Shannon Fitzgerald here with Episode #19 of the Underground Arts Club, a regular feature for the readers of Downtown Voices. The club is a recommendation, not a review. My goal is to introduce you to all of the Twin Cities art that you haven't yet discovered.
We’ve reached the time of year for a celebration of the scary, and we are blessed with a robust and incredible local Horror Festival. I’ll be honest and say that I don’t see a lot of horror, but some of my favorite theater moments have included fake blood and stage fighting.
With 14 shows from 14 different companies, there is a lot to choose from. If you want to choose them all, there are two Saturdays and two Sundays with 12 hours of programming each. All-access passes are sold out, but you can get 5 shows for $70, or single tickets for $15 each.
Most of these are recommended for ages 16+, but a couple are all ages, so read through the descriptions before buying tickets. Each show has a blood ranking, so you know what you’re in for. (I did the math, and the average blood rating for all 14 shows is 2.97 out of 5.)
Website: https://www.tchorrorfestival.com/
Who: Varied companies
When: October 16-30 (Why close before Halloween? Maybe the artists have real ghoul and gore to get to?)
Where: The Crane Theater
Things to know
Parking: Parking and the entrance to the theater are located at the back of the building. Look for the yellow door. There is also ample free street parking available in the evenings.
Dining: Crane is not right next to everything, and for a festival you may be spending some time out there, so I have a couple of recommendations.
Honour Coffee Bar open 6:30am-6pm every day
A great little coffee shop and raw juice bar right across the street for sustenance including acai bowls and baked goods
Zakia Deli
Also right across the street. Not open Saturday evening or Sunday, but amazing Lebanese food with daily specials. Highly recommend!
Norseman Distillery
You may need a little cleansing drink post-show. Norseman is right around the block, with some fabulous cocktails and craft (not frozen) pizza.
Attire: 12 hours of horror? I think you can wear your jammies and bring a blanket.
Accessibility: The Crane is a fully accessible venue. The main entrance is accessible via an external wheelchair lift. Once inside, the theaters, lobby, and restrooms are all at the same grade. Both theater spaces offer ample room for wheelchairs or other accessibility needs.
The Discovery
Completely shifting the focus, but I have an astonishing art installation that you’ve got to check out at Bauhaus Brew Labs opening October 17. I got a quick sneak peek a few weeks ago, and have been so excited to share it with you! This one is definitely family friendly.
From the lead artists:
When a whale dies, its body falls to the ocean floor and nourishes a new ecosystem for decades. This is called a whale fall. Whalienfall imagines an alien whale-like creature has died and fallen to Earth’s ocean floor. A new, fantastical ecosystem emerges, and a final message has yet to be decoded by humans.
Field Notes
Not into horror as entertainment? Honestly, me neither. I love a good thriller, but introduce any blood or gore and I’m out. However, I loved this Why Horror explainer from TCHF, and recommend that you read it even if you have no intention of going to a show. It argues that Horror builds a community, and what is theater for if not community?
