Briefs

Published: Thursday, October 31, 2002

Frightening films

• “The Phantom of the Opera” plays at the James Bridges Theater tonight at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $7 with special $5 tickets for students, seniors and kids.

• “Sleepy Hollow” screens at the Ackerman Grand Ballroom for $2 tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

• Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will show on the big screen tonight along with two shorter Burton works at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theater, ending its week-long run. Call 1-800-DISNEY6 for tickets.

Evil events

• Pink, Paulina Rubio, Debbie Allen, Anna Nicole Smith and a host of other celebrities and performers will get freaky at the 2002 West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval. which will have booths, dancing, and the crowning of the Honorary Mayor. Halloweeners clad in ornate and wild costumes will line Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard tonight from 6 p.m. to midnight.

• The Nightmare Factory (perhaps known to some as the Knitting Factory) will feature a freaky gallery, groping monsters and screaming girls at Hollywood and Highland. Screams begin tonight at 6:30 p.m. and go through midnight. Call (323) 2SCREAM or log on to www.hauntusa.com for more information.

• The Hallowed Haunting Grounds is a private yard haunt in its 30th year that promises to scare you the old-fashioned way. Located at 4343 Babcock Ave. in Studio City, it’s free unless you feel scared enough to donate. Visit www.hauntinggrounds.org.

• Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest promises ghosts, haunted houses and twisted roller coasters, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call (661) 255-4849 for tickets.

• Knott’s Scary Farm’s Halloween Haunt has 160 acres with a thousand monsters, 11 mazes and six horrifying shows from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call (714) 220-5200 for tickets.

• Santa Monica is building an alter by the sea for the Day of the Dead. To join in the free event, bring a photo or special item to add to the altar. Call (310) 396-6131 for details.

Music of the macabre

• The String Cheese Incident brings Hulaween 2002 tonight to the Shrine Auditorium. It’s themed “The Acadamummy Awards,” so attendants should plan on dressing up as their favorite celebs. Fans dressed up in the Halloween spirit can walk down the red carpet upon their arrival. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call (213) 749-5123 for more info.

• Dance of the Living Dead will be haunted with electronic music and a silent screening of “Night of the Living Dead” in Room 235 at Santa Monica College, 1660 Stewart St. at 7 p.m. The event is free. For more info call (310) 434-4003.

• With My Life, the Thrill Kill Kult, Cherie Blue Lady Galore, DJs and a light and sound show will freakify the Erotic-Electro-Glam-Industrial Costume Ball at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. The horror starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $20. Call (323) 934-1339 for more information.

Shocking shows

• For those looking to howl Halloween night, improv group The Unusual Suspects will be at the Comedy Underground in Santa Monica. Call (310) 451-1800 for reservations and additional info.

• An Oldtime Seance will attempt to contact late socialite Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881-1957) who was known for her decadent, eccentric parties. At Velaslavasay Panorama, 5553 Hollywood Blvd., reservation required. Call (323) 464-4108 for additional information.

• Halloween at the MET Theatre will offer food, readings, performance and music featuring Byzar and DJ Sula at 8 p.m. Admission is $12-20. Call (323) 957-1152 for more information.

• Life is a cabaret – so come embrace the undead at Lili Barsha’s Haunted Cabaret where a witch hostess guides Jack the Ripper, the Shadow and other guests in an evening of comedy, dance numbers and music. Shows are at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. $10 with a costume, $20 without, at Les Deux Cafes in Hollywood. Call (323) 465-0509 for more information.