Slightly Spooky STUFF TO DO

We are creeping toward Halloween, and we have a few early-spooky events sprinkled in among the fall festivals and other cool things for you to get into around the Mountain State and a few points beyond. As I have been doing of late, this a good time to remind you that THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF EVENTS. It’s just a starting point, so don’t expect anything comprehensive, and if you feel strongly about me leaving anything out, feel free to mention it in the comments.

VoidCon happens this weekend at the DoubleTree Hotel on 3rd Avenue in Huntington. This con is dedicated to the underground horror community and independent creators. Guests include Brian Keene, author of The Rising, Terminal, Ghoul and more; Mary SanGiovanni, author Alien: Enemy of My Enemy, Beyond the Gate, and more; underground filmmaker, Scooter McCrea; Kerry St. Laurent and much, much more. Plus Gringo Fantastico of TromaNow’s Fantastico Disasterpiece Theater will be filming a special LIVE screening of the classic Troma SOV flick REDNECK ZOMBIES! It kicks off at 5 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and you can find more info HERE.

Saturday at noon, the first annual Freedom Car Show happens at Haddad Riverfront Park. The Freedom Car Show features vehicles that have been modified with adaptive equipment to help people with disabilities be mobile. You can expect to see vehicle related vendors, first responders, food vendors, live music, and trophies. You’ll be able to see cars that have been modified in ways you’ve never seen before.

The purpose of the car show is to educate first responders and the public, provide awareness, and raise money to help people with disabilities get the vehicle modifications they need to be mobile.

There are currently 28 people with disabilities on the wait list for accessible vehicle equipment totaling approximately $178,400. The goal of this event is to clear the wait visit and get these people mobile. The show is open to cool cars of all kinds. Music will be provided by The Amos Steele Co., Travis Ranson and The Honey Bees, and that will start at 1:30 PM.

October 13 to 15 sees the Hinton Railroad Days, as the historic WV town (and lovely Amtrak stop) celebrates its railroad heritage with a big festival and lots of music, as you can see here…

Friday from 7:30 PM to 9 PM Children’s Home Society sponsors a showing of the Vincent Price classic, House on Haunted Hill at The Alban Arts Center in Saint Albans, WV. Admssion is free with a non-perishable food donation. See the graphics block below for another cool film event at The Alban on Saturday.

Sunday From 4 PM to 7 PM at Chesapeke Town Hall, Lady D hosts the premiere of the 3rd installment of her video series, “Those Who Came Before” celebrating W.Va’s Black music makers and culture bearers. This episode features, Osage, WV native and singer, Al Anderson, The Gospel Family Affair and Multi-fest founder, Stephen Starks.

Live music will be provided by songstress, Angie Richardson and a panel discussion on the importance of “Keeping Our History Alive” will follow the video. Heavy hors d’oerves will be served. Admission – $5.00 at the door

Live Music is back at Taylor Books. There is no cover charge, and shows start at 7:30 PM. Friday Emily Burdette takes the stage. Saturday Brandon Costello performs at the beloved bookstore/cafe/art gallery.

The World Famous Empty Glass Cafe has some great stuff this week to tell you about. Thursday at 5:30 PM, Swingstein and Robin return with Swing for a good cause. Friday Tim Courts plays during happy hour. Friday at 10 PM YAWNi is slated to appear, YAWNi is a femme-grunge-punk with yallternative country sensibilities from Asheville, NC. We have graphics below for the rest of the weekend shows at The Glass.

Please remember that the pandemic is not over yet. It’s still a going concern with the ‘rona surging again. And now there are seasonal allergies, the flu, pumpkin spice murder hornets, really heavy falling leaves, tiny squirrels with human heads and hands and other damned good reasons to be careful. Many people who have very good reasons are still wearing masks, and many of us, understandably, are still nervous about being in crowds, masked or not. Be kind and understanding while you’re out.

Keep in mind that all shows are subject to change or be cancelled at the last minute.

If you’re up for going out, here are a few suggestions for the weekend, roughly in order, after the jump…

THURSDAY