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Seven (Not so) Deadly things to do this Hop-tu-Naa weekend
One of the most frequently used phrases on the Isle of Man, besides ‘the flight’s delayed’ is ‘there’s nothing to do here.’ Well, allow me to disagree with you. Get ready to lose your sweatpants because here are some cool things to leave the house for this Hop-tu-Naa weekend. (Make sure to put alternative pants on. We’re going for goofy frightening vibes not ‘arrested for indecent exposure’ frightening vibes).
1: The Crypt 2023 – Hop-tu-Naa at Kensington Arts Centre
*Ideal for creative youths who love music, spooky things, and not drinking alcohol.
Are you at an age where when you go trick-or-treating alone/with mates and there’s no younger sibling with you it’s starting to verge on weird and ever-so-slightly threatening? But you do it anyway because you like singing the Jinny the Witch song? Then ‘The Crypt’ could be a less awkward alternative for you.
WHEN: Friday, 27 October
WHERE: Kensington Arts Centre, Douglas.
TIME: 4pm-11pm
WHO: All ages welcome, those under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.
WHAT: Live music, refreshments, a costume competition with prizes, scary stories from Young Writers and a guaranteed spooky playlist for a FRIGHTFULLY fun night.
There’s only one rule: Strictly No Alcohol.
PRICE: Tickets are £4.
2: The Ravens 12th Man Hop-tu-Naa Party
*Ideal for FC IOM fans, football enthusiasts, and those who enjoy Hop-tu-Naa and pies.
If you’re like me and always wondering how good FC IOM’s turnip carving skills are (it’s all I think about alongside Dennis Quaid) then this is the perfect way to find out. Edgar Allan Poe fans be warned. The Ravens 12th Man is not some sort of sequel event to his haunting classic ‘The Raven’ and is unlikely to leave you with gothic chills as Tripadvisor says the heating in Douglas Rugby Club is up-to-date and toasty.
WHEN: Friday, 27 October
WHERE: Douglas Rugby Club Function Room
TIME: 6pm-11pm.
WHO: All welcome, fans new and old
WHAT: You’ll have a chance to mingle with FC IOM and likeminded supporters and be part of the football community that is taking the NWCL by storm. There’ll also be fancy dress, party games/challenges, prizes for the best costume and lanterns (pumpkins AND turnips), plus spooky snacks and hot pies available. More devilish deets here.
3: Educating Rita
*Ideal for people who like plays.
Enjoy Hop-tu-Naa but find seeing people dress up and pretend to be ghouls, monsters, and Donald Trump a bit scary? Then here’s an opportunity to see them dress up in everyday clothes and act as normal people instead. Which can be equally as scary. But this play isn’t. It’s charming.
WHEN: Friday 27, October
WHERE: Erin Arts Centre
TIME: 7:30pm-10pm
WHO: All welcome
WHAT: Play.
Rita is searching for something more than her life as a working-class wife and hairdresser. She enrols in an Open University course to better herself, where she meets the disillusioned and alcoholic Professor Frank, who is to be her tutor. This funny, poignant, and entertaining play whisks us along on their journey. Written by Willy Russell and first performed by The Royal Shakespeare Company in 1980, Educating Rita was made into an iconic film in 1983 with Oscar nominations following for Michael Cain and Julie Walters in their leading roles. This two-hander, set entirely in the Professor Frank’s office, is produced by Lindsay Quayle and stars Jack Verity as Frank and Kim Quine as Rita.
PRICE: £10 per ticket. You can get tickets here.
4: Harrowing Halloween Party
*Ideal for people who love full moons and parties.
If you’re craving a good Halloween party but didn’t want to throw another one yourself after Kevin spilled red wine on your cream carpet last year while pretending to be Carrie, then here’s a (potentially) less messy alternative.
WHEN: Saturday, 28 October
WHERE: The Laxey Glen
TIME: 6pm-the witching hour (midnight)
WHO: All welcome
WHAT: A spooktacular Harrowing Halloween party.
WHAT ELSE: Dress up as your favourite Halloween character. There’ll be free food and drinks, plus horrifying games and competitions. To top it off, a DJ will be playing until the full moon at midnight especially for the werewolves among you.
PRICE: £20 – Grab your terrifying tickets here.
5: System of a Dhoon: Rock-tu-Naa
*Ideal for Nu Metal fans and alcohol enthusiasts.
What better way to dig up your demons from the past than by plunging back into the music of your youth? And if that doesn’t sell the night, the band name alone should be enough to entice you to go.
WHEN: Saturday, 28 October
WHERE: Laxey Working Men’s Institute
TIME: 7:30pm
WHO: Nu Metal fans
WHAT: Band night covering Nu Metal hits of the early 2000s.
WHAT ELSE: Halloween themed – costumes encouraged. Bring your own booze.
PRICE: £12.50 per ticket. Drop the System of a Dhoon Facebook page a message to get one.
6: Vagabonds Rugby Club World Cup Final
*Ideal for rugby fans and pie enthusiasts.
Despite it being Hop-tu-Naa at the weekend, we can’t overlook the fact that it’s also the World Cup Final. The fear factor viewing rating on this has dropped down from an 18 to a PG now that England doesn’t have a chance to win it.
WHEN: Saturday, 28 October
WHERE: Vagabonds Rugby Club. If that wasn’t clear.
TIME: 7pm
WHO: All welcome.
WHAT: Watch the Rugby World Cup Final with fellow rugby fans.
WHAT ELSE: There’ll be Morgan’s Pies available, a fully stocked bar, HD screens and BOSE surround sound.
PRICE: Free. (Besides the pies and alcohol)
7: Broadway Brings Hocus Pocus Back to the Big Screen
*Ideal for people with exceptional film taste.
We finish our Hop-tu-Naa list with one of the scariest things of all. Sex. Broadway Cinema is bringing a classic sex education film back to the big screen: Hocus Pocus. It follows the story of Max, a virgin who lights a black-flamed candle, bringing the Salem Sanderson Sisters back to life. The moral: That not having sex could lead to the resurrection of evil witches who take the souls of innocent children. Something to think about.
WHEN: Saturday, 28 / Sunday, 29 October
WHERE: Broadway Cinema
TIME: 11am both days
WHO: EVERYONE (so long as you’re over 15. If not, you need parental guidance)
If you plan on having a night in despite all these spooktacular events then remember to stock up on Halloween themed sweets and chocolate for the nice trick or treaters and softmints and rice crackers for the rubbish ones.
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