All Hallows Parties

Although I've never been much for costumes, Halloween is a favorite holiday for many people. Of course, for the kids, it's all about dressing up, trick-or-treating and consuming as much candy as possible. For the adults, it isn't much different: more often than not, it's all about dressing up, going to parties and drinking as much as possible.

If you love to immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit, dress up and go out, you've got plenty of parties to choose from this weekend as the clubs and bands run ahead of the curve and take advantage of the weekend instead of trying to work in a huge event on Halloween, which falls on Wednesday this year, eliminating the fun for many people.

Of course, there are plenty of private parties to choose from as well, but if you're going to go out and party in public, here are a few of the highlights that Tulsa has to offer this weekend.

Friday Festivities (Oct. 26)

If you're looking to open your weekend by dancing, look no further than The Vanguard, where the club's monthly Manga! Party takes on a Heroes & Villains theme for a costume extravaganza. This one is an 18 and over event with a $5 cover for the underage crowd with costume or $10 without. If you're over 21, entry is free with costume or $5 without. Although the Vanguard is really making its name as a live venue, the monthly dance parties and DJ event have gone well, taking advantage of a large dance floor and great sound system, so this just may be the dance party of the night.

Across the tracks, a smaller gathering is taking place at Joe Momma's with "Damion Shade's Halloween Spooktacular." Details were still to be revealed as of press time, but you can expect Shade to be taking the stage with his band and a group of special guests as Joe Momma's hosts a costume contest to cap off the night.

The big show on Friday night is being hosted by one of Tulsa's favorite indie rock acts, We The Ghost, as the band headlines a free "Halloween Extravaganza" at The Shrine which will include performances by O.T.S.B., Alan Doyle, Shake Shake, a costume contest, drink specials and, of course, a headline set by We The Ghost.

Saturday Spooktacular (Oct. 27)

By the time Saturday night rolls around, all of Tulsa should be ready to party and we've got a few shows selected for you to focus on.

If you're into dancing, darkwave and Goth, no holiday is more appropriate for the monthly Assimilation dance party than Halloween, so this is the perfect opportunity to get your freak on. This year is the 8th annual Assimilation Halloween Ball and it promises to be the biggest yet with a costume contest, free giveaways and cash prizes for the best costumes. The party returns to its old haunting grounds under a new name, landing at the Vanguard with doors opening at 8pm and an $8 cover before 11pm and $10 cover after.

If you're thinking you want something a bit more mainstream, you can't go wrong with the biggest dance party in town: the 4th Annual Spider Ball, presented by Bacardi and UTW at IDL Ballroom. Three rooms, six DJs, two VJs and nonstop dance music promises to keep you dancing 'til you drop.

IDL Ballroom will host Darku J and Just John while Steve Cluck and Speed Bump spin in Enso and Electric Circus hosts PANIC! DJs Falkirk and Kylie, along with Xylo Sesame and Logan Sours for video and lighting effects for a full night and fun in whatever room you land in.

There are also six categories in this year's costume contest: best homemade costume, best bought costume, scariest costume, sexiest costume, best couples costume and best in show with winners in each category taking home a custom made trophy.

Of course, there will be plenty of drink specials and the party will run late, so hotel packages with shuttle service are available through Holiday Inn, Tulsa City-Center.

Now, not all of us are about dance parties, or even dressing up. If you fall in that category, you can check out David Castro's Halloween Bash with special guest Darling Parade at The Hunt Club.

If you enjoy the costume idea, but prefer to let the bands do the work, you need to check out the "Costume Concert" at Downtown Lounge on Saturday night. Baron Von Swagger opens the show at 10pm with a full set of Clutch covers -- but that's not the main event. Rapper PDA is back in town and will take the stage late in the evening with drummer Chris Cramberg, guitarist Dustin Howard and bassist Brennan McDonald, performing as Rage Against the Machine for a costume set that will cover an hour of the band's biggest hits and anthems. The band has been rehearsing for weeks, so you know this will be one hell of a blowout and the live show of the night. Best of all, cover is only $7

Of course, there's one more huge costume party in town: possibly the biggest of the year, but you've got to have an invite and be on the guest list to attend the annual Brady Theater costume party and concert. If you know someone or are in the "in" crowd, rumor has it this year's lineup includes Jenny Labow, Charlie Redd & Full Flava Kings, Bradio, M.I.C. and FuZed for a full night of music and fun.

Choose wisely and happy haunting -- we know you'll have fun no matter where you land this weekend.

Send all comments and feedback regarding Music to ghizer@urbantulsa.com.