Daily Loaf

Beware of artists…they’re out in droves for ARTGORE, armed with paintbrushes, pencils, paper and canvas, and there’s no telling whether they’re going to draw you or draw blood. More than a dozen artists from the ARTCORE collective have works on display — among them Cheeta, Chainsaw Chuck, Casey Ryan Hall, Ben Apple, Bean Spence (work pictured right) and more. DJ Sense and Anna Gavin kick out the jams. Of course, you’ve gotta get creepy and creative with your costume, too — there are cash prizes for the top three. Fri., Oct. 30, 7 p.m., Karma Bar, 206 N. Morgan St. Tampa, free, myspace.com/ArtcoreArt. – Franki Weddington

Members of the Cheap Little Punks troupe act out the ultimate Halloween cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show while the movie version plays onscreen. Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a bisexual, transsexual scientist from Transylvania, invites Brad Majors (an asshole) and Janet Weiss (a slut) into his creepy castle when their car breaks down. Chaos and myriad musical numbers ensue when Frank-N-Furter reveals his creation: Rocky, an Adonis who only wants to learn about how his life began. You can also check out the less well-known Repo! A Genetic Opera. It’s just what is sounds like: scientists are comin’ fer yer vital organs! Visit tampapitchershow.com for more info. Oct. 30-31, Repo shows Fri., Oct. 30, 11:30 p.m.; Rocky Horror shows Sat., Oct. 31, 8 and 11:30 p.m., Tampa Pitcher Show, 14416 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa,  $15 for two shows, tampapitchershow.net. – Franki Weddington

After the break: Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe, A White Halloween: Creepy Doll Show and Rock Your Horror at the haunted Centro Asturiano Read the rest of this entry »

Here are this weekend’s cream of the crop in Halloween events, but if you can’t find something frightening enough for you here, chances are you’ll find it in our comprehensive listings.

If you have the kids in tow, Guavaween is an oversized, daytime block party where kids can safely trick-or-treat, compete in costume contests, win pumpkins, hear spooky stories and more. But let’s be honest: Guavaween’s big draw is the night parade, when the Queen of Halloween takes over Ybor for a night of debauchery. This year’s evilly impressive line-up includes performances by Sevendust, Nonpoint and Soulidium; a house party at the Honey Pot; a show by local boys Thomas Wynn & the Believers, Basic Rock Outfit and The Trunk Band at Gaspar’s Grotto; and the usual (actually, really  unusual) mix of horse-drawn zombie parades,  jugglers, contortionists, vampire models, appearances by the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins and WWE wrestlers, and more erotic, quixotic stuff than we feel comfortable writing here — you really have to see it for yourself. There’s also the traditional Mama Guava Stumble parade and the final, vital aspect of Guavaween entertainment — you. Prepare to be mocked and jeered if you come in street clothes — this festival is all about being someone — or something — else for an evening, and there’s two grand up for grabs for the best overall costume. There are also prizes for best couple, best cross-dresser, best kink, and best body — so if you’re wearing something revealing (this especially goes for all the Bruno impersonators out there) fit a couple extra crunches into your workout routine. Sat. Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. day parade, 5 p.m. night parade., $17 after 2 p.m., visit guavaween.com for complete schedule of events and participating venues. – Franki Weddington

After the break: Vampire parties, Monster’s Ball, kid-friendly Halloween at the Tampa Theatre and American Victory Ship, Witchstock and more. Read the rest of this entry »

11:11, Let There Be Light, Art, Sound This sneak peek of the exhibit (which officially opens Nov. 11) includes live music, artworks from local artists, a drum atrium and a costume contest on Halloween night. Visit studio620.org for more info. Oct. 27-31, noon-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat., reception 7 p.m. Sat., The Studio@620, St. Petersburg, free.

Ghost Ship Spooktacular Under the bay, there be monsters…and a few of them have surfaced for this scary fun tour of the decades-old “haunted” ship. Visit the galley, mess hall, hospital, and radio room, where ghouls, freaks and zombies lurk around every corner. Search for ghosts with the Florida Paranormal Research Group and the White Noise Paranormal Network, and visit the Demon Den Deck for a brew if your nerves get a bit jangled. The kid’s tour is a mite less macabre; bob for apples, play monster musical chairs, run in an eyeball relay race and compete in the costume contest. Visit americanvictory.org for more info. Oct. 29-31, Ghost Ship 7:30-11:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; Kid’s Spooktacular 2-4 p.m. Sat., American Victory Ship and Museum, Tampa, Ghost ship, $20; Kid’s Spooktacular, $10 adults, $5 kids 4-12.

Hit the break for more on Guavaween, graveyard walks, haunted houses, weird art and more, and check back as we add to the list of spooky spectacles. Read the rest of this entry »

Miss Destructo: Zombie Hunter

When you think of Orlando, you may think of Mickey Mouse and the tourist-filled, neon-lit strip of International Drive.  However, now all I see is Mickey’s zombiefied clone terrorizing tourists and International Drive becoming a twisted nightmare of ghoulish zombies … oh and Jake Busey.

My family has some strange traditions. For the last three years, we’ve packed up the whole crew to  go to Orlando for the horror-themed convention Spooky Empire (formerly known as Screamfest).  It’s a three-day-long event full of celebrity panels, vendors selling gory goods and infamously wild late night pool parties. Read more about Spooky Empire and watch the video after the jump…. Read the rest of this entry »