Several years ago, a Flyer reporter (who shall remain nameless) got all dressed up for a Halloween party, and when that party got canceled, she and a friend sat at home and sulked about being all dressed up with nowhere to go. At one point, they got so bored that they walked outside and posed, in costume, on Madison Avenue for the passing cars. That was the highlight of the evening. Lame, yes. But it’s a true story.
Don’t let that happen to you. With all the parties, haunted houses, and spooky weekend events going on this weekend, there’s really no excuse. Kick off the night by taking the little ones trick-or-treating on Mud Island. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the island will feature a haunted river walk, hayrides, and a kid’s costume contest.
Ditch the kids and head to the Memphis Zoo for the Black Cat Bash, an adults-only costume party with live music, wine, and a beer bar. The party begins at 7:30 p.m.
For something completely different, check out the Memphis Belles Halloween Burlesque Show. The belles will be performing, along with fire performers, El Dorado and the Ruckus, Jason and the Punknecks, and Snake Eyes. The show begins at 9 p.m.
History buffs should head over to Elmwood Cemetery for their annual Halloween flashlight tour. Costumed docents will recount the stories of folks buried in the city’s oldest cemetery. The tour begins at 10 p.m.
The festivities continue throughout the weekend thanks to All Saint’s Day on November 1st and All Soul’s Day on November 2nd. On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the “Night at the Village” All Saints Day Celebration begins at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral with a choral evensong. Then the group will march in a bagpipe procession to the Woodruff-Fontaine House in Victorian Village. There guests will watch a mock funeral and dine on Irish stew and beer.
On Sunday, the celebrations take a more serious tone with the “Requiem Eucharist: Remember the Victims” performance by the Memphis Boychoir at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 5:30 p.m. The choir will honor those who have lost their lives to senseless violence over the past year.
For more Halloween weekend fun, check out the Flyer‘s searchable online calendar.