Watching "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" remains an event unto itself, a movie-going experience like no other.
The Ace of Clubs House comes alive with two showings of this cult classic on Friday, Oct. 26, at both 7:30 p.m. and midnight. It's a presentation aligned with the seasonal celebrations.
"We're going to do it Friday, the Friday before Halloween," said Velvet Cool, board president for the Texarkana Museums System.
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick in a tale about Dr. Frank N. Furter, who's a scientist and alien transvestite, and the couple who visit his countryside castle where the Annual Transylvanian Convention is being held. All sorts of shenanigans ensue.
"We had originally planned on showing 'Rocky Horror' last year," Cool said. However, bad weather caused them to cancel that Halloween showing. Showing "Rocky Horror," she explained, is a way to reach out to younger generations and present something different than the classic movies the TMS hosts at the Ace of Clubs during the summer.
As a cult classic, it's a pretty outrageous, fun movie. But, said Cool, "It doesn't cross the line as much as some other cult classics do."
As part of any "Rocky Horror" showing, the audience experience is paramount. "It is very interactive, so that is one of the things that we're really looking forward to," Cool said.
To that end, admission gives moviegoers a gift prop bag that helps with acting out along with the movie. Cool admits, though, that they won't be throwing hot dogs at this screening. Of course, this will all be done outside on the Ace of Clubs House lawn, where other movies are shown. In the event of bad weather, the movie will be rescheduled.
Cool suggested that if people think they will want to sit down at some point, they should bring a chair or blanket. People are encouraged to come in costume, too.
"We have a gentleman who is going to act as an emcee. He is a 'Rocky Horror' fanatic," Cool said.
The Ace of Clubs House event is held in conjunction with the Randy Sams' Outreach Shelter, whose residents have helped the TMS on various projects, said Cool, such as maintaining the Museum of Regional History courtyard and unloading and installing exhibits.
"They have really done right by the Museums System," Cool said.
This event is a bring-your-own-beverage showing. The admission price also gives attendees three tickets that can be used for soda or food (hot dogs, nachos, pickles, popcorn). Anyone who brings slippers to benefit residents at the shelter or spring bulbs to plant at the Ace of Clubs will receive extra tickets.
(Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. TMS members or supporters of the Randy Sams' Outreach Shelter get a $5 discount; call the TMS or Randy Sams' for a discount code. Tickets are available at www.tinyurl.com/eventstms. The Ace of Clubs House is located at 420 Pine St. in Texarkana, Texas. More info: 903-793-4831.)