If you’re tired of trick-or-treating and want something a little different for Halloween, you can turn to Tacoma’s arts scene, where local theaters, musicians, museums and dance companies are making sure you have plenty of ways to get spooked in a more elevated way this October.
From Victorian death exhibits to haunted ballet studios, from Count Dracula to Mr. Hyde, from cursed violins to sugar skulls, there are plenty of Halloween-themed arts events to choose from this month.
“It’s our most popular event,” says Tacoma City Ballet director Erin Ceragioli of her company’s “Haunted Theatre” event, which draws little ones looking for both a thrill and a gorgeously costumed ballet experience. “People love it.”
And if you want to dress up, don zombie makeup and catch the Art Bus to tour Tacoma’s third Thursday gallery openings.
Here’s the lineup of spooky local arts events this month:
“Dead,” an exhibit of historical mortuary artifacts – White River Valley Museum
Get up close to death in the Victorian period with this exhibit of historical artifacts associated with death and burial practices: coffins, embalming fluid jugs, black satin ‘slumber beds,’ historical photographs and more.
When: Noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays through Nov. 6; “Great Graves” activity event, 1-2 p.m. Oct. 1
Where: 918 H St. S.E., Auburn (in Les Gove Park)
Cost: $2/$1
Information: 253-288-7433, wrvmuseum.org
“Something Wicked This Way Comes” – Lakewood Playhouse
Two boys in a small town check out a bizarre traveling carnival, only to find themselves having to save their families and friends from the terrifying Mr. Dark, the Illustrated Man. Written by Ray Bradbury, this is a Northwest premiere.
When: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 23
Where: Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd, Lakewood
Cost: $22.50/$19.50/$16.50
Information: 253-588-0042, lakewoodplayhouse.org
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” – Tacoma Little Theatre
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, this mystery injects some complexity into both the evil Mr. Hyde and his innocent counterpart Dr. Jekyll, while still giving all the thrills of the original.
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 14-Nov. 6; pay what you can show for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 show
Where: Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N. I St., Tacoma
Cost: $14.50-$24.50
Information: 253-272-2281, tacomalittletheatre.com
Dia de los Muertos – Tacoma Art Museum
It’s the Latino counterpart to Halloween: Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, which happens Nov. 2 this year but at Tacoma Art Museum starts halfway through October. Watch a traditional Mexican tapete (sand painting) being installed by artists in the lobby, explore arts like paper cutting and sugar skulls at the community festival, or visit the community-made ofrendas (altars) created in honor of dead loved ones.
When: Sand painting installation, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 16 ; Free Third Thursday, 5-8 p.m. Oct. 20 (including artist talk 6 p.m.); Free community festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 30; museum open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays
Where: Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Cost: third Thursday and festival free, regular admission $10/$8/free for five and younger
Information: 253-272-4258, tacomaartmuseum.org
Zombies – on the Art Bus
Tacoma’s yellow Art Bus makes third Thursday gallery touring a lot less tiring (and cold and wet). The bonus for October’s tour is the zombie theme. Dress up for undead gallery fun.
When: Leaves Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) at 5 p.m. Oct. 20
Where: Various stops
Cost: $10 button at the door
Information: tacomaartbus.com
“Enchanted Symphony” – Tacoma Symphony with Maria Bachmann on violin
Magic surrounds Halloween, which is why this symphony program’s so appropriate. Mussorgsky’s “A Night on Bald Mountain” channels a coven of witches, Corigliano’s “The Red Violin” suite depicts a cursed violin that entices and kills its owners, while Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” tells the Russian fairy tale of a prince and his bird.
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22
Where: Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma
Cost: $24-$77
Information: 253-591-5894, broadwaycenter.org, tacomasymphony.org
“Haunted Theater” – Tacoma City Ballet
Imagine a haunted house with dancing fairies, witches or goblins. That’s what Tacoma City Ballet creates every year in its beautiful Merlino building studios. As kids wander through the decorated “Haunted Theater,” they’ll be gently spooked by dancers in costume; a performance ends the one-hour event. Wear your costume.
When: 3 and 5 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29; 3 p.m. Oct. 23 and 30; 7 p.m. Oct. 28
Where: The Merlino Building, 508 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Cost: $5
Information: 253-272-4219, tacomacityballet.com
“Castelul Dracula ” – Carpe Diem string quartet and Chris Burns, double bass
Dracula as a double bass? You’d better believe it. Jon Deak’s lush chamber work “Lucy and the Count” pits the innocent violin (Lucy) against the stylish but ominous bass (Count Dracula) for a fun reworking of the story. There’s other Romanian/Hungarian music on the program (Kodaly, Dohnanyi, Bartok) as well as the gypsy violin favorite, Monti’s “Csrds.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28
Where: Great Hall, Annie Wright School, 827 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma
Cost: $32/$29/$10
Information: 253-572-TUNE, scchamberseries.org
“A Night at the Movies” Costume Concert – Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra
If your kids are too young for the big symphony, they’ll love this one: an orchestra where most players are teenagers and everyone is dressed up as a movie character, playing movie themes such as “The Wizard of Oz” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Best of all, the audience can dress up too – register your kids in the basement to enter the costume competition.
When: 3 and 6 p.m. Oct. 30
Where: Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St., Tacoma
Cost: $11-$17, $40 family
Information: 253-627-2792, tysamusic.org
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