Things to Do

Where & When: What to Do This Weekend

Haunted houses, cocktail parties, dance shows, and a chance to restore sanity to Washington

Thursday, October 28
Get a spooky shock at “Fright at the Museum: Dead Men Walking” at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment. The Tennessee electric chair that executed 125 men is on display through October 31. Under age 17 not permitted. Times vary; buy tickets ($20) here.

The International Organization on Arts and Disability is hosting a discussion with the boundary-breaking Aimee Mullins, a track star and fashion muse—who uses prosthetic legs. She has several dozen pairs, including one designed by Alexander McQueen. She’s at the Kennedy Center at 7:30. Free; E-mail efkey@vsarts.org to RSVP.

Raise your glass in tribute to President Woodrow Wilson at the Speakeasy Costume Ball. Held at Washington’s only presidential museum, the Woodrow Wilson House, and sponsored by Rums of Puerto Rico, the party will get you in the 1920s spirit with flappers, ragtime, and a peek at Wilson’s fully stocked wine cellar. 7 to 9. Buy tickets ($35) here.

Friday, October 29
From the team that created the Asylum haunted house last year comes the Patuxent Research Lab, where something has gone horribly wrong. The sure-to-be-terrifying experience has actors, animated props, and other stuff so scary the organizers aren’t mentioning it. It’s at Prince George’s Stadium (4101 Northeast Crain Hwy.; Bowie); tours start at 6:30. Tickets ($15) can be purchased at the gates.

Comedian and recent Dancing With the Stars alum Margaret Cho performs at the Warner Theatre. Her Cho Dependent tour features her all-new standup act as well as comedy songs from her album of the same name. 7:30. Buy tickets ($28.50 to $45) here.

Spend an evening with Edgar Allen Poe at Dumbarton House for a production presented by the Picnic Theater Company. There’ll be food and drinks before the Gothic-style production of three 15-minute plays based on the spooky stories of Poe. Period dress is encouraged. Cocktail hour at 6; show at 7:30. Click here for tickets ($10).

For a Halloween party that also supports a good cause, check out Farces ou Friandises at Josephine. The French-themed bash includes drinks, light snacks, music, and a costume contest. Register online ($25) and get one free drink ticket. All proceeds support Habitat for Humanity. 6 to 10.

Saturday, October 30
Just in case you haven’t heard, today is the Rally to Restore Sanity and the March to Keep Fear Alive. Led by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, the combined event is for angry people on both sides of the political spectrum, those who don’t care at all, or anyone who’s just a big fan of The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. Noon to 3 on the Mall; free. For updates, click here.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is hosting an all-day Dia de Los Muertos party, featuring altars and ofrendas made by local artists as well as mariachi music. The festivities conclude with an evening parade through Old Town and a masquerade party with more live music and belly dancing. 3 to 11; for a complete schedule of activities, click here. Free.

Red Bull Sound Clash, an event in which two bands from genres at opposite ends of the musical spectrum compete for dominance, makes a stop in DC. This time around, the battle is between rapper Wale and rockers Tokyo Police Club. It’s at Fourth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, at 7:30. Buy tickets ($10) here.

If you missed them on America’s Best Dance Crew, this weekend is your chance to catch a live performance by Beat Ya Feet Kings. The fast-moving go-go troupe also performs at Washington Wizards games. The group is at Dance Place at 7. Buy tickets ($25) here.

Sunday, October 31
It’s never too early to start collecting stocking stuffers and other holiday gifts, so take a peek at a Tracy Mourning trunk show and holiday preview. There’ll be products to test and buy as well as complimentary hand massages and polish changes. The event is at Ted Gibson Salon and Hela Spa from 11 to 2.

Move over, Edward—there’s a new vampire in town. It’s the last weekend to catch Bunnicula, the children’s tale of a vampire rabbit, at Imagination Stage. Buy tickets ($10 to $25) here. Another family-friendly Halloween activity—before the kids get too hopped up on candy—is the National Symphony Orchestra’s “Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales.” It features music from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Harry Potter, and there’ll be face-painting and trick-or-treating. That event is at the Kennedy Center at 1 and 3. Tickets ($15 to $18) are available here.

In celebration of National Opera Week, the Kennedy Center is hosting a free concert featuring a mix of popular arias and performances by those in the Young Opera program. 6 PM.

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