October brings some scary fun with everyone trying to out-Halloween everyone else. Nobody throws a party like we do here in Shreveport-Bossier and our Bucket List of Booooo! contains our top 13 events to add a little fright to your night and some pumpkin spice to your October.
Number One
Shreveport Opera presents: QUEEN OF THE NIGHT: A HALLOWEEN PARTY
Everyone wants to be Queen of the Night, but no one does it like the Shreveport Opera’s own Queen of the Night Sarina Styles. The area’s only professional opera company is hosting a killer Halloween party and fund-raiser this year on Friday the 13th, no less.
Nate Wasson, director of patron services and company manager for the Shreveport Opera, says that’s just part of the fun. “Sometimes people are luckiest in the unluckiest of circumstances,” Wasson said.
“When
we began planning this event, we realized that Friday the 13th fell in
the month of All Hallows Eve. How lucky for us?” “We don’t want
partygoers to fear the date of our party or the opera,” Wasson said. “On
this day of bad luck and superstition, we want the revelers of Queen of
the Night’ to join us for one of the hippest and most entertaining
holiday events. Goblins, ghouls and things that go bump in that night
will be sure to provide a memorable experience.”
“We
wanted to come up with something new and unique that lent itself to the
world we live in – opera,” Wasson said. “Dramatic, over the top and
entertaining. We then asked Sarina to host the event. In trying to
settle on a name and theme, we dove into our season to see how we could
tie it all together, and one of the main characters in The Magic Flute,’
Queen of the Night’ popped out. It just seemed to make sense.”
DETAILS
Number One
Where: JR
Gallery & Performance Space in the old Riverfront Billiards/Sports
Bar/Deli, next to The Warehouse at 624 Commerce Street in Shreveport.
When: “Friday the 13th” October 2017, 8 p.m.
Admission: $30 available at www.shreveportopera.org or by calling (318) 227- 9503 (21 and up only!)
Number Two
Where: The Engine Room Theatre at SRAC’s Artstation
When: October 25-26-27-28-30 at 7:30 p.m. and October 29 at 3 p.m.
Reservations: www.brownpapertickets or (318) 868-5888
Ticket prices: $35 general admission $20 military and college students $10 high school students all with valid ID
Number Three
When: October 6 – November 1
Where: Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City 505 Boardwalk Boulevard (near Hooters)
Tickets: Prices vary from $13 to $15, more info at www.necromanor.com
Number Four
When: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - midnight
Where: DixieMaze Farms north of Shreveport
Directions: www.dixiemaze.com
“There
will be a smorgasbord of delicious food provided by local favorite
Marilynn’s Place,” Wasson said. “Lady Sarina Styles will host the event,
as well as perform throughout the evening alongside her partner in
crime, Aubrey Synclaire. The area’s hippest DJ Jay Whatley will be
spinning the hottest hits and mixing in some holiday favorites. There
will also be a costume competition, with door prizes and a raffle to win
season tickets to the opera and surprise entertainment throughout the
night.”
As
for costumes, there is no going too far for Queen of the Night guests.
“We’re hoping that in the realm of over-the-top and dramatic – that
that’s what we see at this party.” Wasson said. “In the one holiday
season where you can let loose and really be anything you want to be. We
want our partiers to blow us out of the water with their costumes. No
holds barred, the sky is the limit. And, of course, the more creative
and outlandish, the better chance you have to win the costume contest.
Each door prize is made up of multiple items, all of them including
season tickets to Shreveport Opera’s 69th season. The productions in the 69th season include Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ and Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast.’”
Number Two
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
River
City Repertory Theatre, North Louisiana’s only professional theatre
company, will open its 12th season with a live production of the most
popular scary musical cult favorite of all time, “The Rocky Horror
Show.” Millions of fans know the original film adaptation line per line.
The midnight showings of that film have been thrilling audiences for
decades, as fans dressed in character costume – in what surely must have
been the birth of cosplay – while trashing local movie theaters across
the country with toast and water guns.
The
River City Rep production features Jonathan McVay in the role of Frank
‘N’ Furter. The show is directed and costumed by Patric McWilliams,
artistic director of River City Rep, with musical direction by Daniel
Ley.
Don’t
be caught dead going in your boring, everyday clothes. Audience members
are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character. Bloody
Marys, "frankenfurters," popcorn and concessions will be sold in the
theatre lobby. The cast and crew says this show deals with adult themes
and is not suitable for anyone under 15.
Number Three
NecroManor Presents: FUTURE SHOCK ON THE BOARDWALK: A POST- APOCALYPTIC MAZE OF NIGHTMARES
NecroManor is taking terror to a new level with an entirely new performance this year and a new venue at Louisiana Boardwalk.
Douglas
Cobb is the owner/operator at NecroManor, and he’s thrilled with the
new location. “I think it will make things a little easier on our
guests,” Cobb said. “They can come see the show, grab a bite to eat and
find other activities at the Boardwalk, giving those that are too scared
to go with their friends other things to do while they wait.
Overall, it's a safe, familyfriendly environment.”
NecroManor’s
terrifying post-apocalyptic theme brings the opportunity to include
levels of nausea-inducing thrill like the area has never seen. “We have
been tossing around the post-apocalyptic idea for a while now,” Cobb
said. “With the relocating of our haunt, it seemed to fit what was
happening, kind of like a destruction/ rebirth vibe. There will be lots
of different things to see this year, and we will keep adding things as
the season progresses.”
Cobb didn’t want to spoil any surprises.
“We’re
trying to keep most of it under wraps,” he said, “but I can say this is
a 3D haunt, and there will be lots of new creatures popping up this
season.”
Just
what is it that makes people want to put themselves in a position of
fear and shock to such a degree? “I think for the most part it's just
like any other amusement,” Cobb said. “It’s the same principle as a
roller coaster. It's all about adrenaline. But it's different for
everyone. Mostly, it's an escape from your ordinary world, a way to
release some tension. I think everyone can use a good scream!”
Number Four
DixieMaze Farms: HAUNTED MAZE AND TRAIL OF TERROR AND FALL FAMILY ACTIVITIES
For
many people it’s just not October without a visit to DixieMaze Farms
and a run through its awesome corn maze. Danni Coe is one of those
people. “We have been there on scout trips, but now we like to go as a
family,” she said. “One of the main things I love about it is that it’s
all outside. People just don’t get outside enough anymore.”
DixieMaze
Farms features a giant corn maze as a primary attraction, along with
activities such as the corn silo (think kids in a ball pit but with corn
kernels instead), duck races, a bounce feature and a hayride into the
pumpkin field to learn about farming and pick a pumpkin. There are also
events, such as outdoor movie nights.
But
owner and self-professed “farm hand” Mike Billings said things get a
bit different after dark. “There is a big crowd that comes out after
dark on Friday and Saturday nights,” he said. “Behind the levee there is
another corn maze that's haunted, a haunted trail in the woods and a
new haunted attraction called The Gauntlet, where you climb through a
tube with live snakes and rats. The three haunted attractions are all
included with your ticket.”
When
asked if he’s ever lost anyone in the maze, Billings replied, “People
get lost every day, but don't worry, we check thoroughly every morning
for anyone still stuck in the maze from the night before,” he said with a
twinkle in his eye. “Truthfully, we have ‘corn cops’ that are in the
maze to help should you need them.”
Experiencing
fright outside away from city lights is completely different than
anything most people have experienced on Halloween. “After 18 years we
have seen just about everything,” Billings said. “It's always a good
laugh when you see a big, strapping man run like a little girl right
over the top of his wife or girlfriend, as he forgets all about
protecting her and runs for his life from a spook. It’s a nightly
occurrence.”
Number Five
SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER ZOMBIE WALK:
BRAIN GAINS
When
you get right down to it, zombies are really all about the love.
“Everyone loves zombies, and when October rolls around, that love
multiplies,” said Alex Richardson, coordinator/organizer of this year’s
Shreveport-Bossier Zombie Walk. “We provide so much from great vendors,
guests, door prizes, costume contests and more.”
Zombie
Walk was actually started to raise awareness of global hunger issues
and to collect nonperishable goods for the Food Bank of Northwest
Louisiana in Shreveport. The event has now grown to include other
nonprofits, vendors and artists.
“We
have our new guest list this year, all of which are local and talented
artists,” Richardson said. “Ben Moss is a wellknown graffiti artist in
the area. Wendy Leaumont is a talented sculptor of all things Halloween
and macabre and will be just returning from a show in California before
the event. And Jasper Price is a fun children's book author who created a
fun zombie book for kids to enjoy.”
Turns
out, the walking dead don’t move that quickly. “Contrary to popular
belief, the Zombie Walk isn't a 5K of sorts or anything like it,”
Richardson said. “It's more akin to a small festival. The walking part
comes from a point in the event where everyone dressed as a zombie
shambles around as one great horde of zombies!” So what can we all
expect at the Zombie Walk? “Lots and lots of zombies!” said Richardson,
laughing. “There will be a lot of vendors out there, too, as well as
food trucks and charities.”
Richardson
also offered some advice on how to become a zombie. “Have some big ol’
clothes you just don't care about anymore? Tear ‘em up! Throw some fake
blood on it! Personally, I find paint to be more vibrant, and the color
lasts longer after it dries.”
All that zombie love will be helping more nonprofits this year than ever before.
Food
Bank of Northwest Louisiana will be accepting non-perishable food
donations, and LifeShare blood center will be accepting volunteer blood
donations (they assured us there would be no forced blood-lettings).
Other nonprofits include Renzi Education and Art Center, Bossier Arts
Council, Bossier Parish Libraries and the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society.
“Donating
to a participating charity will get you door prize tickets,” Richardson
said, “and you can submit those tickets for a chance to win any of our
amazing door prizes. And finally, for those 21 and up who want a little
more zombie love after the event, the Queue Tavern will be hosting an
after party that seems to be gearing up to be a Monster Mash.
Number Six
PUMPKIN SHINE ON LINE
It’s
nice to know that there’s something you can do with a butcher knife for
Halloween that doesn’t hurt someone. Pumpkin Shine on Line is probably
THE best event for those looking for the nostalgia of Halloweens past. As darkness
sets in, hundreds of people descend upon Betty Virginia Park to walk
the pumpkin-lined paths. It seems like the entries get more elaborate
each year. Many are decorated – or built – in area classrooms. From
traditional jack-o-lanterns to the hauntingly frightening to downright
side-splitting hilarious, the creativity and sheer number of entries
will make you proud to live in Shreveport – and happy you ventured out.
If
you’d like to enter a pumpkin, set-up begins at 9 a.m., but you need to
follow the guidelines. For more information, contact Denise at denisejoffrion@hotmail.com.
Number Seven
KREWE OF CENTAUR HALLOWEEN PARTY
The
Krewe of Centaur is calling all ghosts and ghouls, witches and wizards –
and anyone else who wants to have a spooky good time the Saturday
before Halloween. The party kicks off at 7 p.m. and will feature a
signature cocktail and costume contest. You can even bring your own
poison, as B.Y.O.B. is allowed.
The
Krewe of Centaur is one of the largest single parading krewes in the
State of Louisiana with over 500 members, and puts on the biggest Mardi
Gras parade in North Louisiana.
Number Eight
Faith Farms and Gas Light Players present: GENTLEMAN DEATH S SHOCKTALE SHOW
This
farm’s invitation had us at “Gentleman Death’s Shocktale Show and
Mortuary of the Macabre, a Burial Experience.” Say no more. The Gas
Light Players always surpass our expectations, but there’s so much more
to do at Faith Farms. From the Corn Maize of Mysteries to the
Haram-Scarum Hayride, this is definitely worth a road trip to Elm Grove.
And a zombie shoot CQB course? Get outta’ town! There are also tons of
children’s activities from the petting zoo to a pumpkin patch and
concessions. Definitely add this one to your Boo Bucket List.
Numbers Nine, Ten and Eleven
Shreveport Regional Arts Council and artspace present:
THE WORLD OF WILLIAM JOYCE & THE FIRST AND ONLY 2017 GLITTER ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE BALL
The
Shreveport Regional Arts Council invites you to enter the weird, wacky
Halloween world of William Joyce at artspace in what is really three
events in one.
Award-winning
short-film maker, artist and author William Joyce is famous for his
legendary Halloween parties and has enlisted SRAC to help him throw
what’s sure to be the biggest Halloween party he’s ever designed.
Casey
Jones, marketing director for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council,
explained, “The First and Only 2017 Glitter Zombie Apocalypse Ball is
Bill Joyce’s idea, from the decorations that he used in his very popular
family Halloween parties that were made famous by Martha Stewart, to
the dazzlingly intriguing name for this fun event.
Bill
himself has said that people missed his parties, but he is making a new
movie and could not do the party by himself. SRAC Executive Director
Pam Atchison offered to resurrect the fabulous arachnid, skeletons and
other spooky stuff and put it all in artspace for a fabulously freaky
party.”
‘It
seemed like the perfect place,” Jones said. “It is an added bonus that
Joyce’s decorations will remain up until Nov. 4 for other people to host
their own celebrations, homecoming parties, and birthday bashes. All
they have to do is contact artspace about a booking.”
So
get your glitter on! Joyce has woven a web of Halloween magic at
artspace with his collection of stupendous spiders, spinetingling
skeletons, spooky skulls and generally scary stuff.
INGRAVED EXHIBIT
Nothing approaches the Day of the Dead like artful
images of grave sites and tombstones. And of course, the Shreveport
Regional Arts Council loves when local businesses support the arts in a
big creative way. It all started when the chairman of the board of
Forest Park Cemeteries and Funeral Home, Mr. Robert Lomison, wanted to
celebrate 100 years of the history of Forest Park, as well as to pay
tribute to the visual, literary and performance talent of Northwest
Louisiana artists. Artists in 10 parishes were invited to tour the
cemetery with local historian John Andrew Prime, with the hope that they
would be inspired by the souls interred there. They were inspired, and
they did create. The results of their creative labor will be exhibited
and performed in a special InGRAVED exhibition opening at 6 p.m., Friday
the 13th of October, upstairs in Cool- Space at artspace.
Where
else can you enter the mind of William Joyce, view juried art AND be a
glittery zombie for a night? Dance the Monster Mash under Bill Joyce’s
giant spider, croon a little Scare-e-okie, sample skeletal snacks and do Jell-O shots. Don’t be scared!
Number Twelve
THE MONSTER BALL
Rumors
of sightings of the Creature of the Dare Lagoon have been reported
recently. The creature probably just wants a front row seat at The
Monster Ball by the Dare pool at Horseshoe Casino so he can dance to
Chee-Weez.
This
five piece tribute show band performs the best of the decades, from
'70s funk, '80s cheeziness, '90s rock – and maybe a few surprises, too. A
party in a band, Chee-Weez is world famous for crazy costumes, giant
video walls, lasers, lights and a “KISS-worthy pyro.” We just hope the
Frankenstein monster doesn’t get too close to the pool in those shoes.
Number Thirteen
FREAK SHOW MURDER MYSTERY
Stem Events says to “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!
Step
right up to Ms. Prissy's Wondrous Chest of Curiosity.” This murder
mystery promises “the freakiest freaks of nature you've ever seen.” Join
Charlene Chardonnay, June Cleavage and Irma Gird as they take in the
wonders, whimsy and whackjobs for this whodunnit of Halloween
proportions! Grab your popcorn and cotton candy and get ready to crack
the case of the Sideshow of
Suspicion. Stem offers some advice: “Just don't feed the Panther-Man!”
Stem will also have a murder mystery dinner food menu available for
purchase, along with adult beverages.
DETAILS
Number Five
When: October 21, 4 p.m.
Where: Pierre Bossier Mall in Bossier City For more information: www.facebook.com/pg/ sbczombiewalk
Number Six
When: Wednesday, October 26, 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Where: Betty Virginia Park in Shreveport
Admission: Free
Number Seven
When: Saturday, October 28, 7 p.m. to the witching hour (midnight)
Where: Krewe of Centaur, 351 Aero Drive in Shreveport Admission: $5 donation For more information: www.facebook.com/pg/ KreweOfCentaur
Number Eight
When: Through October 31, Open rain or shine Where: Faith Farms & Arena, 1145 Hwy. 527, Elm Grove For show times and activity times:
www.TERRAPLEX.net or call (318) 349-1327
Numbers Nine, Ten and Eleven
Where: artspace
When: Friday the 13th, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Admission: $10 or $8 with a military ID For more info: (318) 673-6535
Number Twelve
When: October 27 at 8 p.m. Where: Dare Pool at Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City
Admission: $5 with a Total Rewards Card; $10 without Must be 21 years old to party.
For more information: (318) 741-4382
Number Thirteen
When: Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:00pm
Where: Stem Events, 1513 Line Avenue, Suite 115 in Shreveport
Admission: There is no guarantee large group seats will be together. Please call in advance to secure seating for parties over four.
