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Friday, October 28, 2011

Blackout Haunted House Extends Into November




  Blackout Haunted House
54 West 39th Street
New York, NY

Blackout Haunted House (formerly NYC Halloween Haunted House) is sold out through Halloween, but they have just released tickets for the first weekend in November. Tickets are priced at $50. Buy yours now while you still can...

I attended a preview in September and am anxious to see the haunt in full force this Thursday. My review will be posted on Friday and a detailed walk-through of my experience will be posted after Blackout Haunted House closes its doors for the 2011 season. 

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REVIEW: Steampunk Haunted House: Through the Looking Glass




Steampunk Haunted House: Through the Looking Glass
466 Grand Street (at Pitt Street)
New York, NY

I love Alice in Wonderland about as much as I love Halloween, so I was ecstatic to take in this year's Wonderland-inspired Steampunk Haunted House. The journey begins in groups of six, which are then reduced to groups of two as you wander through halls and corridors containing different pieces of the Wonderland puzzle. The familiar characters are there, dressed in Karen Young's beautifully detailed costumes. The environmental design by Christopher Cummings, with Zach Morris, is inventive and does well to set the scene of what lurks beyond the looking glass. If you are an Alice in Wonderland fan or looking to celebrate Halloween without the traditional witches, ghosts, and gore, you cannot miss this.  

Is it Scary?

According to their website: "Back by popular demand for a third season, the visually stunning, lushly designed Steampunk Haunted House returns in October 2011 and takes audiences into the darker, more terrifying aspects of Lewis Carroll's classic stories. In this immersive experience, audience members are admitted in small groups, suddenly separated, and thrust into a beautiful and terrifying dreamscape of neo-Victorian elegance and phantasmagoric clockwork horrors. The experience sprawls throughout the three floors of Abrons’ majestic century-old playhouse, its innumerable twisting hallways, looming balconies, and labyrinthine cellars."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Steampunk Haunted House: Through the Looking Glass is a beautiful and mysterious maze through Wonderland. While you may be startled or confused at times, this creepy performance art piece does not contain traditional haunted house scares.

What I Loved

Elizabeth Carena steals the show with her electrifying portrayal of the Mad Hatter. She was compelling to watch and very effectively delivered a dose of that well known Wonderland madness. Other highlights are a choreographed mirroring sequence by two of the young Alices and a hallway with a delightful looking glass trick.    

What Could Be Better

There are several young Alice's in the beginning that read portions of the story and set the scene for the journey you are about to take. Unfortunately, their diction and enunciation is very poor and makes it impossible to understand what they're saying. Also, given the name of the haunted house, it seemed like a missed opportunity not to come up with a creepy Steampunk take on the large black headsets worn by many inside the house.

Final Thoughts

Steampunk Haunted House once again provides the Halloween season with beautifully creepy performance art for those looking for an alternative to traditional Haunted house fare.

Streampunk Haunted House Runs

October 22-31st

Discount Tickets

Full Price Ticket Prices
Oct 23,26,27 : $20
Oct 22,28,29,30,31: $25
Oct 26 Halloween Party: $50


  • $10 Student Tickets Available - Student tickets will only be sold at the door as walk-up sales. 

Age requirements

No children under 8 admitted.

Additional Info

Production Photographs by Adam Jason Photography. 


















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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Raven & Black Cat Guide to Halloween Weekend (2011 Edition)

HAUNTED HOUSES






After Dark: The Haunting at Madame Tussauds 
October 27-30, 2011, 9pm-12am 
Tickets $26.84-$38.11, New York, NY 

Buy Discount Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review   






Blood Manor 
October 27 - November 5, 2011 
Tickets $25-$50, New York, NY 

Buy Discount Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review

 

 

 

 






Merchant's House Museum Candlelight Ghost Tour 
October 27-29, 2011, 6pm-9:30pm 
Tickets $13-$40, New York, NY 

Buy Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review

 

 






Nightmare: Fairy Tales 
October 27 - November 5, 2011  
Tickets $15-$100, New York, NY 

Buy Discount Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review  

 






Nightmare: Z-Day 
October 27-31, 2011, 7pm-10pm/12am 
Tickets $10-$40, Bronx, NY 

Buy Discount Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review






Steampunk Haunted House 
October 27-31, 2011, 6pm-9:30pm/8pm-11:30pm 
Tickets $10-$25, New York, NY

Buy Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review

 

 






Times Scare Haunted House 
Every Day, Year-Round, 5pm-12am/2am 
Tickets $24.95-$59.95, New York, NY 

Buy Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review 






Trapped in Purgatory 
October 27-31, 2011, 7pm-11pm 
Tickets $18-$30, Staten Island, NY 

Buy Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review  

 

 






Gateway's Haunted Playhouse of Horrors 
October 27-31, 2011, 7pm-12am 
Tickets $20-25, Bellport, NY

Buy Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review






Nyctophobia Haunted House 
October 28-29, 2011, 7pm-11:30pm 
Tickets $25, Jamesport, NY 

 Buy Tickets - Official Website - 2011 Review

 

VICTORIAN INSPIRED HALLOWEEN EVENTS






Beyond the Veil: A Victorian Murder Mystery Ball 
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 8pm-12am 
Tickets $50, Riverside Church - New York, NY 

Buy Tickets - Official Website 

 

 

 

 






POE: An Imaginary Waltz 
October 27 -31, 2011, 8pm 
Tickets $18 - Long Island City, NY 

Buy Tickets - Official Website 

 

 

 

 






Gemini & Scorpio presents Masquerade Macabre
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 8pm-5am
Tickets $10-$50 - Brooklyn, NY 

Buy Tickets - Official Website






1865 Funeral Reenactment at the Merchant's House Museum 
Sunday, October 30, 2011, 3pm-5pm 
Tickets $10-$50, New York, NY 

Buy Tickets - Official Website






PhantasmaGorey 2011: An Edward Gorey Halloween Brunch Spectacular
Sunday, October 30, 2011, 1pm-4pm 
Tickets $20-$30, Highline Ballroom - New York, NY 

Buy Discount Tickets - Official Website 






The 39th Annual Village Halloween Parade 
Monday, October 31, 2011, 7pm-11pm 
Starts 6th Ave & Spring Street - New York, NY 

Victorian Art Inspired Parade Theme - Official Website

For extensive lists of all NYC Halloween Weekend Events Check out:

Time Out New York

Halloween Guide NYC

Halloween NYC

 
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Monday, October 24, 2011

REVIEW: Merchant's House Museum Candlelight Ghost Tour




Merchant's House Candlelight Ghost Tour
29 East Fourth Street
New York, NY

The Merchant's House Museum is the only 19th century family home in New York City that has been preserved completely intact. Frozen in time on West 4th Street, it is a truly incredible place to visit and catch a glimpse into the past, but the Museum walls contain more than history. This massive time capsule is also the location of what has been called "Manhattan's most haunted house."

Each Halloween, a series of candlelight tours are given in which guests are guided through the antique home at night with just a path of tea light candles to light their way. A brief description of each room is given followed by a recording that features detailed accounts of the strange goings on that have occurred in that room and suggest that its original tenants never left. 

Is it Scary?

The official answer on their website: "Come see the house The New York Times called “Manhattan’s Most Haunted” by flickering candlelight and hear about strange and inexplicable occurrences from the people who actually experienced them."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Yes. From the moment you enter the home you can't help but feel that there is something unsettling happening there. 

Here's A Tip

The Merchant's house is currently undergoing a renovation. Since the renovation began last year there has been an increase in strange activity that has been documented by 12 different investigations by supernatural researchers. The Museum is currently holding a raffle to spend a night in the Merchant's House with the supernatural research team.

What I Loved

This house is amazing. The candlelight ghost tour provides a unique opportunity to explore the home in darkness. I am dying to go back during the day so I can see all the little details that were hidden in the shadows. I am a huge fan of the Victorian era and this house is a perfect example of how terrifying and beautiful that time period can be.

What Could Be Better

The house is perfection even in the midst of a restoration. I strongly encourage the museum to expand on their "spirited" fall events. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to witness a séance held in the Merchant's House Museum. 

Final Thoughts

It's so creepy I wish I could live there. Since that is an impossibility, I guess I'll just have to settle with becoming a museum member. Then at least, I'll be able to visit whenever I want.  

MHM Candlelight Ghost Tours Run

October 21-22nd & 27-29th

Discount Tickets

Full Price Ticket Prices
6-7:30pm: $25
8-9pm: $30
9:30pm (includes 4th floor servants quarters): $40


  • Merchant's House Museum Members: $13 all time - Click Here for Museum Membership Info.

Age requirements

 The Merchant's House Museum is open to all ages.

Additional Info



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REVIEW: After Dark: The Haunting at Madame Tussauds




After Dark: The Haunting at Madame Tussauds
234 West 42nd Street
New York, NY

For eight nights, Madame Tussauds will allow guests to wander the famous wax museum in the dark. This after-hours haunted house encompasses several floors full of dark passageways, wax figures and a handful of members of the living tucked away to catch you by surprise.

Is it Scary?

The official answer on their website: "After Dark is meant to be scary with interactive experiences and will contain some live actors."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Fear is subjective. If you're still having 'House of Wax' nightmares or are genuinely afraid of wax sculptures during daylight hours, then this is guaranteed to scare you.

What I Loved

Wax sculptures are creepy. Add complete darkness and there is potential for heart-stopping terror. Walking into a pitch black room filled with frozen greasy-looking fake people will definitely send your imagination into over-drive.

What Could Be Better

A few of the more acrobatic actors did an excellent job, but overall the live 'performances' were half-baked and under-utilized. Personally, I would have preferred to walk-through alone without the live actors. In a place so undeniably unsettling, it would be easy to scare myself.

Final Thoughts

Fans of Madame Tussauds will love this spooky Halloween offering targeted to please the Times Square crowd. 

After Dark: The Haunting Runs

October 20-23rd & 27-30th

Discount Tickets

Full Price Ticket Prices
Online: $22
At The Door: $25
Groups of 15+: $18


  • For $16 Tickets - Click Here!

  • Save $3 by purchasing your tickets online.

Age requirements

It is not recommended for children under 12 and anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Additional Info



[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hujU2pGMt0&w=640&h=360]

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REVIEW: Trapped In Purgatory




Trapped In Purgatory
Hotel 666
5050 Hylan Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 

 Wizard of Gore
2449 Veterans Road West
Staten Island, NY

Green Side Up Garden Center on Staten island is the unlikely home of Trapped in Purgatory, a two-part haunted attraction for the Halloween season. The first attraction is Hotel 666, a traditional walk-through haunted house filled with clever hydraulic effects and traditional startles scares. The second attraction is a twisted Wizard of Oz themed corn maze called Wizard of Gore.

Is it Scary?

 According to their website: "...Where once you check in you might not be checking out! You might be in for a scare with our tight collapsing hallways and an elevator to the 6th floor; where you will be greeted by the undead that haunt this Hotel. This is not for the faint at heart!"


The Raven & Black Cat says: Fear is subjective. There are several very effective startle scares. If chainsaws, creepy hotels, and undead creatures jumping out at you is what it takes to make you scream then, yes, you will find this scary.

What I Loved

There is a short corn maze before you enter the Hotel 666 attraction. The three ghouls wandering about the maze do a fantastic job terrorizing the guests as they prepare to 'check-in.' The first moments inside the hotel are some of the strongest and most inventive. The initial disorienting tactic and the elevator are very effective and set the scene beautifully. 


What Could Be Better

The set of Hotel 666 is chilling and reminiscent of The Shining's Overlook hotel, but the actors within its walls are very young and provide only a very basic startle scare. A few even broke character and talked to us. I wish that they had taken the time to develop a story for each room and given the performers an action to play. Once the startle scare is over the monsters should have something to do other than just stand there. If they put as much effort into the performance aspect of the house as they do into the sets and special effects they will have an incredible little attraction on their hands.

We attended the Wizard of Gore corn maze on a rainy Sunday evening. We were talking amongst ourselves and one of the actors dropped character to confirm that they were understaffed that night. I did get the full experience of the corn maze, but it seemed to fall victim to the same issues that plagued its haunted house counterpart.       

 Final Thoughts



 Trapped in Purgatory is a small up and coming Staten Island haunt that has the potential to draw large crowds from Manhattan if they can employ more solid story lines and convincing actors. 

Trapped In Purgatory Runs


September 30th - October 31st

Discount Tickets

Full Price Ticket Prices
Hotel 666: $18
Wizard of Gore: $18
Combo Ticket: $30

Age requirements

Trapped in Purgatory is for all ages. 


Additional Info








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