Thank God It's Frightday

What to do, Halloween Week 2008

A A A Comments (0) By Libby Molyneaux Thursday, Oct 30 2008

Okay, boys and ghouls, there’s something sinister coming this week. Oh — and Halloween’s happening, too! See Music and Film/Video Events for even more Halloween-related celebrations.

FRIDAY, October 31

Mazed and confused at Universal Studios. See Friday.

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New this year to the blockbuster-sized terrors of Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights is Terror Tram: The Nightmare Tour. Knowing that Freddy Krueger is out there in the dark somewhere should keep your spine tingled. This is the ultimate “immersion experience that will shatter preconceptions, transcending notions of horror-genre theatrics and Halloween maze experiences to take visitors to a state of extreme dread, shock and terror.” Yep, it’s even scarier than rush hour on the 405. You can tiptoe around the Psycho house and Bates Motel, and the War of the Worlds disaster scene. There’s also a new maze this year with masked killers. Masked killers are the scariest killers of all! Not for kids under 13 — unless you want them to hate you forever, then it’s great for kids! Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City; Fri.-Sat., through Nov. 1; 7 p.m.; superconvoluted pricing scheme: $44 & $54 & up (way up). www.halloweenhorrornights.com.

Shipwreck at the Queen Scary, which is rumored to be haunted any time of year, has seven dizzying mazes, including the 3-D House of Hallucinations, that are gonna put you through the spin cycle. Walk through its dark decks and corridors, but watch out for the “monsters, mutants and maniacs” hiding at every turn. New this year is the Sinister Stage Show, spotlighting the Freak Show Deluxe. After the demons have been exorcised from your body, join the dance party at Exhibit Hall with live bands pounding your skull. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach; Fri.-Sun., through Nov. 1, 7 p.m.-mid.; $34 (not recommended for children under 12; no costumes allowed — strange but true). (562) 435-3511.

Who dresses up better than West Hollywood? Join the wigged-out throngs on Santa Monica Boulevard for the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival. Who will be popular this year? Sarah Palins, drag and not, should be roaming free-range along the boulevard. I am going as a mariachi paparazzo — basically an excuse to wear a really big hat and carry a toy squirt camera filled with tequila. If a WeHo elf hands you a bracelet, that means you’re dressed outlandishly/creatively enough for the costume-contest finals! Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard; Fri., Oct. 31, 6 p.m.-mid.; free. (323) 848-6503.

You classy sorts might eschew all that spurting blood and prefer a sit-down creep-out. Halloween Silent Movie with Clark Wilson: Phantom of the Opera features Mr. Wilson at the organ accompanying Rupert Julian’s 1925 film. (And you can always hit West Hollywood for some wilder fun after the show.) Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111. S. Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Fri., Oct. 31, 8 p.m.; $24-$49. (323) 850-2000.

Okay, hiperati, this one’s for you. Echo Park Time Travel Mart Presents a Very Special Halloween Dead Author Reading featuring special guests Edgar Allan Poe and Washington Irving and music by Common Rotation. You’re encouraged to dress as your favorite dead author. Yes, it’s okay to wear a bandanna on your head and put a rope around your neck and go as David Foster Wallace. Benefits 826LA, nonprofit creative-writing classes for kids. Echo Park Time Travel Mart, 1714 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; Fri., Oct. 31, 8 p.m.; $10 suggested donation. (213) 413-3388.

Spooky House has been the scariest destination in the Valley (and that’s saying something) for 13 years. Take the “hellavator” to the foreboding and thankfully not foreclosing manse’s 25 rooms overrun with creepy zombies, torture chambers, manic killers and those annoying ladies from Studio City. 21512 Nordhoff St., Chatsworth; nightly 7 p.m.-mid., through Nov. 2; $20-$39; toned-down daytime adventures for kids are $10. www.spookyhouse.com.

Something called “Rotten Apple 907” presents The Wizard of Odz. It’s a haunted house built on the premise, “What would have happened if Dorothy had taken the red brick road instead of the yellow brick road?” And dig this, it’s free (but you’re asked to make a donation for Autism Speaks). 907 N. California St., Burbank; Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 30-31, 7-10 p.m.; free. (818) 257-1271.

Laugh away your fear of dressing up at The Halloween Fake Show, wherein Frank Conniff and Eddie Pepitone join Calavera Comedy to keep it real — real scary, that is! Fake Gallery, 4319 Melrose Ave., L.A.; Fri., Oct. 31, 9 p.m.; $10. (323) 644-4946.

Not to be confused with last week’s show called The Witching Hour is this week’s show called The Witching Hour. It’s a collection of four tales of terror, à la Tales From the Crypt and Twilight Zone. How do you spell “Mwwwaaaaaahhhhhh!”? The Actors Workout Studio, 4735 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; Fri., Oct. 31, 8 p.m.; runs through Nov. 8; $20, $15 in advance. (323) 378-5910.

How scary is a place called the “ Hammer Museum”? Better watch your back! The museum presents Halloween in Hades, a devilish presentation of “ghoulish music, ghastly dancers and gruesome visuals” in the museum courtyard, featuring performances by Hecuba, Discount Cruise to Hell and We Are the World. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood; Fri., Oct. 31, 7-11 p.m.; free but ticket required and can be claimed one hour before showtime. (310) 443-7000.