By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Boo at the Zoo, Friday-Sunday, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 17-19, Columbian Park Zoo — Kids will get the ultimate pre-Halloween experience at the annual Boo at the Zoo in Columbian Park. We’re talking/roaring about child-friendly games and activities, trick or treat stops, hayrides, character meet and greets, DJ dance party and a costume contest — all while the animals of the Columbian Park Zoo watch along with great envy. Arni’s Pizza will be on hand, and the Halloween Train Ride will whisk “boo-utiful” attendees around the park. This longstanding Halloween treat for families has become a Lafayette tradition as Halloween creeps closer and closer. $8 in advance, $10 at the gate. Tickets.
“Hocus Pocus 2” screening, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Loeb Stadium, Columbian Park— Now you can finally run onto the Loeb Stadium baseball field without being tackled by security. The Lafayette outdoor venue that is home to the Lafayette Aviators has been screening Halloween movies this month. Last week was the classic “Hocus Pocus” and this Friday will be the Disney follow-up, “Hocus Pocus 2.” When 1990s nostalgia resurrected the 1993 “Hocus Pocus” band into the cultural mainstream, “Hocus Pocus 2” (2022) finds out what those witchy Sanderson sisters have been up to for the past 30 years — no doubt spooky and campy hijinks from those witches played by Bette Midler, Kim Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. $5, $3 for children. Tickets.
Halloween Drag Show, 9 p.m. Friday, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — This annual event is always a hot one. Drag queens from all over Indiana will break out their best — and scariest — routines. The event will be hosted by Lafayette’s own Veronica Fox and Anitta Schwanz and will feature performances from Vicki, Celeste, Lisa and Chablis Onassis Dupree, an Indianapolis queen and former Miss Gay Black Indiana. $10, $15 for ages 18-20. Tickets.
Lafayette Indiana Filmmakers Network 16th Annual Spooktacular, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — This event will gather some of Indiana’s top paranormal researchers for a night of ghost stories and experiences in exploring the unexplainable. Hosted by the Lafayette chapter of the Indiana Filmmakers Network, this bone chilling night will feature appearances from the ghosthunters behind “Paranormal Incidents” web series and Indianapolis’ “LIVE Paranormal TV” investigators. Joining these ghost chasers will be Christopher and Christina Hunt, authors of “Ghosts & Legends of Crawfordsville, Indiana” and founders of the Crawfordsville Paranormal Society, and Xan Hughes, a musician from Kokomo that specializes in the theremin — the unmistakable drony instrument heard in dozens of golden age horror movies
The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — This eight-piece Chicago jazz band is led by Jose Guzman, who is heavily inspired by his Puerto Rican heritage when he composes music. The mix of African and Caribbean rhythms is already food for the ears, but when Guzman puts it through the modern jazz lens, the music becomes even more interesting and danceable. The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective performs all over the Midwest and beyond, and they are promoting the band’s new single, “Orchard Downs,” the leadoff track from the upcoming fourth album, “Cortadito.” Tickets.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
BONUS CUTS …
Lafayette Symphony’s B-Side Series, “Jazz in the Wake of Bebop,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St. – Featuring LSO’s Drew Cox on drums with Brent Laidler (guitar), Scott Pazera (bass) and Jarrard Harris (saxophone). Tickets: $20 at the door.
Clue! At the Museum, 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays in October, Haan Museum of Indiana Art, 920 State St., Lafayette – Bring a group or go solo and find one of the versions of the classic board game in the mansion. $10. Tickets.
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