Spooky season is in full swing, and that means it’s nearly time for the wildest and weirdest event in Sonoma County, North Bay Cabaret’s Halloweird, on Thursday, Oct. 30 at El Infierno in Santa Rosa.
The annual event is put together by local promoter Jake Ward, who has established himself as a purveyor of sexy and strange burlesque in the North Bay. His team is composed of a self-selected family of artists, in business together for an evening’s entertainment that promises variety and value as the veil thins.
Halloweird has been held at Petaluma’s Mystic Theater the last few years. But this year, the party is moving to the newer club El Infierno for the first time. Ward explains, “While we’ll still be doing [other North Bay Cabaret] shows at the Mystic, we wanted to switch things up and ‘bring it home’ to Santa Rosa.”
This alludes to the fact the show started back in 2013 at the Arlene Francis Center in Santa Rosa, where it was a variety show called “All Hallows Eve.” From there, it moved around to places like now defunct venues Annie O’s, House of Rock and Whiskey Tip.
Ward also says the move back to its original home-base is practical, as “El Infierno’s three-room layout offers a more meandering, party-style atmosphere compared to a traditional seated show, which I think will make for a really dynamic and atmospheric experience.”
The lineup for said experience promises a full evening of entertainment including slam poet and performer Jamie DeWolf; burlesque/circus performers Dani Demize, Snatch Adams, Qu’in de la Noche, Sgt Die Wies, Roxy Mirage and Lucy Juggles; drag queen Kochina Rude; belly dancer Juliano Wade; pole dancer Amber Fox; voice actor and performer Jordan Ranft; singer songwriters Erica Ambrin and Karenna Slade; Underground Improv; and Max Madame.
Other highlights include a variety show, a dance party with live music by Van Goat and a DJ set by Dyops. There’s also a costume contest, photo booth, a dedicated food menu, two full bars and a schedule that shakes out thusly: 7-9pm with the variety show, followed by the band from 9-10pm, and a late DJ dance party from 10pm until that Halloween makeup wears off, or 11:30pm, whichever comes first.
The show is 21+, with a variety of ticket packages available. These include “Freakshow Floor,” which are standing room tickets for $25, and “Phantom’s Parlor” for $50, which includes floor seating.
From there, things get intriguing with “Vampire’s Balcony” tickets, which come as a pair for $130 and include “two reserved seats on the raised tier with no immediate neighbors, giving you an elevated view and a semi-private perch above the crowd (best for couples who want some personal space but not the full VIP experience).”
There’s also “Ghoul’s Night Out,” which also come in a pair at $160 and include a high-top table for two as well as the elevated view; “Witches Coven,” which is a four-pack of tickets for $325, which is best for a group; and the crème-de-la-creme option in “The Devil’s Throne,” which is a pair of tickets for $200 where attendees get front row access to the madness and Ward says is “the most intimate and decadent way to experience the show.”
‘Halloweird’ commences at 7pm, Thursday, Oct. 30, at El Infierno, 120 5th St. (at Davis) in Santa Rosa, in the former Annie O’s and Last Day Saloon location. For more information, including tickets, visit northbayevents.com.
