Oglebay Institute is hosting the most wicked Halloween party in Wheeling. The third annual Shadows Ball brings a night of thrills, chills, sideshow, costumes and live music by Ohio Valley favorite Hit Play.
The Shadows Ball takes place from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at OI’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, one of Wheeling’s grand, historic mansions.
The Stolen Stitches Musical Sideshow will entertain guests with a variety of sideshow acts. This troupe of death-defying musical performers blends classic sideshow with a devilish punk rock and comedic twist. The misfit group of miscreants brings new takes to traditional acts, fire eating piano solos, banjo styling’s on a rolling bed of nails, machete bed serenades and death-defying sword swallowing.
An addition to this year’s entertainment lineup is an eerie puppet show — “The Circus Macabre” — created by local actor, artist and playwright Zachary Michael.
The six-member band Hit Play, featuring Ezra Hamilton, will provide music, and the dance floor in the grand Stifel living room will be open.
In addition to entertainment, guests at the Shadows Ball will enjoy food, drink, the Convergence: Art in the Digital Age exhibit on display in the gallery and a judged costume competition with prizes.
Food for the evening is provided by Ye Olde Alpha, and the menu includes:
- Brain Puree (roasted red pepper hummus with grilled pita)
- Count Guac-ula (chips, salsa and guasacaca)
- Texas Chainsaw Pulled Pork (pulled pork with Texas BBQ and spicy slaw)
- Graveyard Greens (mixed green salad with raspberry vinaigrette)
- Severed Bat Wings (chicken wings with mild sauce, hot pickles and ranch)
- Witches Fingers (chicken tenders)
- Steak Shivs (Guadalajara steak skewers with chimichurri sauce)
Tickets are $35 per person. Costumes required for entry. Open to ages 18 and older only. No entry without appropriate ID.
Tickets can be purchased at www.oionline.com or by calling 304-242-7700.
All proceeds from the event directly support the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Housed in the historic Edemar Mansion, the Stifel Fine Arts Center is a treasure trove for artistic expression and personal fulfillment. A public arts center with galleries, classrooms and performance space, the Stifel Center serves as a gathering place for artists, emerging artists, art lovers, students, educators and families — connecting and engaging the community in creative pursuits.
