HALLOWEEN IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, AND THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF SPOOKY EVENTS ALL WEEK LONG – BOTH ON-CAMPUS AND OFF
BY KELSEY SCHAEFER

Whether you’re looking for a live show or a night out on the town, there’s an event for everyone this Halloween season. / ILLUSTRATION BY GRAEME HOUSSIN
Halloween is creeping around the corner and there is no shortage of events happening throughout Winnipeg. Those planning on laying low for the spooky celebration may reconsider after a glimpse into some upcoming festivities.
The fun begins at the Exchange District Campus with Harry Potter Day on Friday, October 26. The Red River College Students’ Association will be setting up in P-107 with a potions class and free Harry Potter themed treats. The event is open to all from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Red River College Students’ Association President Lauren Slegers sets up a display of Harry Potter-themed goodies. The treats, including a Ferrero Rocher Golden Snitch, will be available in P107 at the Exchange District Campus on Friday, October 26. / KELSEY SCHAEFER
Celebrating with fellow students won’t just be reserved for school hours. The hosts of Anthem, the radio station run by Creative Communications Media Production majors, are teaming up with The King’s Head Pub to host 2000s Karaoke Night.
The event aims to raise funds for the students’ trip to the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas in April.
Kelly O’Donnell, one of the students leading the event, hopes to see plenty of people dressed in costumes.
“This is the King’s Head’s main Halloween event, so I think people can expect a rowdy, fun time,” says O’Donnell. “Hits from the 2000s are like the anthems of our generation.”
Doors to the event will be open from 7 p.m. until the bar closes at 2 a.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at The King’s Head or the Red River Mercantile.
For a very different type of musical event, The Park Theatre and Wasteland Productions present Evil Dead: The Musical.
The show is based on the cult classic film series and has been produced more than 150 times in cities worldwide.
Co-producers and directors Quinn Greene and Dan De Jaeger wanted to bring an immersive style of theatre to the Winnipeg live show scene.
“We couldn’t pass up the chance to soak our fellow Winnipeg theatre-goers in a tsunami of blood and viscera in our Splatter Zone this Halloween,” said Greene.
The show will be on from October 24 to November 3, 2018. Tickets and show times are available at The Park Theatre or online.
Those looking for a more extravagant experience can celebrate with Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art for its largest annual fundraiser: the 2018 Gala and Art Auction, Strange Illusions.
Plug In co-chairs Silvester Komlodi and Zia Hameed say that this event is second to none in Winnipeg.
“Plug In’s fundraisers are always unique,” said Hameed. “This year we take over the abandoned Bay basement on Portage Avenue to showcase an evening of incredible art, fabulous food a and exciting entertainment into the late hours.”
The gala will take place on Saturday, October 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. and stay open late for the after party. Tickets for the gala start at $200, while the after party tickets are $20.
Whether it’s gore or gala, performance or potion making, there’s an activity to suit all Halloween preferences in Winnipeg this year.