off the lights for the brave visitors. If your child scares easily, bring them in for the lights-on tour, which is vital to truly appreciate the hard work put into this haunt. Beware the bat cave and snake pit. Ticket prices vary for members and non-members, but a second trip back is only $3. $6/$6.50, through Oct. 31; www.childrensmuseum.org
--Katie Kowalski
