While many Halloween parties and activities took place last weekend, the official date is Oct. 31. So to wrap things up, here’s a list and recap of events on now through Nov. 3.
Bob Scott’s Halloween Tyme is an annual art exhibit on now through Oct. 31 at Neptoon Records, 3561 Main St. Scott uses recycled wine corks and found objects in his innovative painted carvings. His folk art carvings have been seen in solo and group shows across North America, including repeatedly at the MF Gallery’s Annual Halloween Art Show in Brooklyn, New York.
This third annual Halloween Tyme exhibit will showcase new cork carvings and drawings, as well as hand-painted magnets, noisemakers and treat bags. Check out bobscottartwork.ca.
Secret locations
There are select tickets still available for Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island, back for its second year.
The Zombie Syndrome presents an opportunity to survive, or not, the Zombie Apocalypse as part of an interactive show by award-winning artist Andy Thompson. One smartphone per group is necessary to navigate Vancouver while escaping hordes of zombies. Locations aren’t released until just prior to each event. On now through Nov. 3. For more information and tickets visit thevirtualstage.org.
Dunbar
As reported previously in the Courier, this is the last year for the popular Dunbar Haunted House, which has early showings for the kids and scarier themes with costumed actors for the adults after 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per adult with all proceeds going to local charities. For more information visit dunbarhauntedhouse.com.
Various locations
The Vancouver Haunted Trolley Tours offers 2.5 hours of non-stop ghost stories and ghoulish tales with stops at some of this city’s most haunted locations.
The adults-only tour includes stops at Mountain View Cemetery and the autopsy room of the Vancouver Police Museum. On now through Oct. 31. Check out vancouvertrolley.com.
Chinatown
Another adult-themed, chill-inspiring event is Judge Dee’s Chinatown Haunted House at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall St. on now through Oct. 31.
Produced by Seven Tyrants Theatre, the event uses actors, dancers and musicians to tell the gruesome stories of Judge Dee: China’s Sherlock Holmes. The terror runs every 10 minutes from 7 to 10 p.m., through Oct. 31. Check out vancouverchinesegarden.com.
Downtown
Pacific Cinematheque, 1131 Howe St., is showing Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m. The F.W. Murnau classic 1922 German expressionist horror movie is considered by many to be the best screen version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula ever made. Visit thecinematheque.ca for more information.
Gastown
The Lost Souls of Gastown tours continues now through Nov. 1 with departures from Cathedral Square at Dunsmuir and Richards, opposite Holy Rosary Cathedral. These tours explore some of the city’s earliest and most gruesome history dating back to the 1800s when Vancouver was a violent frontier town. Don’t expect a conventional walking or ghost tour, this experience is described as gothic theatre. Call 604-839-3126 or visit forbiddenvancouver.ca for ticket information.
Stanley Park
The Stanley Park Ecology Society is continuing with its Creatures of the Night Walking Tours now through Nov. 2.
These 30-minute, lantern-lit tours allow participants a glimpse into the creatures that lurk in the park once the sun goes down. A must if you love things that go bump in the night, including spiders, creepy-crawlies and the occasional owl. The tours leave from the Stanley Park Children’s Farmyard and Miniature Train, where the Ghost Train also continues to run through Nov. 2.
For ticket information and to register, call 604-718-6522 or visit stanleyparkecology.ca.
Hastings Park
And finally, Fright Nights at the PNE is the place where guests can face their fears in six haunted houses and, for those who survive, risk their lives on 12 rides and be entertained by the Monsters of Schlock, a two-man comedy, circus act and stunt show influenced by the early days of vaudeville, the Three Stooges and “carnivals of yore.” Visit frightnights.ca.
