Anchorage, spooky season is officially upon us.
For once, hearing something rustling in the woods might mean a person dressed as a Nikki from Obsession. Usually around here, it means you should stop walking and look around for a bear or a moose...
This weekend, we’ve got a haunted house, an enchanted forest, basketball wizardry, and two very different opportunities to dance. One involves little kids in costumes. The other starts around the time those kids should definitely be asleep.
Here are my five picks for our weekend!
Sponsored by Natural Pantry, a Founding Partner of Mr Anchorage.
Spenard Boiler Room XVII
For people whose weekend needs a little more bass
Where: Koot’s Ice Bar, 2435 Spenard Road, Anchorage
When: Friday, October 16, at 9 PM through Saturday at 2:30 AM
What & why:
Some people unwind after a long week with a quiet evening. Others prefer to let the bass rearrange their internal organs.
Huycke Entertainment is bringing Spenard Boiler Room XVII to Koot’s, with the DJ booth planted right in the middle of the dance floor. Alo Rondon, TRÜ, and Roger Skot provide the soundtrack while you provide whatever dance moves survived the workweek.
A solid choice for anyone who wants to spend Friday night somewhere considerably louder than their living room.
More info & tickets: Spenard Boiler Room XVII on Eventbrite.
Fright Night Manor Haunted House
Your shopping trip just developed a fight-or-flight response
Where: Midtown Mall, 600 East Northern Lights Boulevard, Unit 133, beside Relax Solutions Beauty Spa
When: Friday–Saturday, October 16–17, from 6–11 PM; Sunday, October 18, from 6–9 PM
Admission: $20 at the door, cash or card; includes 3D glasses
What & why:
Normally, the scariest thing you encounter while shopping is your total at checkout.
This weekend, Midtown Mall is offering some competition.
Fright Night Manor opens Friday with wandering zombies, screaming ghosts, and a haunted attraction that gives you an excellent reason to suddenly remember you left something in the car.
Bring a friend who enjoys spooky season. Preferably one who won’t hold it against you when you instinctively position them between yourself and whatever comes around the corner.
More info: Fright Night Manor at Midtown Mall.
Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour
Basketball with considerably more personality than my jump shot
Where: Alaska Airlines Center, 3550 Providence Drive, Anchorage
When: Friday, October 16, at 7 PM or Saturday, October 17, at 2 PM
Admission: Ticket prices vary by seating
What & why:
The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years, and apparently nobody has told them to start taking it easy.
Expect trick shots, dunks, comedy, and the kind of ball handling that makes the rest of us feel accomplished for successfully carrying groceries up the stairs.
This is a family outing that doesn’t require everyone to understand basketball. You just need to appreciate people doing wildly impressive things with a ball while making an entire arena laugh.
Pick Friday night or Saturday afternoon and let someone else do the running.
More info & tickets: Official Anchorage Globetrotters schedule.
Enchanted Trails
Goose Lake gets a fantasy makeover
Where: Goose Lake Park, 2811 UAA Drive, Anchorage
When: Saturday, October 17, from 3–5 PM
Getting there: Park at UAA and use the event shuttle, which begins at 2:30 PM
What & why:
If your little adventurer prefers dragons and fairies to jump scares and screaming, this is their kind of spooky-season outing.
Anchorage Parks and Recreation is turning the woods at Goose Lake into an enchanted forest, where kids can train alongside elves, fairies, mermaids, and dragons to become Guardians of the Forest.
Costumes are encouraged, and there will be music, food trucks, and warming barrels. Finally, an opportunity for that superhero costume to perform some actual community service.
Children must attend with an adult; ages 2 and under are free. Check the ticket page for admission options.
More info & tickets: Enchanted Trails.
Jams for Fams Halloween Costume Party
Tiny costumes. Big dance-floor energy.
Where: Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 1230 West 27th Avenue, Anchorage
When: Sunday, October 18, from 10 AM–noon OR 1–3 PM
Admission: $20 general admission per person; non-walking babies are free. Ticket fees apply.
What & why:
Not every dance party needs to begin at 9 PM. Some of us have children who turn into actual monsters if lunch is late.
Jams for Fams is bringing its Halloween costume party to Bear Tooth, with DJ Spencer Lee, dancing, door prizes, a crawl zone, and professional photos to help document the one afternoon everyone wore their costume voluntarily.
Expect music for multiple generations and interactive favorites like freeze dancing. It’s recommended for families with kids 10 and under, but the adults are absolutely allowed to embarrass themselves.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Choose your session when buying tickets.
More info & tickets: Bear Tooth’s official event listings.
Know an Alaska business with a story worth telling?
I’m always looking for Alaska businesses that could use a fresh angle on their marketing or a little more local exposure.
I offer several business packages for different budgets, and I’d love to hear from businesses of all types and sizes. If someone you know wants to reach a growing Anchorage audience, send them my way!
They can message me on any of my socials or email [email protected].
Having a salmon microphone is my job. Having an interesting business to talk about could be theirs.
Until next weekend…
Whether you’re chasing bass, dodging zombies, cheering trick shots, or helping a tiny dragon find its other shoe, there’s a good reason to get out and enjoy Anchorage this weekend.
Support your neighbors, bring a friend, and make a few memories.
And if something rustles in the woods, remember: the enchanted creatures are at Goose Lake on Saturday. Everywhere else, give it some space.
See you out there, Anchorage!
— Mr Anchorage
