Spook-tacular
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is on stage at 7 p.m. Oct. 30. Costumes are optional, but paraphernalia such as toast, water guns and umbrellas are prohibited. Advance tickets are $7.
At 8 p.m. Oct. 31 rock out with the Galactic Empire, a “Star Wars” cosplay metal band. “Star Wars” costume are encouraged. Advance tickets are $25, $17 for students. VIP tickets are $40.
The center is at 226 N. High St., West Chester. Visit www.uptownwestchester.org or call (610) 356-ARTS.
Mount Hope Estate & Winery: Formerly “theater only” performances set in the intimate theater spaces of the mansion, the annual “Poe Evermore” will now include a four-course interactive dining experience for the 2017 season Nov. 2-12. The scene is the Mount Hope Penitentiary in 1848, where the president of the prison board of inspectors has invited everyone to a demonstration of the rehabilitation of the worst felons of our age through the beauty of poetry. Edgar Allan Poe will be in attendance, as he awaits his own court date. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $54.95. The site is the home of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire on Route 72, Cornwall. Go to www.parenfaire.com/poe.html or call (717) 665-7021. Child ticket pricing is not available.
Lehigh Valley Zoo: Children are welcome to dress in costume to trick-or-treat through the grounds of the zoo, while visiting their favorite animals, with Boo at the Zoo 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28-29. Admission can be purchased on site at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, and costs $13, $12 for seniors, $11 for children 2-11.
Crystal Cave: Halloween Ghost Lantern Tours combine ghost stories and folklore while exploring the caves by a hand-held lantern light (not suitable for children under 8). These tours start at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 and 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Reservations are required by calling (610) 683-6765. The site is at 963 Crystal Cave Road, Kutztown.
Da Vinci Science Center: Jack-O-Lantern Lane is a display of 50 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns set in a family-friendly walk-through Halloween experience through Nov. 5 at 3145 Hamilton Boulevard Bypass, Allentown. Learn more at www.davincisciencecenter.org/exhibits-programs/live-shows-and-events/jack-o-lantern-lane.
Moravian Book Shop: “Historic Haunts of Downtown Bethlehem” offers hour-long candlelit ghost tour sharing stories about the haunted history at 6, 7 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. The store is at 428 Main St., Bethlehem. Call (610) 866-5481 for tickets.
Hugh Moore Park: Check-in time is 6 p.m. Oct. 27-28 for Haunted Hugh Moore Park, a ghost story ride on the Josiah White II canal boat. Also, take a ghost walk to the locktender’s house, go on a hay ride and enjoy activities and snacks. New this year is a rock painting activity, where guests can decorate a rock and then hide it for someone else to find. The rocks can be tracked using the hashtag #HauntedHMP. Cost is $15 per person. The park is 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton. Call (610) 923-3548 or visit https://canals.org/locations/hugh-moore-park.
Museum of the American Revolution: Oct. 28-29 kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite Revolutionary (open to a wide range of interpretation) and get $2 off admission to the museum at 101 S. Third St., Philadelphia. Kids of all ages are welcome to take a piece of candy and show off their ensemble in costume parades 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Patriots Gallery, gather for ghost stories with a costumed gallery educator and explore 18th century folk customs reminiscent of today’s Halloween rituals. On Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. composer Tod Machover, who is writing a collaborative symphony titled “Philadelphia Voices,” will be at the museum to record sounds that capture the spirit of Philadelphia as the birthplace of democracy. Oct. 28 also marks “Free Streets Day.” From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Third Street will be closed to traffic in order to promote pedestrian cycling and walking. On Halloween from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. historian Dr. Robert A. Selig will present “Of Skulls, Severed Heads and Skeletons: What to Do with a Dead Hessian, Brit, Frenchman or American, as the Case May Be.” Following almost any military engagement, it was mostly up to the civilian population to tend to the dead. How were they buried? Are they ever found? And if so, who would dig them up and why? Tickets can be purchased at www.amrevmuseum.org or call (215) 253-6731.
Philadelphia Segway Tours: Wheel Fun Rentals’ Philly Ghost Tours run through October. This supernatural themed tour takes riders through the history of Philadelphia’s haunted past and features a ghost detection meter to enhance the fun. Enjoy haunted stops at the home where Edgar Allan Poe wrote a few of his infamous short stories, St. Peter’s Church cemetery and other destinations. Philly Ghost Tours start from the Independence Visitor Center, 1 N. Independence Mall West. Visit www.philadelphiasegwaytours.com or call (805) 650-7770.
Pennhurst Asylum: The Spring City landmark, which opened in 1908 as a now-infamous state school, is now a haunted attraction that’s open through Nov. 4. The new attraction this year is “Containment,” a 1,200-foot tunnel stretching underneath the entire expanse of the Pennhurst complex. Check http://pennhurstasylum.com.
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: The sixth annual Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead – Celebration is held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 in the galleries of the Penn Museum, 3260 South St., Philadelphia. Highlights include music, dance, pageantry, puppetry, paper mache artistry, sugar skull and paper flower making, face painting, a Mexico and Central America gallery tour, an altar competition and special celebration foods. Everyone is encouraged to come in costume and costumed guests under age 12 get half-price general admission. Guests dressed in a Day of the Dead-themed costume such as La Catrina, or as a traditional Mexican icon like Frida Kahlo, can join an afternoon parade and costume contest. Admission is $15, $13 for seniors 65+, $10 for children 6-17 and students. Get a detailed schedule at www.penn.museum. For general information call (215) 898-4000.
Tylersport Fire Company: Tickets for Haunted Hayrides are sold 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27-28 at 125 Ridge Road, Salford Township. Cost is $10, free to children under 5.
Art appreciation
Philadelphia Museum of Art: “Old Masters Now: Celebrating the Johnson Collection” opens Nov. 3 and is on view through Feb. 19. In 1917 lawyer John G. Johnson left a treasure trove of Italian Renaissance, Dutch master and French Impressionist art to the City of Philadelphia. Located at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, till 8:45 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Go to www.philamuseum.org or call (215) 763-8100.
Sunset Hill Fine Arts Gallery: The 19th annual Miniature Show features paintings by a variety of Chester County artists, starting with an opening reception 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 3 at 23 N. High St., West Chester. The show continues through Dec. 24. The gallery is located on the second floor of Sunset Hill Jewelers. Visit www.sunsethilljewelers.com for the participating artists and gallery hours.
Jewels of the ocean
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University: Thousands of shells will be on display, and for sale, at the annual Philadelphia Shell Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 28-29, at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. The show features competitive displays of mollusks by collectors, amateur scientists and artists. Shop an international shell market packed with jewelry, shells, books and more. Members of the Philadelphia Shell Club will be on hand to answer questions and identify shells visitors have collected during their travels. Visit www.ansp.org.
Concert highlights
Kennett Flash: LowDown Brass Band and Kennett High School’s Gruv will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 1. RSVP via the Kennett Flash website at www.kennettflash.org. LowDown Brass Band will also be hosting a free workshop the afternoon of the performance at The Garage Community Youth Center. For more information, visit www.garageyouthcenter.org. Kennett Flash is at 102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square.
World Cafe Live: WXPN’s free Latin Roots Live! concert series continues at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 when 12-piece Puerto Rican orchestra La Tribu de Abrante performs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia. The opening act will be Combo Chimbita. Admission to the all-ages show is free via an RSVP at www.latinroots.org.
SteelStacks: Pop/rockers Dennis Quaid & The Sharks, fronted by actor Dennis Quaid, appear at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Musikfest Cafe, Founders Way, Bethlehem. Tickets range from $45-$55. Visit www.steelstacks.org or call (610) 332-3378.
Keswick Theatre: Comedian, actor, television writer, author and musician Paul Reiser brings tales of love, life and funny things at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside. Advance tickets range from $29.50-$49.50, or $32-$52 at the door. Call (215) 572-7650 or visit www.keswicktheatre.com/events/detail/340090.
Kimmel Center: In honor of the Philadelphia Orchestra bringing China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra to the city, prior to the 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 concert in Verizon Hall will be free public pop-up concerts that day at 11 a.m. at the Shops at Liberty Place Rotunda, and at noon at the Chinese Christian Church and Center, 225 N. 10th St. Tickets are $35. The Kimmel Center is at 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel: The Main Line Symphony Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park. The program will include the Polovtsian Dances by Borodin, the Carmen Fantasy by Sarasate and Beethoven’s seventh symphony. Tickets are $30, free to students through age 23. For more information call (215) 887-8700 or visit www.kenesethisrael.org.
The Queen: Comedian and “Saturday Night Live” alumnus Jim Breuer takes the stage as part of his Family Warrior Tour at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at 500 Market St., Wilmington, Del. Tickets range from $27-$35. Call (202) 730-3331.
The Grand Opera House: Upcoming shows include Straight No Chaser at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in Copeland Hall, and Irma Thomas, Blind Boys of Alabama and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band at 8 p.m. Nov. 1. Get tickets at www.thegrandwilmington.org.
Sunnybrook Ballroom: On Oct. 28 The Fabulous Greaseband will perform for the sixth annual Meals on Wheels Fundraising Event at 50 Sunnybrook Road, Pottstown. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8. Tickets are $25, $60 if you’re also having the buffet dinner at 6 p.m. Advance dinner tickets are required. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Ruth at (610) 326-1610, ext. 336 or rhood@fsmontco.org or visit www.fsmontco.org/events.
Trinity Church Fairview: The Philadelphia Boys Choir are in concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at 1190 Valley Forge Road, Norristown. Tickets are $25, $15 for students. Go to www.trinityfairview.com.
Thanks vets
2017 Veterans Parade: The parade begins at noon Nov. 5 at JFK Boulevard and North 16th Street. The parade route will continue around City Hall, heading east on Market Street and end at North Fifth Street for the Veterans Festival, with live entertainment, food, a rock climbing wall, face painting and more till 4 p.m. The parade will be televised on 6-ABC.
Stepping it up
Reformed Church of the Ascension: Run for Immigrant Rights, a 5K run and 2K walk to benefit the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition, takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 4 at the church, 1700 W. Main St., Norristown. Also going on will be a “We Are One” action fair. Visit http://weareoneresisthate.com.
Dramatic look back
Augustus Lutheran Church: Translated from the original German, the play “In God’s Own Country” explores immigrants’ struggles to adapt to life in a new country through the eyes of Henry Muhlenberg, a Lutheran pastor who settled in Trappe in 1742. The Landesbuhnen Sachsen Theater Company, the church’s choir and friends, and Breakaway Student Productions at Ursinus College presents it at 7 p.m. Oct. 27, 3 and 7 p.m. Oct. 28 and 2 p.m. Oct. 29. The church is at 717 W. Main St., Trappe.
Get medieval
Glencairn Museum: The Medieval Festival offers a look at medieval life, art and beliefs through a pilgrim’s self-guided quest, demonstrations and activities 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn. Demonstrations include stained glass painting, wool working, manuscript illumination, live music on replica instruments, weaponry, a replica Gutenberg-style printing press. Admission is $10, $8 for seniors and students, free for members and children 3 and under. Call (267) 502-2600.
Good taste
Bucks County Wine Trail: The Passport to Bucks program gets underway Nov. 1 and continues through April 30. Buy a Passport card for $30 and enjoy a wine tasting at all of the trail’s eight wineries during that time period. Check out www.buckscountywinetrail.com.
Norco Fire Company: The third annual Pottstown Brew Fest runs noon to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the firehouse at 144 W. Schuylkill Road, Pottstown. The Penn State football game will be projected onto a large screen. There will be live music, cornhole, food, beers from local and national craft beers, wines, ciders, mead, spirits and more. Proceeds benefit Kyle’s Quillows and the Norco Fire Company. Visit http://pottstownbrewfest.com.
Fall fun
Northern Star Farm: It’s a Fall Fest Weekend 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 28-29 at 112 E. Third Ave., Trappe. Highlights include hay rides to the pumpkin patch, corn mazes, giant apple slingshots and an air cannon, an antique tractor display, pony rides, a Little Farmer Play Barn, fall treats, moonlit hay rides and bonfires after 6:30 and more.
Freddy’s Family Fun Center: Noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 28-29 is Freddy’s Fallfest, with miniature golf, the Amazing Cornstalk Maze and Giant Slide, hay rides to the pumpkin patch, pig races, pony rides, sand art and more at 1440 Sumneytown Pike, Towamencin.
Merrymead Farm: Harvest Days includes a 900-foot cornstalk tunnel, tractor hay rides around the farm, wagon train rides for children, children’s games, pumpkin painting, inflatables, the Harvest Slinger and more at 2222 S. Valley Forge Road, Worcester.
Puppy pleasure
Heuser Park: On Nov. 4 the American Cancer Society invites dogs and their human families to Montgomery County Barks Back Against Cancer. Activities include a one-mile walk, a doggy costume contest and other games, and a goody bag for each participating pooch. There will also be food trucks, vendor tables and dog-themed raffle packages. Registration is $25. The park is at 694 W. Beidler Road, Upper Merion. Visit www.main.acsevents.org/mcbb.
En Espanol
West Chester University: Teenagers and the elderly clash, then find common ground within a collapsed economy in the Mexican film “Open Cage,” which will be subtitled in English, and presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in Mitchell Hall Room 102, 675 S. Church St., West Chester. It’s free, open to the public, and will be hosted by a faculty member, who will facilitate discussion. Pizza will be served at 7:15. For more information, email ipagan@wcupa.edu or msaltzman@wcupa.edu.
