Halloween Party With International Flavor Oct. 30 at the New Hazlett Theater - Dias de los Muertos

The New Hazlett Theater on Pittsburgh's North Side will hold a Halloween @ the Hazlett fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 30. The six-hour event will be themed to offer a modern take on the sacred holidays of Days of the Dead.

A VIP Fiesta from 8-10 p.m. will be followed by an All Souls Party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

El Dias de los Muertos is a festival of "welcome" for the souls of the dead. The celebration is prepared and enjoyed by the living and honors those who have passed. The customs surrounding this celebration are based on ancient traditions traced to the Aztec civilization in Mexico. The belief is that the souls of the deceased return each year to enjoy, for a few brief hours, the pleasures they once knew in life.

The night will feature all the rituals of traditional Days of the Dead celebrations, a dead celebrity contest judged by local celebrities, a day-glo art exhibit, and live performances by Attack Theatre, AWC Dance Ensemble, NAKA Entertainment, Vanessa German and Greer Reed-Jones.

Guests will be tempted with delicious delights by Bob Sendall's All in Good Taste Productions and many local favorite restaurants accompanied by thirst-quenching libations and a signature drink.

Tickets for the VIP Fiesta are $75 in advance/$100 at the door, and include admission to the All Souls Party. Tickets for the All Souls Party are $25 in advance/$35 at the door. All proceeds benefit the New Hazlett Theater's charitable mission to cultivate the arts and serve as a world-class venue for performance. FREE parking at the Children's Museum.

More information at www.newhazletttheater.org.