Pittsburgh Firewalk, Saturday, October 26, sunset – 12 a.m., Allegheny Commons, Northside. Few things bring people together to enjoy a crispy fall evening like a bonfire. City of Play, with support from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Rivers of Steel and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, will illuminate public gathering spaces with their Firewall Series which begins this Saturday at Allegheny Commons. Four “cauldrons” have been crafted by artisans to reflect our steel heritage and will be positioned in Allegheny Common’s new public art installation. A team comprised of a storyteller, dancer, and musician will lead performances at three cauldrons. Ghost stories, as well as stories based on local history and stories from far away lands will be shared. It’s an opportunity to get away from technology and screens, meet neighbors/new friends and feel the warmth of both the fire and the spirit of community. Free, however cash donations to provide fuel for the fires can be made on the City of Play website. They can even carve a piece of wood with the name of an individual to be burned in dedication or in memory of someone.
Allegheny Cemetery Walk, Saturday, October 26, 12 pm – 2 pm, 37234 Butler Street, Lawrenceville. Join the Pittsburgh Office of Public Art and art historian and local cemetery expert Dr. Elisabeth Roark for an afternoon exploring the beauty and history of this 300 acre cemetery which was incorporated in 1844 and is the final resting place for many of Pittsburgh’s historic figures. Tickets are $8, but limited to 40 participants. If you aren’t lucky enough to snag a ticket, you can always download the self-guided tour brochure on the Allegheny Cemetery website and stroll at your leisure. A bite or beverage at the nearby Abbey On Butler Street (4635 Butler St.), located in a building which housed a funeral home in its former life before being transformed into a restaurant/bar/coffeehouse, may be the perfect stop before or after your tour.
Paranormal Investigation Hike, Saturday, October 26, 7 pm – 9:30 pm, Dead Man’s Hollow Conservation Area, 1906 Donner Street, McKeesport. If you’re looking to raise your scare factor this weekend, join Cripple Crick Paranormal and Pittsburgh Paranormal Investigators in this evening hike sponsored by the Allegheny Land Trust of Dead Man’s Hollow. Hike along and see if you encounter a communicative spirits along this trail of this 400 acre piece of wilderness along the Youghiogheny River with an historic and mysterious past. Tickets for the walk are $20. Please note that no walk ins will be available, so plan ahead.
Owl-O-Ween, Saturday, October 26, 11 am – 3 pm, National Aviary, 700 Arch Street, Northside. Whooooooo is flying through the dark? Learn a few things and get up close views of owls, bats, vultures and nocturnal birds at this seasonal event at the National Aviary. In addition to the creepy creatures, there will also be crafts, activities and photo opportunities. Tickets: $16 – $17.
Fun and frightful films to check out this weekend to get you in the Halloween spirit:
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit, Saturday, October 26, 4 pm, Rangos Giant Cinema, Carnegie Science Center, Tickets: $9.95. From the creators of Chicken Run comes this comedic, British claymation film about a man who loves cheese and his mischievous dog. Throw in a rabbit that transformers into a giant monster and you have a fun take on a horror film for both kids and adults.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26, 11:30 pm, Hollywood Theater, 1449 Potomac Avenue, Dormont,. Join the Junior Chamber of Commerce Players for the presentation of this cult classic movie/live performance about a couple who find themselves stranded at the eerie mansion of transvestite scientist Dr. Frank-N-Futer and encounter an array of outlandish characters. Tickets are $7 and a bag of props to enhance the audience participation portion of the show will be sold for $3. Come on, let’s do the time warp, again!
Dawn of the Dead 3D, Friday & Saturday, October 25 & 26, 7 pm, Rangos Giant Cinema, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Avenue, North Shore. Tickets: $9.95. See Director George Romero’s masterpiece, adapted under the supervision of producer Richard P. Rubinstein to bring it to life in 3D . Watch survivors of a zombie apocalypse seek refuge in a suburban mall, Pittsburgh’s own Monroeville Mall serving as the backdrop.
Row House of Horrors, Friday – Sunday, October 25 – 27, various times, Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler Street. This independent theater has a full lineup of horror films for screening this weekend, including The Exorcist, The Descent and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. See Row House’s website for a full list of films, showtimes and to purchase tickets. You can even grab a beer at Bierport next door to take in to the theater to help cut the cinematic tension.
Nightmare on Ellsworth, Friday, October 25, 8 pm, Steel City Improv Theater, 5950 Ellsworth Avenue, Shadyside. If you like your horror with a side of comedy, head over to the Steel City Improv Theater for their satire of an 80s slasher film, complete with a creepy guy with a mask. Tickets: $10
Spirit 5th Annual Halloween Costume Contest & The Final Vault, Saturday, October 26, 8 pm – 12 am, Spirit, 242 for 51st Street, Lawrenceville. It’s gonna be a lively night at Spirit, so wear your most creative costume for some friendly competition and enjoy performances by five bands, including Tobacco, Toronto’s Odonis Odonis, and Boston rapper Oompa. It will also be one of your last opportunities to experience artist Ian Brill’s “The Final Vault,” a performative, audiovisual, architectural installation. Tickets are $20/advance, $25/at the door. Free pizza will be served from 8 pm – 10 pm to fuel the mixing, mingling and dancing.
WYEP Presents: Hellbender Ball, Saturday, October 26, 8 pm, Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall, 4053 Butler Street, Lawrenceville. Combine costumes and great music, and it’s bound to be a fantastic pre-Halloween evening. Come dressed in costume and listen to some of Pittsburgh’s artists transform into popular Billboard chart artists. The Ball features the music talents of Andre Costello And The Cool Minors, Donora, Bindley Hardware Co., Sierra Sellers and Cisco Kid. Tickets: $20 – $45.
Dark Magic Manor Halloween Dance Party, Friday, October 25, 9 pm, Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, 107 6th Street, Downtown. Costumes, dancing and Halloween beverage “potions” will make for a magical night. DJs Rich Kenny and Loyal will spin the tunes and best costume wins an overnight stay at the Renaissance. It’s got the makings for a spook-tacular evening! Tickets: $25 – $100.
