Hoots, haunting, films more in Johnson City, Tenn.

With a name like Halloween Hollywood Hootenanny, your event had better be a hoot.

Mark Compton, executive director of the Southern Appalachian International Film Festival, insists that it is. 

The event caps the Southern Appalachian International Film Festival with a series of highlights staged in downtown Johnson City on Oct. 31.

Quickly stated, pay $20 for a Tarot card reading, watch or participate in the Thriller Dance Off, walk the red carpet and perhaps win a prize, and watch a trio of films that concludes with “The Bells” from 1926.

“We want that feeling of being in Hollywood and what a film festival is all about,” Compton said. “Maybe it will inspire young people to get into the film industry.”

Come early. Kids can trick-or-treat among downtown merchants from about 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Also, there’s a pet costume and owner contest, for which registration begins at 3:30 p.m. at Everything Under One Woof at 318 E. Main St.

Registration for the Thriller Dance Off begins at 4 p.m. And for you zombies with a little time to kill, Compton posed an idea.

“We have Tarot readings at Unique Treasures [232 E. Main St.], which is $20,” he said. “Everything else is free. The films start at 7 p.m. with ‘Sita Sings the Blues,’ which is animated.”

But before the films, the red carpet entrance begins at 5 p.m. Yes, a la a big Hollywood premiere, folks are asked to come dressed as their favorite movie star or movie character and walk the red carpet.

“A panel of judges will watch people come down the red carpet, and whoever looks like the best movie star and movie character will win a prize,” Compton said. “I’m also trying to round up paparazzi. Come out and shoot the red carpet, send us your best shot and you can win $50.”

Then there’s the Thriller Dance Off. Recall Michael Jackson’s epic music video for the song “Thriller.” Late actor Vincent Price, long a fixture in suspense and horror films, added a spoken word intro to the song.

“People can get their zombie moves on,” Compton said.

Deep within the video, Jackson led a dance troupe, each made to appear as zombies. The Thriller Dance Off will feature whoever wishes to dress up and dance all together to the song.

Gabriele Leigh of Memphis, Tenn., will be among the throng of thrillers.

“[I think] it’s a tribute to Michael Jackson, and I want to be a part of it,” Leigh said. “Dancing is an art.”

Three films begin after the dancers “get their zombie moves on.” First, there’s the animated “Sita Sings the Blues.” Nothing horrific there.
Then at 8:30 p.m. there’s a showing of “The Cat and the Canary,” a silent horror film from 1927. Phil Pollard and his Band of Humans will accompany with a live score.

“The screen will be right in the street, right where the Majestic Theater used to be,” Compton said. “ ‘The Cat and the Canary’ is sort of a dark comedy.”

That film swirls upon a story filled with insanity and death. A showing of “The Bells,” a silent film from 1926 starring Lionel Barrymore and Boris Karloff, tops the evening at 10:30 p.m. A live score by The Brock Henderson Trio will accompany the film.

“The Hootenanny is a rip-roaring good time for families,” Compton said. “It’s a return back to the spirit of the old Halloweens we knew as children.”

IF YOU GO
What: Halloween Hollywood Hootenanny
Participate: Trick-or-treating, Pet Costume and Owner Contest, Tarot Card Reading, Thriller Dance Off, Red Carpet Entrance, etc.
Films: “Silas Sings the Blues” (2008), “The Cat and the Canary” (1927) and “The Bells” (1926)
When: Oct. 31, 11 a.m.-midnight
Where: Main Street, Downtown Johnson City, Tenn.
Admission: Free
Info: (423) 743-7627
Web: http://www.soapiff.com

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .