The Weekender: October 30 – November 1
GET your scare on this Halloween weekend and prepare to spook yourselves by exploring a haunted asylum, visiting an apocalyptic theme park or catching a horror movie marathon. Here’s what Siti Mokhsin recommends for a spooktacular weekend!
Spooktober Asylum
Thursday, October 29 – Saturday, October 31 (7.00pm – 1.00am) | Ormond Hall (557 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne)
Dare to face your fear and test your sanity this weekend?
This Halloween, Ormond Hall transforms into an asylum-themed haunted house. Notoriously known for being run by sociopathic matrons and sadistic neurosurgeons, The Asylum opens itself to the public for the first time since 1895.
Put on your best costume and walk through one of Australia’s oldest asylums to experience the horrific case of Elizabeth Donaldson. Elizabeth was abandoned by her father at The Asylum and then gruesomely tortured, before she was left to die in the facility’s bell tower, where her screams can still be heard to this day.
Student tickets are priced at $20. For more information, visit the Spooktober website.
‘Luna Dark’ at Luna Park
Friday, October 30 – Saturday, October 31 (11.00am – 11.00pm) | Luna Park, (18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda)
Luna Park becomes Luna Dark this weekend and gives you double the reason to scream with lots of ‘carn-evil’ delights!
By night, the amusement park calls upon all mortals to experience its spooky ‘terror-tories’. Creep through Autopsy Alley, meet the Grim Reaper, try out your own funeral and don’t forget to keep an eye out for zombies and other spooky encounters waiting to scare you out of your wits!
The park also offers ticket discounts to anyone dressed in their finest Halloween costume.
Visit the Luna Park website for more details.
The Great Astor-Spooktacular
Friday, October 30 – Saturday, October 31 (8.00pm – 3.30pm) | The Astor Theatre (Chapel St & Dandenong Rd, St Kilda)
If you enjoy pulling an all-nighter, head down to the Astor Theatre for a 21-hour movie marathon this weekend (yes, 21 hours!).
The Great Astor Spooktacular horror movie marathon will kick off with the 30th anniversary screening of the 1985 film Fright Night at 8.00pm on Friday, October 30.
Other screening includes eight off-kilter horror flicks: The Return of the Living Dead, From Beyond, Blacula, Corruption, Swamp Thing, Motel Hell, Killer Clowns from Outer Space andTroll 2.
Tickets for the full marathon is $30 (breakfast included). Single session tickets are $12. More details can be found on The Astor Theatre website.
MPavilion/Siberia Records: Halloween Happening
Saturday, October 31 (5.00pm – 8.00pm) | MPavilion, Queen Victoria Gardens (St Kilda Road, Melbourne)
Image: Brian Shannow via Flickr
Get your party on and raise funds at the same time for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre by heading down to MPavillion/Siberia Records: Halloween Happening.
Enjoy dark musical wanderings from a mystery band or have a karaoke marathon of classic horror soundtracks, from Dario Argento’s films to Rosemary’s Baby with live instrumentals played by celebrity house-band Kasio Karaokeen.
Be in the spotlight by singing your favourite creepy carols and prepare to hit the notes with special secret guests! Dress up in your most terrifying costume and have fun this Halloween in support for charity.
This event is FREE for everyone.
More information can be found at the event’s page over at MPavilion’s official website.