Hallowe’en… a night loved by the under-10s and loathed by many others. But fear not (actually no – fear lots…) – there are ways to enjoy it that don’t involve handing over a year’s supply of sugar whilst laughing at unfunny jokes. Try these; all take place on 31st October unless otherwise stated:
1. Cameo After Dark: Child’s Play (15). If you’re not scared by Chucky, you’re almost certainly lying. I haven’t even seen Tom Holland’s film about a doll possessed by the soul of a voodoo serial killer and I’m terrified of him. Don Mancini once said he modelled Chucky on the Cabbage Patch Dolls – and they were pretty weird, weren’t they? So if you fancy being creeped out by a story that allegedly highlights the way in which advertising affects children – or if you just want to be scared witless – go along to the Cameo, Home Street at 10pm. Tickets may be purchased in person, by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723 or online.
2. Peapod Productions Presents The Moonlit Road & Other Ghostly Tales: a new one-man ghost story by internationally bestselling crime novelist Caroline Dunford and her partner Graham Gibson, inspired by the writings of Ambrose Bierce, Edgar Allan Poe, MR James, Bram Stoker, and many others. A young man crouches in a darkened room late one night and waits. He waits. He waits, for something terrible to come for him…. For ages 12+. 9pm, Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10/£8 and are available from the Box Office on 0131 560 1580 or online here. (Also at same time on 28th, 29th and 30th October 2015).
3. A Cartoon Hallowe’en: ‘colourful nightmarish make up and right creepy get up, a bairn’s nightmare unleashed!’ Manga Menaces, Disney Deviants and Cartoon Critters – let your imagination run wild for the Victoria Bar’s Cartoon Hallowe’en! Dj RETROGRADE will provide the music. 9pm, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk.
4. The Samhuinn Fire Festival; mark the end of summer and welcome the onset of winter with this stunning torchlit procession. ‘At Samhuinn, the veil between the worlds draws thin and the spirits gather close to bear witness as the courts of Summer and Winter battle for control of the seasons. In her wild ecstasy of grief and sorrow, the Cailleach (a Celtic representation of the Goddess) ushers the last breath of Summer’s opulent decadence into the beyond to make way for the icy storms of Winter’s dark reign’. This traditional celebration of the Celtic New Year is hosted by the Beltane Fire Society; it begins in the Grassmarket and features acrobatics, fireworks, beautiful costumes and breath-taking performances. The Fire Festival is for adults and children over 10; it’s free, but donations will be much appreciated. 7pm, Grassmarket.
5. Spooky Storytime! A special Saturday morning for children, with regular four-legged friends BB and Hardy – come dressed up and win a prize! 11am, Far From the Madding Crowd, 20, High Street, Linlithgow. Free. Please call 01506 845 509 for more information.
6. Laptop Lounge Presents Hallowe’en Hullabaloo at The Voodoo Rooms. Edinburgh’s alternative live electronic music event returns, bringing music and visual performances together to create an evening of multimedia entertainment. Music ranges from experimental through ambient to electro and techno; this special Hallowe’en Hullabaloo will feature Bit Face, A Bad Man, Lektroid, Shades Of TL, Eddie Cointreau, Elhoi, Ian Brown & No:Input. For over 18s only. From 8pm, The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street. £5.
7. Hallowe’en Party with Karaoke! Prizes to be won for the best dressed and the best pumpkin carving. Party all evening, karaoke starts at 10pm, Old Chain Pier, Trinity Crescent.
8. Dead By Dawn Horror Festival: the Filmhouse is offering you a night of creepy classics, starting at 7.50pm with House of Wax (PG), the first 3D colour film ever produced by an American studio, a chiller that sees Vincent Price play a vengeful wax sculptor whose creations are remarkably life-like. A little too life-like… You’ll just about have time for a stiff drink in the bar before the ‘absolutely terrifying, creepy and merciless thriller’ Hallowe’en (18) hits the screen at 10pm. Filmhouse, Lothian Road; tickets may be purchased in person, by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688 or online.
9. Hallowe’en Family Party – with prizes for the best costume and the best carved pumpkin! Please bring your own torch and pumpkin, and please note all children must be accompanied by an adult. 5-7.30pm, Barony Community Garden, Barony Place, Broughton. Organised by the Barony Project Group.
10. Henry’s Hallowe’en Special – Unnecessary Surgery reunion + Texture. Unnecessary Surgery combined hard, underground dance music with heavy, aggressive guitars to create unparalleled thuggery. From 2003 they took their self styled Direct Injection DJ mixes to unsuspecting venues across Scotland. Beats, fighting, riffs, screaming, bass and blood (both real and fake) all featured prominently.
Then on October 31st 2005 they performed one final concert before disappearing under the weight of their own hatred… Ten years later they are bringing back the Decks, Thugs & Rock n Roll for one night only. A twisted, terrible reunion. Texture – aka Bram E Gieben – is a writer and performer based in Glasgow. He is the 2015 Scottish Slam Poetry Champion. Plus Oscar Wild Animal & The Dandy Lions and ETC DJSs. 10.30pm-3am, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Morrison Street. £5 on the door.
