Performances of the Rocky Horror Picture Show are just part of the treats awaiting local revelers this Halloween.
By Times Staff Writer
Published October 30, 2003
The cast knows all the lines and nuances:
"Dammit Janet."
"With a bit of a mind flip."
"There's a light."
Jannie Gunnlaugsson, 24, practiced "Magenta" and the Time Warp dance by hitting the repeat button on her VCR continuously for 45 minutes. She demonstrates:
Elbow up, hand out, elbow up, hand out, flip palms and step back.
"None of this is important to anybody but me," she says.
Since 1995, the Larger Than Life cast has performed the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Tampa Theatre on Halloween weekend. This year, there are two showings.
In feather boas, bustiers and props, the cast - many area Rocky pros - perform in front of the movie, aiming "to be screen accurate," said director Brian Dare.
Is it clean?
"We keep it as clean as the movie," he said.
No nudity.
"But there is underwear," he said.
Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $10 adults, $8 students. Tampa Theatre is located at 711 Franklin St. For information, 813 274-8981 or www.tampatheatre.org
If Rocky Horror isn't your style, there are dozens of other Halloween events to choose from. See the Getaway Calendar on page XXW for all the details.
Some of the offerings:
For kids and families
Halloween at the Pier, Haunted Aquarium, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, at the Pier Aquarium, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $2 adults, kids free. Also trick-or-treating, 5-7 p.m. Friday. Free. (727) 821-6164.
Halloween Enchanted Forest, nonscary guided night walk, music and s'mores around the campfire. 7 p.m. Friday, Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater. $5 adult, $3 for ages 3-12, $1 ages 2 and younger. (727) 462-6024.
Pirate Island, Great Explorations: The Children's Museum and Sunken Gardens event, 6-9 p.m. today and Friday, 1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. $10 adults, $8.50 children. (727) 821-8992.
Guppyween, party for kids at the Florida Aquarium, 5-8 p.m. Friday, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $15.95 adults, $13.95 seniors. One child in costume admitted free with other paid admission. Other children (ages 3-12), $10.95. (813) 273-4000.
Halloween in the Park, Pinellas Park trick-or-treating event, 6-10 p.m. Friday,, Davis Field, 6050 78th Ave., Pinellas Park. Treat Trail 6-8 p.m., or while treats last; costume contest 7:30 p.m.; games 7-10 p.m. (727) 541-0770.
Sort-A-Spooky Days and Nights, Kid City, the Children's Museum of Tampa, re-creates Washington Irving's Sleepy Hollow as "Spooky Hollow," 5-8 p.m. Friday (with costume parade at 7 p.m.). 7550 N Boulevard. $6.75, or $2 for museum members. (813) 935-8441.
Wild and Wicked Nights at Weeki Wachee, 7-11 p.m. Friday, Weeki Wachee Springs, U.S. 19 and SR 50 in Weeki Wachee. $8.95 adults, $6.95 for ages 3-10. Preregistration available. (352) 596-2062.
Zoo Boo, Halloween event at Lowry Park Zoo, 7-10 p.m. today and Saturday, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. $10.50 adults, $8.50 ages 3-11. 813 935-8552 or www.lowryparkzoo.com
Halloween Haunted Trail, with fireside storytelling, trick or treat area, more. 6:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Boyd Hill Nature Park; use entrance at 2900 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. $2 for haunted trail, other activities are free. (727) 204-0195 or (727) 893-7326.
Haunted Horse-A-Ween, with haunted and non-scary hayrides, kids activities, more. 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the Breeze Horseback Riding Ranch, 7514 Gardner Road, Tampa (off Sheldon Road between Gunn Highway and Linebaugh Avenue). $3 hayride; $2 nonscary ride, pony ride or guided walk; 50 cents for games; $20 horseback riding. (813) 264-1919.
For grown-ups
Masquerades, Monsters and Music, party at Gulfport Casino features music by Rocky Ruckman and That '80s Band; also costume contest with prizes, 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday, 5500 Shore Blvd., Gulfport. $10. (727) 893-1070.
Halloween at the Biltmore, Haunted House, 7-10 p.m. today and Friday, donation appreciated. Also Candlelight Ghost Tour, where guides in period costume escort visitors through the halls and basement of the historic hotel and share details about its history and infamous past guests, 6 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free. Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, 25 Belleview Blvd., Belleair. (727) 373-3000 or toll-free 1-800-237-8947.
Masquerade Ball and Dinner, with music by the 16-piece Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra, costume contest and more, 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, 25 Belleview Blvd., Belleair. $60. (727) 373-3000 or toll-free 1-800-237-8947.
Ghost Story Cruise, With dinner, cash bar and performances by drama students from Santa Fe Catholic High School in Lakeland, 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m., StarLite Princess Riverboat, 3400 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Pete Beach. $45.28. (727) 462-2628.
Yelloween Party, 9:30 p.m., Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. $20. (813) 254-5373.
13 Ugly Men Halloween Bash, 9 p.m., Rusty Pelican, 2425 N Rocky Point Drive, Tampa. $20. www.13uglymen.com
Halloween Costume Ball, with swing music of the 42nd Street Band, 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday, Savoy South dance hall, ParkSide Mall, 7200 U.S. 19 N, Pinellas Park. $12 includes basic swing dance lesson at 8 p.m.. (727) 528-6885; or www.savoysouth.com
The Vampyre's Ball, fundraiser for the Tampa Theatre, with dancing to music by Blue Dice with guest Paul Wilborn, 8:30 p.m. Friday, A La Carte Event Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive, Tampa. $75. (813) 274-8286.
For those who want to be scared
"Foreboden" Haunted House, 5:30-10 p.m. (or later) Friday (depending on demand), ParkSide Mall, U.S. 19 and Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park. $5 adults, $3 kids age 12 and younger. (727) 544-6230.
Haunted Mansion, 7-10:30 p.m. today and 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, Pinellas Expo Center, 10601 U.S. 19 N, Pinellas Park. $8 adults, $6 for ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger. (727) 572-7100.
Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens scare-fest, parental discretion strongly advised, 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. today and 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, $49.95 general admission. Discounts available. 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa. Toll-free 1-888-800-5447 or www.buschgardens.com
