Fall is upon us and ArtsQuest has so much autumnal fun in store. Between improvised comedy shows, Selene Rose’s burlesque show, appearances by well-known names in comedy, screenings of some of your favorite Halloween classics and fall-themed workshops and classes at the Banana Factory, this season at the Stacks is one you don’t want to miss out on.

COMEDY AND GHOULISH FUN

10/18 @ 8 p.m. – Improvised Murder Mystery

Are you obsessed with true crime? What better way to celebrate this unique obsession than with Improvised Murder Mystery, an hour of improvised comedy, where we take real premises from these popular true crime shows, replace a few words with suggestions from the audience and improvise new episodes and titles, based off these suggestions.

This show will take place at the Visitor Center at SteelStacks and contains adult language and/or situations. Anyone coming in between the ages of 13 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No child 12 or under will be admitted. Tickets are $13 for the general public and $11.50 for ArtsQuest members.

10/19 @ 7:30 p.m. — Whatever Fate Decides

Whatever Fate Decides is an event at the intersection of theater and the Tarot. Together we use the power of performance to delve deeper into the messages revealed during a special Tarot reading for an invited guest. As we explore, the show grants our invited guest both insight into their past and present as well as the mystical power to change their future in front of the audience. Using performances by the cast which are influenced by the Tarot reading itself, we discover our guest’s personal truths and our shared humanity.

Join us at the Visitor Center at SteelStacks for a reading like no other! Anyone coming in between the ages of 13 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No child 12 or under will be admitted. Tickets are $16 for the general public or $14.50 for ArtsQuest members.

10/25 @ p.m. – Zombie Ball

Get ready for a night of frightful fun – if you dare! On Friday, Oct. 25, the Musikfest Café will host the ultimate undead celebration – the annual SteelStacks Zombie Ball. Dance your heart out as DJ AJ Stack spins the most hauntingly vibrant beats, be mesmerized by Shannon Sexton’s death-defying aerial feats, and delve into your darkest future with Auset Gypsy’s eye-opening tarot readings.

Sip on our chilling drink specials served in actual blood bags and indulge in delectable bites designed to fuel your dance moves and keep the fun going all night long. These delicious treats will satisfy even the most ravenous of appetites, no matter what creature you come as. Show off your creativity in our costume contest too, where cash prizes await the most original individual and couple – so come dressed to impress (or scare)! Tickets are $15.

This is an 18+ event

10/26 @ 7:30 p.m. – Slashers and Flashers

Slashers & Flashers is back at the Visitor Center at SteelStacks for their fourth annual burlesque bash! The traveling burlesque show based in Philadelphia has been terrorizing the stages with sexy horror-based burlesque since 2019. Selene Rose has been promoted from Assistant to the Regional Monster to Assistant Regional Monster and is ready to show off her menagerie of tricks and treats. Last year we brought you famous slashers; this year we’ll try not to be as scary — no promises.

Tickets are $20 for the general public or $18 for ArtsQuest members. Ticket prices increase to $25 for the general public or $22.50 for ArtsQuest members the week of.

This is an 18+ event.

MUSIKFEST CAFÉ

ArtsQuest’s Musikfest Café and Blast Furnace Room will be hosting comedy shows throughout the season. All shows listed below will contain adult language and/or situations. Anyone coming in between the ages of 13 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No child 12 or under will be admitted.

10/11 @ 8 p.m. – Paula Poundstone

10/23 & 10/24 @ 7 p.m. —–Joe Pera

12/12 @ 7:30 p.m. – Gary Gulman

BLAST FURNACE ROOM

11/10 @ 7 p.m. – Rene Vaca

This show is 18+ and will contain adult language and/or situations.

11/16 @ 7:30 p.m. – Chloe Radcliffe

11/23 @ 7:30 p.m. – Joyelle Nicole Johnson

12/5 @ 8 p.m. – Chris Franjola

CINEMA

The reintroduction of the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas takes place on October 3. Enjoy 4k restoration, comfortable seats, delicious snacks and beer/cocktails from Palette & Pour at ArtsQuest’s own Frank Banko Cinemas on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center. For additional cinema showtimes and information, visit steelstacks.org/about/venues-at-steelstacks/frank-banko-alehouse-cinemas/.

10/3 @ 7:30 p.m. – Purple Rain (40th anniversary) (1984)

Additional showtimes Include:

10/4 @ 6 p.m.

10/5 @ 4:45 p.m.

10/7 @ 4:30 p.m.

10/10 @ 4:30 p.m.

10/4 @ 2:45 p.m.– Young Frankenstein (50th anniversary) (1974)

Additional showtimes Include:

10/5 @ 7:15 p.m.

10/6 @ 3:45 p.m.

10/7 @ 7:30 p.m.

10/8 @ 5 p.m.

10/4 @ 8:30 p.m. – Ghostbusters (40th anniversary) (1984)

Additional showtimes Include:

10/5 @ 12 p.m.

10/6 @ 6:30 p.m.

10/9 @ 4:45 p.m.

10/10 @ 7:30 p.m.

10/4 @ 12:30 p.m. – The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Additional showtimes Include:

10/5 @ 2:30 p.m.

10/6 @ 12:45 p.m.

10/8 @ 7:30 p.m.

10/10 @ 1:30 p.m.

First THREE Saturdays in October @ 9:45 p.m. – The First Saturday Horror Series

10/5 – The Blair Witch Project (25th anniversary)

10/12 – WNUF Halloween Special with an in-person extended intro/Q&A with the film’s director Chris LaMartina.

10/19 – Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon

10/18 @ 11:30 p.m. – The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Additional showtimes Include:

10/25 @ 11:30 p.m.

10/26 @ 11:30 p.m.

10/27 @ 6:30 p.m. – Trick ‘r Treat w/ Programming Manager Alli Poczak

10/30 @ 7:15 p.m. – The Sixth Sense (25th Anniversary)

10/31 @ 7:30 p.m. – Nosferatu with Radiohead: A Silents Synced Film (2024)

BANANA FACTORY

The Banana Factory has some fantastic visual arts opportunities this fall, from embroidery to paint-alongs, there is something for everyone. In addition to the activities below, the Banana Factory will also have wet-felted wool beanie workshops, Bob Ross paint-alongs and more! For all fall Banana Factory activities, visit bananafactory.org/.

9/21 @ 10:30 a.m. – Autumn Watercolor and Embroidery Workshop

10/20 @ 10 a.m. – Creative Family Workshop: Haunted Houses

10/20 @ 1 p.m. – Needle Felting: Plague Doctor

11/17 @ 1 p.m. – Friends & Family Creative Fun! Thanksgiving Turkey

*A quick reminder that while the Banana Factory building is going away at the end of the year, ArtsQuest’s visual arts programming will continue throughout the construction of the new Cultural Center.