Halloween 2012

Wonder no more, revelers: the weekend before Halloween is the unofficial time to celebrate all things unholy, and the parties run from the weekend before to the Wednesday in question like a long, dark funhouse hallway.

As such, you have no choice but to grab your finest sexy-zombie-Davy Jones duds, slurp down a questionably-colored cocktail, and get to monster-mashing at these seriously spooky events. (Yes, you can get more than one wear out of that costume; we won't tell.)

1. Christmas isn't the only holiday of giving. Embrace the philanthropic spirit this Halloween with "A Wild & Dirty HAAM-O-Ween," featuring sets by Austin's own Dirty River Boys, Wild Child, and Ashley Monical. All proceeds benefit the very worthy Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, so you know exactly where your cover charge is going and can warm up your cold, dark heart with some bonafide generosity. Buy your tickets online or at the door, come in costume, and enjoy an all-ages show for a great cause. HAAM is an investment in your future as a local music lover, since it allows hundreds of Austin musicians to keep on producing great tunes with the peace of mind that they won't be bankrupted by medical costs should the need for care arise. See? Everybody wins.
Saturday, Oct. 27. Doors at 8 pm; Ashley Monical opens at 9 pm. Antone's, 213 W. 5th St./78701

2. Better get your tickets fast if you'd like to participate in the Moody Theater's 4th Annual Zombie Ball, taking place Saturday, October 27th. Presented by Barracuda Networks, the event promises epic spectacle, outlandish costumes, and some very talented performers. You will enjoy a gender-bending song and dance performance of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody by RubyRico, as well as musical performances by Bob Schneider and the Scabs (yet another side project from the Austin south-sider, this time with a dash of funk and a smattering of brass). Pimps of Joytime are in town from Brooklyn to play the event, as well as Austin's own Killa Dilla and DJ Rion King. It's the self-described "party to die for," so start practicing your dead-eyed stare now and ready yourself to revel in the magic of the Moody Theater. Tickets start at $25, and they usually sell out.
Doors at 8 pm. Sat., Oct. 27. ACL Live at the Moody Theater, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd./78701

3. If you prefer a more cinematic Saturday (and you love horror movies as much as we do), take your Halloween spirit up North to the 5th Annual Scarlet Waters Horror Film Showcase. Presented by Twitchy Dolphin Flix (one of Austin's most beloved and prolific indie film companies), the showcase features fifteen films, both features and shorts. $10 gives you the chance to get thoroughly creeped out, several times over, by some of Austin's finest local filmmakers.
9:30 am-11:30 pm, Saturday, Oct. 27th at the DoubleTree Hotel, 6505 N. I-35/78744

4. Living Room Live at the W features S.I.P ("Social Interactive Playtime") specials, the W's answer to your Monday happy hour needs. Not only will there be a fine selection of affordable foods and libations, but come in costume and you'll be in the running to win bottle service for yourself and your friends. Enjoy a custom Chronicle cocktail, "On the Chron" drink tickets, and fine music from the Ton Tons (Houston), Les Rav, and DJ Mixer Rogers.
8 pm, Monday, Oct. 29th at W Austin, 200 Lavaca St. 78701

5. Tuesday at Emo's features Yasiin Bey (the artist formerly known as Mos Def), with additional performances by Crew 54, DJ Chicken George, Bavu Blakes, Riders Against the Storm, and Kidd Jones. If you're a fan of Yasiin's thoughtful, often politically-charged music, be sure to grab tickets to this packed line-up and mark your Halloween week with a memorable show.
9 pm, Tuesday Oct. 30th, Emo's East, 2015 E. Riverside Dr.

6. Daft Punk is playing at your house. Okay, maybe not Daft Punk, but the very effects and production artists responsible for the aforementioned duo's visual and aural elements. The show, "Soundsystem," will take place at the home of ACL on Halloween night and will feature such artists as Dirty Vegas, Classixx, RAC, Flight Facilities, and Andrew Parsons. Jon Pleeter, the L.A.-based marketer and booking agent behind Daft Punk's Alive World tour, promises a mind-bending sensory experience and top notch electronic show: "SOUNDSYSTEM will bring to Austin world class electronic artists and DJs, combined with the best production designers in the world...We are going to completely transform the space inside and out. This show is going to blow minds.” For more information about the artists involved and to buy tickets, visit the event page.
Wednesday, Oct. 31. Doors at 7, show at 8 pm. ACL Live at the Moody Theater, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd./78701

7. Then of course Leonard Cohen, needing no introduction, will grace the stage at Bass Concert Hall on two nights, Wednesday, Oct. 31 and Thursday, Nov. 1. These evenings kick off the North American leg of his Old Ideas World Tour 2012. Grab your tickets to see the legendary singer-songwriter before they're gone and give yourself a hallowed evening to remember.
8 pm, Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., UT campus/78705