Everything you need to have a gory time

Blood, guts and cheerleaders: Your cheat sheet to Houston HorrorFest

Jasper (Matthew Carter) and Jane (Elizabeth McCain) in "Backroad"
Shella Roberts in "Zombiefied"
From "Spirit Camp," Nikki (Roxy Vandiver) and Rachel (Julin)
From "Dead of Knight," A Queen (Anne Quackenbush) and her skull

Cheerleaders to die for, multi-tasking zombies, knights not of the Round Table and the small town back road that takes an evil turn — these are a few of my favorite things about Houston HorrorFest.

The three-night festival of Texas-made movies that-go-bump-in-the-night continues Thursday and Friday night at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema West Oaks. Beware, as ticket demand has already caused the theater to move films to larger screening rooms. Some of the movies could sellout in this Halloween season.

7:30 Thursday
Backroad
Directed by Wayne Slaten
Starring Matthew Carter, Greg Dean, Elizabeth McCain, Julie P. Oliver-Touchstone, Michael Marlow, Norris T. Thompson II
Shot in Alvin, Chappell Hill, Manvel and Richmond, Texas

The real life sheriff’s department in Richmond was happy to ease the way for filmmakers of this psychological thriller about a man with a dark past who hitches a ride that turns into a road trip from hell.

Richmond’s genuine honky tonk, The Swinging Door, opened it wide for filming and real bar patrons were extras in scenes. Director Slaten is proud that “every element is Houston-based — everyone is from here.”

10 p.m. Thursday
Spirit Camp
Directed by Kerry Beyer
Shot in Houston
Starring Roxy Vandiver, Julin, Brandon Smith, Megan Moser, Katy Rowe, Amy Morris, Jon Paul Burkart

A street smart “goth girl” clashes with the “popular girls” at a cheerleading camp — but that’s the least of their problems when a crazed psycho-killer lurks among them. This ain’t no pom pom fight.

Director Beyer describes the horror/comedy as Friday the 13th meets Bring it On! Beyer is also co-founder of SplatterFest, the short horror film competition that made a hearty debut in Houston Tuesday night.

7:30 p.m. Friday
Dead of Knight
Directed by Joe Grisaffi
Shot in Houston and Galveston
Starring Jerin Julia, Brandon Hearnsberger, Christie Guidry, Dimitri Kouzas

The spirit of a cursed medieval knight is accidentally released in present day. Looks like chivalry is dead!

Director Grisaffi is also an actor and can be seen in the horror features Walking Distance, Zombified (at HorrorFest) and Renfield: The Un-Dead. In his “spare” time he runs SouthwestCasting.com. He and Michael Colburn won Best Film at SplatterFest 2010 Tuesday night.

10 p.m. Friday
Zombiefied
Directed by Todd Jason Cook
Shot in Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City
Starring Rebecca Torrellas, Mike Gebbie, Tayvis Dunnahoe, Kathryn Rene' Ginzel, Todd Jason Cook, Lisa Whiteman

“Dying is the easy part,” says Todd Jason Cook about his 19th-feature-film Zombiefied which is a hybrid zombie/slasher mix. Cook, who lives in Missouri City, has been making movies since he was eight.

Over 300 people showed up in downtown Houston to be zombie extras for this film about a rageful zombie outbreak stemming from a major concert of two popular bands. You’ll think twice now about going to a club — you could be zombiefied!

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dancing days

Massive new country western dancehall now open in Southwest Houston

Photo by Shane Dante

Cowboys Red River is now open at Plazamericas.

The wait for Houston’s newest destination for two stepping, boot scootin’, and line dancing has come to an end. Cowboys Red River Dance Hall and Saloon has officially opened its doors.

Located at Plazamericas, the Latin-themed shopping mall and entertainment complex in Southwest Houston (7500 Bellaire Blvd.), Cowboys Red River Dance Hall and Saloon offers almost 37,000 square feet of space, including a 2,500-square-foot “race-track” dance floor that’s designed for popular country dance styles such as two stepping and line dancing. It’s the company third location, joining a Dallas outpost that opened in 1989 and a San Antonio location that opened in 2003.

"We’re fired up to bring Cowboys Red River to Houston," said Scott Murphy, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, in a statement. "For over 30 years, we’ve been the biggest, baddest honky-tonk in Texas — the kind of place where you can hold someone close on the dance floor or raise a little hell with your buddies and feel right at home either way. Now it’s Houston’s turn. With our race-track dance floor, top-tier live acts, and that Southern hospitality we’re known for, we’re bringing a whole lot of romance, energy, and Texas-sized fun to this city. Houston, grab your boots, a couple of friends, and let’s go have a damn good time.”

In order to entertain crowds that are expected to swell to as many as 2,000 people on busy nights, Cowboys Red River will feature performances by honky-tonk band Runnin’ Behind. In addition, Cowboys Red River expects to host between 12 and 15 national touring acts in its first year.

Other amenities include 1,700 parking spots, free valet for “unescorted ladies,” pool tables, and a mechanical bull. Cowboys Red River offers special packages for birthdays, bachelorette parties, and other special occasions. It will be open Wednesday-Saturday from 7 pm until 3 am.

Photo by Shane Dante

Cowboys Red River is now open at Plazamericas.

nightlife openings cowboys red river dance hall and saloon