Spooktacular

Oct. 26, 2008

Hey kids, if mom and dad want to borrow your costumes this year, it’s probably because they’re heading out to one of the many Halloween bashes being held at nightclubs and bars around the region.
As every nightcrawler knows, Halloween weekend is one of the biggest bar nights of the year, with adult Trick-or-Treaters decked out in their scariest, sexiest and most topical outfits.
Halloween falling on Friday this year is a bonus, with more energy in the mix and more incentive to get out and party in your alter ego as Sarah Palin or a Beverly Hills chihuahua. Here’s a look at who’s doing what around the region, with other info provided in the Express Nightlife pages:

Petoskey/Harbor Springs:
Like a number of clubs around the region, Papa Lou’s will be hosting its Maximum Hardcore Halloween Party on Saturday, Nov. 1, with a costume contest and DJ mis from Bill Da Cat. City Park Grill is going with a “Blackout” theme for it’s party on Nov. 1, with black lights scattered around the club and glow-in-the-dark specials. That same evening, you’ll find Omelette & Finster’s 2nd Annual Monster Mash at Northern Lights Recreation, midway between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.

Traverse City:
Expect every bar and club in town to be packed with costumed dancers: Union Street Station offers Soul Patch and Egon. At The Loading Dock, its Treologic, while across town, Lil Bo offers Life Theory in a no-cover costume bash. Streeters Ground Zero starts Halloween on the 29th with shock-rockers Mushroomhead, followed up with Rave from the Grave with DJ beats on the 31st and a Pimp & Ho night on Nov. 1. Just out of town, check out the benefit bash for Mt. Holiday ski resort on Nov. 1 with two bands, including Rumors, which has been a mainstay for the event since its inception.

Area Casinos:
Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey is offering a $500 prize for the best costume at its Halloween Masquerade, along with prizes for the scariest, sexiest and most original outfits, with Soulstice performing in the Ozone nightclub. At Turtle Creek Casino in Williamsburg, you’ll find a tarot card reader and costume contest, along with a chance to win a 2008 Jeep Patriot. The Leelanau Sands Showroom features Twisted Finster for its Halloween bash. Little River Casino in Manistee kicks off with a Psychic Fair on Oct. 26, including massage therapists and tarot readers, and follows up with a costume contest in the Grove Lounge on Halloween.

Haunted Houses:
Whew! They’re all over the map this year, ranging from the Ghost Ship on the City of Milwaukee in Manistee to the House of Horror in Wolverine and a Halloween Maze in Beulah. Check out 11 options in the “Haunted Happenings” feature on page 27.