CLUB/MUSIC EVENTS
Halloween at Schubas
Catch local musicians in costume as rock classics. Victorian Halls as Brand New, Republic of Lights/Kevin Thomas as The Strokes and Suns as Black Sabbath. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, (773)525-2508. Oct 27, 8pm. $10.
Karaoke Dance Party
Belt the night away at Beauty Bar’s Halloween Costume Party hosted by DJ BStarr. Prizes for the most sensational getups and a live performance by Codebreaker and Kid Color. Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago, (312)226-8828. Oct 30, 9pm. $3 (free with RSVP to [email protected]).
Die Tonight: Halloween Hell House
Glam up (in costumes, of course) for dancing through cobwebs to DJ sets by Les Trois Stooges, Midnight Conspiracy, Dark Wave Disco and Heaven Malone. For those without a mask or artistic talents with face paint, visit the Blood and Gore Makeup Station or the Zombie Hostess Extraordinaire in house. Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago, (312)226-8828. Oct 31, 9pm. $5 (free before 11pm).
Palace Preview
Dress to impress at the newest and swankiest club in town before it officially opens. DJs Psycho Bitch, Billy the Kid and Gus Karas lay the soundtrack at Palace Nightclub’s Gypsy Curse Halloween Ball, complete with a slick midnight costume contest. Palace Nightclub, 1242 W. Randolph, (312)772-6104. Oct 30, 9pm. $25 ($20 advance).
Monster Mash
Boogie down with Bobby (Pickett, that is) of the infamous 1962 cult single. The A-Team DJs, Cocanig and Jablonski hijack The Hideout for this classic. The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, (773)227-4433. Oct 30, 11:30pm. $5.
All Hallow’s Eve Ball
Skip straight to Halloween Day itself at the annual Nocturna Ball. DJ Scary Lady Sarah spins and Glitter Guts captures your goblin garb in photobooth fashion. Contend for best costume and best Thriller danceability. Metro, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203. Oct 30, midnight. $16 ($19 without costume).
Smart Bar Halloween
Jam with DJ Sneak, Paul Johnson and Juano. Save some dough by dressing up for the night’s festivities. Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203. Oct 30, 10pm. $12 ($15 without costume).
Halloween Fest at The Abbey, Take One
Relish in rock’s golden era with The Abbey’s first night of tribute bands. See Tomorrow the Moon as Pink Floyd, Penthouse Sweets as The Kinks, Epicycle as The Beatles, Skapone as The Rolling Stones, Canasta as Elton John and Sentinels as MC5. Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, (773)478-4408. Oct 29, 8:30pm. $12 ($10 advance).
Halloween Fest at The Abbey, Take Two
Dig into Halloween with old music from new bands. Hear ZZ Listening as ZZ Top, Phil Angotti as Buddy Holly, The Webstirs as The Beach Boys, The Delafields as New Order, Curtis Evans as Nirvana, and Androstache as The Pretenders. Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, (773)478-4408. Oct 30, 8:30pm. $12 ($10 advance).
Halloween Fest at The Abbey, Take Three
Get gritty Sunday night, too, but this time with Ghostface Killah of Wu Tang Clan. Sheek Louch (of the Lox), Frank Dukes, Psalm One and Verbal Kent join him. Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, (773)478-4408. Oct 31, 8:30pm. $22 ($20 advance).
Dead on Division, All Hallow’s Eve
Kick off the zombie crawl with Q101. Beware of Sherman and Tingle: they will be pulling costumed clubbers off the street and into The Original Mother’s to contest for their Halloween prize packs. The Original Mother’s, 26 W. Division, (312)642-7251. Oct 30, 8pm. $5.
Dead on Division, Halloween
Hit up several Division hotspots on Halloween Night. Kings of the Nighttime World, a KISS tribute band, play at The Original Mother’s, and Q101 returns with Tim Virgin and his take on the costume contest. Highlights also include a “Super Heroes v. Super Villains” battle at Bootleggers, a Hollywood show at She-nannigans, a time machine ride at The Lodge Tavern and a “Heaven v. Hell” theme at Hangge Uppe. Various locations, 13-14-16 W. Division/14 W. Elm. Oct 31, 8pm. No cover.
UCSO’s Annual Halloween Concert
The musicians dress up, too, for their “Witches of Yore” concert including works from “Baby-Yaga,” “Noonday Witch” and “Hansel and Gretel.” The Hyde Park School of Dance joins the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra for music, storytelling and special effects. Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th, (773)702-8484. Oct 30, 7pm and 9pm. $8 adult, $4 students and children donation.
Hard Rock Halloween
Live the life as rockstars—or their groupies—but dance till dawn either way at Hard Rock’s Halloween Costume Party. Hard Rock Cafe, 63 W. Ontario, (312)943-2252. Oct 30, 10pm. $TBA.
Dance with the Devil
Zoom into high gear this Halloween weekend with a laser-drenched dance with the devil, a deep-voiced DJ with an Aztec attitude but a contemporary taste in house music. Admission includes an open bar from 9 to 11pm. Enclave Nightclub, 220 W. Chicago, (312)654-0234. Oct 29, 9pm. $10.
House of Horrors
Enclave’s sixth annual haunted nightclub scares with 15,000-square feet and a premium open bar from 9pm to 12am. Enclave Nightclub, 220 W. Chicago, (312)654-0234. Oct 29, 9pm. $30.
The Phantom Ball
DJ Ted Eiel hosts this huge Halloween bash at The Vibe with dancing till 4am. Discount tickets available at wantickets.com. The Vibe, 1543 N. Kingsbury, (312)266-1900. Oct 31, 8pm. $10.
Naughty Halloween Party
Inspired by furries, this Halloween party features a dance bar and a Tricks and Treats Drag Revue with Saya Naomi, Phoenix O’Hara, Kinley Preston and Kaycee Ortiz. DJ Cody Domino provides the tunes. Spin, 800 W. Belmont, (773)327-7711. Oct 30, 10pm. $5.
Post-Parade Party
After the Halsted Halloween Parade, stay in costume for the contest at Spin. Two winners—best overall and best drag—and both win an iPad. Runners-up get some spending money. Spin, 800 W. Belmont, (773)327-7711. Oct 30, 10pm. No cover.
A Flabby Hoffman Halloween
View a live taping of the Halloween-themed Flabby Hoffman Show (from Channel 19 CANTV) with musical acts. Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, (773)274-5463. Oct 29, 9pm. $5.
Metal Up Your Tap Helloween Show
Halloween gets hellish at Red Line Tap with metal bands Sallah, Blood of the Tyrant, Nocturnal Torment, Maggot Factory. Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, (773)274-5463. Oct 29, 9pm. $5.
LMFAO
Pretend that Chicago is as bumpin’ (or as hot) as Miami on Halloween Night with the band responsible for turning the word “shots” into one-word chorus anthem for revelry. Far East Movement joins the duo. Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee, (773)276-1235. Oct 31, 7pm. $25.
Haunted Hotel Ball
For les plus bourgeios, waltz the night away with Mia Martina (featured in Edward Maya’s “Stereo Love”) and DJs Mixin Marc, Nathan Scott, Rock City, Jerzy, Danny Boy, Gus Karas and Dustin Sheridan. Discount room reservations for concert-goers. Palmer House Hotel, 17 E. Monroe, (312)726-7500. Oct 30, 8pm. $40 ($60 VIP).
Market Open Bar
Enjoy Halloween’s flavors with a cocktail reception and appetizers (included with ticket) but only in honor of those dressed for the occasion. There will be a costume contest! Market Bar, 1113 W. Randolph, (312)929-4787. Oct 30, 8pm. $45.
Halloween Benefit for Adaptive Adventures
Enter the underworld and win prizes at a haunted ice factory with 3D exhibits and a body painting fashion show. Music by Maggie Speaks, Chubby Nothin’ and The Bone, Springa Sonic Droogs, DJ Rockstar and surprise guests. Costume required for entry. Admission includes food and open bar, with proceeds supporting Adaptive Adventures. Golan Studios/Atomic Imaging, 1501 N. Magnolia, (312)649-1800. Oct 30, 8pm. $75.
Bloodsuckers Ball
Bob for beers, kiss a vampire, play beer pong with brains—just a few of the very Halloween-ish activities at The Pub Theater’s first annual Halloween hoedown. The costume contest awards the worst, including the most piercing screamer and the least original costume. Dance off with Bye Bye Liver and four hours of unlimited food and drink for a little extra dough. The Pub Theater, 3320 N. Lincoln, (773)904-8777. Oct 30, 8pm. $10 ($40 with 4-hour drink package, $50 for drinks and Bye Bye Liver show).
Halloween Milonga
Learn how to milonga (a dance similar to tango) with Jorge Niedas, then practice with DJ Lizita ’til midnight. The costume contest winners receive two tickets to the tango brunch or another tango class. Refreshments provided, but it’s also BYOB. Ukrainian Cultural Center, 2247 W. Chicago, (312)217-0304. Oct 31, class at 7pm, dancing at 8pm. $10 ($15 with class).
THEATER EVENTS
Magic Chicago
Eugene Burger, acclaimed Chicago magician named one of the most influential by Magic Magazine, performs his magic à la Halloween three nights in a row. City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, (800)838-3006. Oct 29-30, 11pm; Oct 31, 7:30pm. $25.
Everyday Nightmares
Fear not this frightening show by Honest Productions. Six dramatic vignettes comprise “Everyday Nightmares,” playing only Halloween Night. Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee, (773)598-4549. Oct 31, 7:30pm. $12.
Carpenters Halloween
The Scooty and JoJo Show returns with John Carpenter’s slasher film cued up to Karen and Richard Carpenter’s sweet melodies. As campy as it gets in a new location with new disco decor. Circuit Nightclub, 3641 N. Halsted, (773)325-2233. Oct 28-30, 8pm; Oct 31, 7pm. $15-25.
Dracula
Blood reigns supreme as Redtwist Theater performs a new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s vampire classic all month long, with two final shows on Halloween night. Redtwist Theater, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, (773)728-7529. Oct 31, 7:30pm and 11:30pm. $15.
Etc.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
It’s like you’re in the show at “Rocky Horror” with Midnight Madness. Come early for pre-show festivities, dancing, and a costume contest for the best overall, the most Rocky Horror-ish, or simply the sexiest. Music Box Theater, 3733 N. Southport, (773)871-6604. Oct 29-30, 11:30pm pre-show, 12am show. $14 ($11 advance).
Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade & Costume Contest
One of nature’s most beautiful sights, dogs in funny costumes, will be on full display at Andersonville’s sixth annual Dog Parade and Costume Contest. Cash prizes, including $50 for Best of Show, will be awarded. $25 will be awarded for scariest, funniest, most original, best pet/owner costume combo, and best entry from owner age 12 and under. Corner of Ravenswood and Carmen, (773)989-4514. Oct. 30, Registration opens at 12:30pm, parade starts at 1:30pm. $5 registration fee per dog (humans free).
Kids’ Halloween Party at River Shannon
The Lincoln Park Pub opens its doors to minors with a free pizza and pop party, featuring Halloween games and goody bags. Costumes are encouraged. River Shannon, 425 W. Armitage, (312)944-5087. Oct. 29, 4pm-6pm. Free.
—Compiled by Kristine Sherred
