Halloweekend is in full swing, with haunted houses and parties galore. Here are five more things to add to your spooky to-do list.
Though it's been met with mixed reviews, we've got to say that we are pretty taken with Fox's Gotham. While the comic book-inspired drama looks primarily at the origins of James Gordon (you know, the guy who goes on to become Commissioner Gordon) on the police force, it also tends to think a little too big in terms of thematic elements, as opposed to character development. But Donal Logue is there, which is generally a good thing. Regardless of where you stand on the show, you can unleash your DC Comics-loving geekery (within Scottsdale-style reason) when W Scottsdale hosts Gotham City Halloween, a lavish bash worthy of the Batman.
See also: 7 Dia de Los Muertos Events in Metro Phoenix
Revelers will don their costumes and take to the rooftop pool for the party, inspired by the grandeur of Wayne Manor (butlers and all). Doors open at 8 p.m. to the 21-and-over event, which will feature mood-setting ominous fog, the bat signal, DJs, villainous servers, and, just maybe, a party crashing appearance by the purple and green one himself. Though we don't expect to see many Jim Gordons in the mix.
VIP table and cabana reservations are available by calling 602-405-0099. Event tickets are $25 and up through www.wscottsdalehotel.com/gotham. Special room rates are available. Becky Bartkowski
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Ironically, if the imaginary how-to book referenced in the title of the stage musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying were about show business, its words of advice might include "Give your show a title much shorter than How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Because most of the biggies sport brief names: Camelot. My Fair Lady. Fiddler on the Roof. Cabaret. But How to Succeed has indeed succeeded nevertheless, from its 1961 première to two Broadway revivals in the past 20 years -- the most recent starring Daniel Radcliffe, entirely not nude. (What? It can't be just us whose minds go to Equus first when we feed Radcliffe and Broadway into our internal search engine.)
Trivia aside, the story of J. Pierrepont Finch's rise from mailroom to boardroom includes romance, intrigue, and a pack of zippy showtunes. Theater Works presents How to Succeed through Sunday, November 9, at 8355 West Peoria Avenue in Peoria. Curtain time Friday, October 31, is 7:30 p.m. Book your seats, $35 each, at www.tickets.theaterworks.org or 623-815-7930. Julie Peterson
If you just can't get enough of the spooky stuff, FearCON is coming to help you mix and mingle with like-minded fear junkies for two days of hair-raising panels, spine-chilling movie screenings, and eerie actor meet-and-greets.
Arizona's largest independent horror event is bringing American Horror Story, Walking Dead, and Dawn of the Dead actors to the Fear Farm this weekend. However, freaky panels like"Horror of Doctor Who" and "Memento Mori: Victorian death photos" are slated to discuss and analyze a range of terrifying topics in real life, in film, and on TV. The convention will also feature a six-movie film festival featuring indie horror flicks from around the world.
FearCON will be celebrating all things scary at the Fear Farm located at 2209 North 99th Avenue on Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2. General admission one-day passes ($30), weekend passes ($55), and VIP weekend passes ($110) are all available for the convention. For tickets and a full list of guests, screenings, and scheduled events, visit www.phoenixfearcon.com. Heather Hoch
Herberger Theater Festival of the Arts
For 25 years, the Herberger Theater Center has been an oasis for the performing arts in Phoenix. It's only right that the Herberger Theater Festival of the Arts, which takes place Saturday, November 1, is a torrent of the Valley's best and brightest artists.
The festival's costume contest might beckon attendees to don '80s garb to commemorate the HTC's quarter-century mark but the performance lineup is a current snapshot of the vibrant arts activity in the metro area. The Herberger's Center Stage hosts dance performances from the traditional Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ to the always cutting-edge Scorpius Dance Theatre. Stage West serves up variety including Arizona Girlchoir and the Fushicho Daiko Japanese drumming troupe while the Kax Stage houses bite-sized samples of Lunch Time Theater offerings and short films. Eclectic music and food vendors round out the fest experience.
The fifth annual Herberger Theater Festival of the Arts is at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 but free for anyone 12 or younger. For more information, visit www.herbergertheater.org. Jose Gonzalez
Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock
When award-winning playwright David Mamet decides to ditch the serious stage work for a cosmic comedy, you can bet that mayhem ensues. Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock follows the travels of Binky, Viv, and their very personified sheep, Bob, from Earth to Crestview, the fourth planet in the Goolagong System and domain of Supreme Ruler George Topax.
Directed by Carolyn McBurney with assistance from Fernando Perez, Revenge of the Space Pandas comes to Brelby Theatre, 6835 North 58th Avenue in Glendale. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as well as 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, from October 24 through November 8. General admission is $20, student, senior, and military admission is $17, and child admission is $10. For more and to purchase tickets, visit www.brelby.com or call the box office at 623-282-2781. Katie Johnson
See also: New Times Calendar of Events
