The Fifty Year Sword

We can't think of anywhere better, or more terrifying, to be on Halloween night. Mark Z. Danielewski (author of the infamously scary cerebral horror novel House of Leaves) presents an eerie theatrical reading of his limited-edition, illustrated ghost story The Fifty Year Sword, with the mood heightened by the shadow theater work of Christine Marie & Ensemble. Not familiar with this cult-favorite story? It takes place in an East Texas orphanage, during one night in late October, and is recounted by Chintana, a seamstress recovering from a painful divorce, who watches as a mysterious caped "Story Teller" recites for the orphans a tale of revenge and a terrible sword—which is soon revealed inside a long black box that's been laid before them.