It’s the time of year of outrageous costumes, masks and spooky entertainment. Students are looking for the next Halloween party where they can show off their costumes or an entertainment venue where they can get a few drinks, get in the spirit and get properly scared.

Two more options for UA students looking for some Halloween-style entertainment will be available tonight and next Saturday night.

Tonight the Pink Box Burlesque presents its third annual Masquerade Ball at the L & N Train Station on Greensboro Avenue. Next Saturday Pink Box Burlesque is teaming up with wellthatscool.com to present Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Bama Theatre.

These are the last two shows of the season for the Pink Box Burlesque, which is Tuscaloosa’s own burlesque troupe of men and women who are “dedicated to making you smile while showing you just enough to think you’re going to get some,” according to pinkboxburlesque.com.

Dixie said when the Pink Box Burlesque originally started they put on a show for charity, which sold out in three hours.

“Shows have been that way continuously since then,” Dixie said. “It’s been amazing.”

In the past people have threatened to picket or protest their shows, but these protests have never taken place, Dixie said.

“When we got those threats we said, that’s fine, you just have to be who you have to be,” Dixie said. “Our fan base always supports us. It’s been an amazing time.”   

Pink Box Burlesque includes a variety of characters and performances, which include song, dance, juggling, comedy, live bands and more, according to the website.

Mama Dixie, the upcoming emcee for the masquerade and the Madam for the burlesque, said Pink Box Burlesque has a variety of characters.

“Everybody has their character or representation on stage,” Dixie said. “There are characters from different time periods. There are those that have different levels of training. There are some that are light, and there are some that are dark and mysterious. We try and offer a full show.”

Dixie said they try and keep to the definition of a burlesque, which, according to their website, is an artistic composition, especially literary or dramatic, which vulgarizes lofty material or treats ordinary material with mock dignity. It can also be defined as a humorous and provocative stage show featuring slapstick humor, comic skits, bawdy songs, striptease acts, suggestive dances and a scantily clad female chorus.

“We’re as traditionally burlesque as we can be,” Dixie said.  

The masquerade ball will include a costume contest, comedy shows, live music and the main burlesque show.

            “We highly encourage attendants to go in costume since there will be a contest,” Dixie said.

The doors open at 8 p.m. tonight for the masquerade ball, and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and there will be a cash bar inside. You must be 18 to get in and 21 to drink.

“We have a lot of UA students that come,” Dixie said. “It’s funny and fun. The ladies and gents are sexy and it’s a place you can go with a date or alone.”

Dixie said students who have come to college and are looking to get new experiences should come.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Bama Theatre, and tickets will be available beforehand for $12, with $2 of the ticket price going toward the Bama Theatre Preservation Fund.

“It’s sold out every year so I recommend buying tickets early or arriving early the day of,” Dixie said.

Audience members will be able to participate in the enactment of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. However, any actions that may damage the Bama Theatre such as throwing rice or water will be prohibited, Dixie said.  

According to wellthatscool.com, $5 prop bags, which include rings, newspapers, flashlights, cards, noisemakers, birthday hats and more, will be available.

Jon Chappell, a senior majoring in political science, said he is especially looking forward to the Rocky Horror Picture Show since it is such a classic movie to watch during Halloween.

“It’s a cult classic and I’ve probably seen it 10 times,” Chappell said. “It never gets old. I don’t know why but it’s almost like an addiction, especially around Halloween.”