Classic horror movie "The Exorcist" is among the spooky flicks being shown at the Fox Theatre this Halloween.
HISTORIC WALKING GHOST TOURS: The folks from Lost Souls Paranormal Investigations (think “Ghostbusters”) lead thrill-seekers on a tour of haunted downtown venues. We took the tour two years ago and it creeped us out. We couldn’t sleep without a night light for a whole month. Tour guides use historical research, eyewitness accounts and findings from paranormal investigations as they regale walkers with anecdotes about the various venues. This year seven old locations and seven new ones have been split into two new tours, which include stops at the Pioneer Hotel, the Z Mansion, The Manning House, Hotel Congress, Santa Rita Hotel and The Historic Train Depot. When: Fridays and Saturdays through March. The west route starts at 7 p.m. Fridays, the east at 7 on Saturdays. Special Halloween tours at 7 p.m. Where: Meet at 6:50 p.m. in front of Heart Five nightclub, 61 E. Congress St. Price: $12 per person or $10 each for groups of three or more. Info: 408-6140, lostsoulspi.com/ghosttours.shtml
NIGHTFALL AT OLD TUCSON: You just might be scared out of your wits at Old Tucson Studios’ Nightfall: Dark Asylum. Set at the Goulliard Asylum for the Perpetually Insane, the horror-themed show includes a “man on fire” as inmates stage an uprising against Dr. Jebediah Hyde. Included are three haunted walk-throughs and three all-new live shows featuring Hollywood-style makeup and special effects. When: through Oct. 31. Hours are 6-10 p.m. Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays; and 6-10 p.m. Oct. 30-31 Where: 201 S. Kinney Road Price: $20.95 plus tax for 12 and older, $17.95 plus tax for children 4-11. $5 and $4 discount coupons available at Circle K and Subway locations. Info: 883-0100, www.nightfallaz.com
THE DEVIL MUSIC ENSEMBLE: Formed in Boston, with a Harvard grad in the mix, the Devil Music Ensemble is a versatile trio that brings silent movies to life with its vigorous accompaniment of sounds and soundtrack themes. This being the Halloween season and all, DME will accompany a screening of the 1920 silent classic “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” in the downtown Rialto Theatre. John Barrymore plays the well-dressed doctor with the bi-polar personality, preserved in a freshly minted DVD to project onto the Rialto’s own big screen. Originally, the Robert Louis Stevenson novel was intended as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing science and psychology. From a theological point of view, the novelist demonstrated how each of us should be considered equally filled with good and evil impulses. Our challenge, as decent human beings, is to keep our selves from going over to the dark side. The challenge for Devil Music Ensemble is to keep finding new ways to make this movie scary. Fans remember when the DME appeared here last year to accompany a screening of “Nosferatu.” Playing the instruments are Brendon Wood (guitars and synthesizer), Johan Rapino (electric violin, vibes and synthesizer) and Tim Nylander (drums and percussion). The DME has been favorably compared to the Alloy Orchestra, which has also played in Tucson. Dylan Skolnick of the Cinema Arts Center in New York said the DME “has established itself as one of the primary American groups composing and performing scores for silent films, and can be spoken of in the same breath as groups like the Alloy Orchestra.” When: Doors open at 7 p.m. Sunday. The Rosano Brothers play until the film screens at 8. Where: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Price: $11 in advance, $13 day of the show Info: 740-1000, www.rialtotheatre.com
FOOLS’ HOLLOW: Giant puppets, creatures, face painting, mask making, pumpkin carving, music and even a beer garden for the grown-ups are part of the fun at the Fools’ Hollow Halloween Fest. Pyrotechnic theater troupe Flam Chen and the Dambe Project also perform. When: noon-10 p.m. Oct. 28 Where: the Joel D. Valdez Main Library – Jácome Plaza at Stone Avenue and Pennington Street Price: free Info: 547-3338, www.downtowntucson.org
HOWL-O-WEEN PARTY AND PET PORTRAITS: Pets and their owners can pose for professional pet portraits and enjoy “barks and crafts,” bobbing for biscuits, tricks for treats, complimentary refreshments and product giveaways at this fundraiser. Animal communicators will also be on hand to read dog tarot cards. Four-legged beauties can also strut their stuff in a pet costume fashion show. A percent of the proceeds will benefit Pima Animal Care Center. When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 21. Fashion show begins at 1. Where: Muttropolis at La Encantada Mall, 205 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 123 Price: admission is free. Portrait sitting fee is $10. Info: 299-6888, www.muttropolis.com
‘THE HAUNTED RUINS’: Far out in the uncharted backwaters near the end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy, strange beings wander the universe. With less-than-noble intent, they look for new plunder and new places to conquer. They land, only to find themselves in a fairy garden. Valley of the Moon is asking everyone’s help to seek out this alien menace and help restore peace to this enchanted garden made of rock. A canned food drive will be featured Oct. 12, 19 and 26 with all donated items going to the Community Food Bank. A reduced admission rate will be given to everyone who brings two cans of food ($3 adults with two cans food, $2 kids 7-13 with two cans food). When: Shows are Thursdays through Saturdays until Oct. 28. Special Halloween nights are Oct. 29 and 30. Tours leave the gate every 30 minutes from 6 until 8:30 p.m. Where: 2544 E. Allen Road Price: $7 adults, $5 kids 7-13; free for 6 and younger Info: 323-1331, www.tucsonvalleyofthe moon.org
HAUNTED CORN FIELD: Demon scarecrows, Stephen King’s “Children of the Corn” – there’s no telling what you’ll encounter in Bucklelew Farm’s haunted cornfield, “Field of Screams.” The folks at the farm say they’ve spent most of the offseason creating new frights, which feature props and actors in costume throughout the 11-acre maze. Because of the intensity of the experience, children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. When: 6:30 ish-midnight Friday and Saturday nights the last three weekends in October Where: 17000 W. Ajo Way Price: $15 Info: Details: 822-2277, buckelewfarm.com Directions: The farm is 30 minutes from downtown Tucson. Take Ajo Way (state Route 86) west for 22 miles.
HOWL-O-WEEN CANINE CARNIVAL: Games (bobbing for wieners, digging for bones in the boneyard) and a costume contest for humans and canines are part of this event sponsored by the Southern Arizona Beagle Rescue. When: 1 p.m. Oct. 29 Where: Reid Park, Ramada 4 (nearest to the dog park) Price: Admission is free, but donations are appreciated Info: 327-7199 Directions: East 22nd Street and South Country Club Road
SCARY MOVIES
THE FOX THEATRE: The downtown movie house presents a double dose of horror with Jack Nicholson at his creepiest in “The Shining,” followed by arguably the scariest film ever made, “The Exorcist.” When: Oct. 31, with “The Shining” at 7 p.m. and “The Exorcist” at 9:30 Where: 17 W. Congress St. Price: $8 per film, $6 for students, seniors and military Info: 624-1515
THE LOFT CINEMA: Crispin Glover and Corey Feldman star in The Loft’s Cult Classic, “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.” When: Oct. 27-28 Where: 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Price: $5 Info: 322-5638, www.loftcinema.com
Send your Halloween activities to calendarplus@tucsoncitizen.com.