Welcome to Delaware Today’s arts blog, the spot to dish on the many cultural opportunities available to Delaware audiences. We’ll cover as many genres as possible, and note cool events offered by organizations large and small, in all three counties.
It’s Halloween. Get ready to party, you ghouls.
College Kids Gone Evil
You are a bunch of hungover college students. During the last frat party, you made the brilliant decision to spend Halloween weekend in an abandoned cabin. In the woods. In the dark. There are chainsaws. And guns. (Cue the Vincent Price laughter.)
It is the stuff of epic 1980s horror films. And this campy gem is on stage.
“Evil Dead, the Musical, ” a production of Bootless Artworks at the Arden Gild Hall, is opening October 30 and running thru November 7. This is the musical version of the ‘80s horror franchise that involves bizarre songs and dances, and that wacky Army of Darkness.
Sit in The Splatter Zone, or the first three rows. You will become part of the show. Wear a raincoat. Fans purchasing tickets in the Zone (first three rows) get a “I Survived the Splatter Zone” souvenir T-shirt.
And don’t worry about all that splattered blood. It’s fake. Or is it? Moi-ha-ha.
Contact info: bootless.org or 475-3126
Page 2: What a Witch!
What a Witch!
Her name is Wilhemina. She’s a witch. And she’s riding the Wilmington & Western Railroad express to hell.
Scared ya.
Actually, Wilhemina is a friendly witch, and she has some goodies for the little guys on this frightening one-hour trip on October 31. She’ll visit with every kid on board, and the more decked out they are, the nicer she will be. Be nice to the witch, kids. She’s moody.
Since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, this is the perfect precursor to a night of trick-or-treating. The afternoon trains depart at 12:30, 2 and 3:30. Kids in costume ride for half-fare.
The railroad operates steam- and diesel-powered tourist trains on 10 miles of track between Greenbank and Hockessin. It’s a very cool ride. And there are train events for every holiday. It’s almost Santa time, and the Big Guy’s express will run from November 28 thru December 20. Book it sooner rather than later. Santa sells well.
Contact info: wwrr.com or 998.1930
Page 3: Going Batty
Going Batty
“Bats and Other Creatures of the Night” is at the Delaware Museum of Natural History on October 31. It’s another great daytime Halloween activity, one that will scare the kids silly right before they hit the streets.
It’ll teach them stuff, too. The daytime exhibit, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will offer an educational twist on mysterious night creatures. Activities will be related to bats and other nocturnal animals, including hands-on games, live animals, crafts and more. Kids can enter the “Creatures of the Night Zone” to discover nocturnal animal habitats such as trees, caves, and burrows on magnetic activity boards. We’re also talking origami bats. Have you ever seen an origami bat?
And for all you last-minute Halloweeners, you (or your kids) can make owl masks and take them home.
I know my son will head straight for the live toads, lizards, snakes and tarantulas, which, of course, will be handled by staffers—much to his dismay. Owls from the Philadelphia Zoo will roost in the Hall of Birds.
Also scheduled is an original 15-minute puppet show. I won’t ruin the plot, but let’s just say it involves a Blue Jay and a nocturnal owl, and a rendezvous for dinner.
Contact info: 658-9111 or delmnh.org
