Calling All Hallows
Admit it: we’re a happy Valley because we’re all a bunch of freaks. And Halloween seems to be the time of year we most like to let those flags fly. The night is a dark, blank canvas for creative expression and demonic possession. That’s why it proved hard for us to spotlight one event this week. So we dedicate this page to a bunch of ungodly fun that we’ll have to check out, or curse ourselves for skipping. Here are our top dozen picks:
ON FRIDAY NIGHT:
Union Station in Northampton hosts a huge Halloween party (no cover) with DJs Ruki and Miami Hypez, a photo booth, and costume contest with gift cards and a grand prize of two tickets to a Bruins or Celtics game of your choice. 8 p.m.
The Suitcase Junket plays a Halloween-themed concert at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls – one of two Signature Sounds acts that are throwing back-to-back costume parties this weekend (check out And The Kids at a similarly festive show at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Saturday). 8 p.m. $15-$18.
Haven throws its Halloween party at a new venue (the Florence VFW) with a large dance floor, cheap (but strong) drinks, and DJs Dirge and Xero. Organizers advise: if you don’t have a costume, please dress goth, industrial, or at minimum all-black. 9 p.m. $10 cover. 18+.
ON SATURDAY NIGHT:
The Shea Theater in Turners Falls hosts “Night of the Living Dead” to celebrate the legacies of the many great musicians lost since last Halloween, with a handful of local bands performing covers in costume (in conjunction with Turners Falls Pumpkin Fest). 7 p.m. $5.
Abandoned Building Brewery in Easthampton throws a Halloween bash with costumes and live music from Wocky, Fovea, and LuxDeluxe. 8 p.m. $5. 21+.
Seymour in Greenfield presents a Bar Spooktacular with fortune telling, tarot readings, Ouija boards, special potions, costume contest, candy, and a ton of candles and spooky fog. 5 p.m.
ON SUNDAY NIGHT:
Positive Geek in Brattleboro hosts a geeky horror costume show that runs heavy on the cosplay, with a professional photographer. From 6 p.m., followed by a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Latchis at 10 p.m. (standard ticket prices apply).
It’s Hell Night at The Quarters in Hadley, with horror films on the projector and a special menu of spicy food and drinks to complement five hours of DJs spinning thrash, doom, Norwegian, tech, sludge, and metal. 8 p.m.
It’s also the final night to catch Hocus Pocus Live! in Hartford, a 30-minute live adaptation of the so-bad-it’s-good movie featuring drag performers Summer Orlando, Mia E Z’Lay, and Kiki Lucia. $15 includes a dinner buffet at 6 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.
ON MONDAY NIGHT:
The Dream Away Lodge in Becket presents “Monday Night Freakball,” featuring live music by Home Body and surprises from many dimensions, including but not limited to a haunted garden labyrinth, pits of fire and fury, libations, potions, snacks, and sweets.
Valley Ghost Tours takes visitors on a haunted Northampton, including a stop-in at The Foundry to share some scary ghost stories over craft beers. 7:30 p.m. $12-$17.
Monkey Bar in Amherst hosts Harambe’s Revenge, a haunted house complete with a torture chamber where the felled gorilla and his friends can make their contempt for humanity known (waiver required; no dicks out, please). 10 p.m. 21+.
Oh, and don’t forget to go trick or treating! Responsibly, that is. We may all be freaks, but no one likes a creep.
— Hunter Styles, hstyles@valleyadvocate.com
