Our pick of the Halloween treats in store in the days leading up to the big night.
NLR’s Interactive Halloween Party w/ Maurice Fulton + much more // Friday 26 // Theatre Deli
A short walk from The Moor and their old location at the Woolworths building, the recently-relocated Theatre Deli (AKA The Umbrella Factory) once again plays host to a huge Halloween spectacle in Nice Like Rice. Sheffield’s premier pop-up creative outlet, Theatre Deli is an arts charity that promotes art’s benefits to society, mental health and politics. This year’s NLR promises multiple rooms and a stellar musical lineup, elevated to 11 on the spook-o-meter by spine-tingling decor and entertainment that includes “hanging bodies” and “secret performances”. Artists popular with the local scene will be playing all night, from 11pm til 6am. As with Sweats (above), this night promises to be a gargantuan marathon sesh. Head along to support both the scene and the venue.
Theatredeli.co.uk
Sweats Halloween Mega Spesh w/ Chaos in the CBD, Esa, Dane, Faro // Friday 26 // Yellow Arch
The famed Yellow Arch Studios is one of Sheffield’s most treasured multipurpose music venues. It offers cracking nights out throughout the year, along with recording and rehearsal facilities for artists both up-and-coming and established. This Halloween sees the return of Sweats, a relentless celebration of local music set in a multi-room warehouse for the first time. It’s one of the club calendar’s best excuses to head into Kelham Island and get involved. Tickets are available now, with the event starting late and finishing even later – a barmy 11:30pm – 6am stint. Bring those comfy insoles and remember to hydrate. Love, Mum.
Yellowarch.com
The Grand Halloween Ball // Saturday 27 // Sheffield City Hall
Love the strangeness of circus, the novelty of an old pinhole camera, or the allure of cabaret? This alternative ball at Sheffield City Hall will make for a delightful night. Expect a great deal of dancefloor action and eclectic-yet-catchy tunes in what is described as an “extravagent disco party”. Dress up is highly encouraged, from masquerade to gothic, with a host of entertainment stalls to enjoy in between bops. The event runs from 8:30pm to 3am – and remember, it’s 18s and over only, with some bawdy entertainment courtesy of Velvet Burlesque. Check out online sizzle reels from previous events for an idea of what to expect. For those who love to dress up in quirky and detailed costumes, it’s sure to be an excellent themed occasion.
Sheffieldcityhall.sivtickets.com
Immersive Screening: Rocky Horror Picture Show // Saturday 27 // Film Unit
As with most Halloweens, you may find yourself yearning for Tim Curry this spooky season. Fortunately, The University of Sheffield’s beloved Film Unit is offering an “immersive screening” of unique cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show in the lead up to the big night. Quite what that means is unclear, but the society have announced a partnership with the Uni’s Horror Society for this showing of Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s wild ride. As usual, films are screened in the Students’ Union’s Auditorium, with tickets available online and at the building’s welcome desk. The film starts at 7:30pm sharp; arrive earlier for the best seats and the luxury of laying out all your snacks and blankets in an unassailable fort of comfort.
Filmunit.union.shef.ac.uk
Out of This World 2018 // Sunday 28 // Various city centre venues
Every year, on the last Sunday of October, hundreds of people gather in the city centre for some free, family-friendly sci-fi, magic and pre-Halloween spooks. Out of This World 2018 promises to once again be a unique, inclusive occasion that offers exciting events for everyone. Children will find The Moor alive with workshops and magic shows, and the Peace Gardens hosting some classic characters from popular culture as well as music and dancing. The Town Hall, meanwhile, is sure to be an enticing prospect for any collector of comics and sci-fi memorabilia. Running from 10:30am to 5:30pm, this popular event always fosters a feel-good atmosphere. Head on down to see your city centre in a new light, equal thirds spooky, magical and extraterrestrial.
Sheffield.gov.uk/outofthisworld
The Village Screen’s Halloween cinema // Wednesday 31 // Kenwood Hall
Fans of The Village Screen will know this format well: watch a classic movie against the backdrop of beautiful scenery, accompanied by a picnic, blankets and some choice bevvys. The Village Screen’s Halloween cinema at Kenwood Hall takes this formula even further, offering a live acoustic band, “autumnal” food, a bar and deck chairs, all in the view of the stunning hall (and the surrounding spooky woodland). Families should come for the 5pm showing of The Witches (doors at 3:30pm), the unnervingly surreal adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book. Everyone else, get yourselves down to the 8:45pm showing of The Shining for a Halloween to remember. You owe it to yourselves – ‘all work and no play’ and all that… Oh, and be sure to wrap up warm against that October cold, and bring a braver person to hide behind for the scary bits.
Thevillagegreenevents.co
Club Tropicana: Thriller Edition // Wednesday 31 // Leadmill
Few midweek nights o can match Club Tropicana for sheer spectacle and a zany, wavy good time. Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses are still a soft requirement, as is necking a few sunny, sugary cocktails before returning to the fray. Add in some zombie makeup as well as a competition for the best “Thriller”-esque costume, and it’s a great way to capture some of that Halloween buzz. Leadmill-goers will be well-versed by now in belting out 80s anthem after 80s anthem. In fact, it’s unlikely that the event’s promised zombification will drastically change it in any way, but it will sure feel extra spooky dancing in a crowd of light-averse undead with terrible taste in shirts.
Leadmill.co.uk
Image taken from The Shining.
