5 Things

I’m just an average ghoul, trying to get some candy for goblin. Food! Fun! Terror! Halloween is so weird!

October 30, 2014; 7:19 AM • by Susan Howson

1. Nightmare on Broad Street 2: Troll 2

It’s not Halloween without a scary movie, or at least a really, really dumb scary movie. Troll 2, often toted as the worst. movie. ever. screens tonight at the Coalition Theatre. It’s free, and you can dress up to try to win some free tix and stuff. Haven’t seen Troll 1? I’m…not sure that’s a problem. Just show up and get your snark on, and try to top that time I saw The Shining at midnight at the Byrd in the ’90s and some guy kept letting out blood-curdling screams during quiet moments. Man, the things that were genius in the ’90s!

Thursday, October 30th • 8:00 PM
Coalition Theatre, 8 W. Broad Street
Free!

2. Fire, Flour & Fork

This two-day event is the biggest food festival–or should I say food conference–I’ve ever heard about in Richmond. Just looking at the schedule makes me feel dizzy and also hungry but then dizzy with hunger. With lunches, dinners, and people just waxin’ on about food all over town, you are bound to find something you like. Unless you hate food, in which case you’re a toddler and I’ve had enough of you today.

Friday, October 31st – Saturday, November 1st • see site for schedule
See site for venues
See site for prices and packages

3. Richmond Ballet: Carmina Burana

My beloved RB celebrates the 40th anniversary of it’s illustrious school with this heavyweight program (haha, heavyweights. One dancer weighs an average of 14 ounces in full costume). It’s spooky, because of Carmina Burana (in parts) and Danse Macabre (in sum). Insiders tell us to keep an eye on Mozartiana, which is going to move us to turn back the clock and become dancers ourselves. See ya later, 2014! Read more about this performance.

Friday, October 31st – Sunday, November 2hd • see site for times
Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage, 600 E. Grace Street
$20 – $125

4. An American Séance

I read a book a couple of years ago about the tradition of mediums and séances in America, and it was not only fascinating, it was LOL-producing. Guys, do you know where they hid “ectoplasm”? Don’t look it up, you’ll never reminisce fondly about Hi-C’s Ecto Cooler ever again. Anyway, this Victorian-style séance looks pretty neat, and they’ll take you through the full gamut as you try to connect with Civil War spirits. When you do, don’t try explaining the iPhone to them. It’ll only make them feel worse.

Nightly through Friday, October 31st • 8:00 – 9:00 PM
American Civil War Center, 500 Tredegar Street
$8 for adults, $5 for members and kids

5. Creepy Hollow Hayride

A good dang scary hayride! I remember thinking, as we rode in a wagon across an enormous field with only moonlight as our guide into a very, very dark forest, that this could actually be how I die. And because we are all very weird and enjoy coming close to death on Halloween, that made it a legit activity! I’m not sure I’d bring kids, unless they are very mature and not easily scared. This is the kind of thing where people run up to you, but it’s also the kind of thing with some animatronics. And some things you THINK are animatronics. Terrifying.

Nightly through Saturday, November 1st • Gates open at 7:00 PM and close at 11:00 PM
14435 Stone Horse Creek Road
Price packages vary, but plan on spending about $25 unless you have a larger group

Photo by: kevin dooley