Originally, Halloween was a night when the veil between the dead and the living became less pronounced; now, it’s become a time to feel wildly, spastically alive. For kids, this happens through the power of sugar overload. For adults, it comes in the form of drunken parties and extreme costume adventures.
Here in the North Bay, the opportunities are plenty. On Friday, Oct. 26, the Last Day Saloon hosts a Halloween bash starring all-lady Zeppelin cover band Zepparella, along with Kerouac and Dginn (120 Fifth St., Santa Rosa; 9pm; $15). The same night, George’s throws its Thriller Halloween Costume Party, featuring ’80s cover band the 85’s (828 Fourth St., San Rafael; 9:30pm; $15–$20).
On Saturday, Oct. 27, at Aubergine, get dressed up in your best sexy Zombie Kim Kardashian and head over to Dead Wonderland, w/Z-Man, MC Radioactive, Chango B and DJ Beset. (755 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol; 8:30pm; $15). Down the road on Oct. 27, Hopmonk hosts the Cirque de Sebastopol Halloween Soiree, which promises a seemingly incongruous mix of barnyard folk and heavy bass beats, with Nit Grit, NastyNasty, Jug Dealers, Easy Leaves and Cabaret de Caliente (230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol; $20-$30; 8pm).
Feeling mellow on Oct. 31? Check out the Halloween Jam with Phil Lesh at Terrapin Crossroads. The night includes a buffet dinner, late night snacks (brains?) and costume contest (100 Yacht Club Drive, San Rafael; 6:30pm; $75). And over at the Sweetwater Music Hall, it’s the Ghosts of Electricity, a tribute to Bob Dylan, plus a costume contest! Zombie Joan Baez, perhaps? (19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley; 8pm; $22).—Leilani Clark
