Autumn folklore replaces jump scares in a dance walk-through at The People’s Building.

Did you know that the original jack-o’-lanterns were made from turnips? These root vegetables, found throughout ancient Ireland, were carved to ward off evil spirits during Samhain.

In Life/Art Dance Ensemble’s Dancing in the Dark: The House of Omens, audiences learn about this and other autumnal superstitions by perusing a gallery of facts, tarot cards and poppets before being led through a large space occupied by some of the exhibit’s characters, including black cats, crows and a broken mirror.

Audiences walk from room to room of The People’s Building — an old rent-to-own furniture warehouse — guided by the eerie host played by Allison Blakeney and Elizabeth Bragg. The show comprises several short vignettes, spanning styles — from flag throwing to cello and contemporary dance — during which we catch glimpses of standout local performers.

Photo: Ian McMorran

The mask duo, performed by Moon and Tegra Morgan, exemplifies a style that combines modern dance movements with popping. Kathryn Dudley’s fluid movements are as otherworldly as you would expect from a fortune teller operating deep within a haunted house. Walking into a live cello performance by Adam Riggs in a warehouse basement is a delight. Emma S. Kimball’s broken mirror solo mesmerizes, partly because of her skill and partly because of the reflective light work. Greg Morgan’s gentle turn as a medium invites the audience into an intimate, creepy space, just before spitting us into a selfie booth.

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The performance pops most when dancers break the boundaries of dance with the crunch of an apple, a soggy bob of the head or a close-up “caw.” These moments of surprise and audience interaction could be amplified to make the performance more dynamic.

Now in its fourth year, The House of Omens is an intellectual alternative to the average jump-scare haunted house.