If the thought of donning a costume for Halloween to shimmy and shake among freaks spooks you out, there are other options. Whether you want to pay respect to the departed, get your groove on, or just your movie on, the city is alive with Halloweenthemed events this weekend.
MUSIC AND DANCING
OCT. 28
. The irrepressible Waldorf Hotel is hosting a four-day property-wide Halloween bash with entertainment in multiple rooms. Visitors can tempt fate on a 16-storey free-fall on a drop tower ride in the parking lot, play games in a carnival midway, tour haunted hotel rooms and view erotic holographic theatre. There's a limited number of four-day passes. The weekend kicks off with a different decade in every room, starting with the '60s. Lady Miss Kier of Deee-Lite will DJ the '90s room. Andrew Andrew Andrew and Fly Grrrls weave a dark tapestry from your '80s memories. Info: waldorfhotel.com.
. The Electric Owl hosts a Halloween extravaganza with Beat Connection from Seattle, Too High Crew, Teen Daze and a DJ set by Blood Diamonds. There'll be a costume contest and prizes including ski and snowboard lift passes. Blanche Macdonald makeup artists will apply makeup on site. Advance tickets are $12 at clubzone.com or local record shops. Info: electricowl.ca.
. Help raise money for the Strathcona and Seymour elementary schools on the Downtown Eastside at Heebie-Jeebie Fest. The party at Chapel Arts features bands Little Guitar Army, I Braineater, the Deadcats, and East Vamps. Info: chapelarts.com.
OCT. 29
. The Carnival of Souls Haunted Circus at the Waldorf will feature an all-star band led by drummer Kurt Dahle of The New Pornographers with host El Garzita. DJs will spin tunes ranging from hip-hop to surf and rock in various rooms. The Waldorf will be open until 3 a.m. Info: waldorfhotel.com.
. The once scary and decrepit Rickshaw Theatre hosts a Dance or Die Halloween Party with local bands Defektors, White Lung, Peace and Aquanaut performing "killer covers." A DJ dance party follows. There'll be a costume contest, décor by Emily Carr students, scary movie projections and firecrackers in the alley. Info: rickshawtheatre.com.
. The Monster Mash-Up and Halloween Costume Ball at the WISE Hall will host costume contests and hand out door prizes all night. Vancouver's rock 'n' roll wrecking crew, Cousin Harley (a.k.a. Paul Pigat), will light things up with their signature blend of hot rod rockabilly, vintage country and jet-fuelled western swing. Joining them will be Vancouver's Frank Frink Five, featuring punk rock alumni from The Pointed Sticks, D.O.A., the Modernettes, the Subhumans and SNFU. Info: themonsterfactory.ca.
. Things are set to get spooky at Science World with its Halloween Costume Ball. There'll be music on two floors with eight DJs, and live performances. Info: costumeball.ca.
. Turbo charged prog rock, boogietronica and melodic speed jazz will burn at the Hellfire Club at Café Montmarte starting at 8 p.m. The event features musical acts Man Your Horse, Blake and Tasty Animals. Victorian-era boudoir costumes encouraged. Tickets $5 at the door.
. Dancing souls can shake their bones at Public Dreams' Dance Party: A Parade of Lost Souls Fundraiser. DJs and fire performers will heat things up. The shindig happens at the Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St. Info: publicdreams.org.
OCT. 31
. Halloween night at The Biltmore features cover bands and DJs. The Jolts cover the Ramones as the Ramores and Teenagers from Mars cover The Misfits. Tickets $5 at the door.
MURDER MYSTERY
OCT. 28
. Science World hosts an adultonly murder mystery party. Wannabe sleuths are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes or dress as their favourite gumshoe or crimefighting hero. Info: scienceworld.ca.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
OCT. 29
. Night for All Souls runs at Mountain View Cemetery, Oct. 29. Visitors can reflect in an atmosphere of contemplative beauty with music, fires and fragrant teas to comfort the living, and public shrines to remember the dead. All Souls runs 6 to 10 p.m. Info: Vancouver.ca/cemetery.
. Public Dream's Secret Souls Walk starts at a location to be disclosed the day of the event at 5 p.m. The guided walk will lead brave souls on a winding route through the alleys, streets and spaces of East Vancouver. Info: publicdreams.org.
FILM
OCT. 28
. Blim, Asa Mori, and Powell Street Festival Society present Cute to Kill II: Special Halloween Edition. The event features an expose of recent video works from local, national, and international animators and video artists. It runs 8 to 11 p.m. at VIVO, Main Street and East Fourth Avenue. Info: powellstreetfestival.com.
OCT. 28
. The Rio Theatre screens the original Halloween movie at midnight.
OCT. 28 AND 29
. Vancouver's first annual Halloween drive-in kicks off with Gremlins Oct. 28 and Beetlejuice Oct. 29. They'll play on a four-storey inflatable movie screen at 7 p.m. at 200 West First Ave. There's a $20 parking fee for cars and screenings are free for pedestrians and cyclists. Proceeds go to Cinema4Change. Info: halloweendrivein.ca.
OCT. 29 AND 31
. The Ridge Theatre screens The Rocky Horror Picture show at midnight. Costumes optional.
OCT. 31
.Vancity Theatre screens the 1932 movie Freaks at 8: 15 p.m. Banned in Britain for three decades and immortalized by the Ramones's song "Pinhead (Gabba Gabba Hey!), Freaks is an everyday circus story about a beautiful trapeze artist who marries a dwarf. But does she really love him, or is she just a golddigger?
