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pooky season is in full swing, as today's event calendar indicates. From trunk-or-treats to Halloween-themed murder mysteries, from fall-themed carnivals to haunted trails, there's enough boo to brighten (or, perhaps I should say, frighten) your mid-October weekend. Here's what's happening around the Kanawha Valley through Sunday, Oct. 19.

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Friday, Oct. 17

Music

• GARY HAYS: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Lola’s Pizza, 1038 Bridge Road, Charleston.
• TRAVIS VANDAL & JAY HILL: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.
• VITAMIN STRING QUARTET: 7:30 p.m. $22 to $65. A classical crossover concert experience. Featuring the music of Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, BTS, Bridgerton, The Weeknd, Daft Punk and more. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston.
• THE BLUE PARROT LIVE: 9 p.m. $5 cover. Featuring music by (not) Creed, Code Red News and Blooming Grave. The Blue Parrot, 14 Capitol St., Charleston.
• THE EMPTY GLASS LIVE: 9 p.m. $5 cover. Featuring Three Piece Suit. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.
• EMPTY GLASS LIVE: 9:30 p.m. Featuring PANTS, Dinosaur Burps and Whiskey & Wine. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

Dance

• COUNTRY TWO-STEP WORKSHOP & SOCIAL DANCE: 7 p.m. $12 per person. Bottled water and finger foods provided. No partner required. American Legion Post 73, 1011 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Albans.
• DJ QUAM DANCE PARTY: 9 p.m. Every Friday night. Weekly dance party at EZ Street featuring music spun by DJ Quam. EZ Street, 2796 Winfield Rd., Scott Depot.

Stage/Theater

• HAHA'S FOR TATA'S COMEDY NIGHT & AUCTION: 6:30-10 p.m. $50 per person. Includes heavy appetizers and the show. A cash bar will be available. Featuring comedians Jason Allen King and Leighann Lord. Proceeds benefit the West Virginia Breast Health Iniative. Holiday Inn & Suites, 400 Second Ave., South Charleston.
• CONTEMPORARY YOUTH ARTS COMPANY PRESENTS "WHY WE STAYED": 7 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Elk City Playhouse, 218 Washington St. W, Charleston.
• SPLITSVILLE: 7:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston.
• LEE STREET DRAG SHOW: 11 p.m. Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

Seasonal

• FAMILY FUN NIGHT FALL CARNIVAL: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. BridgeValley and WVU Medicine–Thomas are offering an evening of fun, food, and festivities. Includes carnival-style attractions provided by Quantum, food, games, trunk-or-treat, all ages costume contests and more. BridgeValley Tech Park, 2001 Union Carbide Dr., South Charleston.
• SPOOKTACULAR NIGHT AT THE MARKET: 5:30-7:30 p.m. An evening of Halloween fun for kids, teens and adults alike. Includes trunk-or-treat, candy drop (with multiple age groups), Touch a Truck and more. South Charleston Farmers Market, 4008 Maccorkle Ave. SW, South Charleston.
• CHESAPEAKE VOL. FIRE DEPT. TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Chesapeake Vol. Fire Dept., 12408 MacCorkle Ave., Chesapeake.
• SCAREVIEW GRAVE SCHOUL HAUNTED HOUSE: 7 p.m. $10 with non-perishable food donation, otherwise $12. Fundraiser for the West Side Volunteer Fire Department. Open Friday and Saturday nights from dusk until midnight through Halloween (October 31). Ticket office opens around 7 p.m. Concessions -- hot chocolate, fresh squeezed lemonade, funnel fries, coffee, drinks, candy and hot foods -- available at the event. 109 High St., St. Albans.
• "THE GHOST OF WINDSOR MANOR" MURDER MYSTERY DINNER: 7 p.m. $40 per person. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad and desserts. Solve the mystery and compete to win a prize. For tickets contact Terry at 304-590-4276 or purchase from any Marmet Woman’s Club member. Former Marmet Elementary, 408 94th St., Marmet.
• ST. ALBANS HAUNTED TRAIL: 7-10 p.m. $5 per person. Haunted tours ($5), free hayrides, concessions, and nightly activities. St. Albans City Park, 931 Observatory Dr., St. Albans.
• DRACULA: THE SEDUCTION: 7:30 p.m. $35 adults, $30 students/seniors. Presented by the Charleston Ballet. Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, Little Theater, 200 Civic Center Dr., Charleston.
• DRAC'S BITE-NITE AT SOHO'S: 9:30 p.m. $75 per individual or $130 per couple. Join the Charleston Ballet for the exclusive DRAC’S BITE-NITE, a vampy after-party on Friday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at SOHO’S at Capitol Market. Sink your teeth into an evening of gourmet bites, signature cocktails, and a themed photo shoot by Perry Bennett Photography, and ghoulishly great music by DJ Rhys of LEVEL Entertainment. SOHO's At Capitol Market, 800 Smith St., Charleston.

Etc.

• FREE PET MICROCHIP CLINIC: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Sponsored by Charleston CVB, Bike City USA. A free day of microchips for your pets brought to you by the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association and Fix Charleston. Pet Supplies Plus, 1461 MacCorkle Ave., St. Albans.
• LITTLE LISTENERS: 10 a.m. Free. Coffee With A Twist, 101 Main Ave., Nitro.
• POWER UP EXERCISE CLASS: 10:30 a.m. South Charleston Public Library, 312 Fourth Ave., South Charleston.
• 414 ART CLUB: 1 p.m. $40 a month members, $20 per week nonmembers. New art and craft project each week. Event runs 1-4 p.m. Gallery on 4th, 411 Fourth Ave., Montgomery.
• TIMMY COURTS & FRIENDS: 5 p.m. No cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.
• FIREFLY GAME NIGHT: 6 p.m. Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. W., Charleston.
• SMOKE, SIP & SAVOR: CIGAR & BOURBON TASTING: 6 p.m. $75+ per person, $25 designated driver. Enjoy premium bourbon and wine tastings, curated cigars, and a relaxed outdoor lounge, perfectly paired with catering from Shuckers. 63 Main Events, 63 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.
• CUPS & CATS CAFE BOOK CLUB: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Featuring "Hocus Pocus & The All-New Sequel," the sequel story to the popular Halloween story about the Sanderson Sisters. Cups & Cats Café, 187 Summers St., Charleston.
• SCREENING OF MIMI PICKERING'S "IT'S HARD TO TELL THE SINGER FROM THE SONG": 6:30 p.m. A documentary about Appalachian musician Hazel Dickens. Documentary creator Mimi Pickering will be on hand with special guest singers Ginny Hawker and Kay Justice (both of whom sang with Hazel Dickens). The West Virginia Museum of Music, Charleston Town Center, 1101 Court St., Charleston.
• PURPLE & PINK POWER CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME: 6:30 p.m. Free, donations accepted. A free charity basketball game sponsored by YWCA Charleston honoring both Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Advocates, supporters, friends, and family will face off in a friendly game to raise awareness and show support for survivors. Donations and proceeds will be split between the two causes. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 314 Donnally St., Charleston.
• ALBAN ELEMENTARY BENEFIT AUCTION: 7 p.m. Household goods, electronics, toys, kitchen items and more. Sale benefits Alban Elementary School. Alban Elementary School, 2030 Harrison Ave., St Albans.

Saturday, Oct. 18

Music

• JULIEN AKLEI & MATT GREEN: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.
• PUMZI'S LIVE: 8 p.m. Featuring music by SE3 (Spencer Elliott, Chris Hudson, Sean Sydnor) and Minor Swing. Pumzi's, 813 Hunt Ave., Charleston.
• KARAOKE: 9 p.m. Every Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight. The Volstead Room, Hale Street Center, 209 Dickinson Street, Charleston.
• EMPTY GLASS LIVE SATURDAY: 10 p.m. $10 cover. Fetauring The String Chiefs, Nathan Bess and Cheat Mountain Riders. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

Stage/Theater

• ROCKY HORROR PICTURE WATCH SHOW: 7 p.m. $20 suggested donation. PG 13 due to content. Fundraiser for new sound system. Costume contest as part of the event. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd. W, Charleston.
• ELEANOR THE GREAT: 7:15 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston.
• THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT: 9:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Part of the Beyond the Back Row series of horror films. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston.
• LEE STREET DRAG SHOW: 11 p.m. Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

Seasonal

• ROXALANA GOSPEL TABERNACLE TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. 2011 Roxalana Rd, Dunbar.
• DECORATE A MINI PUMPKIN: 11 a.m. Free. Paint and decorate a miniature pumpkin! Supplies are limited and registration is required. St. Albans Branch Library, 602 Fourth St., St Albans.
• FAMILY FALL FEST: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Family-friendly event featuring inflatables, pumpkin decorating, face painting, hay rides, games, and local food and craft vendors. Event located behind McKinley Middle School on Kanawha Terrace. McKinley Middle School, 3000 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans.
• DOUGH BOWL CANDLE WORKSHOP: 12 p.m. $60 per person. Learn how to make your own dough bowl candle just in time for the fall holiday season. Event by Honey Do Produce. South Charleston Farmers Market, 4008 Maccorkle Ave. SW, South Charleston.
• MOSES MILE TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 2-5 p.m. Free. Costumes, candy, inflatables, games, contests, food, ice cream and more. Pup-friendly event with doggy treats provided. Visit all Moses dealerships on the Mile and get the chance to win a very special treat, a Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle. Moses Auto Group, 1433 MacCorkle Ave., St. Albans.
• CAPTAIN HOLSTEINS TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 3-6 p.m. Free. Businesses passing out candy, games for the kids, prizes and more. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122154233360747850&set=a.122104697750747850.
• MARMET FALL FESTIVAL: 4-7 p.m. Free. Sponsored by the Town of Marmet and Mountains of Hope Outreach. Features pumpkin decorating, hayrides, cornhole, games, free hot dogs and more. This event takes place behind the old Marmet Elementary School, 408 94th St., Marmet.
• COMMUNITY CHAPEL FALL FESTIVAL: 4-6 p.m. Inflatable bounce house, obstacle course, pumpkin painting, face painting, corn hole and more. Food available, including loaded nachos, cotton candy, cookies, sweet tea and lemonade. Community Chapel Church, 5287 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes.
• CROSS LANES TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 4-6 p.m. Free. Hosted by All Ways Caring Homecare, Gaming Paradise, Our Victory Church and Bosley Rental. TJC Plaza, 5512 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes.
• GRACE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE TRUNK-OR-TREAT: 6:30-8 p.m. A fun evening of trunk-or-treat. Hotdogs and all the fixings available. Grace Church of the Nazarene, 499 Second Ave., South Charleston.
• SCAREVIEW GRAVE SCHOUL HAUNTED HOUSE: 7 p.m. $10 with non-perishable food donation, otherwise $12. Fundraiser for the West Side Volunteer Fire Department. Open Friday and Saturday nights from dusk until midnight through Halloween (October 31). Ticket office opens around 7 p.m. Concessions -- hot chocolate, fresh squeezed lemonade, funnel fries, coffee, drinks, candy and hot foods -- available at the event. 109 High St., St. Albans.
• ELK CITY MOVIE NIGHT FEATURING "HOCUS POCUS": 7 p.m. Free. Family-friendly movie night featuring "Hocus Pocus." The film will be playing on the grassy area of the old Fountain Hobby lot. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. A limited amount of popcorn will be available for those who come out to watch the movie. Former Fountain Hobby, 200 Washington St. W, Charleston.
• ST. ALBANS HAUNTED TRAIL: 7-10 p.m. $5 per person. Haunted tours ($5), free hayrides, concessions, and nightly activities. St. Albans City Park, 931 Observatory Dr., St. Albans.
• DRACULA: THE SEDUCTION: 7:30 p.m. $35 adults, $30 students/seniors. Presented by the Charleston Ballet. Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, Little Theater, 200 Civic Center Dr., Charleston.

Etc.

• #WECAREWV DAY: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A completely free health clinic open to anyone in need. Includes Medical, dental and vision care; audiology services; mammograms; 150 free flu vaccines; behavioral health, pharmacy and Narcan training; live demos from our Mobile Teaching Kitchen and more. No insurance needed. No cost to attendees. WV Health Right, 1520 Washington St. E, Charleston.
• CHARLESTON PARKRUN: 8 a.m. Free timed 5K run or walk. Magic Island, 181 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston.
• COMMUNITY WALKING GROUP: 8 a.m. Free. Meet at South Charleston Nutrition. Walk to Oakes Field, get some laps in, then head back together around 11 a.m. South Charleston Nutrition, 608 D St, South Charleston.
• BOOK LAUNCH EVENT WITH TONYA R. WELLS: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Author Tonya R. Wells debuts her book "The Power of Heart Conversations." Coal River Coffee Company, 64 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.
• LIBERATION BREAKFAST: 9 a.m. to noon. Free. Breakfast, groceries, Narcan, clean gear, hygiene kits, workshops and more. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 314 Donnally St., Charleston.
• 2ND ANNUAL FILIPINO-AMERICAN FESTIVAL: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free. Traditional dances, live music, cultural exhibits, food, karaoke, Lumpia eating contest and more. City Center at Slack Plaza, 182 Summers St., Charleston.
• SOUTH CHARLESTON ROCK & GEM SHOW: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two-day expo featuring rocks, gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils, scavenger hunt, geode cracking and free kid's crafts. There will also be demonstrations of cabochon making, soapstone carving, gemstone faceting and gold panning. South Charleston Community Center, 601 Jefferson Road, South Charleston.
• QUILT SALE & EXHIBITION: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop and admire quilts and other hand-made sewing projects. Homemade soup, sandwiches and desserts also available. Proceeds will go to help Nitro First Presby missions, including the Nitro Mission Team. Nitro First Presbyterian Church, 111 21st St., Nitro.
• DUTCH MILLER SUBARU 8TH ANNUAL PET ADOPTION EVENT: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Kanawha Charleston Humane Association will be provide adoptable animals, and all adoption fees will be covered by Dutch Miller Subaru. Dutch Miller Subaru, 1901 Patrick Street Plaza, Charleston.
• BEGINNING WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: 2-4 p.m. $25 per person. Create a "Moonlite" fall painting with artist and teacher Bernice Deakins. This is a beginner class no drawing or scratching required. All the materials provided. To register, email GalleryOn4th@outlook.com or call 304-546-0250. No walk-ins please. Gallery on 4th, 411 Fourth Ave., Montgomery.
• KNIT IN NATURE: 2-4 p.m. Free. Join Naturalist Jess Blalock at the KSF Nature Center for an afternoon of fiber crafts. Bring your current project, or get inspired to start a new one. Kanawha State Forest, Nature Center, 7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive, Charleston.
• FAMILY STEM: BUILD A BRIDGE DAY: 2 p.m. Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St,, Charleston.
• CAPITAL COCKTAIL CLASSIC: 4-7 p.m. $60 per person. Sponsored by Fund for the Arts. Stroll between downtown venues, taste creative cocktails and small bites, and crown the night’s cockatil champion. Attendees will receive one signature cocktail (or optional wine) and one tapas/appetizer-style food when visiting each venue. Participating venues include Hagy's Irish Pie Pub, The Volstead Room, Sam's Uptown Cafe and Fife Street Brewing. Proceeds benefit 11 local art groups. Dowtown Area, Charleston.
• FIAGKV VOLUNTEER TRAINING: 4:30 p.m. Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston.
• SPLITSVILLE: 5 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston.
• SHINING TOGETHER: CHARLESTON CELEBRATION: 6-9 p.m. $25. A Rukundo International event. Meet Rukundo International’s Founder, Andrea Sedlock (a Charleston native), and Dr. Merab, a proud graduate of our Scholars Program who completed her medical degree and is now saving lives in Uganda thanks to RI’s support. Hear powerful stories from Kabale, Uganda about how education and empowerment are transforming lives. Includes a festive taco bar, chips, salsa and cake. Black Sheep Burritos & Brews, 702 Quarrier St., Charleston.

Sunday, Oct. 19

Music

• CHARLIE MURPHY: 1-3 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

Stage/Theater

• CONTEMPORARY YOUTH ARTS COMPANY PRESENTS "WHY WE STAYED": 2 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Elk City Playhouse, 218 Washington St. W, Charleston.
• ELEANOR THE GREAT: 2:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston.

Seasonal

• ELK RIVER NAZARENE PUMPKIN PATCH PARTY: 2-4 p.m. Free party for children age 2 years old through 5th grade. Includes games, prizes, candy and more. Elk River Nazarene Church, 143 Dutch Road, Charleston.

Etc.

• KANAWHA STATE FOREST HALF MARATHON & 7K: 9 a.m. Registration costs $75 for half marathon; $45 for 7K. The race will start and finish near the Gift Shop. Kanawha State Forest, 7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive, Charleston.
• SOUTH CHARLESTON ROCK & GEM SHOW: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two-day expo featuring rocks, gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils, scavenger hunt, geode cracking and free kid's crafts. There will also be demonstrations of cabochon making, soapstone carving, gemstone faceting and gold panning. South Charleston Community Center, 601 Jefferson Road, South Charleston.
• 8-BIT BRUNCH BUFFET: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All you can eat $15 brunch buffet and arcade games. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.
• RIDENOUR LAKE HIKE: 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Kanawha Trail Club. Depart at 1:30 p.m. from the first parking lot after crossing the dam. Four miles of trail with some climbs. Ridenour Lake, 139 Ridenour Park S., Nitro.
• ELK RIVER TRAIL GROUP RIDE: 2-4 p.m. Free. Ride begins at the trailhead in Clendenin (Clendenin South). The route out and back totals 13.4 miles. This includes a section on a quiet, paved road shared with traffic. You may turn around at any time if you do not want to go the full distance. Helmets are required, and you must sign a waiver to participate. Elk River Trail, 1 Kanawha Ave. E, Clendenin.
• RECEPTION FOR ARTIST MONTY BROWN: 2 p.m. Gallery 11, Charleston Town Center Mall, 3000 Charleston Town Center, Charleston.
• SIP & STITCH SUNDAY: 3-6 p.m. Free. Spend a relaxing afternoon creating with artsy, crafty friends. Bring whatever you want to work on or you can dig into a varity of materials at the studio. RSVP by texting 304-546-0250. Gallery on 4th, 411 Fourth Ave., Montgomery.