Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Smell that beautiful fall air. Breathe in the cool afternoons and crispness of the changed leaves.
October is here. This month is host to my favorite holiday: Halloween. You’d better believe Harrisburg’s got some creepy crawls prepared. If you’re looking for something spooky, we have costume parties and dances for your nightlife needs. Local talent takes the spotlight this month in popular venues around town for a more mellow time. In the spotlight this month, WXPN is bringing Grammy-winning artist Rickie Lee Jones to H*MAC for what will surely be one of Harrisburg’s biggest acts this month. There’s a lot to do during this mysterious month, so be sure to check out what the city has to offer.
OUTBREAK: THE BLACKLIGHT ZOMBIE BASH, 10/13, 9PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB, $7-$10It’s not really October unless you attend at least one costume party, right? At least, that’s my motto! River City Blues Club is putting on a night of glow, gore and glam with “Outbreak: The Blacklight Zombie Bash.” This evening of dancing, live painting and projections is accompanied by performances by Clark’s Secret Identity and Nefarious Godz with special guests DBU and Elemenetic. The headliner, Clark’s Secret Identity, is a self-titled “humble hometown rock band” with roots in prog rock, experimental, metal and punk. These guys are locals from Mechanicsburg, and they’re bringing their sick shredding skills to the stage for a truly spooky Friday the 13th.
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH RICKIE LEE JONES, 10/23, 8PM, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $50The hype for this show is so real. Rickie Lee Jones is gracing H*MAC’s Capitol Room stage for an intimate evening of music. This two-time Grammy winner’s long music career started in 1978, producing over 15 critically acclaimed albums so far. She has also graced Rolling Stone’s cover twice in two years and has been featured on “Saturday Night Live” several times. Her self-titled album is definitely worth a listen for her notable songs “On Saturday Afternoons in 1963,” “Last Chance Texaco” and the well-known “Chuck E’s in Love.” This show is sponsored by WXPN, and it is definitely one of Harrisburg’s biggest shows in a long time. Don’t miss this chanteuse slay the audience with her bold, yet caramel-smooth vocals and jazzy rhythms.
“THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW” PRESENTED BY H*MAC THEATRE CO., 10/27-10/28, 8PM & MIDNIGHT, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $20-$25 It’s that time of year when this cult classic makes a comeback. When I was going to college, every Halloween, I would go out for the annual screening and performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on campus. I’m glad that I can continue this musical tradition in Harrisburg the way it was meant to be watched—a live performance with an audience shouting out scripted and unscripted lines. Newly engaged and stranded in the middle of the night from car problems, Brad and Janet seek shelter in a nearby castle, only to find it full of wild and weird characters with some serious secrets. If you’ve never experienced “The Rocky Horror Show” before, now’s your chance to dip your fishnetted toes into the water. Come join me, and let’s all do “The Time Warp” again!
Mentionables:
Emmanuel Nsingani, Oct. 6, River City Blues Club; Alash Ensemble: Tuvan Throat Singers, Oct. 7, H*MAC Capitol Room; Corinna Joy, Oct. 8, Spring Gate Vineyard; Mountain Road, Oct. 14, The Abbey Bar; Crocodiles, Oct. 17, H*MAC Stage on Herr; Halloween with Enema—Blink 182 Tribute, Oct. 21, H*MAC Stage on Herr; Keel-O-Ween w/the Larry Keel Experience, 10/27, The Abbey Bar
