Halloween-thrills and frills- What to do in Johannesburg?

It is believed that Halloween began with the Celts as part of their harvest festivals such as ‘Samhain’, and was later adopted by the Christian Church. The idea arose so that the spirits would act kindly during this time, so that the crops would not be damaged in any way by evil spirits, sudden floods or other disasters, and in order that evil spirits would not negatively affect people.

One way to ward off evil spirits was and still is, to carve turnips or pumpkins into scary faces, and place a burning coal or candle inside, which is left outside the house, and known as the ‘Jack o’ Lantern’.

The idea arises from an old Irish folktale about a stingy blacksmith called Jack, who tricked the devil to climb up a tree, and then quickly carved a cross in the bark of the tree, so that the devil was trapped and could not climb down. The devil and Jack then struck a bargain, where the devil agreed never to take Jack’s soul if he let the devil down from the tree.

When Jack died, and after leading a rather sinful life, he could not go to heaven, but of course he also could not go to hell due to the bargain he had made with the devil. This left Jack with nowhere to go. Jack thus asked the devil how he would be able to see where he was going at night, as he had no light. The devil then tossed a burning coal from hell out to him, which Jack placed into a carved out turnip to keep the light going. Forevermore Jack began to endlessly wander the earth looking for a resting place, but never finding one to this day. Ever afterwards, he was known as ‘Jack of the Lantern’ or simply ‘Jack o' Lantern’. (Halloween tale given to me by my friends from the Mystery Ghost bus)

1.HALLOWEEN THE MOVIE

Last weekend Naby and I were lucky enough to have won tickets from MTV to watch the premiere of Halloween the movie. The late night pre-screening event was held at Mall of Africa and the movie was only played at 10 . 

Setting the scene: It was a gloomy and chilly day in Johannesburg. Rain flooded the highways, making the ideal weather for popcorn and a chilling horror movie. 

The screening: Large boxes of popcorn and cokes were stacked for all of MTV 's guests to enjoy. Guests were allowed to use Halloween props and have fun in the photo-booth. Before entering the movie, the viewers gathered outside the movies to await a freaky entrance. The cinema was pitch dark when we walked in, we were welcomed by a screaming lady and Michael Myers himself hiding in the cinema. (well his clone).

The movie itself: The movie is a thrilling watch and it surely keeps you at the edge of your seat. You constantly trying to understand the motive of the serial killer as well as what provokes him to take pleasure in his killings. The scary part comes when you realize that for people with psychological problems there just are no reasons for their actions. Sometimes they just kill for the sake of killing.

Michael Myers: The psychologically disturbed protagonist is all the more scarier because he does not utter a word. He has a silent role in the movie making it all the more freaky. 

Halloween released in cinemas yesterday and it will be worth your while to watch during Halloween time.

2. HALLOWEEN on the MYSTERY GHOST BUS

The Mystery Ghost Bus will be running its ever-popular Halloween tours countrywide on 26 October in Johannesburg, 27 October in Irene (which includes a tour of Pretoria), 27 October in Cape Town. and 31 October in Durban. The tour includes on-the-bus and off-the-bus stops, haunted houses, poltergeist stories, pub stops, castles, graveyards, dowsing rods audience participation & more.

Some of the highlights are the Kensington Castle in Johannesburg where the original owner’s wife rides a ghost horse through the garden; the Erasmus Castle on the Irene-cum-Pretoria tour where the ghost of a leper child appears in the spooky-looking tower in which she was incarcerated; Tokai Manor in the haunted forest in Cape Town where a horse and rider plunge to their deaths down the outside stairs of the manor house; and the ‘Spook House of Musgrave Road’ in Durban where a sad lass looks out of the tower for her missing lover lost at sea.

Prices (which differ from city to city) and all details (including the routes & stories) can be found on the tour’s website @www.MysteryGhostBus.co.za where you can also do your bookings. Feel free to dress up and enhance this once-a-year spirited adventure, where even companies bring their staff for their year end parties.

3.  KILLARNEY COUNTRY CLUB KIDDIES HALLOWEEN

Killarney country club is hosting a exclusive kiddies Halloween do. Kids are expected to dress up in their spookiest attire with the best dress kid standing a chance to win a prize. The event allows children and adults to gather and watch the movie Hotel Transylvania 3. (We all know how excited I am for that one). Children pay R 100 to watch the movie and get cheesy brains (Mac and cheese), popcorn, fruit juice and water. Adults watch for free paying for the food they indulge in ONLY.  It begins at 6 in the evening. 

Bookings for the event can be made via email:  marketing@killarneycc.co.za

Act now if you interested as there's limited spaces available.