Lina LecaroSome people go sexy for Halloween parties, others go creepy. We recommend going for both — in the wittiest, weirdest, most grandiose getup you can find. While it's totally normal to stress about what to wear on this most glamorous and ghoulish of holidays, one thing you shouldn't fear is finding a party to haunt and flaunt your stuff. We've got the best ones right here, on both of this year's biggest nights.
Saturday, Oct. 26
The Great Pumpkin Fest: This Silver Lake gathering is for the whole family, and features Keith Morris, DJ Lance Rock (Yo Gabba Gabba) and yours truly on the decks, plus live rocking from Shooter Jennings, WITCH (featuring members of Foo Fighters, Blind Melon and Pearl Jam), The 88, Jason Cruz & The Howl, Wooly Bandits, The Crazy Squeeze and more. Bounce house, haunted house, food & crafts. Micheltorena Elementary School, 1522 Micheltorena St., Silver Lake. Noon-6 p.m.; $2 adults; kids free. facebook.com/events/1379840142256023
LACMA Muse Ball; Credit: Lina Lecaro
LACMA Muse: An artful celebration of self-expression through dress-up, dance and decadence, LACMA's 10th annual shindig includes an epic costume contest, with prizes for best black-and-white costumes, best classic movie monster and best Hollywood ghosts. Performers include Clairy Browne and the Banging' Rackettes live in front of the Urban Light installation, Theophilus London on the decks and Zombie Joe's Underground theater group creeping out the after-party. Extra bonus: Some LACMA exhibits are open during the event. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire; 8 p.m.; $60-$100. lacma.org/event/muse-costume-ball-1.
KCRW Masquerade: Consistently one of the biggest and best Halloween bashes in town, Masquerade attracts an amazing array of music-loving revelers. This year, Thievery Corporation's Rob Garza is on the decks, plus DJ Dave Sitek, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Dub Club's Tom Chasteen and KCRW jocks including Jason Bentley, Liza Richardson and Valida. Live performances by Glasser, Har Mar Superstar, The Lions, Grisfolk and more, plus additional amusements from Lucent Dossier, Solar Sculptures, Harlow Gold, food trucks and a costume contest. Park Plaza, 607 S. Park View, dwntwn.; 9 p.m.; $100 (includes KCRW membership). kcrw.com/events/masquerade-2013
KCRW Masquerade; Credit: Lina Lecaro
Miss Kitty's: Nobody claws into Halloween like Miss Kitty, and the feline's 13th annual event, held at the Dragonfly, is sure to be a sexy freakfest. Look for the return of special guest host Clive Barker, a naughty costume contest, carnival games and go-go monsters. With DJ Josh Peace and Xian. The Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; 9 p.m.; $20. facebook.com/events/557426577678532.
Halloween at the Roosevelt: Hollywood Boulevard has its share of tricks, especially on big party nights, but the trendy opulence at the Roosevelt, combined with the booking talents of promoters Homemade L.A., always makes for a treat. This year's lineup: DJ Nadia Ali, Mei Lwun + DJ Just, David Bullock, Derwin McRoth and Mixed Reactions. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; 8 p.m.; $115, VIP $195. facebook.com/events/1423348807892260/
Dragula Halloween Ball: Vampire life can be a drag. Just ask the Boulet Brothers, who, along with some of L.A.'s hottest queens and tranimals, have been throwing the bloody gender-bender called Dragula for the past few months. For their Halloween Ball, they're planning a performance by the Queen of the Damned herself, Ms. Jackie Beat. “Exorsisters” Grace Towers, Squeaky Blonde, Miles Davis Moody and Saint Peter D'Vil add to the spooky fun. The midnight drag pageant offers a $200 prize. Faultline, 4216 Melrose Ave., E. Hlywd.; 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; $10 cover; early arrival strongly recommended. facebook.com/events/1401340120099932.
Bar Sinister; Credit: Lina Lecaro
Bondage Ball/Bar Sinister's Ghostly Equestrian Ball: Pony up to Hollywood's most provocative party, a fete where gothic glamsters and fetishists frolic in their most fiendish finery. Fetish model Emily Marilyn will perform, and there will be giveaways, S&M play stations and an all-around wild time. It's 18 and older, so you can still party even if you can't drink. Boardner's, 1652 N. Cherokee Ave., Hlywd.; 10 p.m.-3:30 a.m.; $20 presale. facebook.com/events/161435160718968/
Boy George the Boogie Man: We'll tumble for this beat boy! At this party, the Karma Chameleon himself, Boy George, makes a rare L.A. appearance spinning electronic dance sounds along with international fave DJ Mark Vedo. Exchange L.A., 618 S. Spring St., dwntwn.; 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; $25, VIP $99. exchangela.com/calendar/event/244
Below: Parties on Halloween night!
Halloween: Thursday, Oct. 31
Tigerheat Masquerade Ball: Pop music can be a scary thing these days, but at Tigerheat, the flamboyant crowd (both gay and straight) and huge video projections make for an environment that turns even the dumb stuff into fun. This may be the only place Miley Cyrus' music doesn't make our blood curdle. You can bet your foam fingers that more than a few fans will be twerking in her teddy bear getup. Avalon Hollywood, 1735 Vine St., Hlywd.; 9:30 p.m.-3 a.m.; $12. facebook.com/events/462745073843951.
Tigerheat; Credit: Lina Lecaro
Blackbook: Loaded has become one of the most wicked places in Hollywood to see live rock & roll, and Halloween doesn't disappoint. On this night, Blackbook's bash gets dark and dirty with Deathriders (including lead vocalist Neil Turbin, formerly of Anthrax), Modelsaint and Sonic Reducer. Plus, a suspension performance by Core and a bangin' costume contest at midnight. 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; 8 p.m.; $20 cover. facebook.com/events/1393918654177434.
Decent DJ Madness: Some “super-secret surprise guests” are expected for the beats-and-bloodbath hosted by Mad Decent, Jeffrees and MFG called Teach Me How to Chucky 4: “Screeches and Lean.” Costumes required. Standard Downtown, 550 S. Flower St., dwntwn.; 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $10 with RSVP. facebook.com/events/1429465163940510.
Party Monster host Clint Catalyst; Credit: Lina Lecaro
Party Monster: Club kids always know how to have a killer time! For this dance orgy, old-school raver DJ Kool Aid spins along with Blk Rainbow and Whitney Fierce, while Clint Catalyst hosts along with Goddoll. Dress in your fiercest disco bloodbath look for the costume contest. (C'mon, you have a “disco bloodbath” look!) The Lash, 117 Winston St., dwtwn.; 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; no cover. facebook.com/events/220197288144939.
Spooky Tu Shoes: Goodie Tu Shoes' annual Halloween party offers a sneak peek at the Houston brothers' next hot spot, Madame Siame. Located beneath No Vacancy in the speakeasy-like space formerly known as Hush, this night features Las Vegas Michael Jackson impersonator Michael Kiss and DJs Patrick Melcher and Anthony Giancola. 1709 N. Hudson Ave., Hlywd.; 10 p.m.-2 a.m. facebook.com/pages/Goodie-Tu-Shoes/107225206023083
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