Back Talk Far North Dallas

Monster Movie Mash in Addison

If you're looking for something fun to do with the kids after they're all hopped up on sugar after Friday night trick-or-treating, head over to Addison Circle Park for the Monster Movie Mash. There will be two free back-to-back screenings of Halloween movies there from 7-11 p.m. First up is ET, and then Close Encounters of the Third Kind (both are rated PG so they're family friendly). Blankets, coolers, and food are all allowed--and there will be concessions for sale, too.

Pop culture: zombies invade Dallas

 For reasons I may never fully understand, there is an entire subculture dedicated to zombies. True connoisseurs of the horror niche are well versed in the cultural significance of George Romero’s work, and you’re likely to find something by Max Brooks or Brian Keene on their nightstand.

It seems to me then, that Halloween for a hardcore zombie fan must be something like Christmas for those people who collect Santa Claus figurines. Case in point, this past weekend Dallas zombie enthusiasts united for the city’s first official zombie crawl. And this Thursday night at 9 the Angelika is showing Italian flick Zombi 2--and the same night at 10 the Studio Movie Grill is hosting a free zombie movie festival. That’s right, three classic back-to-back zombie flicks crammed into one big fright night. But if you really wan to get your ghoul on, perhaps the best option this week is Zombie Manor. This new haunted house is—yup, you guessed it, a simulated zombie invasion.

Gospel Jubilee: First United Methodist Church of Richardson

Our neighborhood has got some serious signing talents. Case in point, our neighbors who make up the gospel choir at First United Methodist Church of Richardson. This group is going to be featured in WFAA's Gospel Jubilee, a one-hour TV special featuring the best choirs in North Texas. You can watch a performance of the choir online now--or better yet, you can catch a live performance Friday, Dec. 19, at the Lakewood Theater.

Your Friday productivity killer

If you grew up in a certain era, Saturday mornings meant sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons. And in my opinion, when it comes to cartoons, nothing beats Looney Tunes, still. (Though Pixar comes pretty close.) As an adult, and thanks to YouTube, I've discovered them all over again.

Below is one of my favorites. It has a genius to it that I didn't get as a kid. This will only kill about 7 minutes of your afternoon, so make sure you click on it. From where it's hosted on YouTube, you can watch a ton more.

This weekend: Pacesetter Bazaar and Fretz Garage Sale

If you want to get a leg up on that holiday shopping, swing by the Pacesetter Bazaar this weekend. That's where you'll find all sorts of crafts, baked goods, holiday decor, and unique gifts from more than 100 artists.

You can continue that bargain-hunting over at the Fretz Park Rec Center. There will be one massive garage sale there all day Saturday with more than 50 neighborhood families and vendors.

"But Why Bump Off Barnaby?" at W.T. White

If Halloween has you in the mood for a little 'whodunit' the new murder mystery onstage at W.T. White has your name on it. "But Why Bump Off Barnaby" is a thriller where the audience has to try to  figure out who is the guilty culprit--and in the midst, people start disappearing, poison turns up in the sherry, and the police take forever to arrive. The play runs tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $7.

This weekend: NorthPark Halloween Spooktacular

Let your tot wear that fun little Halloween getup this weekend to NorthPark's Spooktacular. There will be magicians, jugglers, face painters, balloon artists, marionette puppet shows,  hands on crafts, and games--plus plenty of sugar, so consider yourself fair-warned. There will also be live kids' music courtesy of Eddie Coker. The fun kicks off at noon and continues through 6 p.m. For a complete schedulel, just check the NorthPark's website.

Pop culture: How Hank Hill deals with the McMansion issue

I usually try to catch "The Simpsons" and/or "Family Guy" Sunday nights on Fox (no doubt we all needed a little laughter after watching our football team's wheels fall off yesterday).

"King of the Hill", for whatever reason, is not usually on my radar. But last night I managed to catch an episode that turned out to be worth a watch. It caught my attention because it delved into a subject we get really hot about around here — McMansions (or as Hank Hill most-colorfully describes them, “Jackass McMansions”).

When a developer tries to build a big castle on a tiny lot, Hank and his buddies get pretty agitated and end up trying to fight it at city hall. The “speculation home” has no yard, is made from cheap materials, and it blocks sunlight out of the neighborhood. Then a rain storm nearly tears it apart before a mob of angry neighbors finish the job … and that’s just the beginning. I guess they have teardown-McMansion issues in Garland, I mean Arlen, too. 

You can watch the entire "King of the Hill" episode, Square-footed Monster, here. 

PetSmart’s Howl-O-Ween Costume Party

Only man's best friend would put up with us dressing them in ridiculous little outfits purely for our own amusement, and still love us no less for it.

If you're one of those folks who waits all year for Halloween just so you can dress up your pup, you'll want to head to our neighborhood PetsMart tomorrow night. That's where they'll be hosting the annual Howl-O-Ween event. There will be a 6:30 p.m. parade for all pets in costume, and awards for the best get ups.

And because no Halloween would be complete without a little trick-or-treating, all dogs get goodies bags (which have some coupons for you, too).

"House and Garden" by RHS' Eagle Repertory Theatre

Just when you think they can't top their last performance, the precocious kids in Richardson High School's theater program outdo themselves.

The cast of their latest production, "House and Garden," is actually two separate plays preformed simultaneously in two different auditoriums by the same cast of characters. Geeze, talk about multitasking.

"House" is a about two high-society marriages in upheaval--and "Garden" reveals what the characters are up to when they're off stage. Audiences may see one of these hilarious plays, or come back a second night and catch the sequel. The show opens this Wednesday, Oct.22, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 26. Tickets are $8 for adults, and $6 for students and senior citizens. For more info, go to rhstheatere.org or call 469.593.3193.