Costume

Tony Ray Hicks, a theatrical costume director, died of a heart attack March 17 at Maryland General Hospital. The Hamilton resident was 45. Born in Bristol, Tenn., he was the son of Linda Faye Hicks, a homemaker, and Raymond Haskell Hicks, a farmer. He grew up on the family's Mendota, Va., farm and attended Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where he earned a degree in theater in 1992. "My degree is in performance," Mr. Hicks said in an article in Virginia's Tri-County News.

In "Going to St. Ives," Colonial Players offers a powerful story about two women becoming acquainted over tea — a discussion that touches on dictatorships in post-colonial Africa while offering insights into the plight of two grieving mothers reminiscent of classic Greek drama. The first act of Lee Blessing's drama is set near Cambridge, England, where two powerful women meet. World-renowned British eye surgeon Dr. Cora Gage has invited May N'Kame, empress of an African country ruled by her ruthless son, for a consultation to consider the benefits of laser treatment for glaucoma.

Here's the difference between Paul Day and the rest of the world: Where most people see a broken-down ATV on the side of an interstate, Day sees a Transformer. Not only does he see it, but he turns it into one. Which is why, unlike the average citizen, he's an award-winning creator of superhero costumes. "Yeah, I found parts of Bumblebee on the side of I-95," says Day, 45, whose take on the most outgoing of the Transformers, that alien race that can turn themselves into motor vehicles, won 2009's inaugural Baltimore Comic-Con costume contest.

Tony Ray Hicks, a theatrical costume director, died of a heart attack March 17 at Maryland General Hospital. The Hamilton resident was 45. Born in Bristol, Tenn., he was the son of Linda Faye Hicks, a homemaker, and Raymond Haskell Hicks, a farmer. He grew up on the family's Mendota, Va., farm and attended Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where he earned a degree in theater in 1992. "My degree is in performance," Mr. Hicks said in an article in Virginia's Tri-County News.

I admit it. Halloween gives me the shivers.Even as a child, it was not one of my favorite events. Oh, I thought the candy was great, but having to dress in some silly outfit and go door to door asking for the goodies was not really my idea of fun.After all, you didn't have to look silly to receive candy from the Easter bunny.As a mom, this event looms even larger on the horizon. Although I no longer put on a costume and ask for candy, I must now provide the candy for countless neighborhood children.

Need a cute Halloween costume? There's a pirate get-up with an eye patch, bandanna and sword. There's also a witch costume with scrappy dress, broom and hat. But it's not for you. Just your iPod. (Yes, really.) A new Web retailer, iAttire.net, is selling limited-edition Halloween costumes for iPods, Minis and Shuffles. Copycat MP3s can also squeeze into costumes, said owner Jo Ann Villalobos. Costume choices include Frankenstein monster, ghost, mummy and vampire. And in case your iPod isn't the dress-up type, there's also a set of paper masks.

Last year, some Johns Hopkins University fraternity members raised the ire of other classmates by staging a "Halloween in the Hood" party, complete with "bling bling," "hoochie hoops" and a pirate hanging from a noose. Also last year, at the University of Pennsylvania, a student who was dressed as an "Arab suicide bomber" caused a major online discussion about matters of taste. This year, a sexy "Anna Rexia" costume has caused a firestorm of criticism among eating disorder experts, feminists, bloggers and others.

The witching hour is almost here. Time for ghoulies and ghosties and beasts of all description. Time to put together those costumes.I, of course, rest easy, knowing that we have ours (store-bought).For those with the courage and stamina to sew a costume for you or your kids, my congratulations. Next year will you make one for me?*Put on your costumes and head for Carrolltowne Mall's Malloween Party or, if you live in Gamber, head for the fire hall.The mall is running free puppet shows, "Dig Those Dinosaurs," Friday and Saturday, and a Trick or Treat parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, followed by a costume contest.

In England, 1520 was a good year.King Henry the VIII was happily married to Catherine of Aragon. France and England were on friendly enough terms that France's king came to visit.It didn't last, of course. Henry divorced Catherine. Their daughter killed so many thousands when she advanced to the throne she's still known as Bloody Mary. And England and France spent decades at war.But spectators at the 21st annual Renaissance Festival can join in the merriment of the good years and see the royal French visit to England.

The production of "The Mystery of Irma Vep" running at Everyman Theatre has a portrait that drips blood, an Egyptian sarcophagus, hidden passages out of which characters unexpectedly pop, a mad woman in the dungeon and such deliberately tongue-in-cheek dialogue as, "He killed the wrong wolf!" As outlandish as the onstage antics might seem, they can't hold a snuffed-out candle to the frenzied activity taking place backstage. Three dressers and a stagehand conduct a carefully choreographed dance that allows the show's two actors to make up to 50 full costume changes during each performance, complete with Victorian-era petticoats, wigs, false teeth and top hats - often in two seconds or less.

To be honest, I'm not really sure what this pup is supposed to be. But whatever it is, it looks good, no? A dog in costume during the 21st Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in New York.  

This year's best Halloween costume award goes to Johnny Rad's Johnny Rad's , the super friendly Upper Fells Point pizzeria and restaurant dressed up for Halloween as Kelly's, the neighborhood watering hole that preceded it. Rich Pugh and company put up the old Kelly's sign and the staff wore Kelly's T-shirts. Best of all was one of Johnny Rad's accessories -- for the first time ever on Johnny Rad's beer list -- Coor's Light, a Kelly's staple.

Pictures of Ravens cheerleaders dressed in Halloween costumes during the Ravens home game against Buffalo on Sunday, October 24, in Baltimore. Welcome to our new mobile site! Here's a quick tour: • Find things to do: 10 Spot picks happening soon are highlighted at the top of the site. • Your second screen: Keep up with boob tube buzz while you watch on the TV Lust blog. • Food and drink tips: Check the Eats section for dinner and drink ideas.

A gal with a meat cleaver embedded in her head. A living skeleton. Lots of witches, with pointy hats and long noses. And plenty of guys dressed like your host for the evening, the estimable author and, though dead for 162 years, favorite son of old Baltimore, Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. Such was the scene Sunday night at the Westminster Hall and Burying Grounds. Hundreds gathered to tour the centuries-old cemetery and catacombs, be entertained by one of its most famous residents — that would be Poe, buried here after dying in Baltimore under still-unexplained circumstances in 1849 — and, not coincidentally, do their part to help the home he once lived in remain open as a museum and tourist attraction.

Halloween open house - Hosted by From the Heart Doggie Daycare, Sat., Oct. 29, noon-5 p.m., 8574 Laureldale Drive. Door prizes, dog costume contest, photographs and nail clinic for dogs. Refreshments served. 301-725-3647, http://www.fromtheheartdogs.com. Halloween Spooktacular - Sponsored by the city of Laurel, Sat., Oct. 29, 2 p.m. sharp, Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 7901 Cypress St. Entertainment, food, costume judging with prizes. Come dressed to be judged.

Halloween falls on Monday in 2011, just like Valentines Day did. That should be a good thing for bars and restaurants. Halloween itself tends to keep potential diners in their homes, waiting for trick-or-treaters, but the weekend brings out folks looking for a good time. A new survey by the National Restaurant Association (NRA) says that 20 percentof Americans will order takeout or delivery from a restaurant this Halloween. Among younger adults (age 18-34) and families with trick-or-treating children, that figure rises to 33 percent and 28 percent, respectively, the survey determined.

As far as dragons go, this costume is pretty sweet. The dragon-dog was part of the 21st Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in New York last weekend.

In "Going to St. Ives," Colonial Players offers a powerful story about two women becoming acquainted over tea — a discussion that touches on dictatorships in post-colonial Africa while offering insights into the plight of two grieving mothers reminiscent of classic Greek drama. The first act of Lee Blessing's drama is set near Cambridge, England, where two powerful women meet. World-renowned British eye surgeon Dr. Cora Gage has invited May N'Kame, empress of an African country ruled by her ruthless son, for a consultation to consider the benefits of laser treatment for glaucoma.

Take a haunted tour guided by 'Norman Bates' at Hitchcock after Dark , Saturday, Oct. 22, 8-10 p.m., Riverfront Park at end of Avondale Street. This fundraiser is presented by Venus Theatre, 21 C St. Tours also available Saturday, Oct. 29. Two nights only with four tours, half mile each, one starting at 8 p.m. and one at 9 p.m. each of the Saturdays. Enjoy s'mores, fall beverages, Hitchy costume contest and outdoor move, "The Birds!" Best Hitchcock costume wins door prize. Wear comfortable shoes and bring flashlight and movie watching blanket.