For the past 10 years, Enzian and its neighboring Eden Bar have celebrated all things spooky during October. Themed parties are thrown, films are shown that represent the heights of the horror genre and custom cocktails are served that relate to the shocking (or just quaintly charming) scenarios that unfold on the screen.
But don’t let the anniversary fool you: This year’s programming, at times, harkens much farther back than a mere decade. One of the key entries on the schedule, in fact, is a noontime screening of the 1922 German classic Nosferatu, a timeless take on the vampire myth directed by F.W. Murnau (Sunday, October 25).
In a nod to the way cinematic terror was experienced way back then, a live musical soundtrack will be provided by Orlando’s own Fernwood String Quartet, which will perform a brand-new score written by multiple members of the Central Florida Composers Forum.
Just like in the heyday of silent cinema—when theaters retained everything from solo organists to full orchestras—the music will punctuate the action as victims are stalked by the undead Count Orlok, who, be warned, makes Bela Lugosi look like George Clooney.
The visuals will be a bit more recent—and family-friendly—at Popcorn Flicks in the Park, the series of free al fresco screenings Enzian presents every month in Winter Park’s Central Park. This year’s offering will be Monster House, a 2006 animated hit that slaps a fresh coat of paint on the haunted house trope. Showtime will be Thursday, October 8, at 8 p.m.
Those are just two highlights of the monthlong calendar that will be packed with fright flicks ranging from the beloved to the obscure. (Or if you’re a real horror buff, both.)
And given the tweaked title of the affair—which used to be called simply “13 Films of Halloween”—we can safely expect more than just a baker’s dozen. The full roster of features, as well as the special cocktails that are to be served to complement them, will likely be online by now.
The fiendish festival will come to an end on Halloween night with a party keyed to the slogan “Last Stop: Eden Street Station” (named for the Eden Bar). Attendees at the 8 p.m. event are encouraged to dress according to a “subterranean” motif. The evening will conclude with a midnight showing of one more horror movie.
Enzian is located at 1300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland. For more information, call or visit the website.
