For its second year, the psychotic and sadistic — er, um, visionary and talented — artistic team behind last year’s most avant-garde Halloween experience, ALONE: An Existential Haunting, is back with a new production, a new secret location and an updated audience waiver. The show is inspired by the idea that no special effects, regardless of how frightening, could ever truly match the terrors that spring from your mind when you’re alone in the dark. So that’s where they put you. Solo in the dark, in a guaranteed-spooky piece of architectural history (last year, the basement of a quasi-abandoned Masonic lodge), you are treated, if that’s the right word, to a half-hour tour of darkened rooms, guided only by your keen sense of self-preservation — and the groping hands of the performers. Hints to the details of the experience can be gleaned from the disclaimers on the event website. “Participants should be able to run, jump, crawl, climb stairs and get wet and dirty, and wear face paint. No flip flops, high heels or open-toed shoes/sandals. This experience is not recommended for audience members who are not in good mental health or suffer from vertigo.” Performances begin Saturday, but ALONE opens the gates to hell Friday night with a party featuring the suitably dark and ferocious Lydia Lunch, plus performance-based goosebumps and super-chic nightmare material from Donita Sparks, Squeaky Blonde, Devin Sarno, Amy Kaps, Sublamp and Dublab. Tickets normally are $45, but during the first two hours of the opening ceremony, a $15 add-on gets you inside. Though it’s unclear as to what kind of crazy person would do that willingly. Downtown location to be announced; Fri., Oct. 17, 7 p.m.-mid.; $20 (add-on performance tickets available for $15, 7-9 p.m. only). Performances run through Nov. 1; all tickets after Oct. 17 $45. 21+. thealone?experience.com.?—Shana Nys Dambrot

Oct. 17-Nov. 1, 2014
(Expired: 11/01/14)

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