Lina LecaroWith COVID-19 numbers down and most nightlife venues checking for proof of vaccinations, this year’s Halloween weekend actually looks kind of normal. And by normal we mean weird and wonderfully varied. Yes, the freaks come out at night again this year. There are many music mashes and dance bashes to choose from, too. Here’s our picks for the best “Halloween Parties 2021”:
Sex Cells with Dirty Sanchez, Teenage Werewolves and Queen Bitch
The return of sexy/scary/campy music project known as Dirty Sanchez has been long awaited, and this Halloween it’s finally happening! The electro-trio made up of drag royal Jackie Beat, club king Mario Diaz and DJ/keyboardist Barbeau are a killer experience. (Read all about them in a little write-up we did 15 (!) years ago here.) Also with our favorite Cramps tribute band Teenage Werewolves and all star glam band Queen Bitch. Sun., Oct. 31st. At the Globe Theatre. Tickets and info here.
Jack and Sally (Courtesy Disney Studios)
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Live with Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman is the king of Halloween. Not only is “Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo pretty much the official Hallows Eve party track (after “Thriller”), but his work on Disney’s The Nightmare Before Christmas helped make the film the classic it is. Seeing him revisit the role of Jack Skellington during a live screening of Burton’s animated gem (along with guests Billie Eilish, Ken Page and Weird Al) is a guaranteed great way to spend the holiday of pumpkins, ghosts and Xmas trees. Fri. Oct. 29 and Sun. Oct. 31st. At the Banc of California Stadium. Tickets and info here.
Release The Bats & Das Bunker’s THIS IS HALLOWEEN
If you’re looking for an authentic, old school vamp vibe this weekend, you cant go wrong with this dark dance in a spacious new venue. Industrial, EBM, Darkwave, Death Rock and more from L.A.’s best known selectors of the genre will be on (severed) hand as two of the longest-running goth clubs unite. Fri., Oct. 29. At Don Quixote. Tickets and info here.
(Courtesy Boulet Brothers)
Boulet Brothers’ Halloween Ball
The queens of horror always through a bash to die for and this year is no exception. Trixie Mattel & Katya, Jamari Balmain from HBO Max’s Legendary, Raspuntin’s Marionettes (Demonic Puppet Theater) and devilish dragsters from BB’s TV show Dragula (currently on Shudder) will be slaying it on stage while DJs move and maul with sultry, spooky sounds. Sat., Oct. 30st. At the Globe Theatre. Tickets and info here.
Club 90s and 2000s
The popular over 18 retro-ragers take over Los Globos, Catch One and 1720 this weekend. Friday: Club 2000s has Bruce Perdew spinning hip hop upstairs and Jason Lavitt spinning pop and Y2k era faves downstairs at Los Globos. The promoters also offer Justin Bieber Night at The Vermont with DJ Jeff. Saturday: Club 90s presents The Tim Burton Ball at Catch one and “Harryween,” a Harry Styles-themed bash with DJ Jeff at 1720. Sunday: A mixed mash on Halloween with DJ Bruce upstairs doing hip and DJ Jason downstairs spinning 2000’s hits at Los Globos. Fri., Oct. 29- Sun., Oct. 31st. Tickets and info here.
(Courtesy Cleopatra Records)
Danzig Sings Elvis
The King of rock n’ roll was never very spooky, but in the hands (and via the vocal cords) of Glenn Danzig, he kinda is. Crooning tunes off his 2020 Elvis Presley covers album, the Misfits singer and solo artist should bring a freaky fever to Halloween. Sun., Oct. 31st. At the Hollywood Roosevelt. Tickets and info here.
Bashes and Lashes at the Bourbon Room
From drag stars to theatrical stage tricks to the “ultimate Halloween party” this Hollywood Blvd. venue has you covered. First check out Horror Camp, a “musical murderous comedic romp” interactive theater piece; followed Flashback Heart Attack, a retro cover band (Fri.) and Mama G’s creepy kiki hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race faves Shangela (Sat.) and Eureka (Sun.). Fri., Oct. 29- Sun., Oct. 31st. Tickets and info here.
Courtesy Starcrawler (Credit:Cameron McCool)
Enter Zebulon if You Dare….
The Frogtown music space offers lost of treats this weekend. Fri.: Its Halloween covers night with ZZZ Top ( ZZ Top cover band with members of Wand), Damn (a Damned cover band with members of Emily Rose & the Rounders, Feels, Small Wigs, Oog Bogo), The Stop-Stop’s (Go-Go’s cover band with members of Susan and Gal Pals) and The Marones (Ramones cover band with members of White Fence, Kamikaze Palm and Tree, Oog Bogo). DJ Ambrea Kai spins. There’s also a Kulture Klub 80s dance party. Sat.: Hometown heroes Starcrawler and Niis perform, followed by dance night Bleed Out. Sun: Cold Life haunts the dance floor with goth vibes courtesy Das Bunker and Restless Nites. Fri., Oct. 29- Sun., Oct. 31st. Tickets and info here.
Also Recommended:
Freaky Friday (Oct. 29)
Bloodlust at Cha Cha Lounge
Nightmare on Glam Street
Halloween Massacre
Minimal Effort
Escape Halloween
Belle Book and Candle Burlesque
Oct. 29-Oct. 31st:
Halloween Parties at Bar Lis (Thompson Hollywood)
House of Spirits
Trick or Drink
More Halloween Fun here.
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