There’s no need to wait until Oct. 31 to get into the Halloween spirit in New West as there’s all sorts of spooktacular events taking place in the coming weeks. Here’s a selection of some of the local events you may want to check out:
1. Read your own dark, eerie, mysterious poetry or poetry of a dead poet of your choice, at Poets Wanted: Dead or Alive. Join Janet “Lady Raven” Kvammen and Deborah “Witchy Woman” Kelly at the event being put on by the Royal City Literary Arts Society and Poetry New West. It’s happening on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Grill, Backstage Room, 447 Columbia St. Along with an afternoon of poetry, the event includes a prize for best costume.
2. Join Vancouver Ghost Tours for a spine-tingling journey through history and the paranormal at the Ghostly New Westminster Tour on Sunday, Oct. 29. You’ll learn about B.C.’s legendary Hanging Judge, one of B.C.’s oldest houses, a haunted tattoo parlour and more during this 90-minute walking tour. Participants, who are advised to wear comfy shoes as there are hills on this tour, will meet at Hyack Square and get started at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at www.eventbrite.ca (search for Ghostly New Westminster Tour).
3. Dance the night away at the Columbia Theatre’s Halloween dance on Saturday, Oct. 28, featuring performances by Billy Dixon and his Soul Train Express and Arsen Shomakhov Band. Tickets are $30 and available at 604-522-4500 or vtixonline.com. The Columbia Theatre is at 530 Columbia St.
4. Keep an eye out for mummies and zombies who will be roaming the deck at Canada Games Pool for its Halloween swim event on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
In addition to swimming and enjoying the water slide, kids can participate in scavenger hunts on the pool deck and try out the rope swing of doom, the blue ice mat walk, mummy tug-o-war and scary face painting. The event also features free treats. Regular admission rates apply. Canada Games Pool is at 65 East Sixth Ave.
5. Join Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours for the Fright Night on the Fraser pub night cruises on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. The tours, which run from 7 to 10 p.m., include music and prizes and giveaways for best costumes. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. Tickets are $25 and are available at www.vancouverpaddlewheeler.com. The pub night cruise is for folks 19 and older.
6. Take the kids on an all-ages Family Halloween Cruise on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $28.75 for adults, $14.38 for youth and free for children 12 and under. Tickets at www.vancouverpaddlewheeler.com.
7. Take in the Vagabond Players latest production, Little Shop of Horrors – a “gleefully twisted, out-of-this-world” cult classic musical that includes Motown and B-Movies. This show, which includes mature content and language, runs at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen’s Park until Sunday, Oct. 29. For tickets and info, go to www.vagabondplayers.ca.
8. Enjoy a night out at Bullys Halloween Tribute Band Night on Saturday, Oct. 28, featuring Buffalo ShelbyVille (Buffalo Springfield), Cop Killer (Body Count), 5 Magics (Megadeth) and Deely Stann (Steely Dann). Bully’s Studios is at 67 Sixth St. Tickets are $10 at the door or $5 for those with a costume.
9. Take a spin around the ice at Moody Park Arena at the Haunted Halloween family skate on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Regular admission rates apply. Moody Park Arena is at 701 Eighth Ave., next to New Westminster Secondary School.
10. Venture down to Ava Fitness Pole Studio for the What Lies Within pole and acrobatic show, that a write-up describes as a “creepy journey through a mystical enchanted forest to see what lies within.” It’s taking place on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ava Fitness, 735 Carnarvon St. Info and tickets at www.avafitness.ca.
And one bonus one for the grown-ups:
11. Head to one of the local watering holes on Halloween weekend – you’re sure to find all sorts of folks in costume.
