Miller Minutes
How does one do the Monster Mash?
Let me tell you an interesting fact: The song “Monster Mash,” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers, follows a story about the popularity of a dance with the same name, which is a graveyard smash. It’s not actually the Monster Mash, because in the song, they talk about another song called “Monster Mash.”
So the song we’re all familiar with is praising the real “Monster Mash” portrayed in the song’s story line, which is pretty complicated.
This begs the question: What is the Monster Mash dance? Like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” it probably has specific dance moves. The potential of there being two Halloween-themed songs with corresponding dances is exciting. Not even Christmas has that!
As I wandered down this rabbit hole, I realized there are a lot of songs you could consider spooky, or “Halloween themed.” Some of those are “Love Potion No. 9,” “I Put a Spell on You,” “Bewitched,” “Spooky Scary Skeletons,” “This is Halloween,” and I’m sure there are others.
Needless to say, if you have a Halloween party this weekend, please make up some moves to the “Monster Mash” and share them with me. If you have no party plans, there are events in Butler County that are sure to frighten, excite and entertain.
Haunted Harmony is sure to spook you right out of your socks. See cool art at the Bottlebrush Gallery, take a tour of the haunted Weavers Cabin or visit the Psychic Vincent Sisters. All of this happens from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, in the borough.
Sprankle’s Spooktacular runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the market on West Water Street in Saxonburg. Experience live music, food, pumpkin painting, tarot card reading, costume contests and more!
Preregister for the Great Pumpkin festival in Cranberry Township, occurring from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the municipal building at 2525 Rochester Road. There will be treats, crafts, games and more for children ages 1 to 8. Be sure to wear a costume and sign up at bit.ly/44v5ua9.
Children can dress up and bring their pillowcases ready for candy to Preston Park for trick-or-treating from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. There will be vendors, as well as some tasty treats!
Butler Two Steppers group is hosting a dance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Ave., Lyndora. Guests are welcome.
See the world premiere of Slippery Rock University’s comedy musical “Grecian Burns,” starts Friday, Oct. 27, in the East Stoner Black Box Theater on campus. For more information and tickets, visit sru.edu/tickets.
The Sisters in Faith Craft Show and Bake sale lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church on Buttercup Road.
Games, food trucks and raffles are just part of the fun at Autumn Fun Fest in Zelienople. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in Zelienople Community Park.
If you want a laugh and a fright all in one night, head to the fifth Annual Ghosts and Giggles on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the General Butler Vagabonds Center. The Butler AM Rotary comedy event benefits its charities and the Bantam Jeep Sculpture Project. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and tickets cost $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Visit butleramrotary.com for tickets and more information.
Honor the life of Zane Rupert, a 12-year-old Knoch student who died in a car crash, at the “Zane’s Day” community event at noon Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Saxonburg Carnival Grounds. There will be a silent walk, raffles, live music and more. A $5 donation is recommended. All proceeds go to the Rupert family.
The 13th Annual Great Pumpkin Race starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at St. Gregory School, 115 Pine St., Zelienople. Register for the fun run or the 5K by visiting findarace.com/us/events/13th-annual-great-pumpkin-race.
Halloween parades are taking place this weekend and into next week in Connoquenessing, Marion and Penn townships, and Eau Claire, Prospect and Slippery Rock. For information on the dates and times, check out the “Special Sections” tab on the Butler Eagle website, and click “2023 Trick-Or-Treat Schedule.”
Purchase tickets for the Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s next concert “Brahms, Strauss & Debussy,” scheduled for Nov. 4. For more information and tickets, visit butlersymphony.org/concerts-tickets.
