MICHAEL MYERS PAYING A HALLOWEEN VISIT TO DETROIT AREA

In an exclusive first-time ever Halloween night event, the biggest Halloween villain of all time, “Michael Myers” will be making an appearance in Michigan. Experience a special screening of Halloween Kills with James Jude Courtney, the actor who brought the notorious Michael Myers to life in the last three Halloween films. In addition, a VIP Meet & Greet along with a photo opportunity event will be available that same evening. These are historically opportunities for Halloween enthusiasts as this is the first-time a Halloween event has been hosted by the actor of the iconic Halloween villain, on Halloween night!

The night kicks off with an exclusive VIP Meet & Greet and photo opportunity taking place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This limited ticket experience gives guests the chance to meet James Jude Courtney in person, enjoy a professional photo taken by Emagine’s photographer, and snap a selfie on their phones as well.

Also taking place on Halloween night, starting at 8:00 PM, there will a live interactive Q&A session with James Jude Courtney, followed by a screening of Halloween Kills. Each attendee at the Halloween Kills screening will receive a limited-edition 11×17 poster and will be automatically entered into a drawing for Halloween prizes, personally awarded by James Jude Courtney himself. Prizes include signed Michael Myers masks, Halloween Trilogy Blu-rays, and more!

Thursday, October 31st – HALLOWEEN 

 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM - VIP Meet & Greet / Photo Ops with James Jude Courtney 

 Cost: $75 per person 

VIP Meet & Greet / Photo Ops include: 

(1) professional photo taken with James Jude Courtney (posted online the following day) and can include up to 4 people in the photo. 

(1) Photo/Selfie with James Jude Courtney taken on Guests’ Phone or camera Meet & Greet with James Jude Courtney 

*Note: Autographs are not included, due to timing. Tickets to the Halloween Kills screening sold separately. 

8:00 PM - Live interactive Q&A with James Jude Courtney followed by the screening of Halloween Kills 

Cost: $45 per person Q&A and Screening event includes: 

(1) ticket to attend the in-person live Q&A session with James Jude Courtney. This is a rare opportunity to gain unique insights into the making of this iconic horror franchise, ask burning questions, and dive into the behind-the-scenes magic of making the Halloween movies, followed by a screening of Halloween Kills. Limited-edition 11x17 poster. Automatic entry into a drawing for signed prizes including a Michael Myers mask, Halloween Trilogy Blu-Rays, and more.

Emagine Novi located at 44425 W. 12 Mile Road in Novi, MI. For more information, visit www.Emagine-Entertainment.com

S'MORES HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

Spooky Season is here! Snuggle up next to a warm fire and make The Midnight Society's secret recipe for delicious S'Mores Hot Chocolate while watching Nickelodeon's Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Limited Series Three-Season Collection. Available Now on DVD!

In 2019 Nickelodeon broadcast a mini-series “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” tale introducing a group of TMS kids who find that one of the scary stories told around a campfire begins to become true. A second mini-series was broadcast in 2021 and followed a new group of Midnight Society kids, who learn of a terrifying curse cast over their small town and are haunted by a mysterious creature. The third chapter, Are You Afraid of the Dark? Ghost Island, was shown in 2022 on the cable tv network and features another TMS group as they go on vacation on a resort island becoming entangled in the sinister haunting of a hotel's guests. Enjoy hauntingly good scary stories with The Limited Series Three-Season Collection, just in time for Halloween!

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PHANTOM'S FEAST

The Michigan Renaissance Festival may have concluded for the year, but that doesn't mean the festivities have concluded at its Village of Hollygrove fairgrounds. Have yourself a ghoulishly good time by joining in the village's annual Phantom’s Feast! Prepare for a bone-chilling blend of fear and feast as you join the creatures of the night for an evening of hair-raising entertainment and delectable food. 

Phantom's Feast is an Undead Man's party filled with spine-tingling tricks and tempting treats. Darkness will fall across the land, and creatures will crawl in search of both blood and a good time! It's a Thriller Night where the dead come alive, and you're invited to dance your soul away to the best of 80s gothic revival and hard rock, with a vampiric twist. If you have a taste for fright and fun, Phantom's Feast is the Halloween experience you’ve been waiting for! 

Dates: 

• Saturday, October 12th 

• Friday, October 18th & Saturday, October 19th

 • Friday, October 25th & Saturday, October 26th 

Time: 

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM 

During this spooktacular musical production, guests will feast on a mouth-watering meal that’s to die for: 

• Appetizer: Mummy Sausages—savory sausages wrapped in flaky pastry, served with tangy dipping sauce. 

 • Soup: French Onion with cheesy bread

 • Salad: Spooky Antipasto--A hauntingly delicious blend of marinated vegetables, cured meats, and cheeses, perfect for setting the eerie tone of the evening.

 • Main Course: Succulent beef tenderloin accompanied by spooky roasted red potatoes, sweet acorn squash, tender green beans, and juicy grape tomatoes. 

• Dessert: Death by Chocolate--A decadent chocolate dessert guaranteed to bewitch your taste buds. 

CLICK HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

ART THE CLOWN MEET & GREET

David Thornton, known for his portrayal as “Art the Clown” in the TERRIFIER movie series, and Director, Damien Leone, are coming to Detroit in October to hype the new addition to the horror flick franchise, TERRIFIER 3, in a two-day event October 25-26 at Emagine Canton. On Friday, October 25, fans will be able to join David Thornton and Damien Leone for a special Q&A event where they will answer questions and share their filming and on-screen experiences before a showing of the new TERRIFIER 3 movie in Emagine Canton's Super EMX theater. On Saturday, October 26th fans will be able to attend a Meet and Greet, Autograph Signing & Photo Session with both David Thornton and Damien Leone. Also on Saturday, there will be a rare and limited special VIP Photo session where guests can get a photo (up to 4 people) with David Thornton in Full Makeup & Costume as “Art The Clown." 

In TERRIFIER 3, Art the Clown unleashes a night of bloody chaos as the unsuspecting residents of Miles County peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve. This indie film has not been rated by the Motion Picture Association of America [MPAA] (Treat as R for sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, language, and some sexuality). TERRIFIER 3 is being released in select theaters across the USA on October 11, 2024.

All weekend events are taking place at Emagine Canton located at 39535 Ford Rd., Canton, MI 48187. The TERRIFIER 3 Weekend Events Include: 

Friday, October 25 

Screening of TERRIFIER 3 with special Q&A with actor David Thornton and Director, Damien Leone 7:00 p.m. - Q&A Session Begins / 7:45 p.m. – TERRIFIER 3 Movie Begins on the Super EMX Cost: Tickets are $40 each and includes access to the Q&A, movie ticket, and limited-edition mini poster. 

Saturday, October 26 

VIP “Art The Clown” Photo Ops: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Rare photo session opportunity with David Thornton in Full Makeup & Costume as “Art The Clown” alongside Director, Damien Leone. Ticket includes professional photo, with up to 4 people. Cost: $150 - Tickets available online at Emagine-Entertainment.com 

General Admission Meet & Greet , Autograph & Photos w/Damien Leone & David Thornton: 2:00p-5:00p Meet the masterminds behind Terrifier 3! Fans can line up for autographs and selfies with Director Damien Leone and actor David Thornton (not in character). Please note that autographs and selfies are priced individually and can be purchased directly at the signing tables. Guests must be in line by 5:00 PM to ensure their autographs and selfies are completed. Any guests arriving after 5:00 PM will not be able to join the line. 

VIP Cut The Line Fast Pass: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Skip the wait! Emagine offers a Fast Pass to skip the line during the general admission meet & greet from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Saturday. Please note: the Fast Pass does not include photo and autograph pricing. Cost: $50 per person

Autograph Signing & Photo Session Pricing – Per Person 

Damien Leone: $50 for Autograph, $50 for Selfie, $80 for both autograph and selfie 

David Thornton: $50 for Autograph, $50 for Selfie, $80 for both autograph and selfie 

Available for purchase directly at their signing tables.

Tickets for all these TERRIFIER 3 events are available online at Emagine-Entertainment.com 

HALLOWEEN SEASON STARTS WITH BEETLEJUICE FUN

As summer comes to a close with the Labor Day weekend, the Halloween season starts up with the theatrical release of the horror/comedy flick BEETLE JUICE BEETLE JUICE which opens September 6, 2024. Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA Movie Rating) for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use, Michael Keeton and Winona Ryder return in this sequel to the 1988's Beetlejuice.

Get into the spirit of the movie with the OP Games Beetlejuice edition of OUIJA. Unleash the Netherworld's secrets with Ouija: Beetlejuice. Summon the spirits by saying "Beetlejuice" three times and get answers to all of your burning questions! With a gothic Beetlejuice-themed design, this vintage-inspired Ouija board offers a thrilling experience, illuminating the unknown with haunting symbols and mysterious spirits. 2 to 4 players / Ages 8+ / 30+ Minutes Play Time.

In BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice's name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

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ONLINE AI OUIJA BOARD

Are you ready to enter the world of the mysterious and mystifying with OUIJA?! Just in time for Halloween festivities, Hasbro launched a limited-time, online-only, AI-enhanced version of the iconic OUIJA Board that bridges the gap between today’s technology and ancient mystique! 

Available NOW through November 1 at 11:59 PM PT at ouija.com, the first-of-its-kind AI OUIJA Board from Hasbro is sure to test your bravery and connection to the spirit realm. You've got questions and the spirit world has answers – the AI OUIJA Board is your way to get them asap… no board required! 

What do you want to know? Ask your question solo, with a friend, or in a group setting perfect for any Halloween party vibe. Be patient and concentrate because the spirits can't be rushed! Try these sample prompts, or ask your own questions: 

 · How many spirits are in this room? 

 · Spirit, what’s the last thing you remember?

 · Are you a good spirit or a bad spirit? 

 · What are you doing for Halloween? 

 · May I speak with the spirit of William Shakespeare? / William Shakespeare, what’s your favorite play? / Abe Lincoln, do you still wear your top hat? 

Fans can access the AI OUIJA Board through http://www.ouija.com/ via mobile or desktop. For anyone looking to take their séance game to the next level, the classic OUIJA Board is available for purchase at most major retailers and on Amazon. 

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PHANTOMS'S FEAST AT HOLLYGROVE

The Michigan Renaissance Festival may be over but there are still several seasonal activities taking place at its Hollygrove medieval fairgrounds through the end of the year. First off during weekends through the end of October in celebration of Halloween will be a Phantom's Feast held within the Michigan Renaissance Festival's Blackstone Castle. This event takes place on October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 starting at 7pm. Buy tickets in advance at michrenfest.com. 

Join the Pumpkin King and his Court for a delectable five course meal starting with warming pumpkin soup and a main course of Beef Tenderloin. Enjoy song & dance, costume contests and wicked amusements for all to share. It’s the season of the witch, so beware!

Tickets for Phantom's Feast are $90 per person. Blackstone Castle is located on the Hollygrove fair grounds in Metro Detroit's Oakland County at 12600 Dixie Hwy Holly, MI 48442. Get into the Halloween spirit with this festive night out feasting with the Pumpkin King and his Court.

Following the Phantom's Feast, Hollygrove will come alive with holiday magic with the Michigan Renaissance Festival's annual HollyDazzle Christmas celebration that takes place in November and December. So, while the jousting may be done for the year there is still fun to be had during the remainder of 2023 at the Hollygrove fair grounds.

METRO DETROIT HAUNTED HOUSES

Are you up for a scare? The Halloween season is here and with that comes a few weeks where haunted houses are open to provide people with a terror-ific time. Here are some spooktacular choices to visit in the Metro Detroit area:

GHOSTS ON THE BALCONY

Downtown Birmingham's theater on historic Old Woodward was constructed as a playhouse in the 1920s and now is run by Emagine Entertainment showing movies. The theater has long been rumored to be haunted and now Emagine Entertainment is bringing these ghost stories to life by hosting a haunted house at the location. 

What is now known as the Birmingham 8 Movie Theatre will not be showing films during the month of October and has been transformed back to Victorian era times for this immersive haunted theatre attraction. The haunted attraction chronicles the experience of theatre proprietor Mr. Baldwin, an old caretaker who has worked in the theatre for over 50 years, and a harrowing tale of murder and the mayhem that followed. This is not for the faint of heart…this will scare you to death, just like what happened to Mr. Baldwin’s family, friends, and many patrons of his theatre! These “Ghosts on the Balcony” still haunt the building today!

Ghosts on the Balcony” will run daily October 1 – 30, and will feature a weekend family friendly haunt (ages 5-12) Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00pm – 5:00pm, and a bloodcurdling adult haunt (ages 13 and over) Sunday thru Thursday from 7:00pm -10:00pm, and Friday and Saturday from 7:00pm to 1:00am. Guests will also have the ability to purchase food and beverages from the concession stand along with adult (21+) beverages at various stops throughout the experience.

CLICK HERE for more information.

EREBUS HAUNTED ATTRACTION

An abandoned industrial building from Pontiac's heyday as an automobile manufacturing hub comes alive during the Halloween season for what has been recognized as one of the best haunted house attractions in the United States. Explore four stories of scares and thrills that utilized Hollywood-style special effects that make visitors feel as if they are taking part in a horror movie scenario.

Hours through October are Monday-Thursday 7:30pm to 10:30pm; Friday 7pm to Midnight; Saturday 6pm to Midnight; and Sunday 6pm to 11pm. Go to hauntedpontiac.com for more information.

AZRA CHAMBER OF HORRORS

Located in a former laser tag arena in Madison Heights, this haunted house provides a multi-level maze filled with thrills. Enjoy a DJ and fire juggler shows while waiting in line for the main attraction. Ranked in the Top 20 of Haunted Houses in America by review site Scare Factor. Visit azrahaunt.com for more info.

ELOISE ASYLUM

This abandoned mental health facility in Westland, Michigan has been attracting ghost hunters for decades exploring rumors of paranormal activity. During the Halloween season, people can tour the grounds with real life ghost hunters or engage in faux horror by exploring a mock asylum filled with thrills and chills. This horror attraction's producers have invested in high-tech tools including Cold Spark Pyrotechnic Simulators, a Tesla Coil, Advanced Projection Mapping Technologies and more! Eloise Asylum is bringing technology utilized at theme parks such as Disney World and Universal Studios to provide an extraordinary experience for participants. CLICK HERE for more info.

Eloise Haunted Asylum Final Trailer (2021) from Rogues Hollow Video on Vimeo.

ROTTEN MANOR

This haunted house, located by Holly in northern Oakland County near the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival, Mount Holly Ski Resort, and Groveland Oaks County Park, has a carnival vibe to it. The attraction has two haunted houses to experience, "The Manor" and "The Rotten Asylum". These attractions are each approximately 35-45 minutes long. There is also a Rotten Hayride which takes you on a ride through the haunted woods of Rotten Manor. And if that wasn’t enough Rotten Manor has a midway full of carnival themed games and activities. CLICK HERE for more info.

THE SCREAM MACHINE 

I normally go to the Taylor Trade Center for sports card shows to meet baseball, basketball, football and hockey athletes that appear to sign autographs. During the Halloween season, this space transforms into a haunted house. Venture through a crypt and a mad scientist's menagerie of failed creations. There are also two optional five-minute escape rooms. For more info go to thescreammachine.com. 

HUSH

This attraction inside a 40,000 square foot Westland building features three haunted houses. Plus, for those over 21 years old there are three secret bars to discover located within the haunted houses each with unique drinks and experiences to encounter. The waiting queue area looks like a decrepit city street for the town of Hush Falls filled with undead inhabitants that provide fun photo ops. Which haunted house do you prefer of the three?

Belly of the Beast - the Hush Falls Hotel has a new dark secret brewing in its abyss: a temple to its dark lord: Anglor. Constructed by the undead who reside under the hotel, the temple is alive and its roots have spread like veins throughout the Hotel underpass. Do you dare to explore the negative 13th floor of the Hush Falls Hotel?

Louisiana Catacombs - once past the temples of horror, stumble upon a swampland that Hush Falls ancestors used to bury the dead to preserve their spirits. But this is no ordinary graveyard. You find yourself in a seemingly unending web of catacombs; and you have disturbed their lair! The undead lurk in the dark crevices, and crawl out from their resting places to speak with you. They live in anguish and haven't spoken to a soul in hundreds of years...until now.

Rosecliff Hall - the towering edifice of Rosecliff Hall looms over you. The legends of the horrors the Von Rose family perpetrated on the residents of Hush Falls seem more like a history lesson than fabricated stories after the things you’ve seen so far. As you enter, the manor seems alive, like the evil from the town has somehow permeated the walls and floors of the ominous mansion. The current residents are not too pleased at your arrival, but they aren’t going to let you leave in one piece…if at all…

On October 30 there is also a family-friendly event where young children can walk through the haunted houses with the lights on where they can have kid-friendly monster meet and greets plus collect candy. There is fun to be had for all ages at HUSH! For more info, visit hushhauntedattractions.com. 

WIARDS ORCHARD NIGHT TERRORS

Wiards Orchard in Ypsilanti is hosting five haunted attractions on its grounds this year: The Ultimate Haunted Barn; The Mindshaft; The Asylum; Hayride of the Lost; Alien Caged Clowns in 3D. Visitors receive a doughnut and cider to enjoy around a communal bonfire upon completing their adventure. CLICK HERE for more information. 

Which of these haunted houses would you be most geeked to go to? If you go to any of them, share your experiences with us by tweeting @Geekdad248 with thoughts and pictures. I would enjoy knowing your thoughts and feedback regarding these Metro Detroit Haunted Houses. Hope everyone has a spooktacular Halloween! 

DUBLIN CELEBRATES 125 YEARS OF DRACULA

When most people think of DRACULA, the first thing that comes to mind is Gothic castles and Gypsy villages in the remote Transylvanian wilderness of eastern European Romania. So why is the capital city of the Emerald Isle hosting a festival celebrating 125 years of Dracula? Because the vampire's creator, Bram Stoker, is an Irish author from Dublin. Each October, the city hosts a Bram Stroker Festival with this year's event (October 28 - 31) having a focus on celebrating the 125th anniversary of the 1897 publication of Dracula which was the author's seventh novel.

While known now for his literary works, during his lifetime Bram Stoker was more recognized as a journalist and theatre critic who eventually became the personal assistant for a famed actor of the times, Sir Henry Irving, and the business manager for the Lyceum in London's West End theatre district. In fact, it is considered that Stoker's relationship with Irving and experiences at the Lyceum Theatre were more of an inspiration for Dracula than any research into Romanian lore and geography. The description of Dracula's Castle in the book is actually based upon New Slains Castle located near Cruden Bay, Scotland where Stoker was known to vacation and spend time working on his novels rather than any Transylvanian fortress.

There will be multiple opportunities to dress up in ghoulish garb during this year's Bram Stroker Festival to watch film screenings, discuss the novel or simply stroll through the city on a walking tour of Dublin’s dark side that fired Stoker’s imagination. Walking tour sites include the architecturally imposing Trinity College Dublin, which Stoker attended, Marsh’s Library, the oldest public library in Ireland, Dublin Castle with its spectacular gothic Chapel Royal, and St Michan’s Church, which houses mummified remains in its vaults. Past Bram Stoker Festival events over the years have featured major outdoor spectacles; intimate experiences on hallowed grounds; award-winning theatre productions; an outdoor circus at night; and elaborate banquets in sacred crypts. Would you want to visit Ireland to attend the Bram Stroker Festival?

This year's Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin, Ireland includes BOREALIS an electronic recreation of the aurora borealis natural phenomena being displayed over Dublin Castle's Upper Courtyard and Stokerland, a Victorian themed fun park. Visit bramstokerfestival.com for a full list of activities.

In the run up to this year's festival, to get into the undead spirit of Dracula, you can watch and listen to Bram Stoker Festival at Home Treats, a curated collection of podcasts, videos and audio content about Stoker, vampires and their influence on modern culture.

Would you consider attending the Bram Stoker Festival a spooktacular way to enjoy Halloween? I'd be geeked to go!