Saturday, Oct. 16
• Get a jump on the festivities and test-drive your costume: This Saturday (Oct. 16) Night of the Bass Zombies takes over The Garage at Biltmore. “The undead zombie army are gathering for an all night face melting and braineating extravaganza of dubstep, drum n bass, electrowomp, and more,” says a Facebook post. “The Garage has recently upgraded it’s soundsystem with bone tingling bass that will shake loose the rigormortis. There will be makeup artists on hand if you need help with your undead appearance and a film crew needing plenty of extras.” The lineup includes GalaxC Girl, Mixtress Krikett, LunaCee, D:Raf, and Xist, we will welcome once again to the stage the mysterious Dubvirus. Listen to his Infection mix here.
Thursday, Oct. 28
• There are corn mazes and then there are Children of the Corn mazes, which is more the case with
Dark Harvest: The Haunted Corn Maze Race. This event, brought to you by the folks behind the Asheville Idiotarod, takes place Thursday, Oct. 28 at 8:30 p.m.
“Imagine running through a dimly green lit corn maze in the dark as you navigate through sharp corners, long narrow hallways and sudden dead ends while you dodge the countless creatures waiting for you inside,” says the press release. “Take on the maze and all that hides inside of its walls as you seek out three hidden secrets in your quest be awesome (and win free stuff!). Participants will enter the maze 30 seconds apart in a staggered start. How long it takes will be determined by your choices – all of which will be clearly lit with green glow sticks. Inside you’ll have to get past Jason, The Scream, Freddy, Michael Myers and a host of other ghouls in your quest to find The Hoff, Richard Simmons and Chuck Norris who will provide you with information (and a stamp) that you’ll need to escape the Haunted Harvest.”
Costumes are optional, glow bands (not optional) are provided. Entry fee is $25 and half of the proceeds benefit Paws with a Purpose and Eliada Homes. Sign up at raceforawesomeness.com.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 and 30
• Better Tours of Asheville offers up a variety of spooky activities, like the Halloween Special Event – Actual Back-to-Back Paranormal Investigations. According to tour organizers, “We’ll start the evening at Treasure Keepers with the Kava Tea Ceremony, drinking the traditional ceremonial beverage of the South Pacific islands, which is used to communicate with ancestral spirits. Then we’ll begin the investigation, looking for the ghost of a young boy whose famous home was burned to the ground. Next, we’ll head to the second location, the Flat Iron building, the sight of several historically unexplained haunts for the first investigation of that building ever. After the investigations join us at the Sky Bar and enjoy the 8th floor balcony view over an optional glass of Absinthe (not included in price), one of the most controversial alcoholic beverages today.” Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 and 30, 9 p.m. nightly. $25 per person, tour runs over two hours.
The tour company also has regular events like the Ghost Tour: “Let us lead you through Asheville’s darkest secrets, deepest mysteries, and most haunted locations. During our 90-minute walking tour through downtown Asheville, we’ll visit the locations of some of the most famous haunts in Western North Carolina. Tour designed by professional Paranormal Investigators. Be sure to bring your camera! Tour departs downtown at 9 pm and ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 14.”
Haunted Pub Crawl: “Learn about a side to this town that few people realize ever existed over the course of a rowdy night out on the town at our favorite haunts! Enjoy drink specials at actual haunted bars and end the night dancing at a Haunted House! There’s no better, spookier, more entertaining, more authentic way to experience Asheville. For some of the pub crawls the ticket price will include admission to Grove House and parking all night at the lot across the street. Tour departs downtown every night at 9 pm and tickets are $20, adults only.”
Haunted and Scandalous Trolley Tour: “Sit back (if you dare) as we illuminate Asheville’s dark side with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem. We’ve partnered up with Gray Line Historic Trolleys to bring you the best trolley tour the city has to offer! Tour departs at 7 pm in front of Pack’s Tavern every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and can be purchased by calling 866.592.TOUR (8687).” More info at 216-3383 or bettertoursofasheville.com.
Saturday, Oct. 30
• Hellblinki — a band known for being all thinks spooky and darkly awesome — get ready to release a decidedly un-spooky named album (These Bubbles Come from Ants). But, they’ll be holding their release on Halloween eve — Saturday, Oct. 30 — on the LaZoom bus. Shows are at 9 and 10 p.m., tickets are $15. All ages, beer and wine allowed on the bus. Bus departs from DeSoto Lounge 504 Haywood Rd. West Asheville at 9pm and 10pm (Must be 21 to Enter the DeSoto). More info at 225-6932 or lazoomtours.com.
Says the band, “Hellblinki Sextet CD Release and Halloween Party, Devil’s Night 2010! Get on the bus COSTUMED to hear the beautiful live rendition of Hellblinki Sextet’s newest album – These Bubbles Come from Ants, as we parade you through the wild streets of Asheville, the Saturday before Halloween! Hellblinki is punk folk pirate blues, psycho cabaret from the deep deep south. Known worldwide for dramatic performances and epic recordings, they can occasionally be found in Asheville, NC banging away on a crazy purple bus.”
Get the album here; reserve tickets here.
Sunday, Oct. 31
• The Swannanoa Valley Museum is about to wrap its season, but it will be open for trick-or-treaters who dare to enter the Haunted Museum. According to the museum’s newsletter, “starting at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31, ghosts and goblins of all sizes and ages can be seen in the galleries, and special treats will be given to the children. There will be no admission fee for the Haunted Museum evening. It’s a great place for families to discover some history, and enjoy some good, old-fashioned, safe Halloween fun.”
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