lifestyles
Time is gett SCARCE
With Halloween frighteningly near, there is no need to be just another face in the crowd.
Story by Tara Trenary
When there's a chill in the air, the leaves are turning color and the smell of burning leaves permeates the air, you know it's that time — Halloween.
But when the air isn't chilly yet, and your neighbor continues to water his lawn every weekend, the ghostly holiday may slip your mind.
Letting that happen could cause you to miss out on the perfect costume.
"When the weather's really warm, business is slower," said Charlotte Dart, owner of Barb's Vintage Rose, 927 Massachusetts St. "Cooler weather brings more people in."
But the students who have realized that Halloween is right around the corner and are prepared are way ahead of the game.
Bridget Sullivan, Ellisville, Mo., sophomore, is a sales clerk at Paper Warehouse, 1441 W. 23rd St. "We haven't had many adults come in," she said. "I think a lot of people haven't thought about Halloween vet."
Well, it's time to get in gear.
Renting costumes instead of buying them is popular among college students. It can cost less, and renters aren't stuck with a costume that they may never need again.
But renting can have a down side.
Shawn Fapp, costume manager at The Etc Shop, 928 Massachusetts St., said that costumes were available on a first-come, first-served basis and that they would go quickly.
cary, the shee
Which ones will be snatched up first?
"We encourage people to come in early," she said.
Which ones will be snatched up first?
"Lots of '70s things have been bought," Dart said.
She said that other students' favorites included costumes from the movies "Grease" and "Star Wars" book characters such as Raggedy Ann and Andy, and Disney creations such as Mickey Mouse and Cinderella.
Fapp said that characters such as those in "The Wizard of Oz" were always popular, but said that Barney, the big purple dinosaur, was the most frequently requested costume this year.
"Basically, the same thing is popular every year," she said.
Art and Design by Matt Hood
Fapp said that people frequently rented vampire, devil, monk, nurse and Elvis Presley costumes.
Renting costumes, however, is not the only way to go.
Sullivan, at Paper Warehouse, said that many couples had bought matching outfits such as caveman and cavewoman, king and queen of hearts, Batman and Catwoman, a cow and a milkmaid and male and female pirates.
The Arizona Trading Company, 734 Massachusetts St., carries vintage clothing from the 1940s to the 1970s.
"You can pretty much use any of this
sail for Harvard if you use your imagination," said Rebecca Kimbrell, Topeka junior and buyer for the Arizona Trading Co.
"We're selling a pretty good amount of masks and makeup," said A.J. Ravgiali, SuperTarget salesperson.
But masks may pose party problems.
If neither costumes nor vintage wear are appealing, simply purchasing a mask or disguising your face with make-up may be sufficient.
"Masks inhibit drinking," said Joe Johnson, assistant
manager of Fun and Games, 816 Massachusetts St.
He said college students tended to choose makeup so that they did not have to remove and replace a mask repeatedly during the night.
Many other Lawrence stores also carry costumes that students can buy.
Kmart, 3106 Iowa St., and Wal-Mart,
3300 Iowa St., each carry approximately
100 styles in adult costumes.
Prices for costumes vary according to where the costume is rented or sold.
"I just look through all the different stores until I find the costume I want," said Melissa Miller, Sioux Falls, S.D., senior.
Whatever costume you choose is sure to be shocking if you keep it a secret.
"The surprise element is very important," said Kimbrell.
The Stores with the Gore
Average costume prices To Rent To Buy
Paper Warehouse, 1441 W. 23rd St. N/A $20
SuperTarget, 3201 S. Iowa St. N/A $20
Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa St. N/A $13
Kmart, 3106 Iowa St. N/A $17
Barb's Vintage Rose, 927 Mass. St. $20 $17
Fun & Games, 816 Mass. St. N/A $30
Arizona Trading Co., 734 Mass. St. N/A $4-$7per piece
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Cultural Calendar
EXHIBITIONS AND LECTURES
Exhibition—Spencer Museum Metals Show, through Oct. 20 at the Art and Design Gallery.
Lecture—Presentation Skills for Women, by the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, at 7 p.m. Oct.24 in the Pine Room in the Kansas Union.
PERFORMANCES
Department of Music and Dance presents a Jazz Ensemble I Concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Lied Center. Tickets $4 and $6.
University Theatre presents The Bald Soprano and A Dozen Prima Donnas at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21 at Crafton-Preyer Theatre. Tickets $5, $9 and $10.
Department of Music and Dance presents a Faculty Recital featuring David Bushouse, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Swarthout Recital Hall. Free.
Topeka West High School Music Department presents Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band in concert at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the school's auditorium, 2001 Fairlawn Road, Topeka. Tickets $10.
- Topeka Performing Arts Center presents Doc Severinsen in concert at 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at the center, 214 Southeast Eighth St. Tickets $22.50, $25, and $27.50.
Municipal Auditorium presents
Daron Norwood in concert at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at the center, Third and Hickory
streets, Ottawa. Tickets $10.50, $12,
$15.50 and $17.75.
Kansas City Symphony presents Main, Sprint Ovation! at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21 and 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at Lyric Theatre, 11th and Central streets, Kansas City, Mo. Tickets $14-$32.
Gorilla Theatre Productions presents a performance workshop of Edgar Allan Poe at 8 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20 at Border Star Elementary School, 6321 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Mo. Tickets $7.
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