Welcome to Radar, where we run down the up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Today’s edition is a creepy, campy weekend's worth of vintage horror flicks:
Sharks, skulls, and ghosts, oh my! It’s a weekend of terror and suspense at the Gulfport Horror Film Festival, a fundraiser for the Gulfport Arts Center, which opens for classes this fall. A different campy classic is screened each day, beginning with Tormented, in which Tom is shadowed by the spirit of a bitter ex-girlfriend on the eve of his wedding. Next, a less cerebral selection with of She Gods of Shark Reef. Two brothers are stranded on an island inhabited by beautiful women – who choose one of their own to be sacrificed to the sharks (dun dun DUN!). Can they save her? Finally, the fest wraps with The Screaming Skull, where a mysterious mansion, a newlywed couple, a freak accident and a creepy groundskeeper combine in a recipe for cheesy horror flick success. Along with the usual popcorn and candy, Smokin’ Joe serves up smoked salmon and pulled pork, and you can chow down at the picnic tables on the lawn, set up especially for the event. Aug. 7-9, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Scout Hall, 5315 28th Ave. S., Gulfport, $5, gulfportartscenter.org. — Franki Weddington
This article appears in Jul 22-28, 2009.