Halloween Archives - Chicago Reader

club goers in a nightclub bathed in red light

Hallo-Lesque, Boombastic, and more

by Micco Caporale and Salem Collo-Julin October 30, 2022October 30, 2022

The Chicago Tool Library, Chicago’s free tool rental service, is opening a new location, and they need our help! From 11 AM-3 PM, they’re looking for assistance preparing their new space in Garfield Park at 4015 W. Carroll. Most of this will involve cleaning in anticipation of painting. Can’t make it today but still eager […]

Agenda

Winter clothing drive, Public Media Institute Halloween party, and more

by Micco Caporale and Salem Collo-Julin October 29, 2022October 29, 2022

Do you have spare coats, boots, gloves, hats, or socks? The Rogers Park People’s Survival Program, which is connected to the Chicago-wide collective For the People is leading a winter clothing drive, and searching for these priority items to be redistributed locally. They are also looking for underwear (never worn!), blankets, and basic hygiene products. […]

Michael Myers in his signature white mask grabs Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie, who cries in agony

Film

After 42 years, Halloween finally ends

by Catey Sullivan October 27, 2022October 31, 2022

Halloween Ends is notable mainly for its cockamamie plot and its reverence for the original.

Film

A love letter to ‘snakies’

by Joey Shapiro October 13, 2022October 13, 2022

Why did it have to be snakes? I don’t have especially strong feelings about them, and yet in the last few years I’ve accidentally become an expert on the deranged world of snakesploitation horror cinema.

three witches look shocked in a convenience store

Film

Hocus Pocus 2

by Gregory Wakeman October 6, 2022October 6, 2022

As soon as the trio turn up, Hocus Pocus 2 immediately becomes compelling and enjoyable.

Film

Run away from Flee the Light

by Catey Sullivan February 2, 2022February 2, 2022

Exorcisms, demons, girls wildly dancing in their nighties under a full moon, zombification, reincarnation, witches, ghosts, and possession all come into play as the plot lurches along.

City Life

It’s the ghost wonderful time of the year

by Salem Collo-Julin, Micco Caporale and Kerry Reid October 28, 2021October 29, 2021

Here’s a (spooky) sampling of some Halloween and other (horrific) seasonal events and activities coming up (from the shadows of the night) in Chicago and beyond (the living dead). Bwahahahahahaha! 👻 Theater, magic, a haunted trail, and arcades The Jigsaw Bride Through 11/14: Wed 8 PM, Thu 3 PM, Sat 4 and 8 PM, Sun […]

Michael Myers in front of explosive flames

Film

Halloween Kills

by Becca James October 22, 2021December 14, 2021

Halloween Kills fails to resurrect the franchise. But that was as predictable as the fact that Michael Myers is indestructible, no?

Saint Louis postpunk band Trauma Harness

Music

Saint Louis postpunks Trauma Harness invite you to their “Bat Barn”

by Leor Galil October 4, 2021September 29, 2021

Every October I go hunting for music that captures the Halloween spirit. Chicago has no shortage of options, but today I’m sharing a find from Saint Louis. Postpunk trio Trauma Harness summon the creeping dread and giddy fun of horror stories with cavernous bass lines, foreboding laughter, and sheaths of echoing guitar effects. The playfully […]