pic: Tower Hamlets council
Already have your spooktacular costumes ready but not quite sure how to celebrate Halloween with your loved ones? ELL helps you make the most of your Halloween weekend.
Halloween, an ancient festival which came about as a way to mark the evening before ‘All Hallows Day’ or ‘All Souls Day’, is a Christian remembrance of loved ones who have passed into the after-life.
Whether you are planning on having a ghoulish date, a spooky night out with friends or throwing a Halloween party with the kids, there are many events happening in the east End over this weekend which you don’t want to miss!
What did the mummy ghost say to the baby ghost? Don’t spook until you’re spoken to.
Family events
Tower Hamlets
Boo! Family Halloween event with daring delights and spooky surprises
Pic: Sea Jung Ra
When:31 October 3.30-7.00pm
Where: King Edward Memorial Park, Glamis Road
Free entrance
Workshops will include making your own spooky hats, lanterns and recycled Halloween decorations plus face-painting and a bouncy castle.
Arts company, Emergency Exit Arts will transform the park into a haunted haven with eerie creatures and gruesome creations. Youngsters are also encouraged to come dressed in their scariest outfit to be in with a chance of winning Jack O’ Lantern’s most haunting Halloween costume prize.
The competition will take place at 6.30pm.
For more information visit www.towerhamlets.org.uk
Croydon
Horrible Halloween
Pic: Maguis & David
When: 31 October 3.30pm
Where: Thornton Heath Library, 190 Brigstock Road
Free event
Youngsters can dress up and enjoy gruesome goings at a a workshop in Thornton Heath Library. Activities include Halloween craft and story telling for 5-10 year olds. Kids are encouraged to make some scary masks then use them to act out a story.
There will also be a Halloween costume competition with a small prize so don’t miss out!
Limited places are available so book in advance at Thornton Heath Library.
To avoid disappointments email thorntonheath@croydon.gov.uk
What do ghosts serve for dessert? Ice Scream.
Halloween Recipe for your very spooky party with families and friends
Halloween Sponge Cake Pic: Hummingbird Bakery
Creepy, maybe, but these Halloween recipes and treats for Halloween will put a smile on the face of every goblin around. Serve up these deliciously creepy treats for little ghouls & boys for your upcoming Halloween party!
For recipes visit:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/Halloween/Main.aspx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/occasions/halloween
http://uktv.co.uk/food/homepage/sid/5947
Foodie Tip: ‘Re-vamp’ that cheesecake with a spider decoration as seen here.
Where does a ghost go on a Saturday night? Anywhere he can BOO-gie.
Nightlife and social events:
Hackney
Cirque De Scream!
Strongroom Bar Pic: Eric Hands
When: 29 October 6.00pm-2.00am
Where: Strongroom, 120-124 Curtain Road
Free event
The annual Halloween extravaganza at Shoreditch stalwart Strongroom returns for a Saturday filled with ghoulish shenanigans. This eight-hour horror fest going on from the early evening till the early hours with a range of activities including fancy dress, performance artists, a BBQ and live music is a must-attend event for Shoreditch scenesters. The live bands come in the shape of Le Bete – described as “dark, dingy rock’n’roll”.
There will also be Timebox DJs playing the best in retro 60’s-70’s psych, rock, funk and soul.
The best part? The entire evening comes with free entry.
For more information visit www.strongroom.com
Tower Hamlets
Twin sister’s La Fleur Halloween All-nighter
pic: Tower Hamlets council
When: 29 October 7.00pm-8.00am
Where: Café 1001, 91 Brick Lane
Free before midnight £8.00 after midnight
Are you a late (or really early) clubber? Then why not visit Brick Lane’s exciting clubbing venues in your outrageous outfit this Halloween. Twin Sister’s evil side comes out this Halloween with a special all-night party in Cafe 1001’s mainroom. A plethora of DJs will aim to keep the Brick Lane venue rocking well long into the next morning with the tunes playing until an eye watering 8am.
For more information visit www.cafe1001.co.uk
What’s a monster’s favorite play? Romeo and Ghouliet.
Cultural event
Lewisham
The Misty Moon Halloween Exhibition
Pic: Ewan-M
When: 25 October to 1 November 2011, everyday 3pm till late
Where: The Tank Gallery, Ladywell Tavern
Free event
Are you an art and film lover?If you would rather spend the weekend quiet watching art fairs and films this is a perfect alternative. Misty Moon is premiering a short film by Sophia Cordelia Jenner-Ludbrook and it will give you an opportunity to buy affordable works by local and international artists and designers.
For more information visit www.mistymoon.net
Hackney
Holy Horrors Halloween Screenings
Pic: _ankor
When:30 October 4pm for The Blair Witch Project(1999), 30 October 6.45pm for
The Omen(1976), 31 October
6.45pm for Halloween(1978)
Where: The Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road
Price for the event will be The Blair Witch Project £9.50 , The Omen £11.50 , Halloween £11.50
Watching a horror flick is de rigueur for Halloween, but to really up the ante, try swapping a stuffy cinema for something a little more spine-chilling – like a church. The Rooftop Film Club will be hosting three screenings of classic 70s scary movies as part of their Halloween Scre(am)enings at The Round Chapel in Hackney.
First up is The Blair Witch Project and The Omen (October 30) and Halloween, to be screened on the big day itself.
Fancy dress is optional!
To book, visit www.experiencecinema.com
Fun fact: Angry Birds is the most popular Google search for Halloween costumes. Also trending strongly is Natalie Portman’s Black Swan and even rapper Nicki Minaj.
Who are you going dressing up as this Halloween? Let us know on the space below,
or email us your pictures and we’ll put the best ones up.
