Things that go bump in the night

by Bryan Parker

With the color changing in the leaves and brisk cool breezes occurring regularly comes the time that children of all ages wait for all summer long... Halloween. Halloween, also known as 'All Hallows Eve', was originally created in Europe as a night designated for children to dress in lavish costumes and travel from home to home in their villages and towns to collect candies and gifts. They also would play games at each of the homes and sometimes mischievous pranks on each other. Lore has it that the costumes were encouraged as a way to chase away any evil spirits that lurked in the area and to promote good luck for the rest of the year. Throughout history, there have been several different myths and legends that accompany this festival night and season.

DRACULA is merely a fictitious vampire from Bram Stoker's novel by the same name. The title character is based off of Vlad Dracul, the military governor of Transylvania, circa 1430's. He came by the name Dracul, meaning Dragon, by being a member of a secretive elite group called 'The Order of The Dragon'. This fraternal order of knights was sworn to protect the interest of Catholicism. On Friday's the order wore long black capes over red garments to commemorate Christ's Passion. The vampire myth came to be when an English newspaper reported that during a battle to protect his native land, Vlad Dracul fought like a 'blood thirsty' animal. In a nutshell, the media played a large role in the development of this legend.

The legend of the WEREWOLF became known even before the myth of Dracula. Folklore passed down that Werewolf tribes (packs) were said to originate and spread through rural parts of Asia and Europe. Allegedly, they were created in several manners: by the magic of sorcery, being cursed by someone whom you have wronged in some way (called a Lycaeonia Curse), being bitten by a Werewolf, or by birth. Although Werewolves are said to come from human form, they were considered definite wolves by their manner, actions, and instincts. Their physical change was said to be either completed voluntarily at will or by certain cycles of the moon. This explains the myth of the full moon relation to the Werewolf legend. In actuality, a medical condition was a major source of the beginning of this myth. Lycanthropic Disorder is a mental condition in which the subject believes that he or she is a wolf. There is no actual physical transformation; however, the person is capable of being as dangerous and violent as an actual rabid wolf.

The "Curse of the Mummy" was one of the all-time favorite Hollywood classics that literally created the myth of THE MUMMY. Actually, the Mummy is the remains of the corpse in ancient Egyptian burial ceremonies. Mummification is the practice of preserving the corpse through the use of tight, binding clothes that keep from decomposing the body. Egyptians of the time believed the body must be preserved until their dead relative was able to pass to the after life. The most popular myth is that a deadly curse would be placed on the individual who first disturbs the mummy's rest before it is allowed to pass on.

Webster's Dictionary defines a WITCH as: 'one that is credited with

unusually malignant supernatural powers; a woman practicing black witchcraft often with the aid of a devil or familiar; an ugly woman; a charming or alluring girl or woman.' The art of witchcraft has been practiced in different forms for many, many centuries. Although the word witch carries many negative connotations, witches were originally the religious healers and doctor's of the world. They were highly respected members of the community and often called upon as advisors for many major religious and political leaders. Many developed natural medicines which are the predecessors of successful modern day medicines and medical practices. Throughout history, witches or alleged witches have been both praised and ridiculed as an easy explanation for any occurrences that society could not knowledgeably explain.

The stories and legends of Vampires, Werewolves, Mummys, and Witches are just four of many vivid and imaginative tales of lore that have been passed down and made more colorful as each generation passes. Of course, we know they don't exist. So, the next time you hear that creaking bump in the night, it is probably just the wind or the furnace kickingon...or is it? Good Evening, and have a ghoulish Halloween.

Here are some great "Live" musicians that have been scared up for your

listening pleasure.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1

The Station - Rude Dog Pub @ 9pm

Tim Lynch - Broussard's @ 9pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- Broussard's @0pm

The Station- Rude dog @ 9pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- Port Cape @ 8pm

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5

Open Mic Night- Jeremiah's @ 10pm

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6

Dave DeRousse & Jerry Pickett- California Juice Bar @ 8pm

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- Port Cape @ 9pm

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8

Time Lunch- Broussard's @ 9 pm

The Intention- Rude Dog @ 9 pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

The Intention- Rude Dog @ 9pm

The Melroys- Broussard's @ 9pm

SUNDAY, OACTOBER 10

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band @ 8 pm

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12

Open Mic Night- Jeremiah's @ 10pm

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13

Jeff Hawkins- California Juice Bar @ 8pm

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- Port Cape @ 9pm

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

Bruce Zimmerman- Bel Air @ 8pm

Brinker- Rude Dog @ 9 pm

Lost Possum- Broussard's @ 9pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

The Bender's- Cheers in Sikeston @ 9pm

13th Floor- Broussard's @ 9pm

Brinker- Rude Dog @ 9pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- Port Cape @ 8pm

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Open Mic Night- Jeremiah's @ 10pm

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20

Dave DeRousse & Jerry Picket- California Juice Bar @ 8pm

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Clues Band- Port Cape @ 9pm

FRIDAY. OCTOBER 22

The Dragonflys- Rude Dog @ 9pm

Sykes & Hooker- Broussard's @ 9pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

Stepp'in Out Tours- Broussard's @ 9pm

The Dragonflys- Rude Dog @ 9pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- Port Cape @ 8pm

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Open Mic Night- Jeremiah's @ 10pm

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

Jeff Hawkins- California Juice Bar @ 8pm

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band @ 9pm

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

Acme Blues- Rude Dog @ 9pm

International Playboy House of Pancakes Blues Band- Broussard's @ 9pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

International Playboy House of Pancakes Blues Band- Broussard's @ 9pm

Acme Blues- Rude Dog @9pm

Slight Return- Cheers in Sikeston @ 9pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

Bruce Zimmerman & the Waterstreet Blues Band- Port Cape @ 8pm