Halloween events, 'Rocky Horror' and more things to do at the Shore this weekend
Boo!
That's right, it's Halloween weekend!
And there's so much to do at the Jersey Shore, whether you want to be super scared or just have fun.
If you haven't seen our Halloween page with stories about events and attractions, haunted hikes, spooky snacks, devilish drinks and what could be New Jersey's most haunted house, check it out here. There's also a story about the New Jersey connection to the slasher movie "Terrifier 2" and photos from the Asbury Park Zombie Walk.
Here's a look at what's happening this weekend. Trick or Treat!
‘Rocky Horror’ hits Ocean County College
Who’s ready to the do “The Time Warp” at OCC?
Cult classic camp horror musical “The Rocky Horror Picture” show plays the Main Stage of the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College in Toms River Saturday night.
The evening will include a pre-show costume contest and a shadow cast performance by long-running local “Rocky Horror” troupe Friday Nite Specials.
Go: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Main Stage, Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, College Drive, Toms River, $25 with pre-approved prop bags available for purchase; grunincenter.org.
The Conover Killings in Wall
About 13 years ago, a boy named Johnathan invited his friends over for their annual Halloween game of manhunt. Unfortunately for his friends Johnathan was "it" that year. He murdered each of them, one by one, ending with his own mother — at least that's the fictional story according to the Halloween attraction "The Conover Killings" in Wall.
Jonathan is apparently still out there. Will you be his next victim? Head to this 25-minute haunted trail and find out.
Tickets are $25, and a portion of all proceeds are donated to the Autism Movement.
Go: 3101 Hurley Pond Road, Wall; 757-817-2517, theconoverkillings.com.
Spooky Zumba with Dawn and Hazel
Dawn Kramer began teaching free Zumba classes for the Lacey Township community in 2021. Her daughter Hazel, who has Downs Syndrome, is the star of these classes — inspiring everyone to get moving, and break a sweat.
Now, for Hazel's favorite holiday, Dawn will be teaching a special Halloween class at 7 p.m. on Thursday, complete with Halloween music, decorations, party lights, costumes, and after-class treats and desserts as a reward for all the calories burned off.
More on Dawn and Hazel:'It's more than an exercise class': Mother-daughter duo unites community through Zumba
Although classes take place at Gille Park when the weather is warm, this spooky class will be at Mill Pond Elementary School's cafeteria, to protect dancers from that crisp October air sending chills down their spines.
Dawn and Hazel, who will be dressing up as skeleton brides, ask dancers to dress up — but they understand if you don't want to. For more information, visit Dawn and Hazel's Facebook page.
Go: Cafeteria at Mill Pond Elementary School, 210 Western Blvd., Lanoka Harbor.
Party for the puppies
Happy Animal Sanctuary will be hosting its second annual Halloween Party Fundraiser this Friday at 8 p.m.
A $25 donation benefiting the sanctuary's furry residents is required at the door. All attendees will be given one raffle ticket for a chance to win a selection of prize baskets, but more tickets are available for purchase.
There will also be light refreshments and Halloween beats to jam out to. Text 732-598-7370 for prepaid tickets or group discounts. The party is for those 18+.
Go: 670 Hulses Corner Road, Howell; happysanctuary.com.
Halloween Extravaganza sunset cruise
Here’s a reason to hit the high seas: Bayshore burlesque bombshell Lelu Lenore is reviving her scintillating Showgirls at Sea spectacular on Friday night.
Setting off aboard Teal Cruises out of Atlantic Highlands, Showgirls at Sea’s Halloween Extravaganza is a sunset cruise featuring live music, a post-show dance party and a Halloween costume contest — with prizes for scariest, most original and best couple costume.
Lenore will be joined by fellow burlesque performers Genie Adagio and Puss n Boots, with Broadway Brassy, known as “The Golden Throat of Burlesque,” serving as the singing emcee for the evening.
“Growing up by the ocean, being a fisherman’s daughter, I think it’s kind of (bringing things) full circle, doing a burlesque show aboard a boat," said Lenore, a Monmouth County native who recently moved to Atlantic Highlands after living in Philadelphia for many years. "I’ll get my sea legs back.”
Go: Showgirls at Sea, boarding at 6:30 p.m. and cruising from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday aboard Teal Cruises, setting off from Frank’s Pier behind the On the Deck restaurant, 2 Simon Lake Drive, Atlantic Highlands. Guests are welcome to BYOB (soft coolers). For tickets, $65, visit fareharbor.com.
Halloween Hoedown in Bayville
Come out to B2 Bistro + Bar's Halloween Hoedown (at their Bayville location) at 7 p.m. Saturday.
There will be a costume contest, with a grand prize of a trip for two to Nashville, which includes a three-day stay, a Jack Daniel's distillery tour, and dinner at Miss Mary Bobo's restaurant. (The grand prize trip does not include transportation in Nashville. Transportation to and from Nashville is also not included.)
Live music from the high-energy country band Kickin' Nash will take place from 7 to 11 p.m., with food and drink specials.
Go: 125 Bayview Ave., Bayville; 732-269-3000, b2bistro.com/bayville.
Deadhead Halloween at the Jersey Shore
Who’s ready for a Deadhead double header in time for Halloween?
Jersey Shore jam band scene-maker and harmonica maestro Sandy Mack is wrangling a special Sunday jam, happening 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Salty’s Beach Bar in Lake Como.
The afternoon is set to feature players including Kenny Brooks of Bob Weir and RatDog, Ronnie Penque of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Clare Maloney of the Englishtown Project, Mike Jaskewicz of Abandoned Outcasts, Pete Tonti of One-Eyed Jack, and Kevin Johnson of Panama Dead.
At 4 p.m., area favorite Grateful Dead tribute band Splintered Sunlight will celebrate the work of the Jerry Garcia Band.
Go: Sandy Mack Sunday Jam, 12:30 p.m., followed by Splintered Sunlight at 4 p.m., Salty’s Beach Bar, 1705 Main St., Lake Como.
The Wag’s Halloween Spectaculars
Longtime Jersey Shore pop-rockers the Wag are so excited about Halloween that they have two family-friendly seasonal shows planned for this year.
The band will be at the Landis Theater in Vineland on Friday night, then the Strand Center for the Arts in Lakewood. Both nights will include seasonal songs, dance numbers, comedy sketches, a costume contest and a few surprises.
Go: The Wag’s Halloween Spectacular, doors at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Friday, Landis Theatre, 830 East Landis Ave., Vineland, $15; thelandistheater.com. Also doors at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, $20; strand.org.
Hip-Hop Fever in New Brunswick
Some old-school hip-hop legends will be sharing the stage in Hub City this weekend.
Hip-Hop Fever, happening Friday night at New Brunswick’s State Theatre, will feature Slick Rick, Rob Base, the Sugarhill Gang, and Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio of the Furious Five.
Nice and Smooth, Black Sheep, Lil’ Cease of Junior M.A.F.I.A., Roxanne Shante, Playgirl Ari, Grand Wizzard Theodore and DJ Hollywood will also be on hand for the evening hosted by Ralph McDaniels and Sal Abbatiello.
The State Theatre has partnered with the Social Room, 367 George St., and Perle, 13 Paterson St., for the evening. Patrons who dine at the Social Room on Friday will receive 20% off when they show their ticket stub. Following the show, ticketholders get free admission to Old School Hip-Hop Night with DJ Wallah at Perle.
Go: Hip-Hop Fever, 8 p.m. Friday, State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, $39 to $99; stnj.org.
Alex Biese has been writing about art, entertainment, culture and news on a local and national level for more than 15 years. Alex can be reached at abiese@gannett.com and on Twitter at@ABieseAPP.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
Chris Jordan contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Halloween things to do at Jersey Shore include contests, concerts
