As far as market-based holidays go, Halloween’s one of the best: At least it fosters some level of creativity. I mean, you’ve got to show up with a costume or you look like a jerk, right? And who likes to look like an jerk? Jerks. And hobos. That’s who. And that’s just lazy.
That is, unless you reject holiday-themed parties altogether. In that case, you’re a spoiler, and if your friends are righteous and actually care about you, they’ll give you guff about passing on the par-teh until the next one, when the decision-making cycle begins anew. All the while, the costume manufacturers (and Wal-Mart) suck down the Green like a redneck swilling the lunchtime Keystone.
This year, like last year and the one before, there are a few handfuls of ghoul-themed shows for folks whose party meter is low without good live tunes. As such, LEO provides a basic and relatively complete gathering of such things, as always, for your entertainment and pleasure.
Oct. 28: The Brick House is using the holiday to rake up some much-needed cash to keep its doors open and its services helping the community. At 6 p.m., those doors open for a “Monster Mash Halloween Homecoming,” featuring Ultra Pulverize and The Heat, as well as a costume contest. $5 with digs, $8 without (and don’t come naked, jerk).
At The Gate, WLRS hosts the “Deadman’s Ball,” with a $1,000 costume contest, live radio broadcast and tunes all night. The stipulation: come dressed as your favorite dead person. $10 if you’re between 18 and 21, $7 if you’re older. Doors at 9 p.m.
Oct. 29: Local rockers The Touched are hosting a Halloween-themed show at the Rudyard Kipling, with Instant Camera and a reunited Activated Peat. The Touched are planning a “horror-themed” set, with covers of tunes by Hasil Adkins, The Cramps, and what they’re billing a rousing rendition of AC/DC’s “Night Prowler.” Show starts at 10 p.m., costs $3, and requires that you’re old enough to drink legally.
Brick House benefit, Part II: for the Nth year in a row a bunch of people in different bands are getting together full sets of covers to perform at the costume ball/show that is the Portland Halloween Party. It’s at the Portland Arts Festival Building — 34th and Northwestern Parkway — and will feature ARCH, Panda, Hasil Adkins’ ghost, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, and Nirvana. Doors open at 8 p.m., 21+, $6 with costume/$8 without.
Smallish notes:
Jam dudes Bloom Street play the Bluegrass Brewing Co. It’s the band’s sixth annual Halloween Costume Bash (hint-hint). They’ll play three full sets, including one exclusively comprising Ween material. Costume contest and door prizes happening.
Third Avenue Cafe is putting on “Halloqueen: Night of the Living Drag Queen,” its annual drag show-cum-Halloween Party. It’s free, 21+, and will feature a costume contest with prizes; they’re serving dinner until 9 p.m., show starts after.
The October come to town at Headliners, with End of Me, Eclectic and Ugly. Show starts at 9 p.m., costs a Hamilton, and will feature a costume contest and “many other scary things.”
R Place Pub hosts the Merry Pranksters’ Halloween Bash. Gotta be 21. It’s a bar, kids.
The F#$k Munkys are throwing a party at their home away from the practice space, the Highlands Tap Room. Costume party with contest prizes!
And at the Red Barn, the Music Therapy Organization of U of L is holding a benefit bash featuring Paradigm, disco., Sally Is A Record Player (member of Fire the Saddle), and Egghead, as well as a drum circle, costume contest, silent auction, coffee, tea and desserts. It’s all ages, $3 without costume/$2 with, from 7-10 p.m.
