Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 29, 1993 TAG: 9310280185
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis-Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The costume parties?
Nah.
The decorations?
The jawbreakers, bubble gum, candy corn and chocolates?
Well . . . .
Actually, I love Halloween just for the pun of it.
What's the perfect Halloween meal? Ghoulash!
How far did the witch fly on Halloween? Ghost to ghost!
What's the name of the haunted skyscraper? The Vampire State Building!
OK, OK, I'm stopping now.
If you're looking for a good time this weekend, look no farther. We're knee deep in Halloween hoopla in the New River Valley.
The Jaycees are dying to see you at their haunted houses.
The Christiansburg Jaycees are putting on their 15th annual haunted house in the vacant space above Old Town Mall in downtown Christiansburg. Tours start at 7:30 each night through Sunday. Admission is $2.50.
In Blacksburg, the Jaycees have set up a haunted house in the former Petals 'n Palette store next to Kroger at University Mall. Tours today and Saturday run from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults or $2 for kids under 10. All proceeds benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
If you want to boogie this weekend, check out the special events at the local nightspots. Sharkey's on North Main Street in Blacksburg is having a Halloween party and costume contest Saturday for ghouls who wanna have fun. The grand prize for best costume is $350!
At Blacksburg's South Main Cafe, the Electric Kind will perform Sunday night. In addition to the music, the club will put on an electrifying light show and award prizes for creative costumes.
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is the treat at Eat at Joe's Cafe International in Blacksburg Sunday. The popular film that inspires food-flinging fun will be shown after this week's comedy act at the club. A costume party kicks off the evening at 8.
Scared the kids will miss out?
Lots of safe activities are planned this weekend, including carnivals, costume contests and Halloween parties for youngsters. For details, peruse the listings in today's Arts & Entertainment calendar in the New River Current.
Am I finished yet?
Yes. Fang you very much.
\ AFTER THE TRICKS: There's a real treat at Virginia Tech.
Teresa and David Ehrlich will join Margo and Wallace Easter for a faculty recital Halloween night, starting at 8, in Squires Recital Salon. The two couples will play chamber music by Strauss, Paladilhe, Kalliwoda and Brahms.
Teresa Ehrlich, a pianist, is the director of the new Renaissance Music Academy of Virginia based in Blacksburg. Her husband, violinist David Ehrlich, plays first violin for the Audubon Quartet.
Wallace Easter, a music professor at Virginia Tech, is principal horn for both the Lynchburg and Roanoke symphony orchestras. Margo Easter is principal oboe for the Lynchburg Symphony and also was principal oboe for the recent New River Valley Chamber Wind concert at Radford University.
Admission to Sunday's concert is $3. Tickets will be available at the door.
\ THEY'RE HOT: Primus, the group that produced a gold record with its first release, "Sailing the Seas of Cheese," will play at Radford University's Dedmon Center Sunday. The Melvins will open the show at 8 p.m.
Primus' latest album, "Pork Soda," has been described as "pushing the limits of strangeness." The group has toured with other popular alternative rock bands, including Jane's Addiction, Public Enemy, Rush and U2.
Advance tickets are on sale at Heth Student Center. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information, call 831-5420.
\ FESTIVAL IN THE COUNTRY: The 10th annual "Barter Faire" is this weekend at the Pine Tavern Inn on Virginia 221 north of Floyd. The country life festival focuses on sustainable living.
Vendors will barter vegetables, canned goods, flowers and plants, hay, lumber, arts and crafts - you name it! The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
In addition to the sales, there will be two days of music, storytelling, children's activities and traditional crafts demonstrations. A variety of healthy foods, including homemade cider and sweet honey, will be available. You can purchase meals and desserts made from locally grown and organic products.
Proceeds from the fair benefit the Blue Mountain School in Floyd, a parent cooperative school offering alternative education for children up to fifth grade.
\ GRITTY GAL: Koko Taylor earned her reputation as "Queen of the Blues" by working her way up from tiny clubs in Chicago to giant festivals, radio and TV shows and films.
Taylor, who has won more awards that any other female blues artist, is 58. Still, she averages more than 200 live appearances each year and says she's doing her best work ever.
Taylor has received Grammy nominations for seven of her last eight recordings. In 1984, she won the Grammy Award for Best Blues Recording. She has received the W.C. Handy Award, the highest award in the blues music industry, a record 10 times.
Taylor and her band, The Blues Machine, will perform in concert Saturday at the South Main Cafe, 117 S. Main St., Blacksburg. Advance discount tickets are $15 and are on sale at the cafe. Hurry over there - last year's show sold out.
by CNB