NEED TO KNOW: Arts and culture news for the week of Oct. 26

Lauren LaRocca, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
Updated ·3 min read

Oct. 26—DANCE UNLIMITED BRINGS "THRILLER" BACK TO BAKER PARK

After the City of Frederick discontinued its Halloween event in Baker Park, local dance company Dance Unlimited continued to receive requests to bring back their annual "Thriller" dance that they used to perform at the park. This year, we can finally say, they are doing just that. Catch their free performances of "Thriller" — plus other Halloween-themed dances and songs — at the Baker Park Bandshell on Oct. 29. You'll have three opportunities to see them live that day at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. The question is: Can you watch the whole performance and not get the urge to dance along?

PEAK FOLIAGE IS NOW

Fall foliage will be at its peak here in Frederick County this week, so add this to your weekly to-do list: Get out to one of the many natural landscapes nearby and take in the reds, golds and browns of autumn.

CHECK OUT THIS NEW FREDERICK VENUE (AND WEAR A COSTUME)

If you're looking for a Halloween party in Frederick, look no further than the Cemetery Ball. Frederick Recording Studio on Grove Road includes a stage area for live shows, and on Oct. 27, Marshal Fuzz, The Themes and Jack Funk will perform, along with multiple DJs who will spin into the night as costume contests take place. A thank-you extended to show sponsors Classic Electric Tattoo and The Record Exchange, along with the local musicians who organized what is sure to be a fun night for the city of Frederick.

FOR MORE MUSIC ...

Check out legendary English saxophonist Trevor Watts and master percussionist Jamie Harris on Oct. 26 or the Brooklyn-based bluegrass trio Damn Tall Buildings on Nov. 2 at New Spire Arts in downtown Frederick. Also of note, local favorites Mike Kuster and Katie Powderly are releasing new music this week: a five-song, Halloween-themed EP from Kuster and the single "Tobacco" from Powderly, the first song on her forthcoming double EP.

HOLLY HOBBIE BUT MAKE IT SPOOKY

New Market author Michelle Jabès Corpora reinvents the classic Holly Hobbie into a horror icon in her newest YA novel, "Holly Horror." Pick up a copy of her book at Curious Iguana or The Last Word, and meet her in person at the Drive-thru Trick-or-Treat at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds Park on Oct. 26 or the Trick-or-Treat at Gaver Farm on Oct. 28. Then get ready for the sequel, "Holly Horror: The Longest Night," to be released in August 2024.

POOCHES ON PARADE

Dress up your fur baby this weekend and head out to Carroll Creek Linear Park for the annual Canines on the Creek parade and costume contest, which runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 28, rain or shine. Who will win this year's owner/dog lookalike prize? Which dog will waltz home with the honor of best costume of 2023?

NEED MORE HALLOWEEN INSPO?

Take a drive up to Westminster through the wondrous country roads of autumn, and check out the exhibition of hand-carved Ouija boards and planchettes, macabre prints and a life-sized, handcrafted coffin, in Jessi Hardesty's solo show "Life is a Grave" at McDaniel College. Head of the visual arts department and exhibition curator at Carroll Community College, Hardesty's visual imagery is based on folklore and the occult and is ripe for the season.

Follow Lauren LaRocca on Instagram @karmarocca.