As Halloween approaches, so do the parties: large & small, private and public. They can range from quaint house parties to full block parties that turn the streets into a minor house of horrors -- especially the morning after. At the rate we're going, Tulsa might very well catch up with Oklahoma City, which has developed quite the Halloween reputation of its own throughout the past couple of years with the "Ghouls on Parade" extravaganza.

Unfortunately, anyone who wasn't paying close enough attention missed it (including myself), as the parade was last Saturday, Oct. 24.

Follow my lead and mark your calendars NOW for next year's event -- and do it in red ink.

Seeing how Ghouls on Parade has already passed, however, you won't need to leave town this weekend to prove your Halloween allegiance to the Flaming Lips. That being the case, you can feel free to chill in T-Town and enjoy one of the parties here -- and I'm sure you'll be able to find one that fits your taste.

Get Your Rocks Off

Perhaps the biggest event this year is A Rocky (Horror) Halloween. This year, instead of a month-long stand at the PAC's Williams Theater, the live production of Rock Horror Picture Show is going down on Halloween night with one performance for a much bigger crowd in the Brady Arts District. And in keeping with Rocky Horror's best Halloween performances, the event looks to be more over the top than ever.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. For more information, turn to page XX for "Happy Horror-ween."

Catch a Thrill

If you're looking for something a little more subdued, but not less celebratory, you might want to head south to the Doubletree at Warren Place for Michael Jackson's "This Is It" Thriller Bash. The festivities start at 8pm and will include plenty of dance tunes, courtesy of DJ Chris Terrell and a special Michael Jackson Tribute performance by Eldredge Jackson and Listening Pleasure, Austyn King and Sarah Nicole Sanders.

Of particular note is the fact that Eldredge was the last artist to record Jackson's "Rock with You" before his death -- a recording that's all the more poignant to Tulsans because it was also the last record produced by Wayman Tisdale before his untimely passing.

Following Michael Jackson's death, Eldredge's version shot up in popularity, both in airplay and sales following behind Michael's own version of the seminal pop classic.

An event appropriate Thriller dance-off will cap the evening, along with a "Jazzoween" costume contest. Tickets are available for $15 in advance or $25 at the door for an evening of pop, jazz and dancing and additional hotel packages are available through the Doubletree Hotel.

Caught in the Web

If you're looking for something that falls in the middle, you'll do well to roll out to the IDL Ballroom for DFest's first annual Spider Ball. Basically, this one is just your all-out dance party and a reason to cut loose with your friends. It's also an opportunity to get a peek of what's yet to come as the complex continues the renovation process.

PDA performs in the Ballroom with DJ Synthcon spinniing tunes until things wrap up at 2am. Next door at Enso's (formerly Capella's) you'll get a chance to scope a fully reworked room, including a classy vibe and new hardwood floors and turn the room into a giant dance floor as Steve Cluck takes over as DJ for the night.

Both rooms will have full bars open, so it's strictly a 21 and over affair. There's no cover, however, just a dress code: come in costume or Black & White. No cheesy contests -- just fun, drinks and dancing.